Turbo Crossover Showdown: One Model Crushes the Competition in Brutal 500-Mile Test

In a detailed comparison test conducted in June 2026, and originally published in the September 2008 issue of MotorTrend under the headline "TurboChargers," three prominent turbo crossovers embarked on a rigorous 500-mile journey. The backdrop for this evaluation was the escalating price of gasoline, making the introduction of compact, fuel-efficient yet powerful vehicles particularly timely. Volkswagen's debut of the Tiguan, its first compact crossover in the U.S. market, was perfectly positioned to appeal to buyers seeking alternatives to larger, thirstier SUVs. The Tiguan, with its miserly 2.0-liter engine, promised a combined fuel economy of up to 21 mpg, quickly attracting more buyers than its larger sibling, the Touareg, in its initial month of sales. The premise was clear: a four-cylinder engine paired with a turbocharger could deliver over 200 horsepower and torque, achieving around 20 mpg, negating the need for less efficient V-6 or V-8 options.

For this comprehensive test, the all-new 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan was pitted against two equally new turbo-four rivals: the 2009 Subaru Forester XT and the formidable 2008 Mazda CX-7. All vehicles were in their topline trim and equipped with all-wheel drive. The 500-mile odyssey took them to Lone Pine, California, near Mt. Whitney, the tallest peak in the Lower 48. En route, the crossovers were subjected to a hilly 40-mile test loop in Tehachapi, the rugged dirt roads of Fossil Falls State Park in Little Lake, and a final battery of instrumented track testing to determine which of these "go-anywhere turbochargers" performed best under pressure.

The newcomer, the Volkswagen Tiguan, specifically in its $33,630 SEL 4Motion guise, emerged as the priciest of the trio. Despite its high base price, it came lavishly equipped with leather trim, dual-zone automatic climate control, a Dynaudio 300-watt stereo, a 12-way power driver's seat, bi-Xenon headlamps, and 18-inch alloy wheels (though curiously, the test vehicle had 17-inch wheels due to a factory oversight). With options such as $350 rear side airbags, a $1300 panoramic sunroof, and $1950 navigation with a backup camera, the price soared to $37,230. However, the Tiguan justified its steep sticker price, at least partially, with what was universally deemed the group's richest cabin. Senior editor Ed Loh praised its "nicest interior," noting it looked "actually designed, rather than assembled from a parts bin like the Subaru's." Editor at large Arthur St. Antoine echoed this sentiment, highlighting the "high-quality materials and stylish design," making the Tiguan appear and feel expensive.

Beyond aesthetics, the Deutschland-built Tiguan offered practical advantages, including the most rear headroom and unique features like an SD memory-card reader for the audio system, a height-adjustable center armrest, a driver-side glovebox with five coin slots, and a mini-jack auxiliary input. Its ride character was distinctively Teutonic: firm enough to ensure responsive handling yet supple enough for comfortable daily driving. While the standard 18-inch wheels might have stiffened the ride slightly, they would likely have enhanced handling. Nevertheless, the 17-inch wheels performed admirably, offering quick turn-in and commendable grip, evidenced by 0.81g lateral acceleration. However, the electromechanical steering was noted for feeling too light and overboosted at low speeds, a stark contrast to the Mazda's well-weighted steering.

Despite its compact dimensions, the Tiguan weighed nearly 3800 pounds, making it over 300 pounds heavier than the Forester. This weight, coupled with its 200-horsepower engine (the weakest of the group), resulted in the slowest acceleration figures: 0 to 60 mph in 8.2 seconds and a quarter mile in 16.2 seconds at 85.7 mph. Despite these numbers, the reviewers expressed admiration for VW's ubiquitous 2.0T mill, which spun freely and euphonically, unleashing 207 pound-feet of peak torque at a low 1700 rpm.

In conclusion, the high price point of the Tiguan, with more than a 20 percent premium over the Forester, raised concerns about its potential sales performance in the U.S. market, where consumers are less accustomed to paying a premium for less performance and more style. While lauded for its "artful cockpit and premium look and feel," its status as the slowest and by a wide margin the most expensive vehicle ultimately constrained its ranking. The Volkswagen Tiguan, despite being an outstanding first effort, was deemed too pricey to advance beyond third place in this comparative evaluation.