2022 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2022 Mazda CX-5

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out among its competitors with a conservative yet timeless design. Its refreshed front styling aligned it with Volkswagen’s larger Atlas models, featuring a new grille, standard LED headlights, and redesigned aluminum wheels. The SEL R-Line trim, in particular, boasted a sportier look with blacked-out elements and a striking Atlantic Blue Metallic paint. Inside, the Tiguan SEL R-Line offered a luxurious cabin with leather upholstery, new technology, and ambient lighting, though the hard plastic in the lower half of the cabin hinted at its mass-market status.

In contrast, the 2022 Mazda CX-5 maintained its sleek and sophisticated appearance with new LED headlights and taillights, revised bumpers, and a redesigned rear liftgate. The top-of-the-line Signature trim featured body-color lower exterior trim, enhancing its premium appeal. Inside, the CX-5 Signature trim exuded luxury with Nappa leather upholstery, real wood trim, and polished metallic accents. The new seats provided improved comfort and support, addressing previous complaints about the seating position.

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 transferred 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 driving experience, the Tiguan's engine exhibited some turbo lag, and its fuel economy was modest at 24 mpg combined. The ride and handling were nimble and responsive, but the suspension and tires limited its performance when pushed hard.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 2.5 S featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a revised six-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The CX-5 2.5 Turbo offered a more powerful turbocharged engine, delivering up to 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque on premium gas. The CX-5's driving dynamics were significantly improved, with increased structural rigidity and reworked suspension tuning for a quieter, smoother, and sportier ride. The CX-5's fuel economy was competitive, with the 2.5 Turbo achieving 24 mpg combined.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan was a spacious compact crossover, comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. It offered a standard third-row seat in FWD models, while AWD models had more cargo space. The SEL R-Line trim provided exceptional comfort with leather seats, eight-way power adjustment, and a panoramic sunroof. The second row was roomy and comfortable, with rear air conditioning vents and a USB charging port. Cargo space was generous, with up to 73.4 cubic feet of capacity in AWD models.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 addressed previous complaints with new, more comfortable seats and a sportier driving position. The front passenger seat was height-adjustable in all trims except the base, and the 2.5 Turbo trim featured leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, and heated and ventilated front seats. The back seat remained snug but offered heated outboard cushions and air conditioning vents. Cargo space was adequate, with 30.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 59.3 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

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 in all but the base trim, included an 8-inch touchscreen, Car-Net connected services, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The SEL R-Line added a redesigned navigation system and a nine-speaker Fender audio system. However, the natural voice recognition feature required an additional subscription, and the touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard were challenging to use.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 retained its Mazda Connect infotainment system with a 10.25-inch display, operated via center console and steering wheel controls. The system lacked a touchscreen and natural voice recognition, making it less intuitive. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a three-year trial of Mazda Connected Services. The 2.5 S Premium trim and above included a 10-speaker Bose sound system, which performed well. However, the control layout remained a source of frustration.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan featured standard Front Assist and Side Assist, with significant improvements to its IQ Drive system, including Travel Assist and Emergency Assist. Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, while Emergency Assist could safely bring the vehicle to a stop if the driver became unresponsive. The 2021 Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, and the 2022 model's enhancements aimed to improve this score.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 came with a comprehensive i-Activsense package, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added adaptive headlights, a surround-view camera system, parking sensors, automatic rear braking, and a driver monitoring system. The CX-5 earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS, making it one of the safest vehicles in its class.