Compare the2023 Volkswagen TiguanVS 2023 BMW X4

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 X4 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the Tiguan and the X4 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.

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 X4 has not been 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 X4’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 X4:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Tiguan uses regular unleaded gasoline. The X4 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 X4 (5 to 7). This means the Tiguan produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the X4 every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the Tiguan’s standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the X4:

For better traction, the Tiguan SE R-Line Black’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the X4 (255/45R19 vs. 245/44R20).

For better maneuverability, the Tiguan’s turning circle is 2.1 feet tighter than the X4’s (37.7 feet vs. 39.8 feet).

The Volkswagen Tiguan may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 to 600 pounds less than the BMW X4.

The Tiguan offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the X4 can only carry 5.

The Tiguan has 26.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the X4 (123.9 vs. 97.8).

The Tiguan has 1.6 inches more rear headroom and 1.1 inches more rear legroom than the X4.

The Tiguan’s cargo area provides more volume than the X4.

The Tiguan has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the X4 (1157 vs. 937 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 X4 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Tiguan has a standard rear wiper. The X4 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The Tiguan is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The X4 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The Volkswagen Tiguan outsold the BMW X4 by over 11 to one during the 2021 model year.