Compare the2024 Volkswagen TiguanVS 2024 BMW X1

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 X1 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the Tiguan and the X1 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive 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 131 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The X1 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 X1’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Tiguan uses regular unleaded gasoline. The X1 M35i xDrive requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The Tiguan FWD’s standard fuel tank has a gallon more fuel capacity than the X1 (15.3 vs. 14.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Tiguan AWD’s standard fuel tank has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the X1 (15.9 vs. 14.3 gallons).

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Volkswagen Tiguan, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the X1.

For better stopping power the Tiguan’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the X1:

The Tiguan stops shorter than the X1:

For better traction, the Tiguan SE R-Line Black’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the X1 (255/45R19 vs. 245/45R19).

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Tiguan’s wheelbase is 3.9 inches longer than on the X1 (109.9 inches vs. 106 inches).

The Tiguan’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (55.9% to 44.1%) than the X1’s (57.1% to 42.9%). This gives the Tiguan more stable handling and braking.

The Tiguan offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the X1 can only carry 5.

The Tiguan has .9 inches more front shoulder room, 1.7 inches more rear legroom and .7 inches more rear shoulder room than the X1.

The Tiguan’s cargo area provides more volume than the X1.

A control in the cargo area automatically lowers the Tiguan’s second row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The X1 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The Tiguan has a higher maximum payload capacity than the X1 (1301 vs. 1111 lbs.).

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 X1’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

Consumer Reports rated the Tiguan’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the X1’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

The X1’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.

The Tiguan’s standard side window demisters help clear frost or condensation from the side windows in the winter. The X1 doesn’t even offer side window demisters, so the driver may have to wipe the windows from the outside to gain side vision.

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 X1 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Tiguan is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The X1 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The Volkswagen Tiguan outsold the BMW X1 by almost four to one during 2023.