2025 Toyota Highlander vs 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan
Comparison Overview
Choosing between the 2025 Toyota Highlander and the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan often boils down to budget versus sheer size and power. That $10,075 price gap is significant, with the Tiguan starting at $30,245 compared to the Highlander’s $40,320 MSRP. If efficiency is your priority for daily driving, the Tiguan pulls ahead, achieving a combined 29 MPG versus the Highlander's 25 MPG. However, the Highlander brings substantially more muscle to the table, offering 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque against the Tiguan's 201 hp. Size-wise, the Highlander is physically larger at 194.9 inches long, but surprisingly, the smaller Tiguan (184.4 inches) offers better utility with 26.5 cu ft of cargo space versus the Highlander's 16 cu ft. Ultimately, this comparison pits proven power and space against better economy and a much friendlier initial cost.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Volkswagen Tiguan
The Tiguan wins for commuters due to its superior fuel economy, offering 29 combined MPG compared to the Highlander's 25 MPG.
2025 Toyota Highlander
The Highlander provides a more substantial 194.9-inch length and higher horsepower for hauling extra passengers and gear comfortably.
2025 Toyota Highlander
Enthusiasts will prefer the Highlander’s robust performance metrics, boasting 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque.
2025 Volkswagen Tiguan
With a $10,075 lower MSRP, the Volkswagen Tiguan clearly offers better inherent value for money.
Choose the Toyota Highlander if...
- You absolutely need higher power, evidenced by its 265 hp output.
- You prefer a larger overall vehicle, measuring 194.9 inches in length.
- Your priority is torque delivery, where it leads with 310 lb-ft.
Choose the Volkswagen Tiguan if...
- Saving money upfront is crucial, thanks to its $30,245 MSRP.
- You need maximum hauling space, as it offers 26.5 cu ft versus 16 cu ft.
- You want to spend less time at the pump, given its 34 MPG highway rating.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Toyota Highlander | Volkswagen Tiguan |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 194.9" | 184.4" |
| Width | 76.0" | 73.0" |
| Height | 68.1" | 66.1" |
| Wheelbase | 112.2" | 109.9" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Toyota | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Third Row Head Airbags | ✓ | — |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Fog Lights | ✓ | — |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | — |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | — | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Brake Drying | — | ✓ |
| Adaptive Headlights | — | ✓ |
| Cornering Lights | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Toyota | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.4 L | 2.0 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 265 hp @ 6000 rpm | 201 hp @ 5250 rpm |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm | 207 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Toyota | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
Fuel
| Feature | Toyota | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 22/29 MPG | 26/34 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 25 MPG | 29 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 393.8/519.1 mi. | 377.0/493.0 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.9 gal. | 14.5 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Toyota | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | ✓ | — |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | — |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | — |
| Leather Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Three Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Wireless Charging Pad | — | ✓ |
| Leatherette Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Toyota | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 8.0 in | 12.9 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 7 |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | 3 months |
Power Feature
| Feature | Toyota | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | — |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Toyota | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 41.2 in. | 39.5 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 42.0 in. | 40.2 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 59.0 in. | 57.0 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 57.2 in. | 54.4 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | — |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 4-way | 6-way |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 6-way |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Heating | — | Multi-level |
| Passenger Seat Heating | — | Multi-level |
Rearseats
| Feature | Toyota | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.4 in. | 39.7 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 38.7 in. | 40.2 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 58.7 in. | 55.7 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 57.0 in. | 53.3 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | — |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | — |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Toyota | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Diameter | 18 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | P235/65R V | 215/65R H |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Underbody Mounted | Inside Mounted |
| Wheel Size | — | 17 x 7.0 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Toyota | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Toyota | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 7 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 2 yr./ unlimited mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 2 yr./ 25000 mi. | 2 yr./ 20000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Toyota Highlander and 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan.
Which vehicle is more practical for carrying cargo?
The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan is more practical for cargo, boasting 26.5 cu ft of space. The 2025 Toyota Highlander trails significantly with only 16 cu ft of capacity.
Is the difference in horsepower noticeable during highway merging?
Yes, the 64 hp difference will be noticeable; the Highlander's 265 hp engine will provide quicker acceleration compared to the Tiguan's 201 hp.
How much money will I save annually on fuel with the Tiguan?
While exact annual savings vary, the Tiguan's 4 MPG combined advantage (29 MPG vs 25 MPG) using regular unleaded fuel will result in noticeable savings over the Highlander's lifespan.
Does the Highlander’s larger size translate to more interior room than the Tiguan?
Despite the Highlander being over 10 inches longer externally, the Tiguan paradoxically offers significantly more usable cargo volume (26.5 cu ft vs. 16 cu ft).
Are there any differences in the required fuel type or transmission?
Both vehicles utilize regular unleaded fuel for their drivetrains. Both use 8-speed transmissions, although the Highlander specifies a shiftable automatic, whereas the Tiguan uses a standard automatic.
What is the primary reason to choose the more expensive Highlander?
The primary reason to select the Highlander is its superior power figures (265 hp) and its larger physical dimensions, appealing to buyers prioritizing performance and presence over initial cost.
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