NEW VW Tiguan vs Volvo XC40 review – what's the best SUV? | What Car?

Is the new VW Tiguan the best SUV you can buy? Or is the Volvo XC40 still king? Watch to find out.




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[NZsarge]

I would say based on the video here I think they slightly over favoured the Volvo, I’d say they’re both 4 stars

[bThatcatfan]

They gave the backseats points to the 2 cars, the Tiguan is really known for his back seats space so the Tiguan deserves 5 points and the Volvo 4 or 3.

[vp]

This Volvo looks great on the road. Looks have aged well due to the rugged simplicity. Previous gen Tiguan looked better than this new one

[pixie]

Amazing that knobs are still better than touch screen . couldn't agree more

[PD-cnxd]

I am everyday driver.
A week ago I drove new Vw Tiguan 1.5etsi match edition and Volvo xc40 plus trim B3 same day almost same environment most of it city.
Car specks almost same but Vw Tiguan in match edition have full electric tailgate also laminated safety glass.
My quote at dealers for Volvo £39262 for Vw Tiguan £36095.
After driving in city I did find Vw more engaging to drive and quarter then Volvo.A lot of noise coming from Volvos wheels but maybe this is the question of different tyres.Cabin noise definitely better suppressed in Vw.
On the short test after resetting consumption dials Vw did 43miles per
gallon and Volvo 32miles per gallon after test drive.
And I am sorry to say because Iam not big fan of Vw in my test Vw have much better infotainment system.
Three grands cheaper then Volvo.
Also Vw servicing is cheaper than Volvo.
Why would you say Volvo is better car??
But I am only every day driver.
Also I strongly agree that previous version of Vw Tiguan was better looking.

[ManoelDanov]

Such a bad test - VW is bigger, cheaper, and costs less to own. Comparing leasing as a cost measurement is lame. Where does Volvo have more equipment than the 2024 VW Tiguan, so it takes more stars?

Measure everything about the car, dimensions, and ground clearance.
Compare similar trim levels. The life trim is very basic compared to the higher trims, which are better value. And finally you are saying they 6-7 years old car cannot compare with new cars in safety test, but since there is no test of the Tiguan yet, - the cars have equal stars - absurd.

Rerun your tests and do not lie to your viewers.

[disarchitected]

Love the XC40. Took it on an extended test drive. Quiet, smooth, comfortable. Was even quite fun to drive for what it was. Only had a couple of weaknesses. A compromised rear bench, shrunken and upright compared to the full sized rear bench in a XC60. The steering might as well be a Sega video game controller, it lacked any feel. However, preferred it overall to the Kia Sportage which is currently Whatcar’s class champ. It had that sense of all rounded rightness that is missing in most cars, I think only the Golf Mk7.5 had a similar vibe, out of the cars I’ve tried.

At the end of the day ended up in a Peugeot 3008, because the monthlies on it were the lowest by a significant margin. It’s not as good as the Sportage nor XC40. It suits my daily needs really well, but lacks that sense of rightness, I won’t be sorry to see it go.

[guinnessharvey]

The only deal breaker for me is how comfortable the ride is. It’s now easily the most important thing in a car other than price for me. I like riding on 15s and high wall tyres:)

[MisterTee]

Wouldn’t it be more fair to select a Tiguan with a higher trim package?

[manLiMarth]

I feel like you’re forcing your viewers to do a lot of mental gymnastics, because on the face of it this comparison seems to want to minimize the deficiencies of the Volvo and maximize the deficiencies of the Tiguan. These are family SUV. How are you going to underplay back row seating and trunk space while talking up trim finishes in the back seat doors?

All the information is here, it’s just very hard to parse amid the bias.

[gavinsmith]

We looked at all of the VW Group variants of the Tiguan plus the Volvo XC40, XC60, BMW X1 and the Mercedes. We have one family car, and my Wife drives the most out of the two of us, so essentially if she didn't like a make/model for any reason it was out - whatever the reason. And that's exactly the choice that we came down to. Our final two was the XC40 vs Tiguan. We chose the XC40.

[johnwhite]

It would be nice to see a similar comparison with the new Tiguan R Line model

[grassyknoll]

The cars aren’t the same trim! So not the greatest test!

[principsus]

Why Tuguan was selected with lower trim?

[jkkchow]

0:08 Gave me a fright there... Thought you killed Will there... Good review but an unusual comparison. Different class there

[paultasker]

2.0 litre is a definite plus for the volvo. The 1.5 in VW will have to work much harder especially when fully loaded. I've got the 1.5 in a mark 7 golf estate and i agree it's a bit coarse and loud when revved. Good in everyday use but not an engine to enjoy revving out. If the extra weight of the Tiguan means it has to rev higher to keep up that won't be very nice. The extra sophistication from having an engine with more torque is nice in the volvo.

[indetailcarcaresolutions]

I’m not sure if you mentioned it, but here in Australia, when I bought my Tiguan service costs each year were 4 times more expensive for the XC40 than Tiguan. FYI, here in Australia, these manufacturers warranties are 5 years unlimited kilometres. I know it adds to the cost in the long run, but is it something as motoring journalists to start pushing with their European arms. Very satisfying. Also, Skoda now offer, across the range (which is very limited here compared to Europe) 7 years unlimited km with capped priced servicing plans of 10 years duration with free roadside assistance. Packaged in my purchase, I can sell it on if i sell my car!! Currently 5 Years remaining on all fronts and loving my Skoda Kodiaq (all are 7 seaters here) just an oversized Tiguan with a better overall, quality, features and price. Lloyd

[mitchreeves]

I saw a new Tiguan on the road yesterday and I couldn't believe how cheap and bland it looks. The previous model looks way better.

[erics]

With the current state of the roads it would be nice to know if either car has a spare wheel - I suspect neither has which is a bit of a worry in rural Wiltshire where huge potholes and corrugated surfaces are common.

[neilrushworth]

The "old" Tiguan looks better, inside and out.