2025 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2025 Mazda CX-90

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 was available in three variants: the 3.3 Turbo, the 3.3 Turbo S, and the PHEV. Trim levels ranged from Select to Premium Plus, with pricing between $39,575 and $59,480. The test vehicle, a 3.3 Turbo with Premium Plus trim and Soul Red paint, had an MSRP of $51,450. Its exterior boasted lustrous paint, polished chrome trim, and intricate 21-inch wheels, giving it a luxury SUV appearance. The sculptural sheet metal and cabin placement over the rear axle contributed to its athletic look. Inside, the CX-90 featured polished metallic trim, Nappa leather, and upscale switchgear, though some materials reflected its competitive pricing. Ergonomic issues included a confusing electronic shifter and non-touchscreen infotainment controls, but overall, the CX-90 exuded sophistication.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan underwent a complete redesign, marking its third generation. It adopted sleek modernity from VW's electric vehicles, evident in its narrower headlights and illuminated VW badge and light bar in the top SEL R-Line trim. The grille appeared larger, with smaller actual openings and prominent air intakes. The rear had a sportier tapering hatch, enhanced by a black contrasting roof and dark-tinted windows. The Tiguan's silhouette was sportier, with shortened overhangs and a sharply creased character line. The rear featured a single bar taillight and oversized plastic trim. Inside, the Tiguan modernized with a tablet-like infotainment display and digital instrument panel. The dashboard was minimalist, with climate controls integrated into the touchscreen. The gear selector moved to the steering column, providing more storage space. Materials quality was average, with soft-touch materials in contact areas and durable plastics in the rear.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 3.3 Turbo's drivetrain lacked refinement, despite its turbocharged 3.3-liter inline-six engine producing 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. The 3.3 Turbo S variant offered 319 hp and 369 lb-ft, or 340 hp with premium gas. Power was delivered through an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, with a rear-wheel bias for better dynamics. The CX-90 offered Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing modes, with a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. Its i-Stop function aimed to improve fuel economy, with an EPA rating of 25 mpg combined. However, real-world testing yielded 21.3 mpg. The plug-in hybrid variant offered 25 miles of electric range and the same combined mpg. The CX-90 excelled in ride and handling, but drivetrain refinement was lacking, with unpredictable power delivery and transmission behavior. Noise and impact harshness were noticeable, and vibrations affected the second-row seats. Despite these issues, the CX-90's suspension provided a dynamic driving experience, especially in Normal mode.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan was powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 201 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission with front-wheel drive, while Volkswagen's 4Motion all-wheel drive was available on all models and standard on the top SEL R-Line trim. The Tiguan's acceleration was expected to be similar to its predecessor, reaching 60 mph in approximately 8.5 seconds. The drivetrain delivered power smoothly and linearly, with confident highway acceleration. Braking was smooth and easy to modulate, while the suspension favored comfort, effectively smoothing over road imperfections. The Tiguan maintained composure in corners, with minimal body roll. The cabin was quiet, with well-silenced tire and wind noise. While not sporty, the Tiguan was appropriately tuned for a balance of performance and comfort. A more powerful Turbo variant was anticipated for 2026, offering 268 hp and 258 lb-ft. Volkswagen also teased an upcoming hybrid powertrain.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90's interior struggled with climate control, taking time to cool down despite a three-zone system. In 3.3 Turbo Premium Plus trim, it featured Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row captain’s chairs, and a heated steering wheel. The front seats were comfortable on long trips, but ventilation was ineffective. A panoramic sunroof provided natural light, and second-row passengers enjoyed elevated seating. However, limited seat-track travel and long rear doors posed challenges for child seat installation. The third row was best for children, with limited adult comfort. Storage was limited, with a smartphone charging tray, shallow bin, and small door panel storage. The hands-free power liftgate revealed 14.9 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 40 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 74.2 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan returned without a third row, increasing second-row legroom by 1.5 inches. Headroom remained sufficient for average-sized adults. The elimination of capacitive-touch buttons improved usability, with traditional controls on the steering wheel. Visibility was comparable to other small SUVs, with narrow front roof pillars and a sufficiently sized rear window. The center console offered more storage, with cupholders, a smartphone slot, and a deep armrest bin. Large door pockets accommodated larger items. Cargo capacity was not finalized, but the new area appeared smaller than the previous generation's 37.6 cubic feet. The angled liftgate limited bulkier object loading, but deep pockets provided secure storage. Remote seatback releases and a power liftgate were standard on most trims.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, presented in a traditional manner. The infotainment screen was touch-sensitive only with wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, requiring console knob and button use for the native Mazda Connect platform. Voice recognition was subpar, but a new Google Built-in system was anticipated for future models. The test vehicle included a 12-speaker Bose audio system and Mazda’s Active Driving Display, which alerted drivers to blind spot activity.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan came standard with a digital instrument panel and a 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen, with an optional 15-inch display on higher trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, paired with a wireless phone charger in the center armrest bin. A volume knob replaced capacitive-touch sliders, controlling drive modes and the Atmospheres feature, which combined ambient lighting and audio settings. The standard audio system had seven speakers, with a 12-speaker Harman Kardon system available on top trims. VW's Car-Net system offered remote monitoring and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 was one of four midsize, three-row, gas-powered SUVs to receive a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. The PHEV variant earned five-star NHTSA crash test ratings, while gas-only models received four stars in frontal-impact tests. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assist. Higher trims added steering assist, emergency lane-keeping assist, front cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera. The Cruising and Traffic Support system paired adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist, though it had some issues with speed reduction and lane marking detection.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan's crash test results were not yet available. Standard safety features included frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, safe passenger exit warnings, parking sensors, automatic high beams, and a driver condition monitor. Emergency Assist and post-collision braking were also included. Higher trims added a head-up display, surround-view camera, traffic sign reader, and semi-automated parking system. The safety features functioned well, with no false alarms or oversensitivity issues.