Comparing The Volkswagen Tiguan Vs. Toyota RAV4 Vs. Honda CR-V
If you need a fuel-efficient family SUV with an elevated interior and versatility, you naturally want to compare the new Volkswagen Tiguan vs. Toyota RAV4 vs. Honda CR-V. These three SUVs are standout models in their class, each offering unique features. So which one deserves the top spot?
With the most flexible passenger seating options, the most significant front headroom, the strongest torque, and the best New Vehicle Limited Warranty of this comparison, the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan confidently emerges as the winning SUV for your family's driving adventures. Explore all the spacious details of these trendy sport utes, then stop by Tom Wood Volkswagen to experience the Tiguan for yourself – and head out for a test drive.
2025 Volkswagen Tiguan Review
Let's start our detailed review of the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan vs. Toyota RAV4 vs. Honda CR-V by exploring the Tiguan SUV's specs and performance. The Volkswagen brand is all about designing straightforward, classic, and reliable vehicles, so beneath the hood of all four 2025 VW Tiguan trims, you'll find a fuel-efficient 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
Not only does this motor get up and go with 201 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, but it also captures a Volkswagen Tiguan MPG EPA-estimated 26/34 MPG (City/Highway)1 with front-wheel drive and a towing capacity of up to 1,500 pounds.2 This Volkswagen Tiguan towing capacity is enough for pulling small trailers and boats for your next camping trip or move.
Choose from this well-curated menu of trims:
- 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan S
- 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan SE
- 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan SE R-Line Black
- 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line
On top of these well-balanced Volkswagen Tiguan specs and trims, this SUV's interior is thoughtful and versatile. The entry-level Tiguan S offers a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro screen, four USB-C charging ports, heated windshield washer nozzles, and a ventilated wireless charging pad.
Heated front seats are standard in the Volkswagen Tiguan interior, while upper trim levels add a power panoramic sunroof, a power liftgate, a Harman Kardon® Premium Audio System with subwoofer, and Varenna leather upholstery. For more information about the Volkswagen Tiguan interior, click over to our online companion guide.
Every new Volkswagen Tiguan for sale elevates your driving confidence with its standard IQ.DRIVE suite of safety features, a LATCH child seat system, a Rear View Camera System, and Adaptive Cruise Control. Gain the security of Poor Weather Lights in upper trims, along with Dynamic Road Sign Display.
In addition to these safety and driver assistance tools, the 2025 Tiguan also offers Carefree Coverage3 and the best New Vehicle Limited Warranty of this entire comparison, with four years or 50,000 miles4 of peace of mind.
2025 Toyota RAV4 Review
Next up in our SUV comparison, we have the Toyota RAV4 specs. Though this SUV also offers hybrid powertrain variations, today's article will be focused on its gas-powered options. All four pure gasoline trim levels feature FWD or available AWD, along with a 2.5-liter Dynamic Force turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine that produces 184 pound-feet of torque. This motor generates a Toyota RAV4 towing capacity of 1,500 pounds5 and an EPA-estimated 27/35/30 MPG (City/Highway)6 or 27/34/30 MPG (City/Highway)6 with all-wheel drive on the base trim. The Toyota RAV4's MPG rating is only a paltry improvement over the Tiguan's efficiency ratings.
- 2025 Toyota RAV4 LE
- 2025 Toyota RAV4 XLE
- 2025 Toyota RAV4 XLE Premium
- 2025 Toyota RAV4 Limited
An entry-level Toyota RAV4 LE will give you three USB charging ports, a soft-touch dashboard, and an 8-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia screen. As you continue through the lineup, you'll access cabin features like a Smart Key System, dual-zone climate control, a leather-trimmed shifter and steering wheel, and a 10.5-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia display. Choose the Limited trim for a Dark-Brown-accented Toyota RAV4 interior, or explore the other premium cabin colors across the lineup.
The 2025 Toyota RAV4 comes with standard Safety Connect services like Emergency Assistance and Automatic Collision Notification. Every trim also has the Toyota Safety Sense suite of driver assistance features, which includes a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, and Lane-Departure Alert with Steering Assist.
Other valuable features like Hill Start Assist Control, a LATCH child seat system, and a Star Safety System also come standard on the new Toyota RAV4, making it seem very reliable. Its New Vehicle Limited Warranty, however, leaves us wanting more. With coverage for only three years or 36,000 miles,7 the Toyota SUV's warranty can't compete with the VW Tiguan.
2025 Honda CR-V Review
Although the Honda CR-V specs include a few hybrid powertrains within its 2025 lineup, today's review focuses on its three gas-powered trims. This SUV is equipped with 2WD or Real-Time AWD drivetrains and can tow up to 1,500 pounds.8
While this Honda CR-V towing capacity is equal to that of the Tiguan, its torque falls short. Although this motor generates 190 horsepower, it provides the smallest torque of the comparison at only 179 pound-feet of torque. The Honda CR-V MPG rating is an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 28/24 MPG (City/Highway)9 with FWD.
- 2025 Honda CR-V LX
- 2025 Honda CR-V EX
- 2025 Honda CR-V EX-L
Within the Honda CR-V interior, the base LX trim provides center-console ambient lighting, a 7-inch color touchscreen, and a HondaLink system. Move up to the mid-level EX trim for a one-touch power moonroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, and a six-speaker audio system. Select the EX-L variant for leather-trimmed seats, a power tailgate, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, a 9-inch color touchscreen, and wireless phone charging.
The 2025 Honda CR-V is equipped with the automaker's signature Honda Sensing system, which gives you standard driver assistance features like a Collision Mitigation Braking System, a Road Departure Mitigation System, Adaptive Cruise Control, Traffic Sign Recognition, and more. Upper trims of the Honda CR-V add a Blind-Spot Information System and Cross-Traffic Monitor to the safety features mix.
As the SUV with the highest starting MSRP in this comparison, the Honda CR-V has a less impressive warranty. It mirrors the Toyota RAV4 by only giving drivers three years or 36,000 miles of New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage.7
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| 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan | 2025 Toyota RAV4 | 2025 Honda CR-V | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0L Turbo 4-cyl | 2.5L Turbo 4-cyl | 1.5L Turbo In-Line 4-cyl |
| Horsepower | 201 | 203 | 190 |
| Torque | 221 lb-ft | 184 lb-ft | 179 lb-ft |
| Drivetrain | FWD or 4Motion AWD | FWD or TV-AWD | 2WD or Real-Time AWD |
| EPA-Est. MPG (City / Hwy) | 26 / 34 MPG1 (standard model, FWD) 22 / 30 MPG1 (AWD) | 27 / 35 MPG6 (standard model, FWD) 27 / 34 MPG6 (standard model, AWD) | 28 / 34 MPG9 (standard model, 2WD) 26 / 31 MPG9 (standard mdoel, AWD) |
| Towing Capacity | 1,500 lbs2 | 1,500 lbs5 | 1,500 lbs8 |
| New Vehicle Limited Warranty | 4-yr / 50,000 mi4 | 3-yr / 36,000 mi7 | 3-yr / 36,000 mi7 |
Volkswagen Tiguan Vs. Toyota RAV4 Vs. Honda CR-V Dimensions & Pricing
Now that we've explored the engine specs of the Volkswagen Tiguan vs. Toyota RAV4 vs. Honda CR-V, it's time to get down to the serious SUV business of cabin space.
Though they're nearly identical in price, the Volkswagen Tiguan vs. Toyota RAV4 offer different interior dimensions. Although the Volkswagen Tiguan's dimensions are not as large, the model makes clever use of its spacious cabin. The Toyota RAV4 dimensions come at the expense of cabin refinement and some desirable features
Comparing the Volkswagen Tiguan vs. Honda CR-V yields similar results: Although the VW Tiguan and Honda SUV have very similar exterior and interior two-row dimensions, the Honda CR-V has a higher starting MSRP, so you'll need to weigh your desire for extra cubic feet of standard Honda CR-V cargo space against its higher price point.
For passenger comfort, the 2025 VW Tiguan remains on top. It offers more rear legroom than the Honda CR-V, along with nearly 2 inches more front headroom. The Volkswagen Tiguan cargo space is ample. Although it doesn't surpass that of the Toyota RAV4 cargo space, it comes with a wide load floor and power liftgate, available on the second-tier trim. The Toyota RAV4 requires more upgrades for its power liftgate.
Interested to see how the new Tiguan SUV's accessible pricing and spacious dimensions can help you pack for your next weekday outing or weekend getaway? Contact Tom Wood Volkswagen to set up a tour and test drive.
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| 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan | 2025 Toyota RAV4 | 2025 Honda CR-V | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger Seating | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Exterior Length | 184.4 in | 180.9 in | 184.8 in |
| Exterior Width | 73 in | 73 in | 73.5 in |
| Exterior Height | 66.1 in (FWD) | 67 in (standard) | 66.2 (standard) |
| Maximum Headroom (1st / 2nd) | 39.5 / 39.7 in | 37.7 / 39.5 in | 40 / 38.2 in |
| Maximum Legroom (1st / 2nd) | 40.2 / 40.2 in | 41 / 37.8 in | 41.3 / 41 in |
Visit your Volkswagen dealership in Indianapolis, IN, to start your VW SUV journey. The Tom Wood Volkswagen selection of premium Volkswagen models, including sedans and other exciting SUV models, awaits.
While you're here, remember to ask our finance team about the current Tom Wood Volkswagen Tiguan lease deals. Our team of experts has the inside scoop about how to get you behind the wheel today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is bigger: Honda CR-V or VW Tiguan?
A Volkswagen Tiguan vs. Honda CR-V size comparison is very equal: They are essentially equal in length and width. Their heights are also nearly identical, and both can seat up to five people in spacious interiors. The best way to decide which interior is best for you is through an in-person tour and test drive. Visit our dealership today to explore more!
Is the RAV4 bigger than the Tiguan SUV?
The Toyota RAV4 is smaller than the VW Tiguan in exterior length and identical in width. The RAV4 is about an inch taller. Previous model years of both models offered a three-row configuration, but for 2025, both are only available as two-row SUVs. To feel out the size of the Tiguan up close, schedule an appointment with our sales team.
How reliable is the VW Tiguan?
The VW Tiguan is an extremely reliable SUV that delivers a suite of driver assistance and safety features. It also offers the best New Vehicle Limited Warranty of the group. While the Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CR-V only provide three years or 36,000 miles7 of basic coverage, the new Volkswagen Tiguan covers your SUV for four years or 50,000 miles.4
126 city/34 highway mpg (2025 Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, eight-speed automatic transmission). EPA estimates. Your mileage will vary and depends on several factors, including your driving habits and vehicle condition.
2Maximum tow rating when equipped with 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and factory-installed towing hitch. Vehicle load, other accessories, and options may reduce maximum towing capacity. See vehicle Owner's Manual for details.
3Carefree Coverage available on all new MY25vehicles. For vehicle eligibility details, visit vw.com/coverage. VW's Carefree Maintenance Program provides 10,000- and 20,000-mile scheduled maintenance services or scheduled maintenance services for two years (whichever occurs first) as stated in the vehicle's maintenance booklet. Does not include tire rotations, or other services or parts not specified in the owner's literature. 3 years/36,000 miles (whichever occurs first) Roadside Assistance provided by a third party. 4 years/50,000 miles (whichever occurs first) New Vehicle Limited Warranty. See owner's literature or dealer for warranty, maintenance program, and roadside assistance details, exclusions, and limitations. Car-Net Remote Access services require cellular connectivity, GPS signal, and acceptance of Terms of Service. Not all Car-Net services and features are available on all vehicles. Other Car-Net services require a trial or paid subscription. See additional important information at carnet.vw.com.
44 years/50,000 miles (whichever occurs first) New Vehicle Limited Warranty on all new MY25 vehicles. See owner's literature or dealer for warranty exclusions and limitations.
5Before towing, confirm your vehicle and trailer are compatible, hooked up and loaded properly and that you have any necessary additional equipment. Do not exceed any Weight Ratings and follow all instructions in your Owner's Manual. The maximum you can tow depends on base curb weight plus the total weight of any cargo, occupants, and added vehicle equipment. "Added vehicle equipment" includes additional standard/optional equipment and accessories added by the manufacturer, dealers, and/or vehicle owners. The only way to be certain of your vehicle's exact curb weight is to weigh your vehicle without passengers or cargo. [Calculated with the new SAE J2807 method.] Installation of a tow hitch receiver or other accessories located near the rear bumper or side-door kick sensors may require disabling or removing the kick sensor, and the sensor operation setting in your vehicle should be turned off. See Owner's Manual for limitations.
6Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary for many reasons, including your vehicle's condition and how/where you drive. See www.fueleconomy.gov.
7Warranties listed on this web page shall not be solely relied upon. Warranties may be subject to specific terms, restrictions, exclusions, and fees. Additional warranty information may be obtained by visiting the official website of the warranty provider. Contact our dealership for complete details.
8Towing requires accessory towing equipment. Please see your Honda dealer for details.
9Based on 2025 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on driving conditions, how you drive and maintain your vehicle, and other factors.
1022 city/30 highway mpg (2025 Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, eight-speed automatic transmission). EPA estimates. Your mileage will vary and depends on several factors, including your driving habits and vehicle condition.
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