2025 Buick Enclave vs 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2025 Buick Enclave presented a bold and modern aesthetic, drawing inspiration from the Envista with its sharp design elements. The front featured slim DRLs and a large, angular grille, giving it a striking presence. While the side profile was slightly more generic, the overall look was bolder than its predecessor. The Enclave's design included fewer creases, a flatter roof, and subtly sharpened wheel arches. Standard 20-inch wheels on the base and Sport Touring trims, with unique touches on the Sport Touring, added to its appeal. Inside, the Enclave offered a modern and premium feel with a floating center console and a large curved display, reminiscent of futuristic EVs. The Sport Touring trim featured perforated leatherette seats with contrast piping, enhancing the interior's upscale vibe. However, the limited sunroof availability was a drawback, especially for a near-luxury SUV.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan underwent a complete redesign, embracing sleek modernity inspired by VW's electric vehicles. The front showcased narrower headlights and a larger visual grille, with illuminated elements on the top SEL R-Line trim. The side profile featured a sportier tapering hatch, enhanced by a black contrasting roof and dark-tinted windows. The Tiguan's rear sported a single bar taillight design, echoing the front's illuminated logo and bar. Inside, the Tiguan adopted a minimalist approach with a tablet-like infotainment display and a digital instrument panel. The dashboard's horizontal layout and relocated gear selector provided a sense of space. While materials quality was average, the Tiguan's interior offered practicality with ample storage options. The elimination of capacitive-touch buttons improved usability, and the overall design represented an evolution of previous themes with a nod to newer VW vehicles.

The 2025 Buick Enclave was powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and offered both front-wheel-drive (FWD) and all-wheel-drive (AWD) configurations, with AWD available for an additional $2,000. The Enclave's fuel economy was slightly affected by AWD, dropping from 23 to 21 mpg combined. It had a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The Enclave's Active Noise Cancellation targeted road noise effectively, but engine noise cancellation was standard only on the top trim. The turbo engine was loud and tended to rev more than expected, making the optional engine noise cancellation a worthwhile consideration. The Enclave, classified as a mid-size crossover, drove like a full-size vehicle, with noticeable bulk and loose steering at slower speeds. While not a priority for driving dynamics, it was comparable to competitors like the Mazda CX-90.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 201 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque. It came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and offered FWD, with Volkswagen's 4Motion AWD available on all models and standard on the top SEL R-Line trim. The Tiguan's acceleration was expected to be similar to its predecessor, reaching 60 mph in approximately 8.5 seconds. The drivetrain delivered power smoothly and linearly, with improved responsiveness compared to the previous model. The Tiguan's braking was confident, with a well-weighted pedal for smooth stops. Its suspension favored comfort, effectively smoothing over road imperfections while maintaining composure in corners. The cabin was quiet, with minimal tire and wind noise. While not sporty, the Tiguan was appropriately tuned for a balance of performance and comfort. A more powerful Turbo version was anticipated for 2026, offering increased output for spirited drivers, along with a teased hybrid powertrain.

The 2025 Buick Enclave offered eight-way power adjustability for the driver's seat and six-way for the front passenger's seat. It featured captain's chairs in the second row, accommodating up to seven passengers. Heated steering wheel and front seats were standard, with heated second-row seats and front-row ventilation exclusive to the Avenir trim. The Avenir also included a two-position memory feature, available as an add-on for lower trims. Tri-zone climate control was standard, with middle-row passengers having control over their temperature. The Enclave's power-folding second and third-row seats were convenient, with a one-touch power feature available on all trims. The AutoSense liftgate provided easy access to the cargo area, offering 22.9 cubic feet of space with all seats in place, expanding to 57.1 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 97.5 cubic feet with both rear rows folded.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan returned without a third row, resulting in increased second-row legroom by 1.5 inches. Headroom remained sufficient for average-sized adults. The elimination of capacitive-touch buttons improved usability, with traditional controls on the steering wheel. The center console offered more storage, with cupholders, a smartphone slot, and a deep armrest bin. Large door pockets provided additional storage. Cargo capacity was not finalized, but the new area appeared smaller than the previous model's 37.6 cubic feet. The angled liftgate limited loading of bulkier items, but deep pockets behind the wheel humps offered secure storage for smaller items. The Tiguan featured remote seatback releases and a power liftgate, standard on all but the base trim, with hands-free operation on the top SEL R-Line.

The 2025 Buick Enclave showcased its premium positioning with advanced technology offerings. A large curved display, standard on all trims, integrated the infotainment display and digital gauge cluster. However, smartphone projection interrupted the seamless design. A 12-speaker Bose Premium audio system was standard, with a 16-speaker Bose Performance system exclusive to the Avenir trim. Wireless charging, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto were standard, with Google Built-In providing native apps. Wi-Fi hotspot capability and wired charging with USB ports in each row were also included.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan featured a digital instrument panel and a 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen, with an optional 15-inch display on the top trim. Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a wireless phone charger, enhanced connectivity. Capacitive-touch sliders adorned the infotainment screen, but a new volume knob improved usability. The Atmospheres feature combined ambient lighting and audio settings to enhance mood, though it seemed out of place in a non-luxury vehicle. The standard audio system had seven speakers, with a 12-speaker Harman Kardon system available on the top trim. VW's Car-Net system offered remote monitoring, control, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The 2025 Buick Enclave prioritized safety with advanced driver-assistance features. Newly standard were blind-zone steering assist, intersection automatic emergency braking, traffic-sign recognition, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. HD Surround Vision with selectable camera views and adaptive cruise control were standard, while a head-up display was optional. GM's Teen Driver technology allowed parents to set limits and monitor driving. Super Cruise, GM's hands-free driving technology, was available on all trims, with a subscription required after three years. The 2025 Enclave had not yet been rated by IIHS or NHTSA, but the 2024 model scored well in most tests, with some areas for improvement.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan offered standard advanced safety features, including frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitor, lane-keep assist, and more. Emergency Assist and post-collision braking added extra safety measures. The SE R-Line trim included a head-up display, while the top SEL R-Line featured a surround-view camera system and semi-automated parking. In testing, the safety features functioned as expected, with no false alarms or sensitivity issues. The lane-keep assist provided gentle steering input to prevent drifting. Crash test results were not yet available from NHTSA or IIHS.