2024 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a sophisticated exterior that many found more premium than its non-European counterparts. Its design was marked by standard LED headlights and taillights, with an illuminated grille light line on the SEL R-Line trim. The model name was prominently displayed in all-caps at the rear, alongside the classic Volkswagen badge. The Tiguan's color options were somewhat limited, with the base trim only available in grayscale. However, higher trims offered more variety, albeit with some restrictions on interior and exterior combinations. The interior featured heated front seats and cloth upholstery on the base trim, with upgrades to leatherette and dual-zone climate control on the SE trim. The SEL R-Line boasted real leather, front-seat ventilation, and a heated steering wheel.

In contrast, the 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport emphasized a sportier aesthetic within the Range Rover family. Its tall stance was complemented by a shorter wheelbase and a chopped top, giving it an athletic appearance. The Dynamic SE trim offered a Stealth appearance package with Carpathian metallic-gray paint and black 23-inch wheels. The SV Edition 2, the highest-performance model, featured carbon-fiber wheels and a hood with an exposed patch. Inside, the SV Edition 2 had red leather upholstery and sport seats with illuminated inserts. The minimalist dashboard was interrupted only by a touchscreen and a few controls, creating a cockpit-like feel. Material quality was high, though the use of piano black plastic was noted as overly reflective.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with 4Motion all-wheel drive available for an additional $1,500 on lower trims and standard on the SEL R-Line. The AWD models had a slightly larger fuel tank, but fuel economy dropped from 27 to 25 mpg combined. The Tiguan's power delivery was inconsistent, with noticeable turbo and transmission lag. The steering was light but somewhat rubbery, while visibility and handling were commendable. Road noise was minimal, and the ride was comfortable, though the seating surfaces drew some complaints.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered multiple powertrain options, all with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The base SE model featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with 355 horsepower, while the Dynamic SE offered a higher output of 395 hp and a plug-in hybrid powertrain rated at 454 hp. The Autobiography trim had a plug-in hybrid with 543 hp and a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 producing 523 hp. The SV Edition Two used the same V8 but with 626 hp, making it the most powerful Range Rover model. It could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and had a top speed of 180 mph. The Range Rover Sport's sport-tuned air suspension and four-wheel steering provided agility and a luxurious ride, while its Terrain Response system and off-road capabilities remained strong.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a two-row configuration in AWD models, providing 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, or 73.4 with the rear seats folded. The three-row FWD models had reduced cargo space but maintained similar passenger space. The front seats provided 39.6 inches of headroom and 40.2 inches of legroom, while the second row offered 38.7 inches of legroom. The third row was tighter, with 33.8 inches of headroom and 27.9 inches of legroom, but still more spacious than some competitors.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, a two-row, five-seater, offered 31.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 53 cubic feet with the seats folded. It provided adequate headroom and legroom, with reclining rear seats and 20-way power-adjustable front seats. The Range Rover Sport's towing capacity was 7,716 pounds for turbo-six and V8 models, with plug-in hybrids rated at 6,614 pounds. The vehicle's air suspension and power operation made loading and unloading cargo easier.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan featured haptic touch slider buttons for climate control, which were responsive and easy to use. The infotainment system had monochromatic graphics accessed through an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The base trim had a smaller 6.5-inch screen and fewer USB-C ports. The Digital Cockpit System was standard, with the SEL R-Line offering a fully configurable 10.25-inch screen. The nine-speaker Fender Premium Audio System was a highlight for audiophiles.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport had a 13.7-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.1-inch touchscreen for infotainment, with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. The minimalist design left few physical controls, relying on the touchscreen for most functions. The Pivi Pro infotainment system was responsive, with natural-language voice recognition. The SV Edition 2 featured "Body and Soul Seats" with embedded transducers for a unique audio experience, though it felt somewhat gimmicky.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan earned a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS. For 2024, the IQ.DRIVE suite of driver-assistance features became standard, including adaptive cruise control, active blind-spot monitoring, and semi-autonomous highway driving capabilities. Additional safety features included rain-sensing wipers, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward collision warning with pedestrian detection.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport included standard driver-assist features such as automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. A 360-degree camera system and digital rearview mirror aided parking, though the parking sensors were overly sensitive. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of publication.