2020 Mazda CX-30 vs 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan

When evaluating the 2020 Mazda CX-30's look and feel, it was evident that at some point during its development, Mazda decided to overdo the application of thick gray plastic cladding around the lower perimeter of the car. This was a decision many felt was misjudged. If the cladding had been reduced by half, it would have been difficult to find fault with the CX-30’s otherwise sophisticated exterior design. However, the excessive use of plastic tended to make the 18-inch wheels appear small, giving the entire vehicle a seemingly perpetually raised appearance, as though it were waiting on a hydraulic lift in a service center.

Despite this, the CX-30 boasted a terrific design overall, especially noteworthy in its interior. The inside looked and felt luxurious, as long as one kept attention above the midpoint of the cabin’s height. Below that, the use of hard plastic was prevalent, which was acceptable given the vehicle's price point. The starting price was $21,900, with trims going up to $28,200 for Premium. Features like dark tinted rear privacy glass and 18-inch wheels, which were part of the Select trim upgrade for $2,000, significantly enhanced the car’s aesthetics. Our test model, a Premium AWD version in Soul Red Crystal paint, with additional extras, came to $32,120.

In stark contrast, the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan’s exterior was the epitome of conservative German styling, reflecting a complete overhaul from the 2018 model year. Sporting clean lines and a new flat logo on a horizontal grille that extended across the headlights, the Tiguan's design avoided overly adventurous elements in favor of an understated yet appealing look.

Internally, the Tiguan felt less impressive. Despite Volkswagen's historical excellence in crafting amazing interiors, the Tiguan’s interior had a significant amount of dull surfaces and hard black plastic. Such design choices likely wouldn’t have met Volkswagen’s earlier high standards. The cockpit, described more accurately as "boring," suggested that VW aimed for competitive parity rather than their previous heights of interior quality. However, the highlight here was the digital dashboard and touch-screen infotainment system, which maintained a sleek, modern feel with minimalistic, easy-to-use interfaces.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30's performance was driven by a smooth and refined 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, capable of producing 186 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 186 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. Despite the vehicle's relatively heavy weight of 3,408 pounds, these figures were competitively robust, although the lack of a turbocharger option was noted, especially for altitude performance.

The CX-30's six-speed sport automatic transmission was praised for effectively maximizing available power. Equipped with paddle shifters in the Premium trim, the transmission drove the front wheels, unless the optional AWD system was selected. With 8 inches of ground clearance, the CX-30 provided competent off-roading capabilities for light adventures. However, its handling felt slower and less agile compared to the sporty Mazda3, attributed to a higher center of gravity and a torsion beam axle rear suspension.

On the fuel efficiency front, the AWD CX-30 managed to achieve an average of 23.9 mpg on a testing loop, slightly below the EPA’s estimated 27 mpg combined. The AWD model's smaller 12.7-gallon gas tank limited its driving range to just over 300 miles.

In comparison, the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan's 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine produced 184 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. The eight-speed automatic transmission smoothly handled gear changes, but the Tiguan’s heavier curb weight—3,757 pounds for the FWD version and 3,847 pounds for the AWD—impacted its overall agility.

The Tiguan offered a comfortable driving experience, despite its size imparting a less nimble handling characteristic. The well-insulated cabin ensured minimal road and wind noise, making for a quiet highway cruiser. However, its steering, even in sport mode, lacked the precision found in more performance-oriented competitors like the Mazda CX-5. The Tiguan’s larger size did compromise its athleticism, but it remained competent for daily driving, benefiting from a softer suspension setup for a more comfortable ride across varied terrains.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 delivered a higher ground clearance than a standard Mazda3, facilitating easier entry and exit, which many found to be a practical advantage. Inside, the design was both upscale and intimate, with padded armrests and a well-positioned driving setup. However, rear-seat space was limited, making it suitable mainly for children or shorter adults. The CX-30 also fell short in cargo capacity, offering 20.2 cubic feet behind the back seat and 45.2 cubic feet with it folded. This storage space was on par with a Mazda3 Hatchback but less than what several competitors offered, positioning the CX-30 closer to a subcompact SUV segment.

On the flip side, the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in practicality, starting with its flexible seating configurations. The second row could slide up to seven inches to adjust legroom, making the third row suitable for shorter adults and children. The third-row seats, available on FWD and optional on AWD models, offered more spaciousness than larger vehicle counterparts.

Cargo capacity was a strong point for the Tiguan, providing 73.5 cubic feet in the two-row models and 65.7 cubic feet in three-row versions. This expansive cargo space outperformed competitors like the Ford Escape and Toyota RAV4, although slightly lagged behind the Honda CR-V’s 75.8 cubic feet. The front cabin was roomy with ample hip and shoulder room, exuding a sense of space thanks to its abundant glass areas and seating position, which added to the overall voluminous feel. The Tiguan managed to feel larger than its competitors, a feature appealing to those transitioning from bulkier vehicles.

In terms of technology, the Mazda CX-30 provided essential technological features but with a steeper learning curve. Its 8.8-inch non-touchscreen display promoted driver focus but came with a usability trade-off. The interface, controlled through the center console and steering wheel buttons, wasn't the most intuitive, encouraging minimal interaction while driving.

Standard tech features included Bluetooth, text messaging support, HD Radio, and Mazda Connected Services with a three-year free trial for functions like remote engine start. However, for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, one needed to opt for the Select trim. Higher trims included amenities like satellite radio and a 12-speaker Bose audio system, enhancing the auditory experience. The Premium trim added a head-up display for further convenience.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan featured its MIB II infotainment system, which, despite being on the verge of an upgrade, was highly regarded for its user-friendly interface. The base S trim came with a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while the SE and higher trims offered a superior 8-inch capacitive touchscreen. This system presented sharp graphics and a responsive nature, making it one of the top infotainment units available.

The Tiguan S had one USB-C port upfront, while higher trims had standard USB-A ports and a wireless charging pad. Notably, VW’s Digital Cockpit, a customizable instrument panel, was available in higher trims, enhancing digital interfacing with panoramic map views and flexible display options. Standard tech features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a WiFi hotspot, ensuring comprehensive connectivity for all needs.

Safety was a strong suit for the Mazda CX-30. The vehicle came equipped with numerous advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), such as adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. Features like a reversing camera, driver monitoring system, and 911 automatic emergency notification were standard.

The Mazda CX-30 earned top marks for safety. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded it a 5-star overall crash test rating, while the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named it a Top Safety Pick, particularly praising the top-trim’s headlights.

The Volkswagen Tiguan improved its safety features for the 2020 model year by adding forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert as standard across all models. However, adaptive cruise control and some other advanced functions were limited to higher trims.

VW’s Car-Net telematics package was included, offering features like remote locking, status checks, real-time parking information, and geofencing for teen driver monitoring, made possible through an owner’s smartphone. However, the NHTSA had not crash-tested the Tiguan, and the IIHS rated it a Top Safety Pick only for the SEL Premium trim with LED headlights, as standard halogen headlights received a poor rating.