2021 Toyota Sequoia vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia, despite its attempts to stay modern with a 2018 facelift, still showed its age. The subtle updates to the headlights and grille were overshadowed by the vehicle's large and imposing silhouette. Inside, the Sequoia's design was reminiscent of the mid-2000s, with a massive, multi-tiered center dash and a standard 7-inch touchscreen that seemed small against the expansive dashboard. The front seats, though bulky, left tall drivers feeling cramped, especially with the optional sunroof. However, the second-row seats offered ample headroom and legroom, providing comfort and support for passengers. The Sequoia was available in several trims, including the SR5, TRD Sport, Limited, Nightshade Edition, TRD Pro, and Platinum, each offering various features and upgrades.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan boasted clean lines and balanced proportions, offering a conservative yet upscale design that promised to age well. The Tiguan was notably large for its class, providing a roomy interior with plenty of space for four people, and an optional third-row seat expanded capacity to seven. The interior featured modern geometric forms and a no-nonsense control layout, though some hard plastics and flimsy steering wheel stalks detracted from its premium feel. The Tiguan was available in S, SE, and SEL trims, with sporty R-Line design upgrades in the SE R-Line Black and SEL Premium R-Line variants. Our test vehicle, an SEL with 4Motion AWD, was priced at $35,040, including the destination charge.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a robust 5.7-liter V8 engine, delivering 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, provided stout acceleration, even for an SUV weighing up to 6,000 pounds. The Sequoia's driving dynamics were akin to a truck, with a soft suspension and overpowered brakes that some drivers found appealing. However, the Sequoia's towing capacity of 7,400 pounds lagged behind competitors like the Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission sent power to the front wheels, with 4Motion AWD available as an option. While the Tiguan's powertrain was adequate, it suffered from turbocharger lag, making it feel breathless during passing maneuvers. The Tiguan's fuel economy was rated at 25 mpg combined with FWD and 24 mpg with AWD, though our test model averaged 22.6 mpg. Despite these drawbacks, the Tiguan offered a pleasurable driving experience with light steering, a compliant ride, and nimble handling.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia's spacious cabin was a major selling point, offering nearly 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and up to 120 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The Sequoia's power-retractable rear window was a unique feature, allowing easy access to the cargo area. While the front-row space could have been better utilized, the Sequoia provided ample storage options, including deep in-door pockets and a massive center console.

Inside the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, comfort was prioritized with large doors and tall seating hip points for easy entry and exit. The front seats offered a wide range of adjustments, while the back seat provided excellent support and generous legroom. The Tiguan's cargo space varied depending on the presence of the optional third-row seat, ranging from 33 to 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row, with a maximum capacity of 65.7 to 73.5 cubic feet. The 40/20/40-split folding rear seat allowed for versatile cargo and passenger arrangements.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a WiFi hotspot. Our test model included a larger 9-inch screen, though it still felt small on the large dash. The Sequoia's infotainment system was user-friendly, with simple menu navigation and large hard buttons.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan introduced the MIB3 infotainment system starting with the SE trim, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen, faster processing, and expanded features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While the MIB3 system was an improvement, it had some quirks, and the standard six-speaker sound system struggled with bass-heavy music. The SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims included Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation, offering an understated approach to technology and information display.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense-P suite, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. It also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front-and-rear parking sensors. However, the Sequoia's older platform resulted in a four-star rollover rating from the NHTSA.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan came with the IQ Drive collection of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The SE trim added adaptive cruise control, while the SEL included lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist. The Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS in SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims, thanks to high-performing LED headlights.