2024 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2025 Subaru Forester

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan was noted for its premium appearance, which set it apart from its non-European rivals in the compact SUV class. The exterior featured 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 was limited to grayscale colors, while higher trims offered more color options, albeit with some restrictions. The interior of the Tiguan varied by trim, with the base S offering cloth seating and heated front seats, while the SEL R-Line boasted real leather, front-seat ventilation, and a heated steering wheel.

In contrast, the 2025 Subaru Forester focused on practicality and capability, though it received notable styling updates. The exterior included standard roof rails and 17-inch alloy wheels, with the Sport trim featuring bronze accents and 19-inch wheels. The Forester maintained its large-greenhouse shape but with more geometric wheel arches and a leveled-off window design. The interior offered cloth upholstery with blue contrast stitching on the base trim, while the Sport trim featured easy-to-clean StarTex material. Higher trims like Limited and Touring provided genuine leather seating and additional comfort features. The cabin was redesigned for a more intentional look, with structural dash elements that felt high-quality.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with 4Motion all-wheel drive available for an additional $1,500 on lower trims and standard on the SEL R-Line. The AWD models had a slightly larger fuel tank, but fuel economy decreased to 25 mpg combined for the base AWD model and 24 mpg for AWD R-Line trims. The Tiguan's power delivery was inconsistent, with turbo and transmission lag, and the steering felt light and rubbery. However, visibility and handling were commendable, and road noise was minimal.

The 2025 Subaru Forester featured a 2.5-liter Boxer four-cylinder engine, delivering 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, with a Lineartonic CVT and standard Symmetrical AWD. The Forester's engine was quieter than expected, especially at lower speeds. Subaru's X-Mode system, standard from the Premium trim, enhanced stability and traction on challenging terrain. The Forester Sport's performance was stable and confident on various surfaces, with smooth steering and seamless X-Mode activation. Fuel economy was rated at 26 mpg city, 33 highway, and 29 combined, with a slight decrease for Sport and Touring trims. A hybrid version was anticipated but not yet available.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a two-row configuration in AWD models, providing 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place and 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The three-row FWD models had reduced cargo space, with 12 cubic feet behind the third row and 65.3 cubic feet with only the front seats in use. Passenger space was generous in the first two rows, with 39.6 inches of headroom and 40.2 inches of legroom in the front. The third row was tighter, with 33.8 inches of headroom and 27.9 inches of legroom, but still more spacious than some competitors.

The 2025 Subaru Forester introduced a hands-free power liftgate, increasing cargo space to 29.6 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 74.4 cubic feet with them folded. The cargo area featured eight heavy-duty hooks, and the Forester's roomy second row contributed to its competitive interior space. The dark headliner was designed to resist marks from pets and gear. The Premium trim offered a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, with additional features like heated seats and driver’s seat memory available on higher trims. The Forester's interior was designed for practicality and comfort, with thoughtful features for family use.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan featured haptic touch slider buttons for climate control, which were responsive and easy to use. The infotainment system had an 8-inch center touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the base trim had a 6.5-inch screen. The Digital Cockpit System was standard, with the SEL R-Line offering a fully configurable 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro screen. The nine-speaker Fender Premium Audio System was a highlight, providing excellent sound quality.

The 2025 Subaru Forester introduced an 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus infotainment system, standard on all but the base trim, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The base trim had two 7-inch touchscreens with wired smartphone projection. Premium and higher trims included dual USB-A and USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, and Wi-Fi hotspot capability. The Touring trim featured a voice-activated navigation system and an 11-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, with additional driver-assistance features available in packages for Sport and Limited trims.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan earned a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, and its safety features improved for 2024 with the standard IQ.DRIVE suite. This included adaptive cruise control, active blind-spot monitoring, Lane Assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist. Additional features included rain-sensing wipers, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward collision warning with pedestrian detection.

The 2025 Subaru Forester offered Emergency Stop Assist, available on Touring trims with the driver distraction-mitigation system. The Forester's EyeSight suite of driver-assistance technology was standard, with enhancements for 2025, including a wider field of view and an electric brake booster. The 2024 model received a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA, setting high expectations for the 2025 model.