2023 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2024 Mazda CX-50

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan maintained its design from the previous year, offering a range of trims from S to SEL R-Line, with the latter featuring sportier styling. Despite a variety of exterior colors, interior hues, and wheel designs, customization was limited by trim level, restricting some desired combinations. The SEL R-Line trim, with its Atlantic Blue paint and Storm Gray leather interior, was noted for its upscale appearance, adaptive front lighting, and a light bar across the grille. Inside, the Tiguan's cabin was described as upscale, with quality materials and a solid build, though some materials reminded of its more affordable base price.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50, a rugged counterpart to the CX-5, featured a more modern design with broader proportions and distinctive styling elements like square wheel arches. Available in eight trim levels, the CX-50 offered a range of features, with the 2.5 Turbo Meridian Edition emphasizing an active-lifestyle image. This edition included all-terrain tires and a black hood graphic, though it lacked suspension changes for enhanced off-road capability. The interior was praised for its pleasing design and quality materials, though it fell short of Mazda's upscale aspirations, with standard half-leatherette seats and manually-adjustable front seats on base models.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered front-wheel drive as standard, with an optional 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. The SEL R-Line trim included AWD and additional driving modes for varied conditions. The Tiguan's powertrain was adequate but not exceptional, with some turbo lag and transmission delays. It averaged 22.6 mpg in testing, slightly below the EPA's estimate. Despite these quirks, the Tiguan's dynamic qualities, including excellent tire grip and stable handling, made it enjoyable to drive.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, with turbocharging available on higher trims. The base engine delivered 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, while the turbo variant offered up to 256 hp and 320 lb-ft on premium fuel. A six-speed automatic transmission and AWD were standard, with various driving modes. The CX-50's handling was less sporty than the CX-5, and the Meridian Edition's all-terrain tires added noise and reduced grip. Despite these drawbacks, the CX-50 was well-mannered, though it didn't inspire spirited driving.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a spacious interior, with FWD models featuring a standard third-row seat. The SEL R-Line trim provided comfortable front seats with power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. However, the dashboard's touch-sensing controls were criticized for poor ergonomics and usability. The Tiguan excelled in passenger and cargo space, with generous rear legroom and a large cargo area, especially in AWD models without the third row.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 had similar passenger space to the CX-5, with slightly more legroom but less headroom. It offered 31.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 56.3 cubic feet with them folded. While the CX-50 trailed competitors in cargo space, it provided a sensible layout and adequate storage. The Meridian Edition's rugged looks weren't matched by interior functionality, and the optional roof platform was less practical for shorter users.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan featured digital instrumentation, with a larger 10.25-inch display in the SEL R-Line trim. The infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though its interface was criticized for complexity and distraction. The voice-recognition system underperformed, likely due to inactive subscriptions in the test vehicle.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 came with a 10.25-inch infotainment screen controlled by a rotary dial, not a touchscreen. While this interface required adjustment, it provided physical feedback and was easy to use. The system felt dated, with basic functions and plain graphics, but it was suitable for buyers who preferred simplicity. Wireless Apple CarPlay was standard, but Android Auto required a cable.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered comprehensive safety features, including Front Assist, Side Assist, and an Automatic Post Collision Braking System. The IQ.Drive package added adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and more. While the Tiguan's safety tech was effective, its crash-test ratings were incomplete, with concerns about the driver's door unlatching during a side-impact test.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 was named a 2023 Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, with top scores in most crash tests. It offered standard driver-assist features like automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, with optional rear automatic braking and a 360-degree camera system. However, its nighttime pedestrian detection received a low score, and NHTSA ratings were incomplete.