2020 Mazda CX-30 vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

During the 2020 Mazda CX-30's development, a decision was made to cover its lower perimeter with thick gray plastic cladding. This choice was widely considered a mistake, as it detracted from the vehicle's otherwise attractive styling. The excessive cladding made the 18-inch wheels appear too small and gave the impression that the CX-30 was perpetually on a hydraulic lift. Despite this, the interior design was praised for its luxurious feel above the midpoint of the cabin, although hard plastic dominated below that level. Pricing for the CX-30 started at $21,900, with various trims and options pushing the cost up to $32,120 for a fully loaded model.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan was noted for its clean lines and balanced proportions, offering a conservative yet upscale and timeless aesthetic. The Tiguan was larger than many of its competitors, providing a roomy and accommodating interior with plenty of space for four people, and an optional third-row seat expanded capacity to seven. The interior featured modern geometric forms and a no-nonsense control layout, although some materials felt less premium. Pricing ranged from $25,245 to $39,095, with our test vehicle costing $35,040.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 was powered by a smooth and refined 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, delivering 186 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 186 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. Despite these competitive figures, the CX-30's relatively heavy weight of 3,408 pounds and lack of a turbocharged engine option limited its performance. The 6-speed sport automatic transmission, however, was excellent, making the most of the available power. The CX-30 offered 8 inches of ground clearance and optional AWD, but its higher center of gravity and torsion beam axle rear suspension affected handling. Fuel economy was rated at 27 mpg combined, but real-world testing yielded only 23.9 mpg.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower at 4,360 rpm and 221 pound-feet of torque at 1,600 rpm. An eight-speed automatic transmission sent power to the front wheels, with AWD available as an option. The Tiguan's engine suffered from turbo lag, and its nearly 4,000-pound curb weight contributed to a perception of lethargy. The EPA rated the Tiguan at 25 mpg combined for FWD and 24 mpg for AWD, but testing showed an average of 22.6 mpg. Despite these drawbacks, the Tiguan offered a pleasurable driving experience with light steering, a compliant ride, and refined braking action.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 offered ease of entry and exit due to its higher ground clearance. Inside, the cabin was upscale and elegant, with soft padding on the center console and door armrests. The driving position was excellent, and the front seats were comfortable, though the rear seat was cramped with limited legroom. Cargo space was also limited, with 20.2 cubic feet behind the back seat and 45.2 cubic feet with the seats folded down, making it less spacious than many competitors.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in comfort, with large doors and tall seating hip points for easy entry and exit. The front seats offered a wide range of adjustments, and the back seat provided generous legroom and foot space. The Tiguan's cargo space was versatile, with a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat and a usefully shaped cargo area. Depending on the configuration, cargo volume ranged from 33 to 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row and up to 73.5 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 featured an 8.8-inch static display for its infotainment system, which was not a touchscreen to improve driver focus. However, the controls were not always intuitive. Standard technology included Bluetooth, HD Radio, and Mazda Connected Services. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available starting with the Select trim, and higher trims offered a 12-speaker Bose premium sound system and a head-up display.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan introduced the MIB3 infotainment system starting with the SE trim, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen, faster processing, and expanded features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, WiFi, and SiriusXM 360L. The system had some quirks, and the standard six-speaker sound system was underwhelming. Higher trims offered a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system and Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Higher trims added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and adaptive front lights. The CX-30 received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS with Premium trim.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped with IQ Drive, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Tiguan received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS for SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims, but the NHTSA had not published complete crash-test results.