No matter what size vehicle shoppers are in the market for, getting as much space as possible is a priority. Even in the compact SUV segment, interior room is an important consideration. The 2024 Hyundai Tucson and 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan are among the biggest vehicles in the compact SUV field. However, these two SUVs present a conundrum: Do you want space for five passengers, or do you give up some comfort to carry seven passengers in one of them?
Let’s dig into these two SUVs and find out what makes the most sense for you.
2024 Hyundai Tucson
Bold styling and a class-leading warranty help the Hyundai Tucson stand out. The 2-row, 5-passenger SUV is also one of the most spacious vehicles in its class, with ample room for passengers and their stuff. Cargo space behind the second row is near the top of the competition.
Powered by a 187-horsepower 4-cylinder, it offers enough get-up-and-go for the daily commute and better-than-average fuel economy in the segment. Front-wheel drive is standard, and traction-enhancing all-wheel drive (AWD) is optional.
Technology is critical to sales success in this segment, and the Hyundai Tucson provides plenty of it. The brand added seat belt reminders for the rear seats, rear side airbags, and steering wheel haptic feedback for lane-keep assist and blind-spot monitoring. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variants are available but compared separately. Pricing starts at $28,875, including destination charges.
Hyundai Tucson Highlights
SmartSense: The standard safety tech suite in the Hyundai Tucson bundles driver assistance features like automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and more. That’s an impressive array of standard safety systems.
Easy parking: The Tucson’s optional Remote Smart Parking Assist allows you to get in and out of tight parking spots using your key fob, even if you’re not inside the car. This is a class-exclusive feature you won’t find on the Hyundai Tucson’s rivals.
Super warranty: If you want to keep your vehicle for a while, Hyundai’s class-leading warranty brings a lot of assurance in doing so. It’s backed by a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Additionally, Hyundai throws in a 3-year/36,000-mile complimentary maintenance plan.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Tucson models near you.
2024 Volkswagen Tiguan
One reason larger SUVs are popular these days is that everyone wants more space — room for cargo and people. Volkswagen’s Tiguan gives compact SUV buyers what they want with 3-row seating, which is unavailable in the Hyundai Tucson and is a rarity among compact SUVs.
The Tiguan offers plenty of interior room, making seating for seven passengers standard on front-wheel-drive variants. Advisable? Not so much. But possible? Yes. The third row is designed to handle children or small adults for short trips. The upside is when that seat is down; there is a ton of cargo space available behind the second row. The only downside to the third row is that you must give up all-wheel drive if you want it; AWD models have the traditional 2-row/5-passenger configuration. Pricing for the Tiguan starts at $30,305, including destination charges.
Volkswagen Tiguan Highlights
4Motion: Front-wheel drive is standard, but the Tiguan can be upgraded with Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. It offers driving modes such as Normal, Sport, and Eco, plus Snow and Offroad modes, making it ready to handle a variety of situations.
Comfort and room: This SUV has ample cabin space, but just as importantly, it boasts a comfortable ride. The Volkswagen Tiguan offers a secure, almost cozy feel as it trundles along.
Tech forward: It is loaded with technology, including VW Car-Net, which allows Tiguan owners to connect their smartphones to their vehicles. It allows for remote lock/unlock, automatic crash notification, stolen vehicle location, and the ability to check how much fuel is in the tank.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Tiguan models near you.
Similarities
The Hyundai Tucson and Volkswagen Tiguan are comfortable, attractive compact SUVs that offer plenty of room. They’re capable but not overwhelming when it comes to getting around town or even on gravel roads.
Conclusion
While the two are similar in many ways, one significant differentiator is seating capacity: Do you want room for five people or seven in your compact SUV? If you need the flexibility to handle up to seven, the Tiguan is the play. However, if you want a stylish compact SUV with an abundance of interior space, excellent technology, and an unbeatable warranty, then the Hyundai Tucson is the choice.
| 2024 Hyundai Tucson | 2024 VW Tiguan | |
| Starting Price | $28,875 | $30,305 |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder | 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 187 hp @ 6,100 rpm | 184 hp @ 4,400 rpm |
| Torque | 178 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm | 221 lb-ft @ 1,900 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic/FWD | 8-speed automatic/FWD |
| Fuel Economy | 25 city/32 highway/28 combined | 24 city/31 highway/27 combined |
| Also Available | AWD/Hybrid, PHEV | AWD |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5 stars | 4 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 7 |
| Wheelbase | 108.5 inches | 109.9 inches |
| Overall Length | 182.3 inches | 186.1 inches |
| Width | 73.4 inches | 72.4 inches |
| Height | 65.6 inches | 66.4 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 38.6 feet | 38.0 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 40.1 inches | 39.6 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 39.5 inches | 39.1 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.4 inches | 40.2 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 41.3 inches | 36.6 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 57.6 inches | 57.0 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 56.0 inches | 55.9 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 38.7 cubic feet | 33.0 cubic feet |
