Compare the2023 Volkswagen TiguanVS 2022 Honda HR-V

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Tiguan has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The HR-V doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Tiguan SE R-Line Black/SEL R-Line has standard Maneuver Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The HR-V doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Tiguan’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The HR-V doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The Tiguan SEL R-Line has a standard Area View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The HR-V only offers a rear monitor.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Tiguan’s standard rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The HR-V doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

The Tiguan has standard Car-Net, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The HR-V doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Tiguan and the HR-V have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive and lane departure warning systems.

The Volkswagen Tiguan weighs 595 to 915 pounds more than the Honda HR-V. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts. Crosswinds also affect lighter cars more.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Volkswagen Tiguan is safer than the Honda HR-V:

	Tiguan	HR-V
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	49	148
Chest Movement	.7 inches	.8 inches
Abdominal Force	82 lbs.	158 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	156	357
Spine Acceleration	44 G’s	59 G’s

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Tiguan its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 92 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The HR-V has not been fully tested, yet.

Warranty

The Tiguan comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck. The HR-V’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The Tiguan’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the HR-V’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Tiguan for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Honda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the HR-V.

Reliability

The Volkswagen Tiguan’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the HR-V’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Volkswagen vehicles are more reliable than Honda With 13 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Volkswagen higher than Honda.

Engine

The Tiguan’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 43 more horsepower (184 vs. 141) and 94 lbs.-ft. more torque (221 vs. 127) than the HR-V’s 1.8 SOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Volkswagen Tiguan is faster than the Honda HR-V:

	Tiguan	HR-V
Zero to 30 MPH	2.7 sec	3.7 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	8.3 sec	9.5 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	24.8 sec	30.8 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	8.9 sec	9.9 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	4.5 sec	4.8 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	6 sec	6.8 sec
Quarter Mile	16.4 sec	17.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	84 MPH	82 MPH
Top Speed	126 MPH	117 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Tiguan’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The HR-V doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Tiguan FWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the HR-V (15.3 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Tiguan AWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the HR-V (15.9 vs. 13.2 gallons).

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Volkswagen Tiguan higher (7 out of 10) than the Honda HR-V (5). This means the Tiguan produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the HR-V every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Tiguan’s brake rotors are larger than those on the HR-V:

	Tiguan	HR-V
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	11.5 inches
Rear Rotors	11.8 inches	11.1 inches

The Tiguan stops shorter than the HR-V:

	Tiguan	HR-V
70 to 0 MPH	174 feet	183 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	124 feet	127 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	135 feet	139 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Tiguan SE R-Line Black’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the HR-V (255/45R19 vs. 225/50R18).

The Tiguan SEL R-Line’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the HR-V Sport’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Tiguan SEL R-Line has standard 20-inch wheels. The HR-V’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Volkswagen Tiguan has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Honda HR-V has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Tiguan has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Tiguan flat and controlled during cornering. The HR-V 4x2 suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Tiguan’s wheelbase is 7.1 inches longer than on the HR-V (109.9 inches vs. 102.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Tiguan is 1.8 inches wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the HR-V.

The Tiguan’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (55.9% to 44.1%) than the HR-V’s (59.6% to 40.4%). This gives the Tiguan more stable handling and braking.

The Tiguan SEL R-Line 4Motion® handles at .83 G’s, while the HR-V EX-L AWD pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the Tiguan has a greater minimum ground clearance than the HR-V (7.6 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the Tiguan to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Tiguan’s minimum ground clearance is .7 inch higher than on the HR-V Sport (7.6 vs. 6.9 inches).

Chassis

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Tiguan 4Motion® is quieter than the HR-V EX-L AWD:

	Tiguan	HR-V
Full-Throttle	73 dB	77 dB
70 MPH Cruising	68 dB	71 dB

Passenger Space

The Tiguan offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the HR-V can only carry 5.

The Tiguan has 23.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the HR-V (123.9 vs. 100.1).

The Tiguan has .1 inches more front headroom, 1.4 inches more front hip room, .2 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom, 6.1 inches more rear hip room and 1.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the HR-V.

Cargo Capacity

The Tiguan’s cargo area provides more volume than the HR-V.

	Tiguan	HR-V
Third Seat Folded	33 cubic feet	n/a
Third Seat Removed	37.6 cubic feet	24.3 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	65.3 cubic feet	58.8 cubic feet
Max Cargo Volume	73.4 cubic feet	58.8 cubic feet

A control in the cargo area automatically lowers the Tiguan’s second row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The HR-V doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Tiguan SE/SEL has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or on the Tiguan SEL R-Line, by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The HR-V doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Towing

The Tiguan has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The HR-V has no towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

The Tiguan uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The HR-V uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Ergonomics

The Tiguan SE/SEL has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The HR-V doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

When three different drivers share the Tiguan SEL R-Line, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The HR-V doesn’t offer a memory system.

The power windows standard on both the Tiguan and the HR-V have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Tiguan is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The HR-V prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Tiguan’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The HR-V’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Tiguan SE/SEL/SEL Premium the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows with the driver’s door power window switch. The driver of the HR-V can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Tiguan’s standard variable intermittent wipers have an adjustable delay to allow the driver to choose a setting that best clears the windshield during light rain or mist. The HR-V LX/Sport’s standard fixed intermittent wipers only have one fixed delay setting, so the driver will have to manually switch them between slow and intermittent. The Tiguan’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The HR-V EX/EX-L’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Tiguan SE/SEL to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The HR-V doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Tiguan has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. When the ignition turns off, the headlights turn off after a delay timed to allow you to securely get to your front door. The HR-V has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the EX/EX-L.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Tiguan SE R-Line Black/SEL/SEL Premium R-Line has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The HR-V doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Tiguan SEL Premium R-Line also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The Tiguan’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Honda only offers heated mirrors on the HR-V EX/EX-L.

When the Tiguan SEL Premium is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The HR-V’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Tiguan SEL R-Line keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The HR-V doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Tiguan SEL R-Line’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The HR-V doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Tiguan has a standard center folding armrest for the middle row passengers. A center armrest helps make middle row passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The HR-V doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The Tiguan SE/SEL’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The HR-V doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the Tiguan and the HR-V offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Tiguan has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The HR-V doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Volkswagen Tiguan SE/SEL has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The HR-V doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Tiguan SEL R-Line’s Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The HR-V doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Tiguan is less expensive to operate than the HR-V because typical repairs cost less on the Tiguan than the HR-V, including $55 less for a power steering pump.

Recommendations

The Volkswagen Tiguan outsold the Honda HR-V by 20% during 2020.

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