The Tiguan is only more expensive if leather is a necessity.
As is, the Tiguan Elegance is considerably cheaper (1.5 DSG in both), for the exact same equipment. An Ateca with sunroof is three grand, a Tiguan with the same spec is two and a half – but comes with IQ Lights, which aren’t even an option on the Ateca. Neither is DCC, nor the upgraded “Pro” Navigation, which it sorely needs.
We currently “own” a 1.5 DSG Excellence Lux, and we love it. But our next car, due end of this year, will be a Tiguan Elegance, with DCC and the Pro Navigation. We don’t mind cloth interior (especially since you can get it in a friendly/bright grey, rather than the dark interior of the Ateca), so to us, it’s a no-brainer.
Other than that, go to youtube, type in “vw iq lights” and have a look. Matrix arrays have such a huge advantage over standard LED systems, it’s not even the same league. Especially as someone who lives rural and drives 90% of the time at night with high beams on, i’m sick and tired of blinding myself with the reflection of my high beams off of street signs. Something that does not happen with IQ lights.