Compare the2024 Volkswagen TiguanVS 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Payload
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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

The Tiguan has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. Only the Corolla Cross LE/XLE offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Tiguan has standard Rear Traffic Alert, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the Corolla Cross LE/XLE offers Rear Cross-Traffic Alert.

Both the Tiguan and the Corolla Cross 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, 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, rearview cameras and available all wheel drive.

The Volkswagen Tiguan weighs 407 to 825 pounds more than the Toyota Corolla Cross. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Volkswagen Tiguan is safer than the Toyota Corolla Cross:

	Tiguan	Corolla Cross
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	198	330
Leg Forces (l/r)	428/471 lbs.	592/372 lbs.

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

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 Toyota Corolla Cross:

	Tiguan	Corolla Cross
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	49	92
Chest Movement	.7 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	82 lbs.	129 lbs.

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

Warranty

The Tiguan comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck. The Corolla Cross’ 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 Corolla Cross’ (7 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

The Volkswagen Tiguan’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the Corolla Cross’ 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 15 more horsepower (184 vs. 169) and 71 lbs.-ft. more torque (221 vs. 150) than the Corolla Cross’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Volkswagen Tiguan is faster than the Toyota Corolla Cross:

	Tiguan	Corolla Cross
Zero to 60 MPH	8.3 sec	9.2 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	8.9 sec	9.6 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	4.5 sec	4.7 sec
Quarter Mile	16.4 sec	17 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	84 MPH	83 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The Tiguan FWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Corolla Cross FWD’s standard fuel tank (15.3 vs. 12.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Tiguan AWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Corolla Cross AWD’s standard fuel tank (15.9 vs. 13.2 gallons).

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Tiguan	Corolla Cross
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	11.8 inches	11.1 inches

The Tiguan stops shorter than the Corolla Cross:

	Tiguan	Corolla Cross
60 to 0 MPH	124 feet	125 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	135 feet	140 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Tiguan SE R-Line Black’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Corolla Cross (255/45R19 vs. 225/55R18).

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 Corolla Cross XLE’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Tiguan SEL R-Line has standard 20-inch wheels. The Corolla Cross’ largest wheels are only 18-inches.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Volkswagen Tiguan has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Corolla Cross 4x2 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Tiguan has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Tiguan flat and controlled during cornering. The Corolla Cross 4x2 suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Tiguan’s wheelbase is 6 inches longer than on the Corolla Cross (109.9 inches vs. 103.9 inches).

The Tiguan’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (55.9% to 44.1%) than the Corolla Cross’ (59% to 41%). This gives the Tiguan more stable handling and braking.

The Tiguan SEL R-Line 4Motion® handles at .83 G’s, while the Corolla Cross XLE AWD 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 quicker than the Corolla Cross LE (28.1 seconds @ .58 average G’s vs. 28.6 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

Passenger Space

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

The Tiguan has 35.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Corolla Cross (123.9 vs. 88.4).

The Tiguan has 1 inch more front headroom, 1.9 inches more front hip room, 4.3 inches more front shoulder room, 6.7 inches more rear legroom, 9.7 inches more rear hip room and 3.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Corolla Cross.

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

Cargo Capacity

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

	Tiguan	Corolla Cross
Third Seat Folded	33 cubic feet	n/a
Third Seat Removed	37.6 cubic feet	25.5 cubic feet
Max Cargo Volume	73.4 cubic feet	25.5 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 Corolla Cross doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Tiguan SEL R-Line’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Corolla Cross doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Payload

The Tiguan has a higher maximum payload capacity than the Corolla Cross (1301 vs. 1175 lbs.).

Servicing Ease

The Tiguan uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Corolla Cross 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 Corolla Cross doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Tiguan’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Corolla Cross L’s standard fixed intermittent wipers only have one fixed delay setting, so the driver will have to manually switch them between slow and intermittent. The Corolla Cross LE/XLE’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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 Corolla Cross doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

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

The Tiguan has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. When the ignition turns off, the headlights turn off after a delay timed to allow you to securely get to your front door. The Corolla Cross has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the LE/XLE.

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 Corolla Cross’ 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 Corolla Cross doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Tiguan SEL R-Line’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Corolla Cross doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Tiguan SEL R-Line’s standard GPS navigation system has a real-time traffic update feature that plots alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service not available in all areas.) The Corolla Cross’ available navigation system doesn’t offer real-time traffic updates.

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 Corolla Cross doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

The Volkswagen Tiguan outsold the Toyota Corolla Cross by 7% during 2023.

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