
Deciding which compact SUV is the best fit for you and your family will require plenty of research considering there are so many available models in the Irvine, Garden Grove, and San Juan Capistrano areas. While scouring through the different models available, you’ll want to focus on their powertrains, road performance, and creature comforts that can help make your life more convenient.
At Norm Reeves Volkswagen Superstore Irvine, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to streamline your own research process by comparing two potential options below in this 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan vs. Nissan Rogue matchup!
Volkswagen Tiguan vs Nissan Rogue: Powertrain

The 2020 VW Tiguan comes standard with a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder TSI® turbocharged engine that is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain setup produces 184 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque.
The Nissan Rogue comes standard with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). However, it only produces 170 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque. If you’re looking for more power when you’re behind the wheel, the Tiguan is the better bet.
Volkswagen Tiguan vs Nissan Rogue: On-Road and Off-Road Performance
If road conditions get tricky, or maybe you have an off-roading adventure, the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan offers available 4MOTION® all-wheel drive that evenly distributes power between the front and rear wheels for optimum stability.
While the Rogue also offers available Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, it lacks the adjustable terrain modes of the VW Tiguan. The 4MOTION® all-wheel drive system in the VW Tiguan allows you to switch among Snow Mode, On-Road Mode, Off-Road Mode, and Off-Road Custom.
The Snow Mode upshifts earlier to keep the RPMs lower to help prevent the wheels from moving forward too quickly, making for slow and steady traction. The On-Road Mode is best for well-paved roads. The Off-Road Mode adjusts the suspension and wheels to help maintain great traction on difficult-to-travel roadways. The Off-Road Custom Mode allows you to set your steering, all-wheel drive settings, and more, all to your specifications for more precise off-road handling.
2020 VW Tiguan vs Nissan Rogue: Interior Amenities
Interior space is critical when you have a compact SUV, since you’ll surely be toting plenty of family and friends with you on your trips. The VW Tiguan offers an available third row so that you can haul even more loved ones along for the ride to the grocery store or weekend road trip.
Unfortunately, the Nissan SUV doesn’t offer a third row. The Volkswagen Tiguan also offers available leather seating in a wide variety of colors, like Saffrano Orange and Storm Gray. The supple leather seating provides comfort and class to an already appealing cabin.
The more advanced and convenient the interior technology, the better your driving experience. Along these lines, the 2020 VW Tiguan offers the available Volkswagen Digital Cockpit. This high-resolution digital display is located behind the steering wheel and can display a bevy of critical driver information, such as tire pressure, wide-map navigation directions, and more. The Rogue, on the other hand, only has the smaller Advanced Drive-Assist® Display. It is also limited in what you can display since it doesn’t offer a full view of your navigation map.
Schedule a Test Drive Today
As this Nissan Rogue vs. VW Tiguan comparison shows, the standard powertrain, on- and off-road performance, and interior amenities of the 2020 VW Tiguan make it an extremely versatile and fun SUV to drive. If you are in Irvine, Garden Grove, or San Juan Capistrano, contact Norm Reeves Volkswagen Superstore Irvine to test drive one today!