2025 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2026 Honda CR-V
Comparison Overview
Choosing between the all-new 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan and the highly anticipated 2026 Honda CR-V often comes down to whether you prioritize brisk performance or maximum hauling ability. While the starting prices are close—the Tiguan at $30,245 versus the CR-V's $30,920—the driving dynamics feel quite different. The Tiguan pulls ahead slightly in power, offering 201 horsepower, while the CR-V counters with better efficiency, achieving a combined 30 MPG compared to the VW's 29 MPG. For daily city driving, the Tiguan’s 26 MPG might feel familiar, but the CR-V's 28 city MPG is an advantage. The biggest shock is cargo space: the Tiguan provides 26.5 cubic feet, whereas the CR-V dwarfs it with an impressive 39.3 cubic feet, making the practicality gap significant for larger hauls.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Honda CR-V
The 2026 Honda CR-V wins for commuters due to its superior 30 MPG combined fuel economy rating.
2026 Honda CR-V
Families will appreciate the CR-V's massive advantage in usable space, offering 39.3 cubic feet of cargo capacity versus the Tiguan's 26.5 cu ft.
2025 Volkswagen Tiguan
The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan offers more spirited performance with 201 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque.
2025 Volkswagen Tiguan
The Tiguan holds the value edge by offering a lower starting MSRP of $30,245 compared to the CR-V's $30,920.
Choose the Volkswagen Tiguan if...
- You prefer the snappy feel of a traditional 8-speed automatic transmission over a CVT.
- You want more outright power, as the Tiguan boasts 201 horsepower.
- You are focused on keeping the initial purchase price as low as possible, starting at $30,245.
Choose the Honda CR-V if...
- Maximizing cargo space is critical, given the CR-V offers a substantial 39.3 cubic feet.
- You want the best overall fuel economy, achieving 30 MPG combined.
- You prioritize a slightly larger exterior footprint, as the CR-V is negligibly longer (184.8 inches) and wider (73.5 inches).
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Volkswagen Tiguan | Honda CR-V |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 184.4" | 184.8" |
| Width | 73.0" | 73.5" |
| Height | 66.1" | 66.2" |
| Wheelbase | 109.9" | 106.3" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Volkswagen | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | — |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | — |
| Driver Attention Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear 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 |
| Brake Drying | ✓ | — |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Headlights | ✓ | — |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cornering 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Volkswagen | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.0 L | 1.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 201 hp @ 5250 rpm | 190 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque | 207 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm | 179 lb-ft @ 1700 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 | Volkswagen | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | — | ✓ |
Fuel
| Feature | Volkswagen | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 26/34 MPG | 28/33 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 29 MPG | 30 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 377.0/493.0 mi. | 392.0/462.0 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 14.5 gal. | 14.0 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Volkswagen | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Parking Sensors | ✓ | — |
| Rear Parking Sensors | ✓ | — |
| Wireless Charging Pad | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Leatherette Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | — | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | — | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Volkswagen | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 12.9 in | 9.0 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 7 | 4 |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | — |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | — |
| Stereo Power | — | 160W |
Power Feature
| Feature | Volkswagen | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| One-Touch Power Windows | — | 1 |
| Remote Keyless Entry | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Volkswagen | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 39.5 in. | 40.0 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 40.2 in. | 41.3 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.0 in. | 57.9 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 54.4 in. | 55.6 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | — |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | — |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
Rearseats
| Feature | Volkswagen | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.7 in. | 38.2 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 40.2 in. | 41.0 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 55.7 in. | 55.9 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 53.3 in. | 52.6 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Volkswagen | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | — |
| Wheel Size | 17 x 7.0 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 215/65R H | 235/65R |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Inside Mounted |
| Wheel Material | — | Steel |
| Wheel Cover Type | — | ✓ |
| Wheel Diameter | — | 17 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Volkswagen | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Volkswagen | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 7 yr./ 100000 mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 2 yr./ 20000 mi. | 1 yr./ 12000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan and 2026 Honda CR-V.
Which crossover is more efficient for highway driving?
The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan is rated slightly better for highway cruising efficiency at 34 MPG, narrowly beating the 2026 Honda CR-V’s 33 MPG highway rating. However, the CR-V’s 28 city MPG significantly outperforms the Tiguan’s 26 city MPG.
Is the performance difference between these two crossovers noticeable?
Yes, the Tiguan will feel quicker off the line due to its higher power output, delivering 201 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque. The CR-V lags slightly with 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque.
If I carry a lot of gear, which one should I buy?
You should absolutely lean toward the 2026 Honda CR-V for utility. It offers a staggering 39.3 cubic feet of cargo capacity, which is significantly more than the 26.5 cubic feet available in the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan.
Are the running costs similar since they both use regular unleaded?
For fuel costs, the CR-V should save you a bit more money over the long haul since its combined efficiency is 30 MPG versus the Tiguan’s 29 MPG. Both vehicles are designed for regular unleaded fuel, which keeps fuel expenses manageable.
Does the transmission type make a real-world difference in these FWD crossovers?
For many drivers, the difference might be subtle, but the Tiguan uses a conventional 8-speed automatic, which often feels more responsive during aggressive acceleration. The CR-V utilizes a continuously variable transmission (CVT), favoring smooth, optimized efficiency.
How close are the base prices for these two vehicles?
The pricing is very close, though the Tiguan is currently the more affordable entry point at $30,245. The 2026 CR-V starts at $30,920, meaning the Tiguan saves you about $675 on the sticker price.
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