Small utility vehicles need to be multitaskers these days. Fortunately, automakers have been paying attention to the latest desires of new vehicle buyers. The result is new vehicles with various capabilities, such as the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan and the 2024 Subaru Forester.
Check out these two SUVs and find the right one for you.
2024 Volkswagen Tiguan
The move to a smaller utility vehicle doesn’t mean you necessarily want to give up a lot of room for people and things. The Volkswagen Tiguan gives the compact SUV buyer what they want with 3-row seating.
The Tiguan offers plenty of interior room, making seating for seven passengers possible. The third row is best used for children or small adults for short periods. The upside is when that seat is down, there is a lot more cargo space available behind the second row.
The only downside to the third row is that you must give up all-wheel drive (AWD) if you want the extra seating. Pricing for the Tiguan starts at $30,305, including the destination charge.
Volkswagen Tiguan Highlights
Comfort and room: There’s plenty of space in this roomy SUV. More importantly, it’s a comfortable ride. VW has not made the Tiguan a racing ute. Instead, it offers a secure, almost cozy feel as the vehicle trundles.
New technology: The Tiguan features VW Car-Net, which allows owners to connect their smartphone to their vehicle. It allows for remote lock/unlock, automatic crash notification, stolen vehicle location, and how much fuel is in the tank.
All-wheel drive: Normally a front-wheel drive (FWD) offering, the Tiguan offers different driving modes like Normal, Sport, and Eco. Opt for AWD, and you get Volkswagen’s 4Motion system with Snow and Offroad modes, making it ready for the weather and the dirt.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Tiguan models for sale near you.
2024 Subaru Forester
Small, capable SUVs are in high demand, with more people wanting to return to nature. You can get out of town and get to the office or school regardless of road conditions. These vehicles are great at pulling double-duty.
The 2024 Subaru Forester is a leader in the segment with standard all-wheel drive and higher ground clearance than others in its class. It doesn’t hurt that it has a lower-than-average sticker price than other vehicles in the segment. It won our Lowest 5-Year Cost to Own Award and Best Resale Value Award. It’s also very safe, claiming the IIHS Top Safety Pick award as a 5-star overall crash rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Pricing begins at $28,440, including the destination charge.
Subaru Forester Highlights
X factor: All but the base trim of the Forester comes with X-Mode, which optimizes the transmission and AWD system for better traction off-road or in slippery road conditions. The upper trims use a more advanced dual-mode X-Mode system with a Deep Snow/Mud setting.
Pack them in: The Forester’s cabin is open and comfortable, ready to carry five people just about anywhere. The Subaru Forester Wilderness boasts the company’s StarTex water-repellent upholstery to handle anything you might bring back to the interior from the wild.
Safety first: All Subaru SUVs come with the brand’s EyeSight safety tech suite, which bundles driver assistance features like automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with lane centering, and lane-departure alert. Very helpful in a small SUV.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Forester models for sale near you.
Similarities
They’re attractive on the outside while comfortable on the inside while having at least some level of all-wheel drive. They also have the benefit of modern safety and infotainment technologies.
Conclusion
Both are fine vehicles, but they have different sets of strengths. The Tiguan has an off-road setting, as does the Subaru Forester; however, the Subaru is the right choice to head off-road with, while the Volkswagen is a competent vehicle to handle your daily errands and other traffic annoyances.
| 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan | 2024 Subaru Forester | |
| Starting Price | $30,305 | $28,440 |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder Boxer |
| Horsepower | 184 hp @ 4,400 rpm | 182 hp @ 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | 221 lb-ft @ 1,900 rpm | 176 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic/FWD | CVT automatic/AWD |
| Fuel Economy | 24 city/31 highway/27 combined | 26 city/33 highway/29 combined |
| Also Available | AWD | |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 4 stars | 5 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 7 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 109.9 inches | 105.1 inches |
| Overall Length | 186.1 inches | 182.7 inches |
| Width | 72.4 inches | 71.5 inches |
| Height | 68.9 inches | 67.5 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 37.7 feet | 35.4 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 39.6 inches | 41.2 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 38.8 inches | 39.6 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 40.2 inches | 43.3 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 38.8 inches | 39.4 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 57.0 inches | 58.1 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 58.5 inches | 57.1 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 37.6/73.4 cubic feet | 28.9/74.2 cubic feet |
