Who is stronger in Honda Crown Road, Buick Angke, and Volkswagen Tiguan? Detailed comparison is very clear

Guandao is a new model developed by Honda specifically for the Chinese market. Its primary competitors are Toyota Highlander and Ford Edge, both of which come in multiple versions, including five-seaters and seven-seaters. To capture a portion of the market from these strong models, Guandao needs to stand out in other areas. The price range of Guandao is between 26.98 and 32.98 million yuan. Does it have what it takes to compete?

Although it's a brand-new model, the Guandao retains Honda’s family design language. The front grille features a more prominent wing-style chrome finish, while the eagle-eye full LED headlights add a touch of sophistication. The overall design concept was inspired by the Honda CONCEPT D unveiled at the Shanghai Auto Show in 2015.

The dimensions of the Guandao are 4816 x 1942 x 1669 mm with a wheelbase of 2820 mm. Its width and wheelbase surpass the same-level competitor, the Toyota Highlander. However, due to its lower roof height, the C-pillar appears compressed, making the car look slightly smaller than the Highlander. The sloping rear design gives it a coupe SUV style, enhancing its dynamic appearance.

The 19-inch black diamond-cut aluminum wheels are stylish and paired with Michelin Primacy SUV tires (size 245/55 R19), offering a strong visual impact.

The taillights also use LED technology. The design and materials of the Guandao’s exterior are cost-effective, with horizontal chrome strips running across the tail lights, creating a wider visual effect. This design is very similar to other models in the segment.

Compared to the Sharp and Highlander, the Guandao has a distinct design that doesn’t show clear advantages or disadvantages. All three models follow the family design language and are positioned as mid-size SUVs. However, the sleek and modern look of the Guandao aligns with current trends and is likely to appeal to younger consumers.

The interior of the Guandao leans toward a mature and stable style, moving away from Honda’s traditional wrap-around design. It adopts a symmetrical layout, with a matte wood trim on the co-pilot side highlighting a subtle luxury feel.

The three-spoke steering wheel offers excellent grip and shape, with multi-function buttons that maintain Honda’s consistent style and logic. The system controls are user-friendly and standard across the vehicle.

The instrument panel features two independent liquid crystal displays, showing different vehicle information. This not only enhances the premium feel but also provides more detailed data for the driver.

Unlike many modern SUVs, the Guandao hasn’t adopted a large central screen. Instead, it uses an 8-inch LCD screen with a clean UI design. Features like CarPlay and DVD playback are available, and the screen supports five-angle adjustments, making it convenient for drivers of different heights.

The seats are thick and well-cushioned, with soft centers and supportive edges. Both the driver and front passenger seats are electrically adjustable, and options like seat heating and ventilation are available depending on the configuration.

A panoramic sunroof is standard on most trims of the Guandao, except the base model. In today’s market, such a feature is highly valued by buyers.

Honda is known for maximizing space in its vehicles, even in smaller models like the Fit and Fengfan. The Guandao, with its larger size, is expected to offer impressive interior space. Under the hood, it is equipped with a 2.0T Earth Dream turbocharged engine, producing 200 kW of power and 370 Nm of torque. This engine strategy mirrors that of the Civic, where high-end models are used to establish brand value before introducing lower-displacement variants later.

The Guandao uses a ZF 9-speed automatic transmission and offers four driving modes: Sport, Comfort, Snow, and Eco.

Buick Angke:

Buick Angke was introduced to challenge the popular Volkswagen Tiguan. Initially, it aimed to replace the Tiguan with a “10%” slogan, suggesting it could be a better alternative. However, its price is slightly higher than the Tiguan, and sales haven't seen rapid growth yet.

Today, we’ll take a closer look at the test drive experience of the Buick Angke to see if it truly has the potential to challenge the Tiguan in the joint venture SUV market. The first thing that stands out is its comfort level.

Before discussing performance, let’s briefly talk about Buick. As an American brand, Buick is often considered the closest to luxury brands among domestic brands. Even the Excelle model feels more premium when equipped with the Buick badge. This is because Buick consistently uses upscale design and materials.

Another point is that Buick models tend to be priced higher than their competitors in the same class. Whether it's the Regal, LaCrosse, or Angke, they are generally more expensive. This positioning makes Buick act as a "chicken head" in the mainstream brand category, but it does a good job in this role.

The powertrain of the Angke includes a 2.0T engine and a 6-speed manual transmission, similar to the Cadillac ATS-L. However, the tuning of the Angke is much smoother and less aggressive compared to the ATS-L.

When you press the accelerator, the engine roars, but the acceleration isn't as fast as the ATS-L. There is a slight push-back feeling during acceleration, and the downshift response isn't as strong, but it's still acceptable.

The steering is responsive and provides moderate feedback. When taking turns at higher speeds, body roll is minimal, giving a stable and confident driving experience.

The braking system is well-tuned, with the brake pedal feeling firm. Although it may take some time to adjust, the braking process is smooth and linear, with minimal jolts in the SUV.

One notable feature is the automatic start-stop function. While some drivers dislike it, the Angke handles it smoothly, minimizing any discomfort. Overall, it doesn't significantly affect ride comfort.

From a professor's perspective, the most appealing aspect of the Angke is its exceptional ride comfort. From the seats to the air conditioning control, everything feels like a luxury car.

The seats are soft in the center, with a good wrapping feel and long cushioning that prevents fatigue during long drives. The space is also good, though the rear legroom is slightly limited. The trunk has ample capacity and includes an automatic shutdown feature.

The air conditioning system performs exceptionally well, quickly cooling the cabin within minutes after exposure to heat.

The interior design of the Angke is comparable to luxury cars. Every detail, from the dashboard to the door panels, feels refined and luxurious, with no awkward touches.

Sound insulation is another standout feature. The cabin is quiet, with minimal wind, tire, and engine noise. In fact, the sound insulation of the Angke is even better than that of the BMW X3 and Audi Q5, which is impressive for a non-luxury brand.

In terms of appearance, the Angke is visually appealing. Compared to the Tiguan, it looks more modern and luxurious, with sharp headlights and powerful body lines. The paint finish has a sparkling effect, and the overall design exudes a strong business atmosphere, especially in the brown version.

The interior design and craftsmanship of the Angke are as important as the materials used. High-end models come with leather seats featuring lumbar support, heating, and ventilation, along with a mix of soft and hard materials on the dashboard and doors, providing both comfort and a high-end aesthetic.

Safety features include traction control, stability control, and hill-start assist. Higher trims also offer functions like steep descent control, lane departure warning, and active braking systems.

Comfort features include a panoramic sunroof, multi-functional power seats, and an adaptive climate control system that ensures a comfortable and convenient driving experience.

The multimedia system comes with a high-quality sound system, and the top-tier model includes navigation and interactive services. However, it only supports a single-disc CD.

Finally, the chassis is worth mentioning. For a vehicle aiming to compete with the Volkswagen Tiguan, the chassis must be well-tuned. The high-end models of the Angke feature adjustable suspensions, and the four-wheel-drive variant includes a rear differential lock for improved handling.

Volkswagen Tiguan L:

SAIC Volkswagen’s new Tiguan L will officially launch on January 18, 2017. They announced the prices of three models first, all around 300,000 yuan. After the official release, many people might think it’s expensive. But don’t jump to conclusions—let’s go to Changbai Mountain to test drive it and see how it performs in snowy conditions.

First impressions are strong. The new Tiguan L is no longer just a compact SUV—it’s now a mid-size model. Its appearance is similar to the imported version, with a lot of chrome on the front and a bold, commanding presence.

The rear design is similar to the imported Tiguan model. Compared to the old version, the new Tiguan L shows a more refined and modern look.