Compare the2026 Volkswagen TiguanVS 2025 Cadillac XT4

The Tiguan has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The XT4 doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

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 XT4 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.

To deliver safety and visibility under dusty conditions the Volkswagen Tiguan’s backup monitor has a standard rear washer to keep the view clear. A camera washer system costs extra on the Cadillac XT4.

Both the Tiguan and the XT4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The Tiguan’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the XT4’s (7 vs. 6 years).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Tiguan for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Cadillac only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the XT4.

There are over 11 percent more Volkswagen dealers than there are Cadillac dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Tiguan’s warranty.

The Volkswagen Tiguan’s engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the XT4’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Volkswagen vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Volkswagen 3 places higher in reliability than Cadillac.

The Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 33 more horsepower (268 vs. 235) than the XT4’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the Tiguan gets better mileage than the XT4:

Regenerative brakes improve the Tiguan’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The XT4 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Tiguan uses regular unleaded gasoline. The XT4 requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Tiguan has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the XT4. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

For better stopping power the Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the XT4:

For better traction, the Tiguan’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the XT4 (255/40R20 vs. 245/45R20).

The Tiguan’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the XT4’s optional 45 series tires.

For greater off-road capability the Tiguan has a greater minimum ground clearance than the XT4 (7 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the Tiguan to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Tiguan has 2.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the XT4 (103.8 vs. 101.3).

The Tiguan has .1 inches more front headroom, 1.4 inches more rear headroom, .7 inches more rear legroom, 3.5 inches more rear hip room and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the XT4.

The Tiguan has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the XT4 with its rear seat up (33.8 vs. 22.5 cubic feet). The Tiguan has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the XT4 with its rear seat folded (69.8 vs. 48.9 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Tiguan’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The XT4 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the XT4, the Tiguan SEL has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Tiguan’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The XT4’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the Tiguan the driver can close them all from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can also lower the windows the same way. The driver of the XT4 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Tiguan to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The XT4 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The XT4’s optional cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Tiguan’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Volkswagen Tiguan has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the XT4.

The Tiguan SEL’s Park Assist Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The XT4 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan retains 52.24% of its original value after 5 years, more than the 48.25% resale value of the 2025 Cadillac XT4 after five years, which can save the Volkswagen’s owner up to $7023.43155 in depreciation.

The Volkswagen Tiguan outsold the Cadillac XT4 by over four to one during 2024.