Compare the2023 Volkswagen TiguanVS 2023 BMW X2

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Payload and Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Volkswagen Tiguan are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW X2 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests front crash prevention systems. With a score of 6 points, IIHS rates the Automatic Emergency Braking in the Tiguan as “Superior.” The X2 scores only 4 points and is rated only “Advanced.”

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 X2 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 X2 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

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 X2 only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The Tiguan has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the X2’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Tiguan has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the X2.

Compared to metal, the Tiguan’s plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The BMW X2 has a metal gas tank.

Both the Tiguan and the X2 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive and lane departure warning systems.

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 X2 has not been fully tested, yet.

Warranty

There are over 81 percent more Volkswagen dealers than there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Tiguan’s warranty.

Reliability

The Volkswagen Tiguan’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the X2’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

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 BMW X2 (3 to 7). This means the Tiguan produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the X2 every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Tiguan’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the X2:

	Tiguan	X2
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	13 inches

The Tiguan stops shorter than the X2:

	Tiguan	X2
60 to 0 MPH	131 feet	134 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	135 feet	141 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 X2 (255/45R19 vs. 225/50R18).

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Tiguan’s wheelbase is 4.8 inches longer than on the X2 (109.9 inches vs. 105.1 inches).

The Tiguan’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (55.9% to 44.1%) than the X2’s (57.2% to 42.8%). This gives the Tiguan more stable handling and braking.

For greater off-road capability the Tiguan has a greater minimum ground clearance than the X2 (7.6 vs. 7.2 inches), allowing the Tiguan to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Tiguan 4Motion® is quieter than the X2 xDrive28i:

	Tiguan	X2
Full-Throttle	73 dB	76 dB
70 MPH Cruising	68 dB	72 dB

Passenger Space

The Tiguan offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the X2 can only carry 5.

The Tiguan has 29.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the X2 (123.9 vs. 94.1).

The Tiguan has .4 inches more front headroom, 1.4 inches more front shoulder room, 2.1 inches more rear headroom and 2 inches more rear shoulder room than the X2.

Cargo Capacity

The Tiguan’s cargo area provides more volume than the X2.

	Tiguan	X2
Third Seat Folded	33 cubic feet	n/a
Third Seat Removed	37.6 cubic feet	21.6 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	65.3 cubic feet	50.1 cubic feet
Max Cargo Volume	73.4 cubic feet	50.1 cubic feet

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Tiguan easier. The Tiguan’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 29.4 inches, while the X2’s liftover is 30.6 inches.

The Tiguan’s cargo area is larger than the X2’s in every dimension:

	Tiguan	X2
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	17.2”/39.7”/74.5”	n.a./30.6”/63”
Max Width	55”	48”
Min Width	39.8”	39.6”
Height	33.5”	28”

A control in the cargo area automatically lowers the Tiguan’s second row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The X2 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Tiguan SEL R-Line’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The X2 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Payload and Towing

The Tiguan has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The X2 has no towing capacity.

The Tiguan has a higher maximum payload capacity than the X2 (1157 vs. 970 lbs.).

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 X2 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

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 X2 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The X2’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Tiguan SEL Premium R-Line’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 shield the driver’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side window, the Tiguan has a standard extendable sun visor. The X2 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

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 X2 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

Recommendations

The Volkswagen Tiguan outsold the BMW X2 by over 17 to one during the 2021 model year.

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