2025 Subaru Outback vs 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2025 Subaru Outback stood out in a market with few wagons left, adopting crossover trends with its rugged design elements like chunky wheel-arch flares and skid plate-like fascias. Its Crimson Red Pearl paint paired well with the black leather interior, though it was suggested that earthy shades suited it best. Subaru focused on off-road capabilities, appealing to a niche market that proved successful, as seen in the popularity of its Crosstrek, Forester, and Outback models. The 2025 Outback saw no major changes, with various trims offering different upholstery and features, such as the Limited trim's power moonroof and DriverFocus tech. The Touring XT trim boasted Nappa leather and ventilated seats, while the interior maintained a balance of chrome and black plastic, with easy-to-read gauges and a digital display.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan underwent a complete redesign, embracing modernity with influences from VW's electric vehicles. The front featured narrower headlights and an illuminated VW badge and light bar in the top SEL R-Line trim. The grille appeared larger, with smaller actual openings and prominent air intakes. The side profile showcased a sportier tapering hatch, enhanced by a black roof and tinted windows. The rear replaced conventional taillights with a single bar, mirroring the front's illuminated elements. The interior modernization included a tablet-like infotainment display and a digital instrument panel, with a minimalist dashboard and relocated gear selector for added storage. Materials were average, with soft-touch areas and durable plastics in the rear. The Tiguan's exterior and interior updates reflected an evolution of previous designs with a nod to newer VW models.

The 2025 Subaru Outback featured a horizontally opposed "Boxer" engine in two forms: a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine producing 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. Both engines ran on regular unleaded gas and were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). The turbocharged engine offered better acceleration, making the XT model a recommended choice for those who could afford the upgrade. The Outback's 8.7 inches of ground clearance and X-Mode enhanced traction on slippery surfaces, with the Wilderness model offering 9.5 inches of clearance and additional off-road features. The Outback provided a smooth and comfortable ride, with light steering, smooth throttle, and powerful brakes. However, the stop/start technology and CVT's response time were noted as areas for improvement.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan was powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 201 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission with front-wheel drive (FWD) and optional 4Motion all-wheel drive (AWD), 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, with confident braking and a suspension tuned for comfort. The Tiguan handled corners with minimal body roll, maintaining a composed ride. The cabin was quiet, with well-silenced 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, along with a teased hybrid powertrain.

The 2025 Subaru Outback's wagon shape offered practicality, with easy entry and exit due to its lower chassis. The low center of gravity, aided by the flat-four engine design, allowed for quick direction changes. The cargo space measured 32.6 cubic feet with the rear seat up and 75.6 cubic feet with the seat folded, providing a flat floor and square shape for maximum utility. The Outback's total passenger volume of 109 cubic feet surpassed its crossover competition, offering more front headroom and legroom, though the rear seat was slightly smaller. Buyers were advised to test drive different trims, as the Limited, Touring, and Wilderness models offered distinct driving experiences. The standard towing capacity was 2,700 pounds, increasing to 3,500 pounds with the turbocharged engine.

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. Outward 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 object loading. Remote seatback releases and a power liftgate were standard on most trims, enhancing convenience.

The 2025 Subaru Outback's technology package included an 11.6-inch touchscreen with large icons, though the Starlink infotainment system was slow to respond, especially at startup. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless functionality except on the base model. The Harman Kardon 12-speaker audio system performed well, though Starlink disturbances affected audio output. The dashboard featured a mix of physical controls and touchscreen functions, with a CD player and USB-A and USB-C ports for device compatibility.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan came standard with a digital instrument panel and a 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen, with an optional 15-inch display 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 were present but minimally used, with a new volume knob for easier control. 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 and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The 2025 Subaru Outback featured EyeSight driver-assist technology with adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency steering. The system kept the Outback in its lane but with more side-to-side movement than desired. Higher trims included blind-spot monitoring, lane-change assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. The DriverFocus system monitored for driver distraction, though it occasionally issued false notifications. The 2024 Outback earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with the 2025 model expected to perform similarly.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan's crash test results were not yet available. Standard safety features included frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, 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, and post-collision braking reduced secondary impact risks. Higher trims added a head-up display, surround-view camera, traffic sign reader, and semi-automated parking. The safety features functioned as intended, with no false alarms or oversensitivity.