Compare the2023 Volkswagen TiguanVS 2022 Ford EcoSport

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Tiguan has standard Automatic Emergency Braking, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The EcoSport doesn't offer collision warning or crash mitigation brakes.

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 EcoSport 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 EcoSport doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Tiguan’s optional lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. The EcoSport doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

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

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 EcoSport and isn't available on the not available.

Both the Tiguan and the EcoSport have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras and available all wheel drive.

The Volkswagen Tiguan weighs 437 to 521 pounds more than the Ford EcoSport. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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, results indicate that the Volkswagen Tiguan is safer than the Ford EcoSport:

	Tiguan	EcoSport
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	49	71
Chest Movement	.7 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	82 lbs.	95 lbs.
Hip Force	337 lbs.	337 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	156	195
Hip Force	510 lbs.	685 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Tiguan is 2.3% to 3.6% less likely to roll over than the EcoSport.

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 EcoSport has not been fully tested, yet.

Warranty

The Tiguan comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck. The EcoSport’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The Tiguan’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the EcoSport’s (7 vs. 5 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. Ford doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the EcoSport.

Reliability

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

Engine

The Tiguan’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 18 more horsepower (184 vs. 166) and 72 lbs.-ft. more torque (221 vs. 149) than the EcoSport’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Volkswagen Tiguan is faster than the Ford EcoSport:

	Tiguan	EcoSport
Zero to 60 MPH	8.6 sec	9.9 sec
Quarter Mile	16.5 sec	17.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	81.5 MPH	77 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The Tiguan FWD’s standard fuel tank has 1.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the EcoSport (15.3 vs. 13.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Tiguan AWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the EcoSport (15.9 vs. 13.8 gallons).

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 Ford EcoSport (5). This means the Tiguan produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the EcoSport every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Volkswagen Tiguan, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the EcoSport.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Tiguan	EcoSport
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	11.8 inches
Rear Rotors	11.8 inches	10.7 inches

The Tiguan stops much shorter than the EcoSport:

	Tiguan	EcoSport
70 to 0 MPH	174 feet	186 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	124 feet	132 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	135 feet	139 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Tiguan has larger standard tires than the EcoSport (215/65R17 vs. 205/60R16). The Tiguan SE R-Line Black’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the EcoSport (255/45R19 vs. 205/60R16).

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 EcoSport’s optional 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Tiguan S has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the EcoSport. The Tiguan SEL R-Line’s 20-inch wheels are larger than the 17-inch wheels optional on the EcoSport.

The Volkswagen Tiguan’s wheels have 5 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Ford EcoSport only has 4 wheel lugs per wheel.

Suspension and Handling

The Tiguan has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The EcoSport doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Tiguan’s wheelbase is 10.7 inches longer than on the EcoSport (109.9 inches vs. 99.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Tiguan is 2.4 inches wider in the front and 2.2 inches wider in the rear than on the EcoSport.

The Tiguan SEL R-Line 4Motion® handles at .83 G’s, while the EcoSport Titanium pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Tiguan 4Motion® executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the EcoSport SE (28.1 seconds @ .58 average G’s vs. 29.3 seconds @ .54 average G’s).

Passenger Space

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

The Tiguan has 32.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the EcoSport (123.9 vs. 91.1).

The Tiguan has 2.9 inches more front hip room, 3.7 inches more front shoulder room, 1.6 inches more rear headroom, 2.6 inches more rear hip room and 4.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the EcoSport.

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

Cargo Capacity

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

	Tiguan	EcoSport
Third Seat Folded	33 cubic feet	n/a
Third Seat Removed	37.6 cubic feet	20.9 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	65.3 cubic feet	50 cubic feet
Max Cargo Volume	73.4 cubic feet	50 cubic feet

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

The Tiguan’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The EcoSport’s swing out door blocks loading from the driver’s side.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Tiguan SE/SEL has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or on the Tiguan SEL R-Line, by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The EcoSport doesn’t offer a power cargo door.

Servicing Ease

The Tiguan uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The EcoSport uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Ergonomics

When three different drivers share the Tiguan SEL R-Line, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The EcoSport doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Tiguan’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The EcoSport has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The Tiguan’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The EcoSport’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

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 EcoSport can only operate 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 EcoSport 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 EcoSport doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

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

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the Tiguan SEL R-Line detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The EcoSport doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Tiguan SE R-Line Black/SEL/SEL Premium R-Line has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The EcoSport doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Tiguan SEL Premium R-Line also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The Tiguan’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Ford only offers heated mirrors on the EcoSport SES/Titanium.

When the Tiguan SEL Premium is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The EcoSport’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

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 EcoSport doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Tiguan SE/SEL’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The EcoSport doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the Tiguan and the EcoSport offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Tiguan has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The EcoSport doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Tiguan offers an optional Adaptive Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The EcoSport doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Volkswagen Tiguan SE/SEL has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The EcoSport doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Tiguan SEL R-Line’s Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The EcoSport doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Model Availability

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

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Tiguan is less expensive to operate than the EcoSport because typical repairs cost much less on the Tiguan than the EcoSport, including $15 less for front brake pads, $376 less for a timing belt/chain and $323 less for a power steering pump.

Recommendations

The Volkswagen Tiguan outsold the Ford EcoSport by over two to one during the 2021 model year.