2024 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2025 Honda Pilot

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a sophisticated exterior, often perceived as more premium compared to its non-European counterparts. Its design included standard LED headlights and taillights, with an illuminated grille light line on the SEL R-Line trim. The model name was prominently displayed in all caps at the rear, alongside the classic Volkswagen badge. The base trim offered limited color options, while higher trims allowed for more customization, albeit with some restrictions.

Inside, the Tiguan's base model featured heated front seats and cloth upholstery, while higher trims added leatherette or real leather, power-adjustable seats, and additional amenities like a panoramic sunroof and heated steering wheel. The configurator's complexity was noted, especially when selecting specific color and material combinations.

The 2025 Honda Pilot, particularly in the Black Edition trim, showcased a rugged yet suburban-friendly design. It featured black wheels, blacked-out trim, and exclusive red accents in the interior. The Pilot's exterior aimed for a more robust appearance, especially with the TrailSport trim, which enhanced off-road capabilities. The interior was thoughtfully designed for family use, with quality materials and practical storage solutions.

Despite its attractive design, the Pilot's digital displays appeared dated compared to rivals. The Black Edition's interior included black leather seats with red accents, a heated steering wheel, and a panoramic sunroof. The Pilot's cabin was spacious, with flexible seating arrangements and thoughtful features like smartphone holders and rear window shades.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and offered front-wheel drive as standard, with an optional 4Motion all-wheel drive. The AWD option slightly reduced fuel efficiency, with the base model achieving 25 mpg combined. The Tiguan's driving experience was mixed, with inconsistent power delivery and touchy controls, though visibility and handling were commendable.

The 2025 Honda Pilot boasted a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, generating 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It offered multiple driving modes and a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds. The Pilot's AWD system included torque vectoring and hill descent control. While the V6 provided good acceleration, the transmission occasionally lagged. Fuel economy was less impressive, averaging 20 mpg during testing. The Pilot's handling was predictable, though an adaptive-damping suspension could enhance ride quality.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a two-row configuration in AWD models, providing 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space with seats up, expanding to 73.4 cubic feet with seats folded. The three-row version, available in FWD models, reduced cargo space but maintained passenger comfort. The Tiguan's compact size was notable, offering a third row in a class where it's rare.

The 2025 Honda Pilot excelled in form and function, with three rows of seating and ample cargo space. The Black Edition's front seats were comfortable, though the passenger seat lacked adjustability. The second row was spacious, with removable center seats for easy access to the third row. The Pilot offered 18.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 86.5 cubic feet with seats folded. Features like a hands-free power tailgate and triple-zone climate control added convenience.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan featured haptic touch slider buttons for climate control, which were responsive and easy to use. The infotainment system, however, had monochromatic graphics that felt out of place. It included an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Digital Cockpit System was standard, with a 10.25-inch display on the SEL R-Line trim. The nine-speaker Fender Premium Audio System was a highlight.

The 2025 Honda Pilot's technology appeared dated, with smaller display screens. The Black Edition included a 10.2-inch digital gauge panel and a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment system offered navigation, Wi-Fi access, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. However, the voice recognition system was inconsistent, and the wireless phone charging pad was not well-designed. The CabinTalk feature allowed communication with rear passengers.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan earned a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS. For 2024, it included the IQ.DRIVE suite of driver-assistance features as standard, offering adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and semi-autonomous highway driving. Additional safety features included rain-sensing wipers and forward collision warning.

The 2025 Honda Pilot came with Honda Sensing safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The Black Edition added parking sensors and a multi-view camera system. The Pilot earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. However, some safety systems, like adaptive cruise control, showed inconsistencies during testing.