2026 Toyota bZ vs 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan

The all-new 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan corrects the last generation's user interface issues while making incremental improvements throughout the rest of the vehicle. The company’s best-selling model in North America easily meets expectations for a compact SUV, and it’s the only entrant with that German look and feel. Otherwise, it doesn't distinguish itself from the rest of the pack.

Verdict: The new Tiguan is a handsome crossover and the only sub-luxury German option. However, amid an incredibly competitive field, the redesigned Tiguan does too little to separate itself from the crowd.

Readers are looking at the electric vehicle formerly known as the bZ4X. It wears a shorter name for 2026, but that’s not the big news. More power, up to 468 kilometres of range, a standard NACS charging port (with a CCS adapter), and Plug & Charge capability are all major improvements. Toyota has also tidied up the styling inside and out and added a larger infotainment screen.

Verdict: With the refreshed 2026 bZ, Toyota has fixed the bZ4X’s most significant flaws, making this a genuinely competitive model at a comparatively affordable price.