Compare the2023 Volkswagen TiguanVS 2023 BMW X3

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 X3 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the Tiguan and the X3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

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 and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Volkswagen Tiguan is safer than the BMW X3:

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 X3 has not been fully tested, yet.

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.

The Volkswagen Tiguan’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the X3’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

On the EPA test cycle the Tiguan gets better mileage than the X3:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Tiguan uses regular unleaded gasoline. The X3 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Volkswagen Tiguan higher (7 out of 10) than the BMW X3 (5 to 7). This means the Tiguan produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the X3 every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the Tiguan’s standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the X3:

The Tiguan stops shorter than the X3:

For better traction, the Tiguan SE R-Line Black’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the X3 (255/45R19 vs. 245/45R20).

The Tiguan 4Motion® handles at .82 G’s, while the X3 xDrive30i pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Tiguan’s turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the X3’s (37.7 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

The Volkswagen Tiguan may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 550 pounds less than the BMW X3.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Tiguan 4Motion® is quieter than the X3 M40i xDrive:

The Tiguan offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the X3 can only carry 5.

The Tiguan has 22.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the X3 (123.9 vs. 101.4).

The front step up height for the Tiguan is 1.1 inches lower than the X3 (17.4” vs. 18.5”). The Tiguan’s rear step up height is 1 inches lower than the X3’s (17.5” vs. 18.5”).

The Tiguan’s cargo area provides more volume than the X3.

The Tiguan’s cargo area is larger than the X3’s in almost every dimension:

The Tiguan has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the X3 (1157 vs. 941 lbs.).

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 X3 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Consumer Reports rated the Tiguan’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the X3’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Tiguan is less expensive to operate than the X3 because it costs $190 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Tiguan than the X3, including $186 less for a water pump, $450 less for a muffler, $89 less for front brake pads, $53 less for a starter, $131 less for fuel injection, $46 less for a fuel pump, $96 less for front struts, $473 less for a timing belt/chain and $984 less for a power steering pump.

The Volkswagen Tiguan outsold the BMW X3 by 42% during the 2021 model year.