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Tiguan vs. Forester vs. CR-V

115 messages,  Last post on Dec 01, 2011 at 4:11 PM

You are in the Volkswagen Tiguan Forum.

What is this discussion about? Volkswagen Tiguan, Subaru Forester, Honda CR-V, Car Comparisons, SUV

Messages Page 1 of 12

#1 of 115 Tiguan vs. Forester vs. CV-R by kr5

Feb 04, 2009 (8:00 pm)

I'm in the market for a cute ute and have narrowed my search to the Tiguan, Forester and CV-R. I had been a loyal VW owner since the early 70s but early transmission problems in my last 2 Jettas convinced me to buy a 2003 Forester last time around. The Forester, which I bought new, has been rock solid dependable but offers a white toast driving experience. Test driving the CV-R left me with the same impression. Then I made the mistake of test driving a Tiguan a few weeks ago on a whim and fell in love all over again. This car feels like a Lotus next to the Forester and CV-R. Someone talk me out of this! The Tiguan SE's a good $4000 to $5000 more than a comparably equipped Forester or CV-R, is probably not as reliable as its Japanese counterparts, and the VW dealer doesn't seem to appreciate the economic imperative of offering a recession-busting deal. Should I spring for the sexy Tiguan or stay with the Old Reliables? I should mention that I typically keep cars for ten years or longer. (I'm holding on to my '03 Subie.) Also, any word on VW offering a 0% APR on the Tiguan in the near future to even their pricing with Subaru and Honda? I'd like to buy in the next month or two. Thanks much!

#2 of 115 Re: Tiguan vs. Forester vs. CV-R [kr5] by jrcola

Feb 05, 2009 (10:34 pm)

Replying to: kr5 (Feb 04, 2009 8:00 pm)
Wow! I’m almost in the exact situation as you are. I too have had VW/Audi products and know how expensive they can be to repair. I also have a 1999 Forester, and am looking to replace it with the Tiguan. I have looked at the new Forester, but have been disappointed to find that after 10 years Subaru has not changed the mechanicals of this model. I thought that my Forester was a bad example of Subaru reliability. I bought it new and during its life it has had numerous head gaskets replaced, and every wheel bearing replaced at least once with the rear wheels having theirs replaced twice. The transmission has always had a rattling noise at 60mph, a noise confirmed by a Subaru technician, but later explained as “normal mechanical sounds” of the Foresters transmission.
 
Luckily all the break/fixes were done while the Forester was under warranty, and ‘knock on wood’ the transmission is still working fine. When I started researching the 2009 Forester I was shocked to find that I was not the only one with head gasket problems, and that Subaru has had problems with the Turbo engines in the 2009 Forester XT. Subaru had to put a “Stop Sell” bulletin to the dealers as these engines were not even lasting 500 miles before the engine makes a horrible noise and seizes. Something to do with piston rings not being within spec from one supplier. Entire engines have to be replaced.
 
In short I haven’t had that “Subaru Reliability” experience with my Forester, and have not been impressed with what I’ve read so far on the 2009 Forester. Body integrity/Paint durability/Interior material quality, all seem better in our older Foresters then what people are commenting of the 2009 model.
 
I once considered a CRV, but even paid more for my Forester, once I found that the CRV could not come close to the Forester when it came to deep snow. This winter it proved its merits admirably, as I drove around a stuck CRV and RAV4 as their “Real time All Wheel Drive” or “AWD” could not get them out of knee high snow that the “full time awd” in the Forester did.
 
The Haldex “4Motion” of the Tiguan seems to be the next best thing. It’s not exactly like the Subaru’s, but far superior to the CRV’s/ RAV4’s/ Outlander’s. So far I haven’t seen a CRV, Outlander, or Rav4 that is capable of this.
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDFgCBiNg-Q&feature=related
 
The price of the Tiguan keeps me reevaluating the competition. The new Forester for me would be like my old Forester with a new bigger body. To me the new Forester looks like it copied that basic shape from the Mitsubishi Outlander. The Outlander is also a contender as it has the most features/content for the price. I’ve read that VW can’t make the Tiguan fast enough for their European/World Markets, and the profits that they make abroad are far greater that what VW makes selling the Tiguan here in N.A. That might explain why dealer are reluctant to haggle on price.
 
I’ve got 5 months before I need to replace my Forester, and all the popular comparison vehicles except the Tiguan will force me to make a compromise on awd traction/extreme weather capability that the Forester has. I too hope that the car buying market will improves favorably with better financing offers, or incentives from VW.

#3 of 115 Re: Tiguan vs. Forester vs. CV-R [jrcola] by k2chad

Feb 07, 2009 (8:23 am)

Replying to: jrcola (Feb 05, 2009 10:34 pm)
I think of the Tiguan in a different class than the CRV and Forester. On paper, you are looking at 4 cylinder small SUV's with AWD. But in reality things are different. You're more into BMW X3 territory, and having had both the Tiguan is a worthy competitor. 6 speed transmission is huge, Forester sure doesn't have this, much more refined. Not to mention a sporty 4 cylinder. I feel the Tig interior is a bit lacking on my SE, but the SEL with leather is very hard to find in the US, especially in 4Motion. On the other hand, my X3 had leatherette. I really with VW would have put the Jetta base leatherette in the Tig instead of cloth. The cloth is fine, and the seat heaters are very HOT, but I prefer something wipe-able. As far as reliability, this is a REAL german car. Actually made in Germany, unlike some other VW's made in Mexico. And the new X3 (south carolina).

#4 of 115 Re: Tiguan vs. Forester vs. CV-R [k2chad] by jrcola

Feb 08, 2009 (9:32 am)

Replying to: k2chad (Feb 07, 2009 8:23 am)
I agree, as soon as you step inside a Tiguan you sense the higher level of quality within the materials used and the fit and finish is impeccable. The SEL/Highline models here in N.A. seem to be in a higher class, and are scarce and in great demand. Dealers that have one are quickly sold.
 
For some economic/business reason….most likely the “Keep profits as high as possible” business plan. VW has decided to keep North American consumer away from the most popular options, and configurations that are available to the Tiguan for the rest of the world.
 
Is VW afraid that the Tiguan will become too popular here in N.A? It’s like we are getting punished here, or are in some kind of marketing experiment. The more I researched the Tiguan, the more frustrated I got. There are so many great options, features, combination of options that consumers in other countries can choose from.
 
When I asked for these popular option combinations at my VW dealer I got a swift “No!” as an answer.
-Can I get the Tiguan with the Diesel engine with 4motion and a 6 speed manual?
-How about the Diesel engine?
-Can I get the Tiguan with the Dual charged engine, the off-road package, and 6 speed manual?
- Dual Charged engine?
-Off road Package?
- Auto Parking feature (like Lexus has)?
 
What’s going on here? Is VW so backed up in Tiguan orders that we here in N.A. are forgotten? Sure the Tier2 Bin5 emission standard we have is tough, but VW has a 2L Diesel in the Jetta that meets that standard and could drop right into the Tiguan.

#5 of 115 Tiguan v. Forester by BCWatty_

Feb 10, 2009 (7:10 pm)

It came down to a Tiguan or a 2009 Forester for me and I chose the Tiguan. The Honda does not offer a manual transmission and that was a deal-killer for me. The Tiguan will not allow you to have the neat options like the huge moonroof or heated seats or NAV or leather or mileage computer and the Forester would allow such options with their non-turbo 5-speed stick (the Tiguan has a 6-speed stick and, of course, it's turbocharged). Due to the lack of availability of upgrades, I almost bought the Forester. It really came down to the actual driving experience and the VW is just more fun to drive.

#6 of 115 Re: Tiguan vs. Forester vs. CV-R [jrcola] by morin2

Mar 07, 2009 (10:09 am)

Replying to: jrcola (Feb 08, 2009 9:32 am)
Whichever one of the three gets diesel first, especially if it is not urea-injection, will be the one I buy. With gas being increasingly watered down with ethanol, I will not buy another gas powered vehicle.

#7 of 115 Re: Tiguan vs. Forester vs. CV-R [morin2] by carlitos7

Oct 19, 2009 (1:50 pm)

Replying to: morin2 (Mar 07, 2009 10:09 am)
anyone who compares a high performance tiptronic 6 speed automanual (yes you get both and its standard on all VWs) transmission to a dinosaur regular transmission (one on the CR-V) is at least an idiot if not a biased liar.
 
there are those who lead, and those who follow and you cant compare them.
 
while the Tiguan is riding in the future train with all the cool cars having new and creative feature and without jeopardizing elegance, performance and comfort, Honda is bragging about how the new, yet old, featureless CR-V is reliable.
 
Honda and Toyota will now play the waiting game, and when the new features which are present in todays cool cars are tested on German and American cars, Honda and Toyota will include them as standard five years from now and start claiming again that they are the most reliable.
 
how pathetic.

#8 of 115 Re: Tiguan vs. Forester vs. CV-R [carlitos7] by blueiedgod

Oct 20, 2009 (10:07 am)

Replying to: carlitos7 (Oct 19, 2009 1:50 pm)
anyone who compares a high performance tiptronic 6 speed automanual (yes you get both and its standard on all VWs) transmission to a dinosaur regular transmission (one on the CR-V) is at least an idiot if not a biased liar.
 
I am pretty sure that Honda was the first to have a small cross over SUV.
 
I am pretty sure Honda had ABS standard across the product line way before VW.
 
I am pretty sure Honda was the first to have VSC standard across the product line before VW.
 
I am pretty sure that Honda had EBD way before VW.
 
I am pretty sure Honda had independant suspension at all 4 corners while VW was still using torsion beam from 1937.
 
Sounds like VW is playing catch up here.
 
As to this "marvelous automatic"... what man drives automatic?

#9 of 115 Re: Tiguan vs. Forester vs. CV-R [jrcola] by aatherton

Oct 23, 2009 (11:59 am)

Replying to: jrcola (Feb 05, 2009 10:34 pm)
The head gasket problems were common from 1999-2003 but not since.
The 2009 XT problem was not piston rings, but disintegration of copper con rod bearing shell, and those engines have been replaced:
 
"... FHI have identified the problem as abnormal wear on con rod big end bearings..."
http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f88/subaru-issues-turbo-stop-sale-certai- n-08-09-models-31757/index5.html#post372840
 
"... Turbo Engine Stop Sale checking Procedure.
Engine Screening Procedure Two... A) If there are copper particles larger that 1 mm in the material residue, the engine is damaged.... It may be necessary to clean the particles to determine if they are copper. Copper is reddish in color..."
http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f88/subaru-issues-turbo-stop-sale-certai- n-08-09-models-31757/index10.html#post381869dels
 
The Forester has the same drivetrain as the Outback, which has been selected as SUV of the year:
http://www.motortrend.com/oftheyear/suv/112_0912_2010_suv_of_the_year_winner/ind- ex.html
 
The Tiguan seems out of the Forester's class, more like an Acura RDX. More upscale, luxurious, refined, and expensive. Less practical, less capacity and tow rating, worse mileage on premium fuel only, and probably less reliable.

#10 of 115 Re: Tiguan vs. Forester vs. CV-R [aatherton] by motoguy128

Oct 23, 2009 (1:17 pm)

Replying to: aatherton (Oct 23, 2009 11:59 am)
The Tiguan seems out of the Forester's class, more like an Acura RDX. More upscale, luxurious, refined, and expensive. Less practical, less capacity and tow rating, worse mileage on premium fuel only, and probably less reliable.
 
have you sat in a Tiguan? You must have missed the part about the chassis and interior components being the same as a Golf or Jetta. That's like saying the RDX is based on a Honda Civic. It's not, more like a TSX. The CR-V however is.
 
It might be closer to the RDX in terms of performance. But's it would be more comparable to a Honda CR-V with the RDX engine. Basically with a Tiguan, you're paying a lot for the 2.0T motor, but not getting all the bells and whistles, apce and quality you expect frm a car with that drivetrain.
 
The Tiguan would be more comparable to the other compact SUV's in it's class if it had the 5 cylinder engine out of the Jetta. The 2.0T places it in a strange class of it's own, somewhat like the V6 RAV 4.

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