Volkswagen Tiguan vs Subaru Crosstrek: Which SUV Is Better?

The Volkswagen Tiguan vs Subaru Crosstrek comparison is more interesting than it first appears. Both are compact SUVs with five seats, practical interiors, modern technology, and enough versatility to handle commuting, weekend escapes, grocery runs, and bad weather. Yet once we spend a little time with their personalities, it becomes obvious that they approach the compact-SUV formula from very different directions.

The Volkswagen Tiguan feels like the more mature, road-oriented choice. It is larger, more spacious, more powerful in certain configurations, and increasingly premium inside. Think of it as the SUV that arrives at dinner wearing a crisp jacket.

The Subaru Crosstrek is more adventurous. It is smaller, easier to maneuver, equipped with standard all-wheel drive, and designed with considerably more emphasis on rough roads, snow, trails, and outdoor lifestyles. It shows up wearing hiking boots—and probably has a kayak strapped to the roof.

So, which one should we buy?

For families and drivers prioritizing cabin space, refinement, highway comfort, and stronger available performance, the Tiguan makes an extremely convincing case. For buyers who want standard AWD, excellent ground clearance, a smaller footprint, and genuine soft-road capability, the Crosstrek may be the smarter companion.

Let's dig deeper.

Volkswagen Tiguan vs Subaru Crosstrek at a Glance

Before getting buried in specifications, we can summarize the personalities of these SUVs fairly simply.

Category	Volkswagen Tiguan	Subaru Crosstrek
Overall character	Refined compact family SUV	Rugged compact crossover
Seating	5	5
Drivetrain	FWD or available AWD, depending on configuration	Standard AWD
Best environment	City, suburbs and highways	City, snow and light trails
Cabin feel	More upscale and spacious	Functional and adventure-focused
Performance	Stronger, especially SEL R-Line Turbo	Adequate and predictable
Ground clearance	More road-oriented	Excellent
Cargo practicality	Better for larger family loads	Good but smaller
Parking ease	Good	Excellent
Best for	Families and road trips	Active lifestyles and bad-weather driving

The current 2026 Crosstrek uses a 180-hp 2.5-liter Boxer engine across the gas-powered range, while standard ground clearance is 8.7 inches and the Wilderness stretches that figure to 9.3 inches.

Volkswagen takes a different approach. Most 2026 Tiguan versions produce 201 hp, while the SEL R-Line Turbo increases output dramatically to 268 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.

That immediately establishes the central difference: the Tiguan leans toward road performance and comfort; the Crosstrek leans toward traction and adventure.

Size Comparison: Tiguan Is the Bigger SUV

One of the biggest mistakes we can make when comparing these two SUVs is assuming they occupy exactly the same physical category.

They don't.

The Crosstrek sits toward the smaller end of the crossover spectrum. Its compact dimensions are part of its charm. It fits comfortably into crowded parking garages, slips through narrow city streets, and generally feels more like a lifted hatchback than a bulky SUV.

The Tiguan has more physical presence.

That additional size contributes to a roomier passenger compartment and a stronger family-SUV feel. If we routinely carry adults in the second row, child seats, luggage, sports equipment, or a week's worth of supermarket shopping, the Tiguan's larger footprint starts paying dividends.

Which SUV Is Easier to Park?

Crosstrek.

We would choose it without much hesitation if our daily routine includes tight underground garages, urban parallel parking, or narrow residential streets.

Its smaller dimensions make it easier to judge where the corners are. The commanding visibility also helps.

The Tiguan is hardly cumbersome, but there is simply more vehicle surrounding us.

Which Feels More Substantial?

Tiguan.

On wider roads and highways, its additional size gives it the character of a conventional family crossover. That can translate into a more settled feeling, especially during long-distance travel.

We could describe the difference like this: the Crosstrek feels like a backpack; the Tiguan feels like a suitcase.

Both carry our stuff. One is simply designed for a bigger load.

Interior Space and Passenger Comfort

This is one category where the Volkswagen Tiguan vs Subaru Crosstrek battle begins tilting noticeably toward Volkswagen.

The Tiguan is designed as a mainstream compact family SUV, so interior packaging prioritizes passengers as much as adventure. Adults sitting in the rear generally have a generous amount of usable room, making the vehicle better suited to families who frequently travel with four or five occupants.

The Crosstrek remains comfortable for its compact dimensions, but we can notice the smaller footprint from the back seat.

For two adults in front and occasional passengers behind, it works beautifully. For parents carrying growing teenagers every day, the Tiguan's extra breathing room becomes harder to ignore.

Front-Seat Experience

Both SUVs provide the elevated seating position buyers expect from crossovers, but their cabins convey different moods.

Volkswagen emphasizes contemporary design. The Tiguan's dashboard looks cleaner and more sophisticated, particularly in higher trims, where available equipment pushes the cabin surprisingly close to entry-level luxury territory.

Volkswagen even offers features such as an available 15-inch center display, Harman Kardon audio, ventilated front seats, and massage functionality depending on configuration.

Subaru follows a more functional philosophy.

The Crosstrek cockpit feels designed around visibility, durability, and usability rather than visual drama. There is nothing wrong with that. In fact, buyers who regularly climb into their vehicle wearing muddy boots may prefer it.

Which Cabin Feels More Premium?

The Tiguan.

Materials, visual design, available comfort equipment, and general presentation give Volkswagen the advantage.

Which Cabin Feels More Adventure-Friendly?

The Crosstrek.

Subaru's interior suits the personality of a vehicle expected to encounter dirt roads, wet equipment, dogs, snow, and outdoor gear.

Cargo Space and Everyday Practicality

Cargo capacity becomes particularly important when an SUV is our primary household vehicle.

The Crosstrek offers up to 54.7 cubic feet of cargo room with the rear seats folded on the 2026 gas model. That's respectable for a crossover with such tidy exterior dimensions.

Yet the Tiguan's larger body provides an inherent advantage when the mission involves bulky luggage or family gear.

What does this mean in real life?

Imagine packing four suitcases, a stroller, backpacks, and grocery bags before leaving for a weekend trip. The Crosstrek can handle plenty, but we'll probably start playing cargo-area Tetris earlier.

The Tiguan gives us more room to breathe.

Crosstrek Cargo Advantage: Easier Outdoor Lifestyle

Raw volume isn't everything.

The Crosstrek's compact dimensions, hatchback-like shape, roof-friendly design, and adventure positioning make it particularly suitable for bikes, camping equipment, skis, hiking gear, and other recreational equipment.

Tiguan Cargo Advantage: Family Loads

The Tiguan makes greater sense if cargo means:

• Baby equipment and strollers
• Several large suitcases
• Bulk grocery shopping
• Sports bags for multiple children
• Large household purchases
• Airport runs with several passengers

In other words, Crosstrek practicality is adventure-oriented; Tiguan practicality is family-oriented.

Engine Performance: Tiguan Has More Muscle

Here's where Volkswagen starts throwing punches.

The standard 2026 Tiguan's turbocharged engine produces 201 horsepower. At the top of the range, the SEL R-Line Turbo raises output to 268 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.

The 2026 Crosstrek receives a standard 180-hp 2.5-liter Subaru Boxer engine producing 178 lb-ft of torque.

Those numbers don't tell the entire driving story, but they reveal the vehicles' priorities.

How the Tiguan Feels

Turbocharged torque gives the Volkswagen a more energetic personality during merging and passing.

The regular engine should satisfy most everyday drivers, while the high-output SEL R-Line Turbo changes the equation dramatically. With nearly 270 horsepower available, that version makes the Tiguan unusually punchy for a mainstream compact family SUV.

Highway overtakes require less planning, and acceleration feels more authoritative.

How the Crosstrek Feels

The Crosstrek is not trying to be a hot hatch wearing an SUV costume.

Its 180-hp engine provides sensible everyday performance. Power delivery prioritizes smoothness and predictable traction rather than excitement.

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Drive through rain, snow, gravel, or broken pavement, and that philosophy suddenly makes perfect sense.

Performance Winner: Volkswagen Tiguan

For acceleration and passing power, especially when discussing the high-output Tiguan, Volkswagen wins.

The Crosstrek counters with something arguably more important to its target buyer: confidence when the pavement disappears.

AWD and Bad-Weather Capability

Here Subaru enters home territory.

Every 2026 Crosstrek comes with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, while Subaru also equips the model with dual-function X-MODE and Hill Descent Control.

That's important because AWD isn't treated as an expensive personality upgrade. It is part of the Crosstrek's basic identity.

Volkswagen offers all-wheel-drive capability on appropriate Tiguan configurations, and AWD versions should be perfectly suitable for wet roads, winter weather, and slippery pavement.

But the Crosstrek's entire chassis philosophy places greater emphasis on poor surfaces.

Ground Clearance Makes the Difference

Standard Crosstrek models provide 8.7 inches of ground clearance, while Wilderness models reach 9.3 inches.

That's substantial.

Deep snow, rocky campsites, unpaved roads, steep driveways, and washed-out rural tracks become less intimidating when there is that much air between the vehicle and the ground.

The Tiguan simply isn't designed with the same off-pavement mission.

Which Is Better in Snow?

We would give the advantage to the Subaru Crosstrek, particularly when comparing equivalent tires.

Its standard AWD, generous clearance, traction-focused systems, and compact dimensions create a compelling winter package.

That doesn't mean the Tiguan is poor in snow. An AWD Tiguan wearing proper winter tires can be extremely capable.

But Subaru starts with more adventure-oriented hardware.

Off-Road Capability: Crosstrek Wins Comfortably

Calling the Crosstrek a serious rock crawler would be exaggerating.

Yet among mainstream compact crossovers, it is unusually comfortable away from pavement.

The Wilderness model pushes the concept further with 9.3 inches of ground clearance, all-terrain-oriented hardware, and a towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds.

That's enough capability to transform where owners can realistically take it.

A dirt trail leading to a campsite?

Sure.

A snowy mountain access road?

That's exactly the sort of environment Subaru has in mind.

A deeply rutted rural road after heavy rain?

Again, the Crosstrek makes more sense.

The Tiguan's strengths lie elsewhere. We would happily take it down maintained gravel roads, but we wouldn't choose it over the Crosstrek for repeated off-pavement adventures.

Ride Comfort and Highway Driving

Reverse the environment and Volkswagen fights back.

On pavement, the Tiguan's larger dimensions and road-focused tuning help create a more traditional crossover experience.

It feels at home cruising down an interstate with the climate control running, music playing, and several hours of highway ahead.

The Crosstrek can obviously handle long journeys too, but it retains a more compact, utilitarian flavor.

Tiguan for Long-Distance Families

If we travel frequently with four people and luggage, the Tiguan should be high on the shortlist.

Its strengths align almost perfectly with highway travel:

more passenger room, more cargo flexibility, available stronger performance, and a cabin that can feel genuinely upscale.

Crosstrek for Mixed-Surface Road Trips

The Crosstrek becomes more compelling when our road trip ends where the pavement does.

Suppose we're driving three hours on the highway and another thirty minutes along a rough mountain road to reach a trailhead.

Suddenly Subaru's ground clearance and standard AWD matter more than additional cabin space.

Handling and City Driving

Neither vehicle is a sports car, but each feels nimble in a different way.

The Crosstrek's compact footprint gives it an almost hatchback-like friendliness in cities. Changing direction feels natural, visibility is reassuring, and positioning it in small spaces requires little drama.

The Tiguan feels larger yet more polished.

Volkswagen has historically understood how to make practical vehicles feel composed on pavement, and the Tiguan's road-oriented mission remains obvious.

Which one would we choose downtown?

Crosstrek.

Which one would we choose for a 400-mile highway drive?

Tiguan.

Simple.

Fuel Economy: More Complicated Than It Looks

Fuel economy should never be evaluated without considering drivetrain, trim, wheel size, driving environment, and engine configuration.

The Crosstrek's relatively small body helps efficiency, but standard AWD adds mechanical complexity and weight.

The Tiguan is larger and offers substantially more power at the top of its range.

Interestingly, Volkswagen says the 268-hp 2026 Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo can achieve an EPA-estimated 29 mpg on the highway while using regular unleaded fuel.

Subaru also now offers a 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid for buyers making fuel economy a higher priority; Subaru says the hybrid can deliver up to 38% better city fuel economy than gas-powered Crosstrek versions.

Therefore, there isn't one universal fuel-economy winner.

Driving pattern matters.

Urban Commuter

A hybrid Crosstrek becomes especially attractive.

Highway Traveler

The Tiguan can be surprisingly efficient relative to its size and performance, depending on configuration.

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Buyer Seeking Mechanical Simplicity

Comparing conventional gas versions rather than automatically chasing the highest-tech powertrain may be worth considering.

Technology and Infotainment

Modern SUVs are increasingly computers with tires, and both manufacturers know buyers expect substantial digital equipment.

Volkswagen places greater emphasis on visual sophistication.

Available large-screen technology helps the Tiguan cabin feel modern, and the available 15-inch display becomes a dominant centerpiece.

Subaru's technology feels more straightforward and adventure-oriented.

That's not automatically a disadvantage.

A beautiful interface that frustrates us every morning is worse than a plain one we can understand immediately. Buyers should test both systems rather than comparing screen sizes alone.

Sit inside each vehicle.

Connect your phone.

Change the temperature.

Enter a navigation destination.

Switch audio sources.

Those five minutes can reveal more than an hour reading brochures.

Safety and Driver Assistance

Both Volkswagen and Subaru compete in a market where advanced driver-assistance technology is expected rather than exceptional.

Features available or standard depending on configuration can include systems designed to assist with braking, lane positioning, blind spots, parking, and adaptive cruising.

The bigger distinction is philosophical.

Subaru has built a substantial portion of its brand identity around safety, visibility, traction, and predictable driving behavior.

Volkswagen combines driver-assistance technology with a more premium and technology-forward cabin experience.

Our recommendation?

Don't choose purely by the number of electronic features.

Check exactly which assistance technologies are included on the specific trim you're purchasing, because equipment can change considerably across versions and model years.

Towing: Which One Is Better?

We wouldn't buy either vehicle primarily as a towing machine.

However, there is an interesting exception: the Crosstrek Wilderness.

Subaru rates the 2026 Crosstrek Wilderness for up to 3,500 pounds of towing capacity.

That makes it surprisingly useful for relatively small recreational trailers when properly configured.

For buyers planning regular towing, though, payload, hitch requirements, trailer brakes, terrain, passengers, and tongue weight all matter. A larger SUV may ultimately be more appropriate if towing becomes a major part of ownership.

Volkswagen Tiguan vs Subaru Crosstrek Reliability

Reliability is where comparisons become slippery.

We shouldn't assume one individual vehicle will be reliable or troublesome simply because of the badge on its grille.

Maintenance history, driving conditions, model year, engine, transmission, manufacturing changes, and previous ownership can matter tremendously—particularly when shopping used.

Subaru's Crosstrek uses a platform and drivetrain philosophy familiar across the brand, while Volkswagen's Tiguan relies heavily on turbocharged technology and increasingly sophisticated electronics.

That doesn't automatically make the Subaru bulletproof or the Volkswagen unreliable.

For used examples, we would prioritize condition and service history over internet stereotypes.

Before Buying a Used Tiguan

Check maintenance documentation carefully, verify that scheduled services were completed, inspect for leaks and warning lights, test every electronic feature, and obtain a professional pre-purchase inspection.

Before Buying a Used Crosstrek

Again, maintenance records matter. We would also inspect the underside carefully if the vehicle appears to have spent significant time off-road.

A Crosstrek covered in hiking stickers may have lived a wonderful life—but possibly a hard one.

Maintenance and Ownership Costs

The Crosstrek's appeal includes its relatively straightforward, rugged personality.

Volkswagen's Tiguan can offer a richer interior and stronger performance, but buyers should budget according to the specific model, warranty status, dealer labor costs, tire size, and long-term servicing requirements.

Neither should be considered exclusively on purchase price.

A more useful five-year ownership calculation includes:

1. Purchase price
2. Insurance
3. Fuel
4. Tires
5. Scheduled maintenance
6. Repairs outside warranty
7. Depreciation

That final category is easy to overlook.

Saving $800 per year on fuel doesn't help much if our vehicle depreciates several thousand dollars more over the ownership period.

Styling: Rugged Subaru or Sophisticated Volkswagen?

Taste is subjective, but these SUVs aren't trying to look alike.

The Tiguan has a cleaner, more mature visual identity. It looks appropriate parked outside an office, hotel, suburban home, or restaurant.

The Crosstrek embraces black body cladding, adventurous proportions, additional ride height, and the aesthetic equivalent of a North Face jacket.

Neither is universally better.

They're simply speaking different visual languages.

Choose the Tiguan's Design If…

You prefer sophisticated, understated styling and want your compact SUV to feel slightly more upscale.

Choose the Crosstrek's Design If…

You want your SUV to visually advertise its adventurous personality.

Which Is Better for Families?

For most families, we'd lean toward the Volkswagen Tiguan.

Why?

Because everyday family ownership tends to reward space.

Children grow. Car seats consume huge amounts of room. Strollers seem specifically engineered to devour cargo areas. Teenagers bring backpacks, sports equipment, friends, and opinions.

The Tiguan's larger cabin gives families more flexibility.

However, the Crosstrek can be an excellent small-family vehicle, especially if there are one or two children and the household spends weekends outdoors.

Its smaller size also makes everyday errands easier.

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Which Is Better for Singles and Couples?

Crosstrek.

At least for many buyers.

Why carry more SUV than we need?

A single driver or couple gets five seats, AWD, generous ground clearance, useful cargo versatility, and compact dimensions without moving into a physically larger vehicle.

For cyclists, hikers, snowboarders, campers, dog owners, and people who regularly escape the city, the formula is hard to dislike.

That said, buyers who value a more premium interior and stronger acceleration may still prefer the Tiguan.

Which Is Better for Commuting?

This depends almost entirely on where we commute.

Dense City

Crosstrek wins because of its compact size.

Suburban Roads

Either works beautifully.

Long Highway Commute

Tiguan gets our vote for its more substantial road-going character.

Snowy Rural Commute

Crosstrek pulls ahead thanks to standard AWD and generous ground clearance.

That's why declaring one vehicle universally superior misses the point.

Our environment should choose the winner.

Crosstrek Wilderness vs Tiguan AWD

This is perhaps the most revealing matchup.

The AWD Tiguan is essentially a comfortable family crossover equipped to handle poor traction.

The Crosstrek Wilderness is an adventure-oriented crossover deliberately engineered to handle surfaces beyond ordinary pavement.

Those aren't the same thing.

The Wilderness provides 9.3 inches of ground clearance, a 180-hp 2.5-liter engine, and towing capability up to 3,500 pounds.

If our weekends regularly involve remote campsites or questionable dirt roads, Subaru wins.

If "off-road" means the gravel parking lot outside a winery, we'd rather have the Tiguan's additional refinement.

2026 Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo vs Crosstrek Wilderness

Here we're comparing the most expressive versions of each SUV, and their personalities couldn't be clearer.

The Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo says:

More power. More luxury. More road performance.

The Crosstrek Wilderness says:

More clearance. More traction. More adventure.

Volkswagen gives its performance-oriented Tiguan 268 horsepower. Subaru gives the Wilderness 9.3 inches of clearance and 3,500 pounds of towing capability.

It's the same basic crossover idea interpreted in opposite directions.

One brings running shoes.

The other brings hiking boots.

Volkswagen Tiguan Pros and Cons

Tiguan Strengths

• Larger and more family-friendly interior
• Stronger available acceleration
• Premium-looking cabin
• Better suited to long highway journeys
• Attractive technology options
• More sophisticated road-oriented personality
• 268-hp SEL R-Line Turbo available for 2026

Tiguan Weaknesses

• Larger exterior dimensions than Crosstrek
• AWD isn't the defining standard feature it is in Subaru
• Less adventure-oriented
• Less ground clearance than the Crosstrek
• High trims can push buyers toward a significantly more expensive configuration

Subaru Crosstrek Pros and Cons

Crosstrek Strengths

• Standard Symmetrical AWD
• 180-hp 2.5-liter engine standard for 2026
• 8.7 inches of standard ground clearance
• Up to 9.3 inches on Wilderness
• Compact and easy to park
• Excellent bad-weather personality
• Strong outdoor/adventure appeal
• Wilderness can tow up to 3,500 pounds

Crosstrek Weaknesses

• Less passenger and cargo space than the larger Tiguan
• Less powerful than the high-output Tiguan
• Cabin doesn't feel as upscale
• Smaller footprint may become limiting for growing families
• Road-trip refinement isn't its primary selling point

Who Should Buy the Volkswagen Tiguan?

Buy the Tiguan if we want our compact SUV to behave like a comfortable all-round family vehicle.

It is particularly appealing if we:

• Frequently carry rear passengers
• Need significant cargo flexibility
• Drive long highway distances
• Prefer a sophisticated cabin
• Want stronger available acceleration
• Rarely drive on genuinely rough surfaces
• Value refinement more than maximum ground clearance

The Tiguan is the better choice when our SUV spends 95% of its life on pavement.

Who Should Buy the Subaru Crosstrek?

Buy the Crosstrek if compact dimensions and all-weather versatility matter more than maximum interior space.

It fits buyers who:

• Want AWD as standard
• Live where snow is common
• Regularly drive gravel roads
• Enjoy hiking or camping
• Need excellent ground clearance
• Prefer a smaller, maneuverable crossover
• Don't need a large rear seat or huge cargo compartment

The Crosstrek is especially attractive when our adventures begin where painted road lines end.

Volkswagen Tiguan vs Subaru Crosstrek: Which Offers Better Value?

Value isn't simply about paying the lowest price.

It's about avoiding paying for capabilities we don't use.

If we live in downtown Los Angeles, rarely encounter snow, travel with children, and spend weekends driving interstate highways, paying for adventure-focused ground clearance may provide little practical benefit.

The Tiguan's space and refinement may deliver greater value every single day.

Now imagine living near mountains where snow, gravel roads, campsites, and trailheads are routine.

Suddenly the Crosstrek's AWD and 8.7-inch-plus ground clearance aren't lifestyle decorations. They're useful equipment.

The best value is the SUV whose strengths match our life.

Our Verdict: Tiguan or Crosstrek?

The Volkswagen Tiguan vs Subaru Crosstrek comparison doesn't produce one universal winner because these SUVs solve different problems.

If we prioritize space, comfort, stronger available performance, highway refinement, and a more sophisticated interior, the Volkswagen Tiguan is the better choice.

Its larger body makes it easier to recommend as a primary family vehicle, while the available 268-hp SEL R-Line Turbo gives performance-minded drivers something the Crosstrek can't really match.

If we prioritize standard AWD, ground clearance, maneuverability, snow capability, and outdoor adventures, choose the Subaru Crosstrek.

Subaru's standard 180-hp engine, Symmetrical AWD, 8.7 inches of normal ground clearance, and Wilderness model with 9.3 inches of clearance establish a clear adventure advantage.

Here's our simplest way to decide:

Choose the Tiguan for people and pavement. Choose the Crosstrek for trails and traction.

For a family that spends most of its time commuting, shopping, traveling, and navigating suburban life, we'd lean Tiguan.

For an active couple, solo driver, snowy-climate commuter, camper, hiker, or weekend explorer, we'd lean Crosstrek.

Sometimes choosing an SUV isn't about finding the objectively "best" vehicle.

It's about finding the one that speaks our language.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is the Volkswagen Tiguan bigger than the Subaru Crosstrek?

Yes. The Tiguan occupies a larger footprint and provides a more traditional compact-family-SUV experience, while the Crosstrek is a smaller crossover emphasizing maneuverability and outdoor capability. Buyers regularly transporting several passengers or bulky luggage will probably appreciate the Tiguan's extra room.

2. Is the Subaru Crosstrek better than the Tiguan in snow?

We would generally favor the Crosstrek for challenging winter conditions because the 2026 model comes with standard Symmetrical AWD and at least 8.7 inches of ground clearance. Proper tires remain extremely important on either vehicle, however.

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3. Which is faster, the Volkswagen Tiguan or Subaru Crosstrek?

The Tiguan has the stronger performance potential. Most 2026 Tiguan models produce 201 hp, while the SEL R-Line Turbo produces 268 hp. The 2026 Crosstrek gas range uses a 180-hp 2.5-liter engine.

4. Is the Tiguan or Crosstrek better for families?

For most families, the Tiguan is our preference because its larger dimensions provide more useful passenger and cargo flexibility. The Crosstrek remains a compelling choice for smaller families that prioritize AWD, outdoor recreation, and easy city maneuverability.

5. Should I buy a Tiguan or Crosstrek for camping?

Choose the Crosstrek if your camping trips regularly involve unpaved access roads, snow, mud, or rough terrain. Standard Crosstrek models offer 8.7 inches of clearance, while the Wilderness increases that to 9.3 inches. If your camping mainly involves paved highways followed by established campgrounds, the roomier Tiguan may actually be the more comfortable option.