It can be hard to know where to begin shopping for a compact or midsize SUV since the market is flooded with options. It would be easy to just pick one of the popular ones that everybody buys, but there are several alternatives to the big guys that are worth considering. Two of them are the Mitsubishi Outlander, America’s cheapest 3-row SUV, and the Volkswagen Tiguan, which is all-new for 2025.
Let’s take a closer look at these SUVs and see which is better for you.
2025 Mitsubishi Outlander
The Mitsubishi Outlander has the bragging right as America’s most affordable 3-row SUV. Combine its affordable sticker price with its good fuel economy and outstanding warranty coverage, and you have an SUV that presents an excellent value proposition to families who can benefit from a new car with seven seats.
Mitsubishi Outlander Highlights
3-row seating: The Mitsubishi Outlander comes standard with 3-row seating, while every Volkswagen Tiguan is a 2-row 5-seater. Although those extra seats are small, they greatly add to the Outlander’s versatility.
Excellent warranty: The Mitsubishi Outlander is backed by a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. That’s much longer warranty coverage than what Volkswagen offers, and it’s tied for best-in-class.
PHEV option: The Mitsubishi Outlander’s model range offers a plug-in hybrid powertrain capable of traveling up to 38 miles on electricity alone. Volkswagen has hinted at a PHEV version of the Tiguan, but it has no electrified options for the 2025 model year.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Outlander model inventory near you.
2025 Volkswagen Tiguan
The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan is fully redesigned with a new look inside and out, an upgraded engine, and modernized technology. The big news with the new Tiguan is that it’s no longer available with three rows of seats; every 2025 Tiguan is a 2-row 5-seater. However, it improves on its merits as one of the classier and more fun-to-drive options in its class.
Volkswagen Tiguan Highlights
Upscale interior: The Volkswagen Tiguan is a premium SUV without a premium price tag. It has a classy interior design full of the latest tech features, and it’s available with luxuries like authentic leather upholstery and wood trim and even massaging front seats.
Punchy engine: Unsurprisingly, the Volkswagen is the more entertaining SUV to drive in this comparison. Its standard turbocharged engine pumps out 201 hp, and this new Tiguan is 170 pounds lighter than the outgoing generation. This gives the VW much more gusto than the Mitsubishi.
Digital Cockpit Pro: The high-tech Volkswagen Digital Cockpit Pro comes standard in the new Tiguan. It includes a customizable digital gauge cluster and a 12.9-inch central touchscreen that can be upgraded to a 15-inch screen. Other tech options include a head-up display and a Harman/Kardon 12-speaker audio system.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Tiguan model inventory near you.
Similarities
These SUVs are similar in size and price. They’re also similarly equipped with infotainment and safety tech features.
Pricing
New 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (92620)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$31,885
|
$31,467
|
|||
|
$35,285
|
$34,258
|
|||
|
$40,185
|
$39,658
|
|||
|
$41,385
|
TBD
|
|||
|
$46,335
|
TBD
|
New 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (92620)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$30,920
|
$30,586
|
|||
|
$32,420
|
$32,102
|
|||
|
$33,720
|
$33,355
|
|||
|
$35,220
|
$34,839
|
|||
|
$36,880
|
TBD
|
|||
|
$38,380
|
$37,965
|
|||
|
$41,180
|
$40,735
|
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors.
The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander vehicles and New 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership.
These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
Specifications
| 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander | 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder | 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder |
| Towing Capacity | N/A | 1,500 pounds |
| Horsepower | 181 hp @ 6,000 rpm | 201 hp @ 4,400 rpm |
| Torque | 181 lb-ft @ 3,600 rpm | 207 lb-ft @ 1,900 rpm |
| Transmission | Automatic, CVT | automatic, 8-speed w/tiptronic & sport mode |
| Fuel Economy | 24 city/31 highway/27 combined mpg | 26 city/34 highway/29 combined mpg |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | Not rated | Not rated |
| Max Seating Capacity | 7 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 106.5 inches | 109.9 inches |
| Overall Length | 185.8 inches | 184.4 inches |
| Width | 84.4 inches | N/A |
| Height | 68.8 inches | 66.1 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 36.1 feet | 38.1 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 40.6 inches | 39.5 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 39.1 inches | 39.7 inches |
| Headroom, 3rd Row | 34.5 inches | N/A |
| Legroom, Front | 41.7 inches | 40.2 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 39.9 inches | 40.2 inches |
| Legroom, 3rd Row | 18.7 inches | N/A |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 57.9 inches | 57.0 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 55.9 inches | 55.7 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 3rd Row | 51.2 inches | N/A |
| Cargo Behind Last Seat | 10.9 feet | N/A |
| Cargo Behind Second Seat | 30.6 feet | N/A |
| Cargo With All Seats Down | 64.3 feet | N/A |
Specification table reflects the typical configuration of vehicles shown.
Conclusion
The Mitsubishi Outlander is the one to get if you’re looking for the most bang for the buck in a 3-row SUV. But remember, those third-row seats are tiny and best reserved for occasional use. Meanwhile, the all-new 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan is a modern and high-tech SUV that’s great for anyone who likes the idea of a German SUV without a luxury car’s price tag. The right SUV for you depends on what you’re looking for.