2024 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2020 Toyota Highlander
Which is bigger, the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan or 2020 Toyota Highlander?
Key dimensions: length, width, height
At 41.1 cm longer, 2020 Toyota Highlander sits well ahead of 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan in terms of body length. The 2020 Toyota Highlander gains you 8.8 cm in width, likely providing extra elbow room inside compared to the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan, but you'll need more caution when navigating tight city streets. The height stats show that the 2020 Toyota Highlander is 7 cm taller, making it a slightly easier vehicle to slide into compared to the lower 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan. The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan will likely be the more agile choice in tight turns, sitting 17.4 cm shorter between the axles than the 2020 Toyota Highlander.
Measurements
Length
453.9 cm
495 cm (+41.1)
Height
166 cm
173 cm (+7)
Width (excluding mirrors)
184.2 cm
193 cm (+8.8)
Ground clearance
N/A
20.3 cm (+17.4)
Wheelbase
267.6 cm
285 cm (+1.2)
How each car compares with its class average
Length
453.9 cm
1.3 cm longer than the average Crossover
495 cm
42.4 cm longer than the average Crossover
Height
166 cm
3.2 cm taller than the average Crossover
173 cm
10.2 cm taller than the average Crossover
Width (excluding mirrors)
184.2 cm
0.7 cm narrower than the average Crossover
193 cm
8.1 cm wider than the average Crossover
Ground clearance
N/A
20.3 cm
2.2 cm more ground clearance than the average Crossover
Wheelbase
267.6 cm
4.8 cm shorter wheelbase than the average Crossover
285 cm
12.6 cm longer wheelbase than the average Crossover
Front view


Cargo Capacity: which has more space?
Standard and largest cargo capacity
2020 Toyota Highlander offers 453 L using the SAE method, which is average for its segment. 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan's 652 L uses the different VDA standard, and is way above average for its segment. Because these two models use different measurement standards (VDA vs SAE) for total cargo volume, they can't be directly compared. But for context, the 2020 Toyota Highlander maximum capacity is way above average for its class.
Measurements
Standard cargo capacity (VDA)
The standard cargo capacity using VDA, the method commonly used globally.
This is the manufacturer's normal published figure; it does not imply a particular seat configuration.
652 L
N/A
Largest cargo capacity (VDA)
The largest cargo capacity using VDA, the method commonly used globally.
If only one VDA figure is published, the standard and largest values are the same.
1,650 L
N/A
Standard cargo capacity (SAE)
The standard cargo capacity using SAE, the method commonly used in the US.
This is the manufacturer's normal published figure; it does not imply a particular seat configuration.
N/A
453 L
Largest cargo capacity (SAE)
The largest cargo capacity using SAE, the method commonly used in the US.
If only one SAE figure is published, the standard and largest values are the same.
N/A
2,387 L
Cargo space vs length
This DriveSize metric divides blended cargo volume by overall vehicle length.
Blended cargo uses 65% of the standard figure and 35% of the largest figure, using VDA where available and SAE otherwise.
220.6 L per m
228.3 L per m (+7.7)
Cargo space vs footprint
This DriveSize metric divides blended cargo volume by footprint.
Blended cargo uses 65% of the standard figure and 35% of the largest figure, using VDA where available and SAE otherwise.
It helps show how efficiently a car turns exterior area into usable cargo space.
119.8 L per m² (+1.5)
118.3 L per m²
How each car compares with its class average
Standard cargo capacity (VDA)
The standard cargo capacity using VDA, the method commonly used globally.
This is the manufacturer's normal published figure; it does not imply a particular seat configuration.
652 L
207 L more cargo volume than the average Crossover
N/A
Largest cargo capacity (VDA)
The largest cargo capacity using VDA, the method commonly used globally.
If only one VDA figure is published, the standard and largest values are the same.
1,650 L
142 L more cargo volume than the average Crossover
N/A
Standard cargo capacity (SAE)
The standard cargo capacity using SAE, the method commonly used in the US.
This is the manufacturer's normal published figure; it does not imply a particular seat configuration.
N/A
453 L
286 L less cargo volume than the average Crossover
Largest cargo capacity (SAE)
The largest cargo capacity using SAE, the method commonly used in the US.
If only one SAE figure is published, the standard and largest values are the same.
N/A
2,387 L
516 L more cargo volume than the average Crossover
DriveSize space efficiency score
DriveSize space efficiency compares blended cargo volume per square meter of footprint with the class average.
Blended cargo uses 65% of the standard figure and 35% of the largest figure within the selected cargo measurement method.
VDA scores compare with VDA class averages, and SAE scores compare with SAE class averages. Around 100% means in line with class average.
121%
VDA: above class average (+21%)
90%
SAE: below class average (-10%)
Rear view


Details
Doors, seats, weight, maneuverability
There is no difference in door count here, as both vehicles utilise a 5-door layout. The 2020 Toyota Highlander brings a major practicality benefit, offering room for 3 more passengers than the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan. The 2020 Toyota Highlander is the slightly nimbler of the two when pulling a U-turn, though by a very narrow 0.3 m margin. The 2020 Toyota Highlander is 170 kg heavier than the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan, a gap that can influence acceleration, cornering response, and running costs.
Measurements
Doors
5
5
Max. seats
5
8 (+3)
Turning circle
11.7 m (+0.3)
11.4 m
Curb weight
1,710 kg
1,880 kg (+170)
How each car compares with its class average
Turning circle
11.7 m
0.5 m larger turning circle than the average Crossover
11.4 m
0.2 m larger turning circle than the average Crossover
Curb weight
1,710 kg
78 kg heavier than the average Crossover
1,880 kg
248 kg heavier than the average Crossover
DriveSize manoeuvrability score
DriveSize manoeuvrability score combines turning circle and footprint, with turning circle weighted more heavily.
Around 100% means in line with the class average; higher scores indicate better manoeuvrability relative to similar cars.
97%
3% less manoeuvrable than the average Crossover
95%
5% less manoeuvrable than the average Crossover
Parking
Will the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan or 2020 Toyota Highlander fit in a standard parking space?
2024 Volkswagen Tiguan parking fit score
DriveSize compares the car's width and length with typical parking-space sizes by region.
Vehicle dimensions are rounded up and available side or length clearance is rounded down.
Side clearance is based on body width excluding mirrors where available; real spaces can vary because of mirrors, walls, pillars, kerbs, bay markings, and nearby cars.
For an average USA / Canada space: body side clearance is 45 cm per side (excluding mirrors), and length clearance is 48 cm at each end.
Body side clearance (excluding mirrors)
45 cm
Length clearance (at each end)
48 cm
2020 Toyota Highlander parking fit score
DriveSize compares the car's width and length with typical parking-space sizes by region.
Vehicle dimensions are rounded up and available side or length clearance is rounded down.
Side clearance is based on body width excluding mirrors where available; real spaces can vary because of mirrors, walls, pillars, kerbs, bay markings, and nearby cars.
For an average USA / Canada space: body side clearance is 41 cm per side (excluding mirrors), and length clearance is 27.5 cm at each end.
Body side clearance (excluding mirrors)
41 cm
Length clearance (at each end)
27.5 cm
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