Compare the2023 Volkswagen TiguanVS 2023 Cadillac XT4

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.

Both the Tiguan and the XT4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, 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 Cadillac XT4:

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 XT4 has not been fully tested, yet.

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, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Cadillac only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the XT4.

There are over 13 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 engine uses 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.

On the EPA test cycle the Tiguan S FWD gets better fuel mileage than the XT4 FWD (24 city/31 hwy vs. 23 city/30 hwy).

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 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

For better stopping power the Tiguan’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the XT4:

The Tiguan stops shorter than the XT4:

For better traction, the Tiguan SE R-Line Black’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the XT4 (255/45R19 vs. 245/45R20).

The Tiguan SEL R-Line’s 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.

The Tiguan’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (55.9% to 44.1%) than the XT4’s (58.4% to 41.6%). This gives the Tiguan more stable handling and braking.

The Tiguan 4Motion® handles at .82 G’s, while the XT4 Sport AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the Tiguan has a greater minimum ground clearance than the XT4 (7.6 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the Tiguan to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the Tiguan 4Motion® is quieter than the XT4 Sport AWD (73 vs. 75 dB).

The Tiguan offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the XT4 can only carry 5.

The Tiguan has 22.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the XT4 (123.9 vs. 101.3).

The Tiguan has .2 inches more front headroom, .8 inches more rear headroom, 3.7 inches more rear hip room and .8 inches more rear shoulder room than the XT4.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Tiguan’s middle row seats recline. The XT4’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Tiguan’s cargo area provides more volume than the XT4.

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 XT4’s liftover is 30.5 inches.

The Tiguan’s cargo area is larger than the XT4’s in every dimension:

A control in the cargo area automatically lowers the Tiguan’s second row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The XT4 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

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 SE/SEL/SEL Premium the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows with the driver’s door power window switch. The driver of the XT4 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Tiguan has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The XT4 doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

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 XT4 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Consumer Reports rated the Tiguan’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the XT4’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

The XT4 (except Luxury)’s optional 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.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Tiguan is less expensive to operate than the XT4 because it costs $200 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Tiguan than the XT4, including $208 less for a muffler, $42 less for front brake pads, $16 less for fuel injection, $447 less for a timing belt/chain and $246 less for a power steering pump.

The Volkswagen Tiguan outsold the Cadillac XT4 by over seven to one during the 2021 model year.