2021 head-to-head · Small SUV
2021 Toyota Highlander vs Volkswagen Tiguan
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, it costs about $1,860 a year to fuel (25 MPG), versus $1,938 for the 2021 Toyota Highlander (24 MPG). That's roughly $78 a year, or about $388 over five years.
Your numbers
Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.
Fuel cost over 10 years
- Toyota Highlander
- Volkswagen Tiguan
Side by side
| Toyota Highlander | Volkswagen Tiguan | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,938 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,860 |
| 24 MPG | Combined efficiency | 25 MPG |
| 21 MPG | City | 23 MPG |
| 29 MPG | Highway | 29 MPG |
| 372 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 353 g/mi |
| 5/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 5/10 |
| 5/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 5/10 |
| Gas | Powertrain | Gas |
| Regular gasoline | Fuel | Regular gasoline |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | Engine / motor | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo |
| 8-speed automatic | Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| FWD | Drivetrain | FWD |
✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.
Toyota Highlander vs Volkswagen Tiguan across model years
- Toyota Highlander
- Volkswagen Tiguan
Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.
How they differ
Among 92 2021 small SUVs, the Toyota Highlander ranks 53rd and the Volkswagen Tiguan 49th for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2021 Toyota Highlander or the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan?
Measured by cost to drive, the Volkswagen Tiguan. The Toyota Highlander is rated 24 MPG combined and the Volkswagen Tiguan 25 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2021 Toyota Highlander vs. the Volkswagen Tiguan per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,938 for the Toyota Highlander and $1,860 for the Volkswagen Tiguan.
Toyota Highlander vs Volkswagen Tiguan in other years
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