Newly redefined for 2018, the Volkswagen Tiguan is our pick for interior refinement and long-term passenger comfort. Even at highway speeds, this crossover cabin remains as hushed as a luxury car. Best of all, the Tiguan offers an optional third row, accommodating big families with space for seven passengers.

Last year, the Forester was updated to provide impressive cabin comfort and a quiet ride. Even on broken pavement, this crossover feels smooth and controlled. We wish the seats were a bit more supportive, but they should be adequate for longer trips.

Even with its standard all-wheel drive, the Forester offers the most impressive fuel mileage, earning up to 26 city/32 highway mpg.

Of course, the Tiguan also balances its impressive power with EPA ratings of up to 22/27 mpg. Although all-wheel drive isn’t standard on the Tiguan, you can add it to any model for increased traction on wet or icy pavement.

Here, the Tiguan has the edge. All trim models come standard with roof rails, so you can load up gear and hit the road with a cabin full of passengers. We’re also fans of the Tiguan’s optional third row, which gives you the choice of setting up a cabin for five or seven passengers. Behind the second row, the Tiguan supplies an impressive 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space for your weekend bags.

All Subaru Forester models provide seating for up to five passengers. However, this crossover has a bit less cargo space, with only 31.5 cubic feet for anything you might need to haul. The Forester doesn’t come standard with roof rails, either, so if you need them, you have to pay extra.

We’re big fans of the redesigned Tiguan and its street-smart infotainment features. All models come standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto technology, which keeps you connected even as it keeps you from looking down at your phone. This technology displays smartphone apps like Maps, Messages, and Phone on your central touchscreen. It even lets you use your phone’s Siri or Google Assistant voice controls, so you can interact with your phone without lifting a finger from the wheel. We also like the Tiguan’s responsive central touchscreen and VW smartphone app. Use the latter to remotely lock or unlock your crossover.

Although the Subaru Forester offers a handy touchscreen and intuitive voice controls, you won’t find the latest smartphone integration features here. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto aren’t available for the Forester.