2023 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2023 Mazda CX-5

The 2023 Mazda CX-5, despite its age, remained a strong contender in the compact crossover SUV market. It was praised for its stylish design and high-quality materials, giving it the feel of a small luxury SUV. The available turbocharged engine provided impressive power, and the model boasted a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS. However, the CX-5 had some drawbacks, including a small back seat, limited cargo space, and a frustrating infotainment system. Mazda planned to transition the CX-5 to the CX-50, hoping to retain its loyal customer base.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan continued with minimal changes from the previous year. It offered a range of trims, including the sporty SEL R-Line, and came with a complimentary five-year Car-Net Safe & Secure connected services plan. The Tiguan's design was conservative yet aging gracefully, with features like adaptive front lighting and a light bar across the grille. Inside, the Tiguan provided an upscale feel with quality materials, digital instrumentation, and a panoramic sunroof. However, the touch-sensing controls were criticized for being difficult to use.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options. The base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine produced 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. It achieved an EPA rating of 26 mpg in combined driving. The more powerful 2.5-liter turbocharged engine delivered 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel, or 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet on regular gas. This engine also came with a six-speed automatic and AWD, with an EPA rating of 24 mpg combined. The turbocharged engine provided a thrilling driving experience, with responsive handling and a firm ride quality.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. It was mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive standard and 4Motion all-wheel drive available. The Tiguan offered Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes, with additional off-road settings for AWD models. The EPA rated the Tiguan SEL R-Line at 24 mpg combined, but real-world testing returned 22.6 mpg. The Tiguan's powertrain was adequate but lacked the smoothness and power of some competitors. However, its dynamic qualities, including light steering and excellent tire grip, made it enjoyable to drive.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 received updates to its front seats for improved comfort and support. It offered a range of features, including power-adjustable seats, heated and ventilated front seats, and dual-zone climate control. The Signature trim added luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. However, the CX-5's interior space was limited, with a cramped back seat and smaller cargo area. It provided 30.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 59.3 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in passenger and cargo space. It offered a third-row seat in FWD models, though this reduced cargo capacity. The SEL R-Line featured comfortable front seats with power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The Tiguan's interior had generous storage options, but the touch-sensing controls were criticized for poor ergonomics. The cargo area was spacious, with 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 73.4 cubic feet with the seats folded in AWD models.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5's Mazda Connect infotainment system featured a 10.25-inch display with sophisticated graphics. However, it lacked a helpful voice recognition system, and the physical controls were awkward to use. The system required memorization and focus, making it distracting while driving. Despite these issues, Mazda Connect offered features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Bose premium audio system. The test vehicle also included a front-facing camera and surround-view camera system.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan came with digital instrumentation, with the SEL R-Line featuring a 10.25-inch display. The infotainment system had an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, and a Fender premium sound system. However, the system's user interface was complex, with multi-layer processes for simple tasks. The voice-recognition system was also lacking, often failing to connect. Despite these quirks, the Tiguan's technology package was comprehensive.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 excelled in safety features, with most driver assistance tech included as standard under the i-Activsense banner. The 2.5 Turbo Signature trim added features like a surround-view camera, parking sensors, and Traffic Jam Assist. The CX-5 received top safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, though it lacked a warning for driving without headlights at night.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a robust safety package, with standard Front Assist and Side Assist. The IQ.Drive package added adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Emergency Assist. The Tiguan's safety tech was praised for its smooth operation and lack of false alerts. However, its crash-test ratings were incomplete, with concerns about the driver's door unlatching during side-impact tests. The IIHS had not yet rated the 2023 model.