CARVSLABFeel the physics before you buy

Matchup

Volkswagen Tiguan vs Toyota RAV4

The 2026 Tiguan SE R-Line Black 4Motion against the 2026 RAV4 XLE Premium AWD, through ten physics labs and every official rating we could find.

Last checked Oct 3, 2026. Every figure links to its source.

Open this matchup in the 3D lab

2026 Volkswagen Tiguan2026 Toyota RAV4

The short answer

  • The RAV4 is rated 41 mpg combined by the EPA, 16 mpg better than the Tiguan (25 mpg). PublishedEPAPublishedEPA
  • At 15,000 miles a year and national average prices, the RAV4 costs about $1,049 a year less to run: $1,638/yr against $2,687/yr. DerivedEPADerivedEPA
  • The Tiguan stops from 70 mph in 172 ft, 7 ft shorter than the RAV4 (179 ft). TestedCar and DriverTestedCar and Driver
  • The RAV4 gets to 60 mph 1.4 s sooner: 7.1 s against 8.5 s. TestedCar and DriverTestedCar and Driver

At a glance

TiguanRAV4
Starting price, this trim$40,220PublishedJ.D. Power$38,950PublishedToyota
Powertrain2.0 L turbo four (EA888 evo5), direct injection, Miller cycle · 4Motion (on-demand rear coupling; the rear axle decouples when not needed)2.5 L four-cylinder + three electric motors · Electronic on-demand AWD (rear motor)
0–60 mph, tested or claimed8.5 sTestedCar and Driver7.1 sTestedCar and Driver
Braking 70–0 mph, tested172 ft (52.4 m)TestedCar and Driver179 ft (54.6 m)TestedCar and Driver
EPA combined25 mpg (9.4 L/100 km)PublishedEPA41 mpg (5.7 L/100 km)PublishedEPA
Cargo behind the second row33.8 cu ft (957 L)PublishedVW37.8 cu ft (1,070 L)PublishedToyota
Large suitcases, packed6Simulatedfrom VW6Simulatedfrom Toyota Canada
Seats5Published5PublishedKBB
Crash ratingsNHTSA 5★ overall · IIHS crash tests G/P/GNo safety rating yet · new for 2026

Acceleration

The RAV4 gets to 60 mph 1.4 s sooner: 7.1 s against 8.5 s.

TiguanRAV4
Power201 hp (150 kW)PublishedVW236 hp (176 kW)PublishedToyota
Torque221 lb-ft (300 Nm)PublishedVW163 lb-ft (221 Nm)PublishedToyota
0–60 mph, tested or claimed8.5 sTestedCar and Driver7.1 sTestedCar and Driver
0–60 mph, our simulation8.4 sSimulatedfrom Car and Driver7.0 sSimulatedfrom Car and Driver
Passing, 50–70 mph5.4 sTestedCar and Driver5.1 sTestedCar and Driver
Quarter mile16.3 sTestedCar and Driver15.3 sTestedCar and Driver
Watch it in The Shove

Braking and stopping distance

The Tiguan stops from 70 mph in 172 ft, 7 ft shorter than the RAV4 (179 ft).

TiguanRAV4
Braking 70–0 mph, tested172 ft (52.4 m)TestedCar and Driver179 ft (54.6 m)TestedCar and Driver
Braking 60–0 mph, tested128 ft (39.0 m)TestedMotorTrendno data
Wet road from 70 mph, 1 s reaction357 ft (108.9 m)Simulatedfrom Car and Driver370 ft (112.8 m)Simulated, estimated inputs
Dry road from 70 mph, 1 s reaction275 ft (83.7 m)Simulatedfrom Car and Driver283 ft (86.3 m)Simulated, estimated inputs
Packed snow from 30 mph, 1 s reaction166 ft (50.5 m)Simulatedfrom Car and Driver172 ft (52.3 m)Simulated, estimated inputs
Watch it in The Stop

Rollover

No meaningful gap between the Tiguan and the RAV4 on what we can measure here.

TiguanRAV4
NHTSA rollover rating4★ · 17.9% riskTestedNHTSAno data
Sideways slide that trips it into a roll11 mph (18 km/h)Simulated, estimated inputs11 mph (18 km/h)Simulated, estimated inputs
Static stability factor (half-track ÷ CoG height)1.20Simulated, estimated inputs1.24Simulated, estimated inputs
Watch it in The Tipping Point

Efficiency and running costs

The RAV4 is rated 41 mpg combined by the EPA, 16 mpg better than the Tiguan (25 mpg).

TiguanRAV4
EPA combined25 mpg (9.4 L/100 km)PublishedEPA41 mpg (5.7 L/100 km)PublishedEPA
Fuel or charging, 15,000 mi a year$2,687/yrDerivedEPA$1,638/yrDerivedEPA
Steady 75 mph, our simulation32 mpg (7.4 L/100 km)Simulatedfrom Car and Driver36 mpg (6.5 L/100 km)Simulatedfrom Car and Driver
Drag coefficient0.31PublishedVW0.33Estimate
Watch it in The Invisible Wall

Grip, snow and maneuvering

The RAV4 rides higher: 8.1 in of ground clearance against 7.0 in.

TiguanRAV4
Skidpad grip, tested0.81 gTestedCar and Driverno data
Cornering grip, our simulation0.81 gSimulatedfrom Car and Driver0.79 gSimulated, estimated inputs
Pulling away on packed snow0.26 gSimulatedfrom Car and Driver0.25 gSimulated, estimated inputs
Turning circle38.1 ft (11.6 m)PublishedVW36.9 ft (11.2 m)PublishedToyota Canada
Ground clearance7.0 in (18 cm)PublishedVW8.1 in (21 cm)PublishedToyota Canada
TiresPirelli Scorpion Zero All Season 255/40R20 101H M+S · 255/40R20TestedCar and DriverAll-season touring · 235/60R18PublishedToyota Canada
Watch it in The Grip Budget

Space, luggage and fit

The RAV4 is rated to tow 1,700 lb more: 3,500 lb against 1,800 lb.

TiguanRAV4
Seats5Published5PublishedKBB
Large suitcases, packed6Simulatedfrom VW6Simulatedfrom Toyota Canada
Carry-ons in the space left0Simulatedfrom VW2Simulatedfrom Toyota Canada
Cargo behind the second row33.8 cu ft (957 L)PublishedVW37.8 cu ft (1,070 L)PublishedToyota
Cargo, seats folded69.8 cu ft (1,977 L)PublishedVW70.4 cu ft (1,994 L)PublishedToyota
Towing1,800 lb (816 kg)PublishedVW3,500 lb (1,588 kg)PublishedToyota
Driver head room, 6 ft 4 in driver+0.3 in (1 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs0.0 in (0 cm)Simulatedfrom KBB
Driver head room, 5 ft 11 in driver+2.7 in (7 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs+2.3 in (6 cm)Simulatedfrom KBB
Driver head room, 5 ft 4 in driver+5.8 in (15 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs+5.3 in (14 cm)Simulatedfrom KBB
Rear head room, 5 ft 11 in passenger+2.5 in (6 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs+2.5 in (6 cm)Simulatedfrom KBB
Rear knee room, 5 ft 11 in behind 5 ft 11 in+4.1 in (10 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs+2.3 in (6 cm)Simulatedfrom KBB
Rear head and knee, 6 ft 4 in behind 6 ft 4 in0.0 in head · −0.2 in kneeSimulated, estimated inputs−0.1 in head · −2.0 in kneeSimulatedfrom KBB
Front head room, published38.2 in (97 cm)PublishedVW37.9 in (96 cm)PublishedKBB
Rear head room, published38.4 in (98 cm)PublishedVW39.5 in (100 cm)PublishedKBB
Rear leg room, published40.2 in (102 cm)PublishedVW37.8 in (96 cm)PublishedKBB
Watch it in Live In It

Cabin noise

No meaningful gap between the Tiguan and the RAV4 on what we can measure here.

TiguanRAV4
Cabin sound at 70 mph69 dBAEstimateCar and Driver69 dBAEstimateCar and Driver
Watch it in The Quiet Test

Visibility

From the driver’s seat the RAV4’s hood hides the first 17 ft of road; the Tiguan’s hides 21 ft.

TiguanRAV4
Road hidden in front of the bumper, 5 ft 9 in driver21 ft (6.3 m)Simulated17 ft (5.1 m)Simulated, estimated inputs
Ground visible within 33 ft ahead40%Simulated50%Simulated, estimated inputs
Watch it in Can You See Me?

Headlights and night stopping

No meaningful gap between the Tiguan and the RAV4 on what we can measure here.

TiguanRAV4
IIHS headlight ratingAcceptableTestedIIHSno data
Low beams, straight road (right edge)351 ft (107.1 m)TestedIIHSno data
Fastest you can stop inside the low beams74 mph (118 km/h)Simulatedfrom IIHSno data
High beams, straight road (right edge)547 ft (166.8 m)TestedIIHSno data
Watch it in After Dark

Crash safety

No meaningful gap between the Tiguan and the RAV4 on what we can measure here.

TiguanRAV4
NHTSA overall5★TestedNHTSAno data
IIHS small overlap frontGoodTestedIIHSno data
IIHS moderate overlap front (updated)PoorTestedIIHSno data
IIHS side (updated)GoodTestedIIHSno data
Curb weight3,975 lb (1,803 kg)TestedCar and Driver3,865 lb (1,753 kg)PublishedKBB
Watch it in The Impact

Where each one wins

Volkswagen Tiguan

Toyota RAV4

  • The RAV4 is rated 41 mpg combined by the EPA, 16 mpg better than the Tiguan (25 mpg). PublishedEPAPublishedEPA
  • At 15,000 miles a year and national average prices, the RAV4 costs about $1,049 a year less to run: $1,638/yr against $2,687/yr. DerivedEPADerivedEPA
  • The RAV4 gets to 60 mph 1.4 s sooner: 7.1 s against 8.5 s. TestedCar and DriverTestedCar and Driver
  • The RAV4 is rated to tow 1,700 lb more: 3,500 lb against 1,800 lb. PublishedVWPublishedToyota
  • From the driver’s seat the RAV4’s hood hides the first 17 ft of road; the Tiguan’s hides 21 ft. SimulatedSimulated, estimated inputs
  • The RAV4 has 4.0 cu ft more cargo space behind its second row: 37.8 cu ft against 33.8 cu ft. PublishedVWPublishedToyota
  • The RAV4 makes 35 hp more: 236 hp against 201 hp. PublishedVWPublishedToyota
  • The RAV4 rides higher: 8.1 in of ground clearance against 7.0 in. PublishedVWPublishedToyota Canada
  • Drivers see 50% of the ground within 33 ft of the RAV4’s nose and 40% in the Tiguan. SimulatedSimulated, estimated inputs
  • Passing from 50 to 70 mph takes 5.1 s in the RAV4 and 5.4 s in the Tiguan. TestedCar and DriverTestedCar and Driver

Weigh them by what matters to you in the lab’s verdict

Other trims

Keep comparing

Sources

  1. US EPA (fueleconomy.gov): 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan 4motion (201 hp) ratings (2026-10)
  2. US EPA (fueleconomy.gov): 2026 Toyota RAV4 ratings (2026-09)
  3. Car and Driver: Tested: 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan Aims to Be Just Right (SEL R-Line 4Motion) (2025-10)
  4. Car and Driver: Tested: 2026 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (Limited AWD) (2025-10)
  5. J.D. Power: 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan SE R-Line Black 4MOTION pricing (MSRP $38,745) (2026-10)
  6. Toyota: 2026 RAV4 trims and MSRP, $1,450 delivery, processing and handling (2026-09)
  7. Volkswagen of America (media.vw.com): 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan Technical Specifications (2026-10)
  8. Toyota USA Newsroom: The Next Adventure Begins: 2026 RAV4 Arrives this Winter (2025-11)
  9. Toyota Canada: 2026 RAV4 Hybrid product information (dimensions, brakes, tires) (2026-01)
  10. Kelley Blue Book: 2026 Toyota RAV4 XLE Premium specs (2026-09)
  11. MotorTrend: 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan 4Motion First Test (SEL R-Line 4Motion) (2025-07)
  12. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings: 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD (VehicleId 21045) (2026-10)
  13. Car and Driver: 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan review (75-mph highway fuel economy: SEL R-Line Turbo 31 mpg, SEL R-Line 32 mpg) (2026-10)
  14. IIHS: 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan ratings (apply to 2025–26 models) (2026-10)

Badges: Published figures come from the maker, a regulator or a rating agency; Tested from an independent instrumented test; Simulated are computed by our physics from those inputs (how); Estimate means no published value exists. Confirm figures with the maker or your dealer before you buy.