Prices: The Equinox LTZ I tested has a base price of $29,140. The Forester 2.5 XT Touring was $29,995 (for 2011, that is). And the Tiguan S with sunroof has a base price of $25,590.
Four-wheel drive: The Forester only comes as a four-wheel drive model; in fact, that's the only way to get any Subaru. The Chevy offers four-wheel drive as an option, and the Volkswagen offers it only in the most expensive version (base price $38,080).
Unconventional wisdoms: If they were middle-schoolers, the Tiguan would be the weird kid alone in the cafeteria, looking, dressing, and sounding just different enough to avoid.
The Equinox? He's the brawny kid with the dad everyone knows and loves, who doesn't do anything particularly well, yet doesn't offend.
The Forester? This guy is pretty brainy, but athletic enough that he makes some friends, and most of the kids like him, or at least respect him.
First impressions: The Equinox aims at the Mercedes ML series path. The vehicle rides up high, but the seats are closer to the floor. The windshield carves a dramatic swoop and all the side and rear glass is angled.
The Forester and Tiguan are both boxier units that put drivers closer to the dashboard, sit us higher in the seat, and offer a less "King of the Detroit Road" feel. The Subaru was fine, but my notes on the Tiguan include "Driving position is the best I've felt yet in any vehicle."
Gauges: The Tiguan dash is a nice white, extremely clear, and easy to read. The Forester was OK, but a touch of red does not help here.
The Equinox dashboard is standard GM, and all the settings are clear and easy to find, putting a lot of information between the speedo and tach.
