Compact crossovers, Volkswagen Tiguan vs GMC Terrain.
The compact crossover/SUV segment has grown rapidly in 2018. There have several facelifted models along with completely new models hitting the market. Two popular models in this segment are the all-new Volkswagen Tiguan vs GMC Terrain. Both are available in FWD or AWD. We will be comparing the AWD models. So how do they compare?
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- 2018 VW Tiguan , Photo: Volkswagen
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- 2018 GMC Terrain, Photo: GMC Media
Trim Levels
Volkswagen Tiguan
- S
- SE
- SEL
- SEL Premium
GMC Terrain
- SL (FWD only)
- SLE
- SLT
- Denali
Safety
| Tiguan | Terrain (later release) | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Safety Rating | Not yet rated | ***** |
| Front Driver Side | Not yet rated | ***** |
| Front Passenger Side | Not yet rated | ***** |
| Overall Side Rating | ***** | ***** |
| Rollover | **** | **** |
Note, that whilst the NHTSA rating is out of a maximum possible 5 stars, 2018 model year GMC Terrains produced before November 28, 2017, did not get a 5-star safety rating.
Volkswagen Tiguan
Driver Assistance Package ($850) is available on the base trim (the S)
- Forward Collision Warning & Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Monitoring (Front Assist)
- Blind Spot Monitor with
- Rear Traffic Alert
Also available, depending on trim levels is;
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Light Assist
- Lane Assist
- Area View
- Park Distance Control with Maneuver Braking
- Front Assist
- Rear Traffic Alert
GMC Terrain
Driver Alert Package I is available on SLE and SLT and includes;
- Side Blind Zone Alert with Lane Change Alert,
- Rear Park Assist,
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert
- Safety Alert Driver Seat
Driver Alert Package II is available on SLT and Denali and includes;
- Low-Speed Forward Automatic Braking,
- Forward Collision Alert,
- Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning,
- Following Distance Indicator and IntelliBeam headlamps
Performance and Economy
| Volkswagen Tiguan AWD | GMC Terrain AWD | GMC Terrain AWD | GMC Terrain AWD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0 L Turbo Gasoline | 1.5 L Turbo Gasoline | 1.6 L Turbo Diesel | 2.0 L Turbo Gasoline |
| Transmission | 8-Speed Auto | 9-Speed Auto | 6- Speed Auto | 9-Speed Auto |
| Horsepower / Torque | 184 hp / 221 lb-ft | 170 hp / 203 lb-ft | 137 hp / 240 lb-ft | 252 / 260 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy (City) | 21 mpg | 24 mpg | 28 mpg | 21 mpg |
| Fuel Economy (Highway) | 27 mpg | 28 mpg | 38 mpg | 26 mpg |
| Fuel Economy (Combined) | 23 mpg | 26 mpg | 32 mpg | 23 mpg |
Size and Dimensions
Exterior
The Tiguan and the Terrain are almost identical when it comes to exterior dimensions.
| Volkswagen Tiguan | GMC Terrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Width (W/O mirrors) | 72.4" | 72.4" |
| Track Width | 62.2" | 62.2" |
| Length | 185.1" | 182.3" |
| Height | 66.3" | 65.4" |
| Ground Clearance | 7.9" | 6.90" |
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- 2018 GMC Terrain Exterior, Photo: GM
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- 2018 VW Tiguan, Photo: VW
Interior
| Volkswagen Tiguan | GMC Terrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Seating capacity | 5 (or 7 with 3rd row option) | 5 |
| Front Leg Room | 40.2" | 40.9" |
| Back Seat Leg Room | 38.7" | 39.7" |
| Cargo Volume | 73.5" | 63.3" |
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- 2018 VW Tiguan Cargo Area, Photo: VW
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- 2018 GMC Terrain Interior, Photo: GMC
Technology and Entertainment
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on both AWD vehicles in all trim levels.
Touchscreens
The Volkswagen base trim S model comes with a 6.5″ capacitive color touchscreen. SE, SEL, and SEL Premium Tiguans come with a brighter 8.0″ glass-covered touchscreen. This also includes navigation. The GMC Terrain in the SLE comes with a 7″ color touchscreen. Upgraded Infotainment package with navigation is available as an extra. SLT models get the 8″ diagonal touchscreen as standard with navigation as an optional extra. Top of the line Denali models in the Terrain get the 8″ screen with navigation as standard.
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- Volkswagen Tiguan SEL Premium touchscreen
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- GMC Terrain touchscreen
Audio
Tiguan S, SE, and SEL trim lines get a 6-speaker audio system as standard. Top of the line Tiguan SEL Premiums get a new Fender® Premium Audio system with 9 speakers. This includes a 480-watt, 12 channel amp, and a Bassman™ subwoofer. audio
A 6-speaking sound system is standard on the Terrain SLE and SLT trim levels with the 7-Speaker Bose® Premium Audio standard on the Denali. Bose Premium Audio is available as an extra on SLT models as part of the, ‘Infotainment Package II’.
USB ports
Volkswagen Tiguan
- S – 1 port
- SE – 3 ports
- SEL – 3 ports
- SEL Premium -3 ports
GMC Terrain
- SLE- 2 data/charging ports and 2 charge-only ports
- SLT- 4 data/charging and 2 charge-only ports
- Denali – 4 data/charging and 2 charge-only ports
Comfort and Convenience
Volkswagen Tiguan S gets a cloth interior. SE and SEL models get leatherette heated driver and passenger seats. The SEL Premium gets leather seats, also heated. On the Terrain, SLE’s get cloth, SLT, and Denali get heated leather-appointed seats. Heated rear seats are available as an option on the Denali. A heated steering wheel is standard on both top trims from each manufacturer, the SEL Premium from VW and the Denali from GMC.
For remote start, on the Volkswagen SE, it is an option, and standard on the SEL and SEL Premium. This is similar for the Terrain, an optional extra on the SLE and standard on SLT and Denali trims.
Transmissions
Here is probably one of the most noticeable differences between the Tiguan and Terrain. The Tiguan has a traditional shift lever vs a push-button shifter on the Terrain. GMC call it the “Electronic Precision Shift, button and trigger based transmission interface.”
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- 2018 VW Tiguan transmission shift lever
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- 2018 GMC Terrain transmission shifter buttons
Drive modes
Both vehicles in the AWD configurations offer various ‘drive modes’ to adjust traction according to road conditions. The AWD 4Motion system from Volkswagen offers modes that include; Off-Road, customizable Off-Road, customizable On-Road, and Snow. The GMC Terrain has a tow/haul mode, Off-Road, and AWD disconnect. Downhill assist is also available in the Terrain.
Price
With so many options and choices available between the two vehicles, it’s difficult to compare price according to features. Taking the two most similar (as equipped without packages), the VW Tiguan SEL and GMC Terrain SLT both in AWD with 2.0 L engine, the Volkswagen works out slightly less based on MSRP. The Tiguan SEL comes in at $33,385 MSRP and the GMC Terrain at $35,990. These prices are manufacturer suggested retail prices taken from their respective websites and do take into consideration any discounts or incentives which may vary and or change at any time.
Read our first impress review on the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan. For the latest deals or test drive a Tiguan, contact Fremont Volkswagen. For more information or a test drive in the Terrain, contact Fremont Chevy.
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