2021 Mazda CX-30 vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

In 2021, the Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo offered an aggressive, almost rebellious look with its abundant black detailing. The Turbo variant came with exclusive shiny black 18-inch wheels, a shiny black grille, and shiny black side mirror housings. This ensemble was accentuated by thick matte black body cladding, giving the SUV a unique floating effect. Mazda's official explanation for the lower body cladding was that it gave the CX-30 Turbo a light and agile appearance, making it look as though it was constantly cresting a sharp hill.

When one compared it to the Mazda3 hatchback, the CX-30 stood higher off the ground, perceptually and in practice. This higher stance was evident the moment one opened the door, making sliding into the driver's seat a breeze compared to the Mazda3. Inside, the CX-30’s cabin closely resembled that of the Mazda3’s, which wasn't a bad thing. Quality materials, complementary tones and textures, and stitched chocolate brown surfaces adorned the interior, enhancing its upscale vibe.

There were minor changes to the cabin, like a chrome accent around the engine start button and a standard frameless rearview mirror. The interior offered a choice between black and Griege leatherette upholstery in standard specifications, while Premium and Premium Plus trims came with black or white leather. Pricing for the 2021 CX-30 Turbo ranged from about $31,000 to around $35,000, with the fully loaded Premium Plus trim model in Snowflake White Pearl Mica costing $35,745, including the destination charge.

Contrary to the CX-30's bold aesthetics, the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan embraced a more understated, conservative style. Some people might have considered its design to be boring, but there was genuine beauty in its clean lines and balanced proportions. The Tiguan's timeless aesthetic was likely to age well, contributing to its enduring appeal.

The Tiguan was also larger than many of its competitors, correcting past sizing issues with the first-generation model by adding a long-wheelbase version. Its roomy and accommodating interior could comfortably fit four adults, and with a small, optional third-row seat in AWD models, it could carry up to seven passengers, albeit with the back row better suited for children.

Volkswagen combined modern geometric interior forms with a no-nonsense control layout, although placing the engine start button on the center console rather than the dashboard was a bit unconventional. The Tiguan's interior, lined with soft-touch materials, shiny detailing, available digital instrumentation, and a well-integrated touchscreen infotainment system, didn’t quite match the luxurious feel of an Audi but still offered a practical and stylish environment.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan came in several trims: S, SE, SEL, SE R-Line Black, and SEL Premium R-Line. Prices ranged between $25,245 to $39,095, excluding the $1,195 destination charge. Our test model, an SEL trim with 4Motion AWD, carried a price tag of $35,040, including the destination charge.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo was powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing between 227 and 250 horsepower, depending on the octane rating of the fuel. Using regular fuel provided 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque at 2,000 rpm, while premium fuel upped these figures to 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque at 2,500 rpm. Despite these impressive numbers, the CX-30 Turbo's official EPA rating stood at 25 mpg in combined driving, and during testing, it averaged 24.1 mpg. With a 12.7-gallon fuel tank, the maximum driving range was just over 305 miles.

Effortless acceleration was a hallmark of the CX-30 Turbo, making it quick off the mark in various driving situations. Torque steer was present but well-managed by Mazda’s technologies, including the revised G-Vectoring Control Plus and i-Activ AWD system, which could actively distribute engine power to the rear wheels.

The CX-30 Turbo's handling was less impressive compared to the Mazda3 due to its increased height, weight, and slight suspension stiffening. However, it made up for this with its off-road capabilities, boasting an additional 2.5 inches of ground clearance and an Off-Road mode for enhanced traction in challenging conditions.

On the other hand, the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that generated 184 horsepower at 4,360 rpm and 221 lb-ft of torque at a low 1,600 rpm. Power was managed by an eight-speed automatic transmission and default front-wheel-drive, with the optional 4Motion AWD system available for an additional $1,400 on most models.

The Tiguan’s powertrain felt adequate, but often lagged in response due to turbocharger lag, especially in situations requiring quick acceleration. Despite the Tiguan’s nearly 4,000-pound curb weight contributing to a sense of lethargy, it delivered a fuel economy rating of 25 mpg in combined driving with FWD and 24 mpg with AWD. During testing, the AWD variant averaged 22.6 mpg.

While the Tiguan's acceleration might have been lackluster, the driving experience was generally pleasurable, with light but responsive steering, a compliant ride, and refined braking. However, the Tiguan struggled with sharper speed bumps and railroad tracks, which revealed a lack of suspension isolation.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo offered impressive driver comfort, thanks to eight-way power adjustment and heated front seats, along with a driver-focused interior layout. The cabin's organic shapes and high-quality materials contributed to a sense of spaciousness, though the actual rear-seat space was cramped. The rear seats, while less comfortable for adults, did have air conditioning vents for added comfort. The CX-30 Turbo's storage space was decent, with a cargo capacity of 20.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 45.2 cubic feet with the seats folded.

In comparison, the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in comfort and space. It was easy to get into and out of the vehicle, with wide front seats offering a range of adjustments and excellent outward visibility. Back-seat space was generous, featuring air-conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The Tiguan's versatile 40/20/40-split folding rear seat allowed for long items to be carried alongside four passengers. Cargo capacity varied depending on the presence of the optional third-row seat, ranging from 33 to 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 65.7 to 73.5 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo featured an 8.8-inch infotainment display operated through physical controls and voice commands. While this system took some acclimation, it was functional. Standard technology included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, along with three free years of Mazda Connected Services and a trial period for the 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Premium trims added components like SiriusXM satellite radio, a navigation system, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, and an Active Driving Display for a range of useful data.

Volkswagen's 2021 Tiguan introduced the MIB3 infotainment platform, available from the SE trim upwards. It featured an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, WiFi connectivity, SiriusXM 360L, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and a suite of Car-Net connected services. The standard six-speaker sound system, however, was less impressive, with the nine-speaker Fender system reserved for the SEL Premium R-Line trims. Both SEL trims also featured Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo was a standout in safety, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA in all but rollover resistance, where it received four stars. It came with a complete suite of i-ActiveSense advanced driving assistance systems and additional features like adaptive front lighting, front and rear parking sensors, a surround-view camera, and Traffic Jam Assist on Premium Plus trims.

Similarly, the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan came equipped with the IQ Drive suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including features like forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking as standard. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights, with parking sensors available on all but the base trims. The Tiguan's safety system worked well, although certain features, like adaptive cruise control, had occasional slow responses. The Tiguan earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS in SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims for their high-performing LED headlights.