Compare the2025 Mazda CX-30VS 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Mazda CX-30 have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision. The Volkswagen Tiguan doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the CX-30 are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Tiguan doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Mazda CX-30 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Tiguan doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The CX-30 has standard Whiplash-Reducing Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Tiguan doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

With its standard Smart Brake Support with Pedestrian Detection, the Mazda CX-30 is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Volkswagen Tiguan, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	CX-30	Tiguan
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH	AVOIDED	-12 MPH
	Crossing Adult - NIGHT
12 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
12 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-20 MPH
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-20 MPH
	Parallel Adult - NIGHT
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	No Slowing
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	No Slowing
37 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	No Slowing
Warning Issued-Brights	2.3 sec	No Warning
37 MPH Low beams	-35 MPH	No Slowing
Warning Issued-Low beams	1.7 sec	No Warning

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-30. But it costs extra on the Tiguan.

The CX-30’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Tiguan doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the CX-30 and the Tiguan have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mazda CX-30 is safer than the Volkswagen Tiguan:

	CX-30	Tiguan
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	148	260
Neck Injury Risk	26.7%	37%
Neck Stress	216 lbs.	417 lbs.
Neck Compression	18 lbs.	80 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	201/172 lbs.	408/641 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	179	198
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.7 inches
Neck Injury Risk	33.5%	37%
Neck Stress	172 lbs.	261 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	380/386 lbs.	428/471 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Mazda CX-30 is safer than the Volkswagen Tiguan:

	CX-30	Tiguan
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	275 lbs.	337 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	178	330
Spine Acceleration	30 G’s	49 G’s
Hip Force	583 lbs.	855 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the CX-30 is 1.3% to 2.1% less likely to roll over than the Tiguan.

The Mazda CX-30 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Tiguan is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2024.

Warranty

Mazda’s powertrain warranty covers the CX-30 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volkswagen covers the Tiguan. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the Tiguan ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The CX-30’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Tiguan’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the CX-30’s reliability 32 points higher than the Tiguan.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are better in initial quality than Volkswagen vehicles. With 9 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mazda higher than Volkswagen.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda above average in long-term dependability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Volkswagen is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda 20 places higher in reliability than Volkswagen.

Engine

The CX-30’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 7 more horsepower (191 vs. 184) than the Tiguan’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The CX-30’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 66 more horsepower (250 vs. 184) and 99 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 221) than the Tiguan’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

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

	CX-30	Tiguan
Zero to 60 MPH	7.5 sec	9.1 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	20.7 sec	25.9 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	7.9 sec	9.7 sec
Quarter Mile	15.8 sec	16.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	89 MPH	83 MPH
Top Speed	126 MPH	125 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
CX-30
	AWD	2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/30 hwy
		2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	26 city/33 hwy
Tiguan
	FWD	S 2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/31 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/30 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/29 hwy
		R-Line 2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/29 hwy

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the CX-30 (except Turbo)’s fuel efficiency. The Tiguan doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Brakes and Stopping

The CX-30 stops much shorter than the Tiguan:

	CX-30	Tiguan
70 to 0 MPH	177 feet	183 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	119 feet	134 feet	Motor Trend

Suspension and Handling

The CX-30 2.5 S Premium handles at .84 G’s, while the Tiguan 4Motion® pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The CX-30 2.5 S Premium executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Tiguan 4Motion® (27.4 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.3 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the CX-30’s turning circle is 3.3 feet tighter than the Tiguan’s (34.8 feet vs. 38.1 feet).

For greater off-road capability the CX-30 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Tiguan (8 vs. 7.6 inches), allowing the CX-30 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The Mazda CX-30 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 400 pounds less than the Volkswagen Tiguan.

The CX-30 is 1 foot, 1.1 inches shorter than the Tiguan, making the CX-30 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

The CX-30 has 1.5 inches more front legroom and .1 inches more front hip room than the Tiguan.

Cargo Capacity

The CX-30 has a much larger cargo volume than the Tiguan with its rear seat up (20.2 vs. 12 cubic feet).

Ergonomics

The CX-30 Premium has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Tiguan doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The CX-30’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Tiguan’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

The CX-30’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Tiguan has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Compared to the Volkswagen Tiguan, the Mazda CX-30 eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its optional integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the rear view mirror.

Economic Advantages

The CX-30 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the CX-30 will retain 54.31% to 55.58% of its original price after five years, while the Tiguan only retains 48.29% to 50.45%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Mazda CX-30 will be $3622 to $4349 less than for the Volkswagen Tiguan.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Mazda CX-30, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Volkswagen Tiguan isn't recommended.

The Mazda CX-30 outsold the Volkswagen Tiguan by 847 units during 2023.