2024 Mazda CX-30 vs 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2024 Mazda CX-30 was designed to stand out with its excessive charcoal-colored plastic cladding on the lower body, which some found overwhelming. Despite this, the crossover's overall appeal was undeniable, featuring short overhangs, a long and low hood, and a rakish roofline. The interior of the CX-30 was a highlight, offering a sense of luxury with its refined style and attention to detail. The gauges were clear, the infotainment screen was seamlessly integrated into the dashboard, and the dual-zone climate controls were elegantly designed.

In contrast, the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan underwent a complete redesign, embracing a modern aesthetic inspired by VW's electric vehicles. The front featured narrower headlights and a larger visual grille, while the rear sported a single bar taillight. The interior was modernized with a minimalist dashboard and a digital instrument panel. The Tiguan's cabin was average in material quality, with soft-touch materials in key areas, but some hard plastics remained. The removal of capacitive-touch buttons was a welcome change, improving usability.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30, equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivered 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque. Despite these impressive figures, the power delivery was smooth and gradual, creating a deceptive sense of sluggishness. The six-speed automatic transmission provided flawless shifting, and the standard AWD system ensured power was distributed to all four wheels. However, the CX-30's fuel economy was a downside, with an observed 21.3 mpg, and its small fuel tank limited its range. The CX-30 excelled in driving dynamics, offering a nimble and connected ride, making it enjoyable to drive.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 201 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque. The eight-speed automatic transmission and available AWD provided smooth and linear power delivery. The Tiguan's acceleration was adequate, reaching 60 mph in approximately 8.5 seconds. The suspension favored comfort, smoothing over road imperfections while maintaining composure in corners. The cabin was quiet, with minimal tire and wind noise. The Tiguan was not sporty but offered a balanced mix of performance and comfort, with a more powerful Turbo version expected in 2026.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30's interior was characterized by deft design, quality materials, and logical controls. The cabin featured gloss black trim, metallic accents, and exposed stitching, with Terracotta leather seats adding a splash of color. However, the interior space was cramped, especially in the back seat. The cargo area offered 20.2 cubic feet of space, expandable to 45.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The CX-30's practicality was enhanced by a flexible load floor and hidden underfloor storage.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan, without a third row, offered increased second-row legroom by 1.5 inches. The interior improvements included the removal of capacitive-touch buttons, replaced by traditional controls. The center console provided ample storage, with cupholders, a smartphone slot, and a deep armrest bin. Cargo capacity was not finalized, but the new design suggested a smaller area than the previous model's 37.6 cubic feet. The Tiguan featured remote seatback releases and a power liftgate, enhancing convenience.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30's turbocharged versions featured a new 10.25-inch infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the screen's distance from the driver and passenger was a drawback. Mazda's approach to reducing driver distraction involved static displays and voice controls, but the lack of natural voice recognition limited its effectiveness. The CX-30 included a three-year subscription to Mazda Connected Services, USB-C ports, a wireless smartphone charger, and a Bose premium audio system.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan came standard with a digital instrument panel and a 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen, with a 15-inch display available. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, complemented by a wireless phone charger with a cooling fan. The infotainment system featured capacitive-touch sliders, but a new volume knob improved usability. The Tiguan introduced Atmospheres, a mood-enhancing system combining ambient lighting and audio settings. The standard audio system had seven speakers, with a 12-speaker Harman Kardon system available.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30 prioritized safety with new standard features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a rear-seat alert system. These joined existing features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims offered adaptive headlights, parking sensors, a surround-view camera, and a hands-on driving assistance system. The CX-30 received top safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan's crash test results were not yet available. Standard safety features included frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and more. The Emergency Assist system could slow the vehicle to a stop if the driver was incapacitated. Higher trims added a head-up display, surround-view camera, traffic sign reader, and semi-automated parking system. The Tiguan's safety features functioned effectively, with no false alarms or oversensitivity.