The Highlander Limited's optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Tiguan doesn't offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The Highlander has standard Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Tiguan doesn't offer a whiplash protection system.

The Highlander Limited offers optional Pre-Collision System, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn't react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The Tiguan doesn't offer collision warning or crash mitigation brakes.

To prevent power induced skids and loss of control on slick surfaces, the Toyota Highlander has standard full range traction control. The Tiguan's traction control is for low speeds only. Low traction conditions at higher speeds are more dangerous, making the need for full range traction control important.

The Highlander Limited's optional lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. The Tiguan doesn't offer a lane departure warning system.

The Highlander Limited/Platinum's blind spot warning system uses sensors to alert driver to objects in the vehicle's blind spots where the side view mirrors don't reveal them. The Tiguan doesn't offer a system to reveal objects in the driver's blind spots.

To help make backing safer, the Highlander Limited/Platinum's cross-path warning system uses wide-angle radar in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Tiguan doesn't offer a cross-path warning system.

Both the Highlander and the Tiguan have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras and available rear parking sensors.

The Toyota Highlander weighs 543 to 1104 pounds more than the Volkswagen Tiguan. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Toyota Highlander is safer than the Volkswagen Tiguan:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

A significantly tougher test than their original offset frontal crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH small overlap frontal offset crash tests. In this test, where only 25% of the total width of the vehicle is struck, results indicate that the Toyota Highlander is safer than the Tiguan:

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota Highlander is safer than the Volkswagen Tiguan:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and with its optional front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Highlander its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2016, a rating granted to only 73 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Tiguan is not even a standard “Top Pick” for 2016.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Highlander for 1 year and 15000 miles longer than Volkswagen pays for maintenance for the Tiguan (2/25000 vs. 1/10,000).

There are almost 2 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Volkswagen dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Highlander's warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without their vehicle while it's being repaired. Consumer Reports predicts that the Highlander's reliability will be 35% better than the Tiguan.

J.D. Power and Associates' 2015 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota 9th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 19 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 23rd, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates' 2015 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota third in reliability, above the industry average. With 54 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 21st.

The Highlander's optional 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 70 more horsepower (270 vs. 200) and 41 lbs.-ft. more torque (248 vs. 207) than the Tiguan's 2.0 turbo 4 cyl.

As tested in Motor Trend the Toyota Highlander V6 is faster than the Volkswagen Tiguan:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota Highlander uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Tiguan requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Highlander has 2.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Tiguan (19.2 vs. 16.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the Highlander's brake rotors are larger than those on the Tiguan:

The Highlander stops much shorter than the Tiguan:

For better traction, the Highlander has larger tires than the Tiguan (245/60R18 vs. 215/65R16).

The Highlander's standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Tiguan S' standard 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Highlander has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Tiguan S.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Highlander's wheelbase is 7.3 inches longer than on the Tiguan (109.8 inches vs. 102.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Highlander is 2.6 inches wider in the front and 2.3 inches wider in the rear than on the Tiguan.

The Highlander XLE AWD handles at .81 G's, while the Tiguan SE pulls only .80 G's of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the Highlander has a 1.1 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Tiguan (8 vs. 6.9 inches), allowing the Highlander to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the Highlander has liquid-filled engine mounts. The liquid helps further dampen engine harshness. The Tiguan uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

The Highlander has standard seating for 8 passengers; the Tiguan can only carry 5.

The Highlander has 49.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Tiguan (144.9 vs. 95.4).

The Highlander has 1.6 inches more front headroom, 4.1 inches more front legroom, 3.1 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear headroom, 2.6 inches more rear legroom and 4.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the Tiguan.

The Highlander's cargo area provides more volume than the Tiguan.

The Highlander's optional rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Tiguan's rear cargo window doesn't open.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults or children, the Highlander offers an optional power cargo door, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The Tiguan doesn't offer a power cargo door.

Maximum trailer towing in the Volkswagen Tiguan is limited to 2200 pounds. The Highlander offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

The Highlander has a much higher standard payload capacity than the Tiguan (1455 vs. 1149 lbs.).

The Highlander has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the Tiguan (1455 vs. 1195 lbs.).

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the Highlander to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Volkswagen doesn't offer a maintenance reminder on the Tiguan.

The Highlander Limited/Platinum's front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Tiguan's rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The Smart Key System standard on the Highlander XLE/Limited/Platinum allows you to unlock the driver's door, cargo door and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before loading groceries, getting in the vehicle in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The Volkswagen Tiguan's Keyless Access doesn't unlock the cargo door.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Highlander has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Tiguan only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn't as good.

Consumer Reports rated the Highlander's headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Tiguan's headlights, which were rated “Poor” to “Good” (depending on model and options).

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors available for the Highlander Limited detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Tiguan doesn't offer automatic dimming high beams.

To shield the driver and front passenger's vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Highlander has standard extendable sun visors. The Tiguan doesn't offer extendable visors.

Both the Highlander and the Tiguan offer available heated front seats. The Highlander Platinum also has standard heated second row seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren't available in the Tiguan.

Standard air conditioned seats in the Highlander Limited/Platinum keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Tiguan doesn't offer air conditioned seats.

On extremely cold Winter days, the Highlander Platinum's standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Tiguan doesn't offer a heated steering wheel.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Highlander Limited offers an optional Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Tiguan doesn't offer an adaptive cruise control.

The Highlander's standard separate stalk mounted cruise control is close at hand. The Tiguan's standard cruise control is on an over-crowded turn signal stalk.

The Highlander XLE/Limited/Platinum's standard GPS navigation system has a real-time traffic update feature that plots alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service not available in all areas.) The Tiguan's navigation system doesn't offer real-time traffic updates.

With standard voice command, the Highlander offers the driver hands free control of the radio and the navigation computer by simply speaking. The Tiguan doesn't offer a voice control system.

The Highlander XLE/Limited/Platinum has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Tiguan doesn't offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Insurance will cost less for the Highlander owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Highlander will cost $10 to $1885 less than the Tiguan over a five-year period.

The Highlander will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. Kiplinger's estimates that the Highlander will retain a greater percentage of its original price after three and five years than the Tiguan.

Intellichoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Toyota Highlander will be $4862 to $5030 less than for the Volkswagen Tiguan.

The Toyota Highlander has won recognition from these important consumer publications: