Space is not only the final frontier but also an important consideration when buying a new vehicle. Compact SUVs force shoppers who need to transport five people — and sometimes more — to take a hard look at what they’re buying. Anyone looking for extra interior room should start with the 2024 Buick Envision and Volkswagen Tiguan. The Envision offers a near-luxury experience at a reasonable price, while the Tiguan is one of the bigger vehicles in its segment and even offers 3-row seating.
Let’s check out the two SUVs to see what they have to offer.
2024 Buick Envision
With a modern look and room for five passengers, the Buick Envision is an appealing option for compact SUV buyers. The styling of its spacious cabin — filled with technology — complements the exterior. It’s designed to be a comfortable, competent vehicle with good road manners, which aligns it with the rest of the Buick portfolio.
Powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, the Envision puts out 228 hp, and all-wheel drive (AWD) is standard. It comes with plenty of nice touches, such as wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and a hands-free tailgate. A slew of advanced driver safety technology is available in the mid and upper trim levels. Available in three trim levels — Preferred, Sport Touring, and Avenir — pricing starts at $37,295, including the destination fee.
Buick Envision Highlights
Massaging seats: Available as an option in the Avenir trim, massaging front seats knead their occupants into full-on luxury vehicle territory. These seats, covered in perforated leather, also have heating and ventilation.
Tech savvy: The standard Technology 1 package includes a head-up display and a 9-speaker Bose premium audio system. We love to see these tech features come standard on every trim of the Buick Envision.
Elegant interior: The first thing you’ll notice in the new Envision’s interior is a digital instrument cluster mounted flush with an expansive infotainment touchscreen. It stretches 30 inches diagonally and wouldn’t look out of place in a BMW, Mercedes-Benz, or Genesis product. Upper trims have niceties like perforated leather upholstery, massaging front seats, and a digital rearview camera.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Envision models near you.
2024 Volkswagen Tiguan
Volkswagen’s Tiguan gives the compact SUV buyer what draws consumers to larger, pricier SUVs: 3-row seating. The Tiguan makes seating for seven passengers possible. Advisable? Not really. But possible? Yes.
The third row is designed to handle children or small adults for short trips. The upside is that 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 forego AWD if you want it. While AWD is standard on the Buick Envision, it’s optional for the Tiguan.
The Tiguan stands near the top of the compact SUV segment in terms of size, and VW gives it a decent powerplant: a 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder engine. It puts out 184 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque through an 8-speed automatic transmission. Pricing for the Tiguan starts at $30,305, including destination fee.
Volkswagen Tiguan Highlights
4Motion: Front-wheel drive is standard, but the Tiguan can be upgraded with Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. The Tiguan offers different driving modes, such as Normal, Sport, and Eco. With 4Motion, you also get Snow and Off-Road modes, making it ready to handle various situations.
Comfort and room: This SUV offers ample cabin space, but just as importantly, it’s a comfortable ride. It provides a secure, almost cozy feel as it trundles along, about on par with the Buick Envision.
Tech forward: The VW boasts its own technology set, including VW Car-Net, which allows Tiguan owners to connect their smartphones to their vehicle. It allows for remote lock/unlock, automatic crash notification, stolen vehicle location, and can even let you check how much fuel is in the tank while away from the vehicle.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Tiguan models near you.
Similarities
The Buick Envision and Volkswagen Tiguan offer plenty of room inside, solid powertrains, and clean exterior styling.
Conclusion
The Buick Envision provides a premium interior cabin and is an excellent option for a trip of any length. However, the VW Tiguan delivers more space, including a small third row and a great interior, for nearly $7,000 less. If space and function are the driving factors, you might be drawn to the more affordable and efficient Tiguan.
| 2024 Buick Envision | 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan | |
| Starting Price | $37,295 | $30,305 |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 228 hp @ 5,000 rpm | 184 hp @ 4,400 rpm |
| Torque | 258 lb-ft @ 1,500 rpm | 221 lb-ft @ 1,900 rpm |
| Transmission | 9-speed automatic/AWD | 8-speed automatic/FWD |
| Fuel Economy | 22 city/29 highway/25 combined mpg | 24 city/31 highway/27 combined |
| Also Available | AWD | |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | N/R | 4-Star |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 7 |
| Wheelbase | 109.0 inches | 109.9 inches |
| Overall Length | 182.7 inches | 186.1 inches |
| Width | 74.1 inches | 72.4 inches |
| Height | 64.6 inches | 66.4 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 38.0 feet | 38.0 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 39.6 inches | 39.6 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 38.9 inches | 39.1 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 40.4 inches | 40.2 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 39.3 inches | 36.6 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 56.7 inches | 57.0 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 55.9 inches | 55.9 inches |
| Cargo Volume seats up/down | 25.2/52.7 cubic feet | 33.0/65.3 cubic feet |
