2022 Mazda CX-30 vs 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a conservative yet timeless design, distinguishing itself from its often less aesthetically pleasing competitors. Its refreshed exterior featured new front styling that aligned with Volkswagen's larger models, a restyled grille with the new VW logo, and standard LED headlights. The Tiguan's lineup was simplified to include S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line trims, with prices ranging from $25,995 to $36,995. The SEL R-Line model, tested in Atlantic Blue Metallic, boasted a sportier look with 18-inch alloy wheels and a sophisticated interior featuring leather upholstery and ambient lighting. Despite its upscale appearance, the Tiguan's lower cabin areas revealed its mass-market status with hard plastic materials.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30, on the other hand, was reminiscent of a downsized CX-5, with an upright grille and smooth fenders. Built on the Mazda3 platform, it offered a raised-up version of the hatchback. The CX-30's cabin was praised for its comfort and quietness, with a blend of conventional and digital displays. However, its infotainment system, controlled by a rotary dial, was criticized for its steep learning curve. The CX-30 came in various trims, including the Turbo Premium Plus, which featured a power sunroof, leather upholstery, and advanced driver assistance features. Despite its attractive design, the infotainment system's usability was a notable drawback.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission directed power to the front wheels, with an optional 4Motion AWD system available. The Tiguan offered Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, with additional Offroad settings for AWD models. Despite its enjoyable drive, the Tiguan's engine exhibited turbo lag, and its fuel economy was modest at 24 mpg combined. The Tiguan's ride and handling were nimble in normal driving situations, but it lacked excitement when pushed to its limits.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 featured a base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. The test model had an upgraded turbocharged engine, delivering 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on regular fuel, and 250 hp and 320 lb-ft on premium fuel. A six-speed automatic transmission and AWD were standard. The CX-30's Sport mode enhanced throttle response and shift mapping, providing lively acceleration. Its steering was well-weighted, and the ride was sporty and refined, though rough over potholes. The CX-30's suspension handled dirt and gravel roads well, but paved roads with imperfections resulted in a rough ride.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan was a standout in the compact crossover segment, offering spacious interior dimensions comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. The SEL R-Line model featured comfortable leather seats with power adjustments, excellent outward visibility, and a panoramic sunroof. The second row was roomy enough for adults and children, with rear air conditioning vents and a USB charging port. Cargo space was generous, with 37.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. However, the switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard was less user-friendly.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 provided 45.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 20.2 cubic feet with them in use. The Turbo Premium Plus model included a power rear liftgate. The front seats had a sliding center console cover, which could get stuck when the rear seats were folded. The center console offered ample space for personal items, and the front doors had deep pockets for large water bottles. Rear seats provided adequate headroom for adults on short trips, but longer drives might be less comfortable due to limited space.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came with standard digital instrumentation, with the SEL R-Line featuring a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro system. The MIB3 infotainment system, available on most trims, included an 8-inch touchscreen, Car-Net connected services, and smartphone mirroring. The SEL R-Line added a redesigned navigation system and a nine-speaker Fender audio system. However, the natural voice recognition feature required a subscription and was not active during testing. The Tiguan also offered a Park Assist system for autonomous parking.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30's infotainment system was integrated into the dash, controlled by a rotary dial and toggle buttons. Inspired by luxury-car systems, it lacked touch functionality, making it challenging to use, especially with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system's usability was a significant drawback, even after setting up presets. Despite its elegant design, the infotainment system's complexity detracted from the overall experience.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan included standard Front Assist and Side Assist on the base model. The IQ Drive system added Travel Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, and Emergency Assist, which could bring the vehicle to a stop if the driver was unresponsive. The 2021 Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, and the 2022 model's improvements aimed to enhance its safety credentials.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 was equipped with standard driver-assistance features, including forward collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Turbo Premium Plus model added blind-spot monitoring, traffic-sign recognition, and reverse automatic emergency braking. The CX-30 earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, with top marks in crash tests and driver-assistance technology.