Volkswagen Tiguan vs Toyota C-HR
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Price Breakdown
The Volkswagen Tiguan starts from $44,990 before on-road costs, while the Toyota C-HR opens at $46,940. That makes the Volkswagen Tiguan the more affordable entry point by $1,950.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $49,489 and $51,634 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Toyota C-HR by roughly $4,130 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the Volkswagen Tiguan and Toyota C-HR hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 83% for the Volkswagen Tiguan and 85% for the Toyota C-HR.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. Both models are evenly matched with 6 out of 10 key ADAS systems.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 9 in the Volkswagen Tiguan and 7 in the Toyota C-HR. The Volkswagen Tiguan adds a 360-degree camera that the Toyota C-HR misses.
Feature Showdown
The Volkswagen Tiguan features a 12.9-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the Toyota C-HR gets a 12.3-inch display and 7-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Volkswagen Tiguan stands out with wireless charging and power tailgate that you will not find on the Toyota C-HR. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Volkswagen Tiguan uses a Petrol producing 110kW and 250Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.5 seconds.
The Toyota C-HR responds with a Petrol making 103kW and 188Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.2 seconds.
The Volkswagen Tiguan has the clear power advantage at 110kW vs 103kW. In the real-world sprint, the Volkswagen Tiguan is 0.7s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Volkswagen Tiguan measures 4,539mm long on a 2,681mm wheelbase, 179mm longer than the Toyota C-HR at 4,360mm (2,640mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Volkswagen Tiguan generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 615L in the Volkswagen Tiguan and 388L in the Toyota C-HR, giving the Volkswagen Tiguan a 227L advantage.
For towing, the Volkswagen Tiguan leads with a 2,000kg braked capacity vs 725kg. That 1,275kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.4m to 11.4m
Based on 11.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 10.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,166/year for the Volkswagen Tiguan and $1,340/year for the Toyota C-HR. That is a $826 annual difference in favour of the Toyota C-HR.
Estimated annual total: $2,166 (Volkswagen Tiguan) vs $1,340 (Toyota C-HR). The Toyota C-HR saves you roughly $826 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Volkswagen Tiguan) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Toyota C-HR). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Volkswagen Tiguan if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer Volkswagen's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Toyota C-HR if: You want lower running costs, or prefer Toyota's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Volkswagen Tiguan takes 5 of 6 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Toyota C-HR will save you roughly $826 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Volkswagen Tiguan has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Volkswagen Tiguan and Toyota C-HR?
The Volkswagen Tiguan is the cheapest at $44,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Toyota C-HR by $1,950.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Toyota C-HR uses the least fuel at 4.7L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Volkswagen Tiguan and Toyota C-HR all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Volkswagen Tiguan has the largest boot at 615L.
Which can tow the most?
The Volkswagen Tiguan has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,000kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Volkswagen Tiguan makes the most power at 110kW. The Volkswagen Tiguan is quickest to 100km/h in 7.5s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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