2020 Subaru Forester vs 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan

Compare 2020 Subaru Forester vs 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan

2020 Subaru Forester

2020 Volkswagen Tiguan

Select style

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

Show Only Differences

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

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.

Read full comparison »

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

Read Our Full Review

6.0

Read Our Full Review

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

Remarkable capability
Remarkable value
Remarkable space

Spacious digs
Classy, conservative design
Good standard tech

TCC Dislikes

Looks haven’t changed much
Not especially powerful
It’s not free...

Comical third row
So-so fuel economy
Can get expensive with options

Fuel Economy

City

26 mpg

20 mpg

Highway

33 mpg

27 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Small SUV 4WD

Interior Dimensions

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

Second Hip Room (in)

53.6

Front Shoulder Room (in)

58.2

Second Head Room (in)

39.6

38.9

Second Shoulder Room (in)

57.2

55.8

Front Leg Room (in)

43.3

40.2

Third Leg Room (in)

Third Head Room (in)

Third Shoulder Room (in)

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Rear (in)

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

Height, Overall (in)

67.5

66.3

Cargo Area Dimensions

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)

70.3

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)

74.3

73.5

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 2 (in)

35.7

Brakes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.2

11.8

Brake Type

4-Wheel Disc

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.6

13.4

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

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

Tires

Rear Tire Size

P225/60HR17

P215/65HR17

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P225/60HR17

P215/65HR17

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

1500

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

1500

Maximum Trailering Capacity (lbs)

1500

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

150

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

150

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3449

3847

Wheels

Front Wheel Material

Steel

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

17 X 7

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Steel

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

17 X 7

Engine

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

176 @ 4400

221 @ 1600

Engine Order Code

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

Mileage

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Transmission

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.70

3.33

Trans Type

Drivetrain

All Wheel Drive

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.69

3.99

Trans Order Code

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

0.56

0.81

Trans Description Cont.

CVT w/OD

Automatic w/OD

First Gear Ratio (:1)

3.60 - 0.75

5.59

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 (Cont.)

Double Wishbone

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Front

Strut

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut

Suspension Type - Rear

Double Wishbone

Multi-Link

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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