2025 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox underwent a significant redesign, aligning its appearance with the modern aesthetics of its larger siblings like the Chevrolet Traverse. The new design featured a flat roof, upright grille, and distinctive "shark fin" C-pillar, giving it a more robust and contemporary look compared to its predecessor. Each trim level offered unique styling elements, with the base Equinox LT available in chrome or a sleek Midnight Edition High Gloss Black treatment. The RS trim sported black mirrors and badges, a larger grille, and red RS emblems, while the new ACTIV trim showcased dark chrome accents and all-terrain tires, emphasizing its adventurous spirit. The interior also received a makeover, with a more open center console, a larger infotainment screen, and distinct trim-specific styling, avoiding a cheap feel and offering a choice of textures and color themes.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan marked the beginning of its third generation with a complete redesign, adopting sleek modernity inspired by VW's electric vehicles. The front featured narrower headlights and a larger visual grille, while the rear showcased a single bar taillight design. The Tiguan's silhouette appeared sportier with a tapering hatch and shorter overhangs, creating a dynamic look. Inside, the Tiguan embraced a minimalist approach with a tablet-like infotainment display and digital instrument panel. The gear selector moved to the steering column, freeing up space in the center console. Materials quality was average for the class, with soft-touch materials in key areas, though some hard plastics remained. The Tiguan's interior offered improved functionality with more storage options and a focus on comfort and practicality.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox retained its 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 175 horsepower. Torque varied with powertrain, offering 184 lb-ft in front-wheel-drive (FWD) models and 203 lb-ft in all-wheel-drive (AWD) versions. The FWD models featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while AWD models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The eight-speed automatic provided smoother and quieter shifts compared to the previous six-speed. The Equinox offered a responsive accelerator at low speeds, though highway merging highlighted the engine's limitations. The ride was generally quiet and comfortable, with AWD models capable of towing up to 1,500 pounds. Selectable drive modes, including Off-Road mode for AWD models, added versatility to the Equinox's performance.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan was powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 201 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission was standard, 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 provided smooth and linear power delivery, while braking was confident and easy to modulate. The suspension favored comfort, effectively smoothing out road imperfections while maintaining composure in corners. The Tiguan's cabin remained quiet, even at highway speeds, contributing to a comfortable driving experience. A more powerful Turbo engine and a hybrid powertrain were teased for future models, offering potential options for more spirited drivers.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox offered heated front seats and a heated steering wheel as standard on the RS and ACTIV trims. A $950 package added front seat ventilation, heated rear seats, and driver's seat memory. The Equinox's flat roof provided consistent headroom, with 38.2 inches in the front seats with the moonroof and 37.8 inches in the rear. The moonroof extended into the rear seats, enhancing light for passengers. Cargo space was slightly reduced, offering 29.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 63.5 cubic feet with them folded. A hidden storage compartment added convenience, though overall cargo volume was small for the class.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan returned without a third row, increasing 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. Visibility was comparable to other small SUVs, with narrow front roof pillars and a sufficiently sized rear window. The center console offered more storage, with cupholders, a smartphone slot, and a deep armrest bin. Cargo capacity was not finalized, but the new area appeared smaller, with an angled liftgate limiting bulkier item loading. Remote seatback releases and a power liftgate added convenience.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox featured Google Built-In as standard, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The native Google Maps integration projected onto the driver information display, allowing simultaneous infotainment activities. The voice control system had volume issues in some test models, but overall, the tech features were standard, including an 11.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, Wi-Fi hotspot capability, and a six-speaker audio system. Wireless charging was standard on RS and ACTIV trims, with no option for an upgraded sound system.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan came standard with a digital instrument panel and a 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen, with a 15-inch display available on higher trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, paired with a wireless phone charger in the center armrest bin. Capacitive-touch sliders remained on the infotainment screen frame, 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 premium audio system available on the top trim. VW's Car-Net system offered remote monitoring and control, plus a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox offered a Safety & Technology package for $1,085, adding rear pedestrian alert, HD surround vision, traffic-sign recognition, and a camera rearview mirror. The Chevy Safety Assist suite included standard features like rear park assist, lane-change alert, enhanced automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, rear seat reminder, and automatic high beams. Teen Driver Technology allowed parents to program speed and volume limitations, provide overspeed warnings, and generate a "report card" of driving behavior.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan's crash test results were not yet available. Standard safety features included frontal collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitor, lane-keep assist, safe passenger exit warnings, parking sensors, automatic high beams, and a driver condition monitor. The Emergency Assist system slowed the vehicle to a stop if the driver was incapacitated. The SE R-Line added a head-up display, while the SEL R-Line included a surround-view camera system, traffic sign reader, and semi-automated parking system. Safety features functioned as expected, with no false alarms or oversensitivity issues.