Compare the2026 Volkswagen TiguanVS 2025 Mazda CX-5

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Volkswagen Tiguan have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision. The Mazda CX-5 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The Volkswagen Tiguan has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The CX-5 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Tiguan has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The CX-5 doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Volkswagen Tiguan achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, outperforming the Mazda CX-5 which scored “Poor” - the lowest rating - in these critical safety features.

The Tiguan has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The CX-5 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Tiguan 4Motion’s standard Hill Descent Assist allows you to creep down safely. The CX-5 doesn’t offer Hill Descent Assist.

The Volkswagen Tiguan’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Mazda CX-5 does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the Tiguan and CX-5 have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Tiguan has Rear Traffic Alert (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The CX-5’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Tiguan and the CX-5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The Tiguan comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck. The CX-5’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The Tiguan’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the CX-5’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Tiguan for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mazda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the CX-5.

There are over 15 percent more Volkswagen dealers than there are Mazda dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Tiguan’s warranty.

The Volkswagen Tiguan’s engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the CX-5’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

The Tiguan has more powerful engines than the CX-5:

	Horsepower	Torque
Tiguan 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	201 HP	207 lbs.-ft.
Tiguan 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	201 HP	221 lbs.-ft.
Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid	268 HP	258 lbs.-ft.
CX-5 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder	187 HP	185 lbs.-ft.
CX-5 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder	256 HP	320 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Motor Trend the Volkswagen Tiguan turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Mazda CX-5 4 cyl.:

	Tiguan	CX-5
Zero to 60 MPH	7.7 sec	8.7 sec
Quarter Mile	15.8 sec	16.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	91.6 MPH	78.3 MPH

On the EPA test cycle the Tiguan gets better mileage than the CX-5:

			MPG
Tiguan
	FWD	S 2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	26 city/34 hwy
		SE/SEL 2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	25 city/32 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/30 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	22 city/29 hwy
CX-5
	AWD	2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/27 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the Tiguan’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The CX-5 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

Regardless of its engine, the Tiguan’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The CX-5 Turbo doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Tiguan uses regular unleaded gasoline. The CX-5 with the 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Volkswagen Tiguan higher (6 out of 10) than the Mazda CX-5 (4 to 6). This means the Tiguan produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the CX-5 every 15,000 miles.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Volkswagen Tiguan, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the CX-5.

For better stopping power the Tiguan’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-5:

	Tiguan	Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo	CX-5	CX-5 Turbo
Front Rotors	12 inches	13.4 inches	11.7 inches	12.6 inches
Rear Rotors	11.8 inches	12.2 inches	11.9 inches	11.9 inches

The Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the CX-5 are solid, not vented.

The Tiguan stops much shorter than the CX-5:

	Tiguan	CX-5
60 to 0 MPH	111 feet	136 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	143 feet	144 feet	Consumer Reports

For better traction, the Tiguan’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CX-5 (255/40R20 vs. 225/65R17).

The Tiguan’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CX-5 Carbon/Premium/Turbo’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Tiguan offers optional 20-inch wheels. The CX-5’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The Tiguan has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The CX-5’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Tiguan’s wheelbase is 3.7 inches longer than on the CX-5 (109.9 inches vs. 106.2 inches).

The Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo handles at .85 G’s, while the CX-5 pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.5 seconds quicker than the CX-5 (27 seconds @ .67 average G’s vs. 28.5 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

The Tiguan has .7 inches more rear headroom, .6 inches more rear legroom and .9 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-5.

The Tiguan has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the CX-5 with its rear seat up (33.8 vs. 29.1 cubic feet). The Tiguan has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the CX-5 with its rear seat folded (69.8 vs. 59.3 cubic feet).

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Tiguan SEL’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The CX-5 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Standard trailer stability control on the Tiguan uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The CX-5 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Tiguan uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The CX-5 uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat in the CX-5 Preferred/Carbon/Premium/Turbo, the Tiguan SEL has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Tiguan SEL’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The CX-5 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The power windows standard on both the Tiguan and the CX-5 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Tiguan is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The CX-5 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

If the windows are left open on the Tiguan the driver can close all of them from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can also lower the windows the same way. The driver of the CX-5 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Tiguan’s standard KESSY Keyless Access allow you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from pocket or purse. Pushbutton Start standard on the CX-5 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle.

The Tiguan’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The CX-5’s power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Tiguan to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The CX-5 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Tiguan’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mazda only offers heated mirrors on the CX-5 Premium/Turbo.

When the Tiguan SEL is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The CX-5’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Tiguan SEL has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the CX-5.

The Tiguan has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the CX-5 Select/Preferred/Carbon Edition/Premium/Turbo.

Both the Tiguan and the CX-5 offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Tiguan has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The CX-5 doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Compared to traditional radio, the Volkswagen Tiguan’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio is only offered on the CX-5 Carbon/Premium/Turbo.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Volkswagen Tiguan has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the CX-5 Carbon/Premium Plus/Turbo offers wireless charging.

The Tiguan SEL’s Park Assist Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The CX-5 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Tiguan is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The CX-5 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Volkswagen Tiguan and the Mazda CX-5, based on reliability, safety and performance.