BMW X3 vs Volkswagen Tiguan
BMW X3
BMW’s mid-size premium SUV.
VS
Volkswagen Tiguan
Volkswagen’s compact family SUV.
First car
Second car
Pick this one if…
BMW X3
Pick the X3 for sharp handling, a big boot and strong engines in a premium mid-size SUV.
Best engine: The 20i (petrol) or 20d (diesel).
Read the full guide
Pick this one if…
Volkswagen Tiguan
Pick the Tiguan for a roomy, practical family SUV with strong towing and a wide engine range.
Best engine: The 1.5 TSI/eTSI (150 hp) or 2.0 TDI (150 hp).
Read the full guide
Performance
B48 20i · Petrol vs 1.5 eTSI 150 · Petrol
| BMW X3 | Volkswagen Tiguan | |
|---|---|---|
| Power |
184 hp
Winner
|
150 hp
|
| Torque |
290 Nm
Winner
|
250 Nm
|
| 0–100 km/h |
8,3 s
Winner
|
9,1 s
|
| Top speed |
215 km/h
Winner
|
210 km/h
|
| Power-to-weight |
105,4 hp/t
Winner
|
101,4 hp/t
|
| CO₂ emissions (WLTP) |
154 g/km
|
128 g/km
Winner
|
| Consumption (WLTP) |
6,8 L/100km
|
5,6 L/100km
Winner
|
Dimensions & space
| BMW X3 | Volkswagen Tiguan | |
|---|---|---|
| Boot |
550 L
|
652 L
Winner
|
| Boot (seats folded) |
1.600 L
|
1.650 L
Winner
|
| Wheelbase |
2,86 m
Winner
|
2,68 m
|
| Length |
4,71 m
|
4,54 m
|
| Width |
1,89 m
|
1,84 m
|
| Height |
1,68 m
|
1,64 m
|
| Seats |
5
|
5
|
Powertrain & tech
| BMW X3 | Volkswagen Tiguan | |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | CLAR (rear-wheel-drive base, shared with the 5 Series) | MQB / MQB Evo (transverse) |
| Drive | Rear-wheel drive · All-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive |
| Engine family | B48 petrol · B47 diesel · plug-in hybrid | EA211/EA211 Evo petrol · EA888 petrol · EA288/EA288 Evo diesel · eHybrid PHEV |
| Fuel | Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid | Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic (ZF) | 6-speed manual · 7-speed DSG |
| Euro standard | Euro 6d-TEMP (early) · Euro 6d (later) | Euro 6 (early) · Euro 6d/6e (later) |
| LEZ access | Euro 6 diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent) | Euro 6 petrol/diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent) |
Reliability & watch-outs
Known issues
BMW X3
- EGR cooler can leak on B47 diesels
- Transfer case (xDrive) judder on early cars
- Adaptive dampers need checking at high mileage
Volkswagen Tiguan
- DSG fluid service and shift quality
- 1.5 TSI cold-start hesitation (early)
- AdBlue/DPF on 2.0 TDI (short trips)
Pros
BMW X3
- Rear-drive base gives sharp handling
- Big boot (550 l) & roomy rear seat
- Strong, efficient B-series engines
Volkswagen Tiguan
- Roomy cabin and high seating position
- Wide, efficient engine range
- Strong towing (up to 2,500 kg on 4MOTION diesels)
Cons
BMW X3
- Firm ride on M Sport suspension (run-flat)
- Pricier than most rivals
Volkswagen Tiguan
- Bigger and heavier than a T-Roc/Golf
- Higher consumption on powerful 2.0 TSI/R versions
Compare specific generations
Belgian taxes & LEZ
Region
Fuel
Euro norm
First registration
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For sale at dealers
BMW X3
44 for sale · from € 6.950
Volkswagen Tiguan
76 for sale · from € 7.950
Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace 2.0 TDI · R-Line · Panoramic roof · Camera · CarPlay
€ 25.990
click2move by Declerc
click2move by Declerc
Volkswagen Tiguan Camera · CarPlay · LED
€ 24.995
DR Motors
DR Motors
Volkswagen Tiguan Camera · CarPlay · LED
€ 24.995
DR Motors
DR Motors
Volkswagen Tiguan DSG · plug-in hybrid · R-Line · 360° camera · CarPlay ·…
€ 45.490
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