Chevy Equinox vs Volkswagen Tiguan: 2027 Equinox vs 2027 Tiguan Compared
Last updated: October 19, 2026 | Emich Chevrolet, Lakewood | Specs from each manufacturer
The 2027 Chevy Equinox and 2027 Volkswagen Tiguan are both five-seat compact SUVs with turbocharged engines and available AWD. The Equinox starts lower and has more ground clearance. The Tiguan answers with more power, a larger touchscreen, more cargo room and a higher towing rating. Here’s how they compare for Denver drivers on price, space, fuel economy, towing, tech, safety and warranty.
Quick Verdict
The 2027 Equinox is the value play. The LT FWD starts at $29,300, $1,905 below the Tiguan S FWD, and it has 8.05 to 8.20 inches of ground clearance vs 6.6 to 7.2 for the Tiguan. The 2027 Tiguan costs more but gives you 201 hp, a 12.9-inch touchscreen, 33.8 cu ft behind the rear seat, up to 1,800 lbs of towing with AWD and a 5-star NHTSA overall rating. If a lower price and more ground clearance matter to you, start with the Equinox. If you want more power and room and the higher price fits your budget, the Tiguan delivers.
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Equinox vs Tiguan: How They Match Up
The Equinox LT FWD starts at $29,300 and the Tiguan S FWD at $31,205. Chevrolet’s destination charge is $1,995 and VW’s is $1,525, so with destination the gap is $1,435 ($31,295 vs $32,730). With AWD, the Equinox LT starts at $31,300 and the Tiguan S 4Motion at $32,705 ($33,295 vs $34,230 with destination). The Tiguan S includes wireless charging; on the Equinox LT it’s part of the $2,050 Convenience Package II.
The Tiguan’s 2.0L turbo makes 201 hp and 207 lb-ft (FWD) or 221 lb-ft (AWD), and the SEL R-Line Turbo makes 268 hp. The Equinox’s 1.5L turbo makes 175 hp and 184 lb-ft (FWD) or 203 lb-ft (AWD). Both use an 8-speed automatic. EPA rates the Tiguan S FWD at 29 mpg combined (28 for other FWD trims) and the Equinox FWD at 27 mpg. With AWD, both are rated 26 mpg, except the SEL R-Line Turbo at 25.
The Tiguan has 33.8 cu ft behind the rear seat and 69.8 cu ft max, vs 29.8 and 63.5 cu ft in the Equinox, and 40.2 inches of rear legroom vs 39.9. It tows 1,500 lbs with FWD and 1,800 lbs with AWD when equipped with a factory-installed hitch and a third-party trailer brake controller (braked trailers only); the Equinox is rated up to 1,500 lbs with AWD and proper equipment (800 lbs with FWD). The Equinox has more ground clearance: 8.05 to 8.20 inches vs 6.6 to 7.2. NHTSA gives the 2027 Tiguan a 5-star overall rating; it has not rated the 2027 Equinox yet.
2027 Equinox vs 2027 Tiguan Specs
| Spec | 2027 Chevy Equinox | 2027 Volkswagen Tiguan |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (FWD) | $29,300 (LT) | $31,205 (S) |
| Starting MSRP (AWD) | $31,300 (LT) | $32,705 (S 4Motion) |
| Destination charge | $1,995 | $1,525 |
| Price with destination (FWD) | $31,295 | $32,730 |
| Engine | 1.5L turbo I-4 | 2.0L turbo I-4 |
| Horsepower | 175 hp | 201 hp (268 hp SEL R-Line Turbo) |
| Torque | 184 lb-ft (FWD); 203 lb-ft (AWD) | 207 lb-ft (FWD); 221 lb-ft (AWD) |
| EPA combined mpg (FWD) | 27 | 29 (S); 28 (SE, SE R-Line Black) |
| EPA combined mpg (AWD) | 26 | 26 (25 SEL R-Line Turbo) |
| Max towing | 1,500 lbs (AWD, properly equipped); 800 lbs (FWD) | 1,800 lbs (AWD); 1,500 lbs (FWD) |
| Cargo behind rear seat | 29.8 cu ft | 33.8 cu ft |
| Max cargo | 63.5 cu ft | 69.8 cu ft |
| Rear legroom | 39.9 in | 40.2 in |
| Ground clearance | 8.05–8.20 in | 6.6 in (FWD); 7.0 in (AWD); 7.2 in (Turbo) |
| Touchscreen / driver display | 11.3 in / 11 in | 12.9 in (15 in on SEL R-Line Turbo) / 10.25 in |
| Warranty | 3 yr/36,000 mi basic; 5 yr/60,000 mi powertrain | 4 yr/50,000 mi bumper-to-bumper |
Sources: Chevrolet.com and Chevrolet Build & Price (ZIP 80226), Volkswagen’s 2027 Tiguan release, pricing sheet and technical specifications, fueleconomy.gov and NHTSA, checked October 19, 2026. Prices are starting MSRP excluding destination unless noted. VW’s cargo figures are based on third-party testing. Bold marks the better figure.
By the Numbers
Horsepower
Ground clearance
Cargo space
VW cargo figures are based on third-party testing.
Warranty and Maintenance Compared
Volkswagen covers the 2027 Tiguan with a transferable 4-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. Its Carefree Maintenance Program includes scheduled services at 1 year or 10,000 miles and 2 years or 20,000 miles, whichever comes first, but not tire rotations. Roadside assistance runs 3 years or 36,000 miles. VW does not quote a separate powertrain warranty in its 2027 Tiguan materials.
Chevrolet covers the 2027 Equinox for 3 years or 36,000 miles bumper-to-bumper and 5 years or 60,000 miles on the powertrain, with 5-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance, whichever comes first. One maintenance visit is included at 12 months or 12,000 miles: an oil and filter change, tire rotation and multi-point inspection.
Reasons to Choose Each
Why choose the 2027 Equinox
- Lower price: $1,905 less to start and $1,435 less with destination (FWD).
- More ground clearance: 8.05 to 8.20 inches vs 6.6 to 7.2.
- Larger driver display: 11 inches vs 10.25.
- 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty and roadside assistance.
- Heated front seats, heated steering wheel, remote start and Google built-in (service plan required) on every trim.
Why choose the 2027 Tiguan
- More power: 201 hp, or 268 hp in the SEL R-Line Turbo.
- More cargo room: 33.8 cu ft behind the rear seat and 69.8 cu ft max.
- Higher towing ratings: 1,500 lbs with FWD and 1,800 lbs with AWD.
- A 5-star NHTSA overall rating for 2027 and EPA 29 mpg combined (S FWD).
- Standard wireless charging, plus 2 years/20,000 miles of scheduled maintenance.
Interior and Technology
Every 2027 Equinox has an 11.3-inch touchscreen with Google built-in, an 11-inch Driver Information Center, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Google built-in features require a service plan. Wireless charging is standard on ACTIV and RS and part of the LT’s $2,050 Convenience Package II. Chevy Safety Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Zone Steering Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Braking and Reverse Automatic Braking are standard on every trim. The $1,140 Safety and Technology Package adds HD Surround Vision, a Rear Camera Mirror and the new Interior Camera.
The Tiguan has a 12.9-inch touchscreen (15 inches on the SEL R-Line Turbo), a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro, wireless App-Connect for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging and four 45W USB-C ports. A head-up display comes on the SE R-Line Black and SEL R-Line Turbo. IQ.DRIVE is standard, including Travel Assist with assisted lane changing, which VW describes as hands-on. Neither SUV offers hands-free driving.
The Bottom Line
Both seat five and offer AWD for Colorado winters. Compare the Equinox with other rivals in our Chevy Equinox guide, browse Equinox inventory, check current Chevrolet offers, or get a trade-in value from our buying center.
Pick the Equinox if you want a lower price, more ground clearance and longer roadside coverage. Pick the Tiguan if you want more power, more cargo room and a higher towing rating, and the extra cost fits your budget.
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Equinox vs Tiguan FAQs
Is the Equinox cheaper than the Tiguan?
Yes. The 2027 Equinox LT FWD starts at $29,300 and the 2027 Tiguan S FWD at $31,205, excluding destination. With destination ($1,995 Chevrolet, $1,525 VW), it’s $31,295 vs $32,730. With AWD, the Equinox LT starts at $31,300 and the Tiguan S 4Motion at $32,705.
Which has more power, the Equinox or Tiguan?
The Tiguan. Its 2.0L turbo makes 201 hp and 207 lb-ft (FWD) or 221 lb-ft (AWD), and the SEL R-Line Turbo makes 268 hp. The Equinox makes 175 hp and up to 203 lb-ft with AWD.
Which tows more?
The Tiguan is rated 1,500 lbs with FWD and 1,800 lbs with AWD for braked trailers, when equipped with a factory-installed hitch and a third-party trailer brake controller. The 2027 Equinox is rated up to 1,500 lbs with AWD and proper equipment, or 800 lbs with FWD. See our Chevy towing guide.
Is the 2027 Tiguan on sale yet?
Volkswagen released 2027 Tiguan pricing in September 2026 but hasn’t stated an on-sale date, and vw.com still showed the 2026 Tiguan as of October 19, 2026. The 2027 Equinox is on sale now; see Equinox inventory.
How do their safety ratings compare?
NHTSA gives the 2027 Tiguan a 5-star overall rating. It hasn’t rated the 2027 Equinox yet, and the 2026 Equinox has no overall rating, though it earned 5 stars in side crash tests. In the IIHS updated moderate overlap test, the 2025 to 2027 Equinox scored Good and the 2026 Tiguan scored Poor. IIHS hasn’t posted 2027 Tiguan ratings.
Sources: chevrolet.com 2027 and 2026 Equinox pages, chevrolet.com Build & Price, GM News, fueleconomy.gov and NHTSA for Chevrolet; each competitor’s official website, specifications, price sheets and press materials, fueleconomy.gov, NHTSA and IIHS for the rival, reviewed October 19, 2026. MSRP excludes destination, tax, title, license, dealer fees and options; destination charges differ by brand. EPA estimates; actual mileage will vary. Towing ratings depend on configuration and equipment and are for comparison only; review the owner’s manual before towing. Driver assistance features are no substitute for the driver’s responsibility to operate the vehicle safely; read the owner’s manual for feature limitations. All trademarks belong to their respective owners. Emich Chevrolet sells new Chevrolet vehicles.