Edmunds Inside Line has posted a test that compared the VW Tiguan, Toyota RAV4 and Honda CRV. Here's the link
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Comparos/articleId=131851
The results: RAV4 wins because of larger interior and more power. An optional 3.5L V6 provides 100+ more HP than the others, at a small fuel penalty (EPA 26 mpg highway, 1 mpg less than the Honda). During the test, all three vehicles averaged a less-than-stellar 21 mpg.
Even though the Honda was down on power, the test says it was the most fun (best steering and brakes, most nimble) to drive around on typical suburban errands.
All of the test vehicles had part-time 4x4. The test didn't evaluate the effectiveness of the all wheel drive in bad weather.
One eye-opening aspect of the test is the price of these small SUVs when loaded with the all the fancy options. Honda was cheapest at $30K, RAV4 $34K and Tiguan $38K! If you're careful with the option sheet you can buy the base vehicles for less than $25K.
The test results might have been different if the Tiguan had the 4 cylinder diesel that VW offers in the Jetta. Here are the torque numbers:
CRV 4 cylinder gasoline 161 ft-lb
Tiguan turbo 4 gasoline 207 ft-lb
Jetta 4 cylinder turbo diesel 236 ft-lb
RAV4 V6 246 ft-lb
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Comparos/articleId=131851
The results: RAV4 wins because of larger interior and more power. An optional 3.5L V6 provides 100+ more HP than the others, at a small fuel penalty (EPA 26 mpg highway, 1 mpg less than the Honda). During the test, all three vehicles averaged a less-than-stellar 21 mpg.
Even though the Honda was down on power, the test says it was the most fun (best steering and brakes, most nimble) to drive around on typical suburban errands.
All of the test vehicles had part-time 4x4. The test didn't evaluate the effectiveness of the all wheel drive in bad weather.
One eye-opening aspect of the test is the price of these small SUVs when loaded with the all the fancy options. Honda was cheapest at $30K, RAV4 $34K and Tiguan $38K! If you're careful with the option sheet you can buy the base vehicles for less than $25K.
The test results might have been different if the Tiguan had the 4 cylinder diesel that VW offers in the Jetta. Here are the torque numbers:
CRV 4 cylinder gasoline 161 ft-lb
Tiguan turbo 4 gasoline 207 ft-lb
Jetta 4 cylinder turbo diesel 236 ft-lb
RAV4 V6 246 ft-lb