2021 Volvo XC60 vs 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen completely overhauled the Tiguan for the 2018 model year, introducing an all-new second generation of its compact crossover SUV. The 2020 model retained the stylish and conservatively German design, with clean and simple lines. The new flat logo adorned a horizontal grille that connected the headlights, giving it a contemporary Volkswagen look. However, the interior was less impressive, with plain and dull surfaces, hard black plastic, and a design that seemed to prioritize electronics over aesthetics. The optional digital dashboard and glass-covered touchscreen infotainment system were highlights, but the overall cockpit felt boring.

In contrast, the 2021 Volvo XC60 showcased an elegant, tailored crossover design with short front and rear overhangs. The body sides were athletically tucked in, and crisp details emphasized an agile form. The upright grille proudly displayed Volvo’s iron mark logo, and the front headlights featured an LED daytime running light in the shape of Thor’s hammer. Inside, the XC60 exuded Scandinavian style with clean lines, authentic materials, and a serene aura. The 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen was easier to accept than in previous years, and the little details, like the elegant HVAC vents, elevated the interior to near-luxury status.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. It drove either the front or all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Tiguan's powertrain offered snappy throttle response and minimal turbo lag, but it was only moderately fleet of foot. The automatic transmission downshifted quickly and smoothly, but passing on the highway in a fully loaded Tiguan required patience. The Tiguan's handling was impacted by its larger size, with a longer wheelbase making it less nimble. The suspension was soft, ensuring a comfortable driving experience, even on rough roads. However, the Tiguan was not the best choice for those seeking a fun-to-drive compact crossover.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 offered a range of powertrains, starting with the T5 model, which used a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 model added a supercharger, boosting output to 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The T8 model, a plug-in hybrid, combined a turbocharged and supercharged engine with an 87-horsepower electric motor, producing a total of 400 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. The T8 Polestar Engineered model further increased output to 415 horsepower. The XC60's AWD system and torque vectoring allowed it to glide around corners effortlessly, and the cabin was serenely quiet. The suspension smoothed out bumps, making it an excellent road-trip car. Fuel economy ranged from 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway for the T5 FWD to 57 MPGe combined for the T8 in electric-only mode.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in practicality, with a second row of seats that could slide up to seven inches fore and aft, making the third row useful. Front-drive Tiguans came with a third row, while AWD models were standard five-seaters with the third row available as an option. The third row had enough legroom for shorter adults and kids, but the low cushion position relative to the floor was a drawback. The split second-row seats folded flat, providing 65.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row collapsed, and 73.5 cubic feet in two-row models. The Tiguan felt roomy, with plenty of hip and shoulder room in the front seats and abundant glass in the greenhouse.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was designed for comfort and style, with highly adjustable front seats that were praised for their comfort. The heating system was effective in sub-freezing temperatures, and the heated seats, rear glass heater, and windshield defroster performed exceptionally well. The cabin featured smart storage solutions in the center console, dashboard, and door panels. The second row had secure storage in the seatbacks, lower center console, door panels, and center armrest. The XC60 offered 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 63.6 cubic feet behind the first row. Each XC60 model was rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan featured the MIB II infotainment system, which was set to be replaced by MIB3 the following year. The current system was already one of the best on the market, with a 6.5-inch touchscreen display in the base S trim and an 8-inch capacitive touchscreen in higher trims. The 8-inch display was particularly impressive, with a glass surface, bright colors, and a speedy processor. The Tiguan S had a single USB-C port, while higher trims had two USB-A ports in the front and one in the second row. A wireless charging pad was available in higher trims. The Digital Cockpit, a fully digital instrument panel, was available on top SEL trims, offering a customizable display that included a panoramic map. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a WiFi hotspot were standard.

The 2021 Volvo XC60's infotainment system, Sensus, used a tablet-style touchpad interface with swipe, pinch, and pull gestures. The portrait orientation resembled an iPad, and the screen was segmented into function quadrants. The system could be intuitive and easy to operate, but there was a learning curve. Smartphone integration included Bluetooth hands-free and streaming audio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot with a free three-month trial. The Volvo On Call app added vehicle-specific functionality, such as maintenance reminders and remote locking. The Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system in the test XC60 was exceptional.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan improved its standard safety package, adding forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. However, adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assistance and LED headlights with automatic high beams were reserved for the top SEL trim. All Tiguan models came with Car-Net, a telematics package that connected the vehicle to an owner's smartphone or watch. Car-Net offered remote locking and unlocking, status checks, and vehicle location. The IIHS rated the Tiguan a Top Safety Pick for SEL Premium models with LED headlights, but most Tiguans had halogen headlights rated poor.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was awarded a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and received five-star ratings from the NHTSA for the T5/T5 AWD and T6 AWD models. The XC60 came with a host of standard safety features, including LED headlights, blind-spot monitoring with steering assist, rear cross-traffic alert with automatic emergency braking, collision avoidance, and more. Volvo's semi-autonomous driving system, Pilot Assist, was available, integrating adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist. The XC60 was governed to a top speed of 112 mph for safety.