2020 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2021 Chevrolet Trax

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan, redesigned in 2018, presented a stylish yet conservative German aesthetic. Its exterior featured clean lines and a horizontal grille adorned with Volkswagen's new flat logo, connecting the headlights. Despite its contemporary look, the Tiguan's interior was less impressive, with plain design elements and hard black plastic surfaces. The cockpit, while simple, was overshadowed by the focus on electronics, such as the optional digital dashboard and glass-covered touchscreen infotainment system, which were highlights in an otherwise unremarkable interior.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax, based on the 2015 model, retained its 2017 design updates. It offered two trims, LS and LT, after dropping the Premier trim. The LS came with basic features like 16-inch wheels, cloth upholstery, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The LT trim added conveniences like heated mirrors, remote start, and upgraded seating. Despite these features, the Trax's design was more functional than stylish, with available styling packages like the Redline Edition and Midnight Edition adding some flair.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, offered either front-wheel drive or an optional all-wheel drive. Despite its size and weight, the Tiguan provided a snappy throttle response and minimal turbo lag, though it required patience for highway passing. The Tiguan's handling was impacted by its larger size, with a longer wheelbase affecting nimbleness. Its suspension ensured a comfortable ride, even on rough roads, but it wasn't the most fun to drive in its class.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax featured a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 138 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. This engine, coupled with a six-speed automatic transmission, offered front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. While adequate for city driving, the Trax struggled to gain power on highways, accompanied by noticeable engine noise. Its firm ride could be harsh over bumps, but its tight turning radius provided good maneuverability in urban settings. Compared to rivals like the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30, the Trax lacked driving excitement and comfort.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in practicality, with a second row of seats that could slide up to seven inches, making the third row more usable. While the third row wasn't spacious, it offered enough legroom for shorter adults and children. Front-drive models included the third row, while it was optional for all-wheel-drive versions. The Tiguan's cargo capacity was impressive, with up to 73.5 cubic feet available in two-row models. The driver's seat provided ample room, and the vehicle's design made it feel larger than it was, appealing to those downsizing from larger SUVs.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax offered decent headroom and legroom in both rows, though the rear seats lacked comfort for long journeys. The front featured multiple storage trays and low cupholder placement for convenience. Cargo space was mid-pack for its segment, with 18.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and up to 48.4 cubic feet with them folded. The front passenger seat could also fold flat for larger items. However, the Trax lacked options for a power liftgate, limiting its functionality.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan featured the MIB II infotainment system, which was set to be replaced by MIB3 in the following year. Despite this, the current system was highly regarded, with an 8-inch capacitive touchscreen available in higher trims. The system offered bright graphics, a responsive interface, and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Tiguan also included a digital cockpit on top trims, providing a customizable instrument panel. USB ports and a wireless charging pad were available, enhancing connectivity options.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax came with a 7-inch touchscreen running the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, praised for its user-friendly interface and vivid graphics. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, two USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, and an available WiFi hotspot. The system's hard buttons and dials complemented the touchscreen, making it easy to use.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan improved its standard safety package with features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. However, advanced features like adaptive cruise control were reserved for higher trims. The Tiguan included Car-Net, a telematics package offering remote access and monitoring features. While the NHTSA hadn't crash-tested the Tiguan, the IIHS rated it a Top Safety Pick for models with LED headlights.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax received a five-star crash test rating from the NHTSA but lacked recognition from the IIHS. Standard safety features were limited to airbags and a backup camera, with additional features like blind-spot monitoring available in the LT Convenience Package. The Trax fell short compared to rivals offering more comprehensive safety packages.