Compare the2023 Volkswagen TaosVS 2023 Mazda CX-30

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the Taos deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The Taos’ side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The CX-30’s side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

The Taos has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The CX-30 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Taos’ standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The CX-30 doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The Taos has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. Only the CX-30 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Premium offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Taos has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the CX-30 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Premium has a rear cross-path warning system.

Both the Taos and the CX-30 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and rear parking sensors.

The Taos comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck. The CX-30’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The Taos’ corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the CX-30’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Taos for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mazda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the CX-30.

There are over 17 percent more Volkswagen dealers than there are Mazda dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Taos’ warranty.

As tested in Car and Driver the Volkswagen Taos is faster than the Mazda CX-30 4 cyl.:

On the EPA test cycle the Taos gets better mileage than the CX-30:

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Taos’ engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The CX-30 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Taos uses regular unleaded gasoline. The CX-30 with the 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Taos AWD’s standard fuel tank has 1.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-30 (14.5 vs. 12.7 gallons).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Volkswagen Taos higher (7 out of 10) than the Mazda CX-30 (5 to 7). This means the Taos produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the CX-30 every 15,000 miles.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Volkswagen Taos FWD, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the CX-30.

The Taos offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The CX-30 doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

For better stopping power the Taos’ brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-30:

The Taos stops shorter than the CX-30:

For better traction, the Taos SEL 4Motion’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CX-30 (225/45R19 vs. 215/65R16).

The Taos S’ standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CX-30 2.5 S’ standard 65 series tires. The Taos SEL 4Motion’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the CX-30 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Turbo/Premium’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Taos S has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the CX-30 2.5 S. The Taos SEL 4Motion’s 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the CX-30 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Turbo/Premium.

For superior ride and handling, the Taos 4Motion has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mazda CX-30 has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The Taos has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The CX-30’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Taos 4Motion has front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Taos 4Motion flat and controlled during cornering. The CX-30’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Taos’ wheelbase is 1.1 inches longer than on the CX-30 (105.5 inches vs. 104.4 inches).

The Taos SEL handles at .80 G’s, while the CX-30 Premium pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Volkswagen Taos may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 100 to 250 pounds less than the Mazda CX-30.

The Taos has 5.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CX-30 (99.5 vs. 94.1).

The Taos has 2.6 inches more front headroom, .9 inches more front shoulder room, 1.5 inches more rear headroom, 1.6 inches more rear legroom and 1.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-30.

The Taos has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the CX-30 with its rear seat up (27.9 vs. 20.2 cubic feet). The Taos has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the CX-30 with its rear seat folded (65.9 vs. 45.2 cubic feet).

The power windows standard on both the Taos and the CX-30 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Taos is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The CX-30 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

On a hot day the Taos’ driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the CX-30 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the Taos to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The CX-30 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Taos SEL keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The CX-30 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Taos is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The CX-30 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The Volkswagen Taos outsold the Mazda CX-30 by 20% during the 2022 model year.