Compare 2020 Subaru Forester vs 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan

2020 Subaru Forester
2020 Volkswagen Tiguan
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CVT
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
Forester CVT 26 33 $23,099 $24,495
Forester Limited CVT 26 33 $29,062 $31,095
Forester Premium CVT 26 33 $25,753 $27,395
Forester Sport CVT 26 33 $27,224 $28,995
Forester Touring CVT 26 33 $32,266 $34,595
Select style
2.0T S 4MOTION
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
Tiguan 2.0T S 4MOTION 20 27 $25,195 $26,245
Tiguan 2.0T S FWD 22 29 $23,947 $24,945
Tiguan 2.0T SE 4MOTION 20 27 $27,259 $28,395
Tiguan 2.0T SE FWD 22 29 $26,011 $27,095
Tiguan 2.0T SE R-Line Black 4MOTION 20 27 $30,331 $31,595
Tiguan 2.0T SE R-Line Black FWD 22 29 $29,083 $30,295
Tiguan 2.0T SEL 4MOTION 20 27 $32,203 $33,545
Tiguan 2.0T SEL FWD 22 29 $30,955 $32,245
Tiguan 2.0T SEL Premium R-Line 4MOTION 20 27 $37,243 $38,795

2020 Volkswagen Tiguan vs. 2020 Subaru Forester: Compare Crossover SUVs

Robert Duffer Robert Duffer Senior Editor

Just like every culture has a distinct take on a stuffed dough ball—empanada, pierogi, panzarotti—every automaker has a distinct take on a compact crossover. The 2020 Subaru Forester is the steamed bun of this analogy, and the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan is the lesser known bierocks. 

Both are distinct, both are boxy, both have good standard features, but the Forester stands out a bit more. On our menu, it earns a TCC Rating of 6.8 compared to the Tiguan’s 6.0. This score partly reflects the relative freshness of the Forester, which was overhauled for 2019 and won our Best Car To Buy 2019 award. A refreshed Tiguan is planned for 2021, yet it’s not without its charms, which we outline in detail below. 


 
Pricing
Invoice Price
$23,099
$25,195
Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price
$24,495
$26,245
Monthly Payment Estimate
$408 / month
$437 / month
The Car Connection's Take
TCC Rating
6.8
6.0
TCC’s Bottom Line
The 2020 Subaru Forester is an incredible value among compact crossovers and a former Best Car To Buy winner. The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan is a well-rounded crossover SUV, just don’t expect to use its third row for anyone bigger than the family dog.
TCC Likes
TCC Dislikes
Fuel Economy
City
26 mpg 20 mpg
Highway
33 mpg 27 mpg
Vehicle
EPA Classification
Small Sport Utility Vehicles 4WD Small Sport Utility Vehicles 4WD
Interior Dimensions
Second Shoulder Room (in)
57.2 55.8
Front Leg Room (in)
43.3 40.2
Passenger Volume (ft³)
111.9 101.1
Front Hip Room (in)
54.1 -
Second Leg Room (in)
39.4 38.7
Front Head Room (in)
41.2 39.6
Passenger Capacity
5 5
Second Hip Room (in)
53.6 -
Front Shoulder Room (in)
58.2 57
Second Head Room (in)
39.6 38.9
Third Head Room (in)
- NA
Third Shoulder Room (in)
- NA
Third Leg Room (in)
- NA
Exterior Dimensions
Height, Overall (in)
67.5 66.3
Track Width, Rear (in)
61.8 61.8
Wheelbase (in)
105.1 109.8
Liftover Height (in)
28.4 -
Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)
71.5 72.4
Track Width, Front (in)
61.6 62.2
Min Ground Clearance (in)
8.7 7.9
Length, Overall (in)
182.1 185.1
Cargo Area Dimensions
Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 2 (in)
35.7 -
Cargo Volume to Seat 3 (ft³)
31.1 37.6
Cargo Box Width @ Wheelhousings (in)
43.3 -
Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 1 (in)
73.1 -
Cargo Volume to Seat 2 (ft³)
31.1 37.6
Cargo Area Width @ Beltline (in)
51.2 -
Cargo Box (Area) Height (in)
34.8 -
Cargo Volume to Seat 1 (ft³)
76.1 73.5
Brakes
Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
11.2 11.8
Brake Type
4-Wheel Disc 4-Wheel Disc
Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)
NA NA
Disc - Front (Yes or )
Yes Yes
Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
11.6 13.4
Drum - Rear (Yes or )
NA NA
Brake ABS System
4-Wheel 4-Wheel
Disc - Rear (Yes or )
Yes Yes
Fuel Tank
Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)
16.6 15.9
Steering
Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)
35.4 37.7
Steering Type
Rack-Pinion Rack-Pinion
Tires
Spare Tire Order Code
NA NA
Rear Tire Size
P225/60HR17 P215/65HR17
Rear Tire Order Code
NA NA
Front Tire Size
P225/60HR17 P215/65HR17
Spare Tire Size
Compact Compact
Front Tire Order Code
NA NA
Trailering
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
1500 1500
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
1500 1500
Maximum Trailering Capacity (lbs)
1500 1500
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
150 150
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
150 150
Weight Information
Base Curb Weight (lbs)
3449 3847
Wheels
Rear Wheel Size (in)
17 X 7 17 X 7
Front Wheel Material
Steel Aluminum
Spare Wheel Material
Steel Steel
Front Wheel Size (in)
17 X 7 17 X 7
Spare Wheel Size (in)
Compact Compact
Rear Wheel Material
Steel Aluminum
Engine
SAE Net Torque @ RPM
176 @ 4400 221 @ 1600
Engine Order Code
NA NA
Displacement
2.5 L/152 2.0 L/121
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
182 @ 5800 184 @ 4400
Engine Type
Regular Unleaded H-4 Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4
Fuel System
Gasoline Direct Injection Gasoline Direct Injection
Mileage
EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)
26 20
Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)
29 23
EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)
33 27
Transmission
First Gear Ratio (:1)
3.60 - 0.75 5.59
Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)
3.70 3.33
Trans Type
7 8
Drivetrain
All Wheel All Wheel
Trans Description Cont. Again
NA NA
Reverse Ratio (:1)
3.69 3.99
Trans Order Code
NA VJ
Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)
0.56 0.81
Trans Description Cont.
CVT w/OD Automatic w/OD
Third Gear Ratio (:1)
- 1.95
Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)
- 1.21
Second Gear Ratio (:1)
- 3.14
Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)
- 1.43
Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)
- 0.67
Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)
- 1.00
Summary
Vehicle Name
Subaru Forester Volkswagen Tiguan
Body Style
Sport Utility 4MOTION
Suspension
Suspension Type - Rear
Double Wishbone Multi-Link
Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)
Double Wishbone Multi-Link
Suspension Type - Front
Strut Strut
Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)
Strut Strut
Emissions
Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year
6.1 7.7
Electrical
Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)
- 360
Crash Test Ratings
Overall Rating
--
Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
--
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver
--
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger
--
Overall Side Crash Rating
Side Barrier Rating
Side Barrier Rating Driver
Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat
Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat
Combined Side Rating Front Seat
Combined Side Rating Rear Seat
Rollover Rating
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2020 Subaru Forester
  • 2020 Forester supplies holding up; 2021s coming soon
  • No factory rebate, but dealer discounting possible
  • Lease from $265 for 36 months
  • 0% APR for 63 months continues
Get Your Price
2020 Volkswagen Tiguan
  • 2020 Tiguan has new standard features; 2021s coming soon
  • Rebates: Unadvertised discounts + $500 for select customers
  • Lease: From $199 per month for 39 months
  • Finance: From 0% APR for 72 months
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