2025 Mazda CX-30 vs 2025 Volkswagen Taos

$25,195 · Crossover

$25,495 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the 2025 Mazda CX-30 and the 2025 Volkswagen Taos often boils down to prioritizing power versus pure utility. If you want a punchier driving experience, the CX-30 leads with 191 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, slightly edging out the Taos’ 174 hp and 184 lb-ft. However, the Taos offers significant practical advantages, starting with superior fuel economy, achieving a combined 31 MPG compared to the CX-30's 29 MPG. Furthermore, the Taos boasts nearly 8 cubic feet more cargo space, offering 27.9 cu ft versus the Mazda's 20.2 cu ft. While the base MSRPs are close—$25,195 for the Mazda and $25,495 for the VW—buyers must weigh the engaging performance of the CX-30 against the Taos' greater space and efficiency for daily hauling needs.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Volkswagen Taos

The VW Taos wins for daily commuters due to its better combined fuel economy rating of 31 MPG versus the CX-30's 29 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Volkswagen Taos

Families will appreciate the VW Taos' significantly larger cargo capacity of 27.9 cubic feet compared to the CX-30's 20.2 cubic feet.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Mazda CX-30

The Mazda CX-30 offers a slightly more engaging drive with 191 horsepower and comes standard with All-Wheel Drive.

💰 Best Value

2025 Mazda CX-30

The Mazda CX-30 provides more horsepower for a slightly lower starting MSRP of $25,195.

Choose the Mazda CX-30 if...

You prioritize having standard All-Wheel Drive capability right out of the box.
You enjoy spirited acceleration, as the CX-30 delivers 191 horsepower.
You prefer a slightly more compact footprint, measuring 173.0 inches in length.

Choose the Volkswagen Taos if...

Maximizing cargo volume is crucial, thanks to its 27.9 cu ft capacity.
You want the best fuel economy, achieving 36 Highway MPG.
You need the marginally larger and taller cabin, as the Taos is wider and taller.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Mazda CX-30	Volkswagen Taos
Length	173.0"	175.9"
Width	70.7"	72.5"
Height	61.7"	64.5"
Wheelbase	104.4"	105.9"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Mazda	Volkswagen
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	—
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	—
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	—

Engine

Feature	Mazda	Volkswagen
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	1.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	191 hp @ 6000 rpm	174 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque	186 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	184 lb-ft @ 1750 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓
Cylinder Deactivation	✓	—

Drive Train

Feature	Mazda	Volkswagen
Transmission Type	6-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	front wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	Mazda	Volkswagen
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	26/33 MPG	28/36 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	29 MPG	31 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	330.2/419.1 mi.	369.6/475.2 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	12.7 gal.	13.2 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Mazda	Volkswagen
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	—	✓
Leatherette Steering Wheel	—	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Mazda	Volkswagen
Infotainment Display	8.8 in	8.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	4
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Mazda	Volkswagen
One-Touch Power Windows	4	—
Remote Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Mazda	Volkswagen
Front Head Room	38.1 in.	40.7 in.
Front Leg Room	41.7 in.	40.1 in.
Front Shoulder Room	55.6 in.	56.5 in.
Front Hip Room	54.6 in.	53.9 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	6-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	6-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Mazda	Volkswagen
Rear Head Room	38.3 in.	39.8 in.
Rear Leg Room	36.3 in.	37.9 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	53.6 in.	55.2 in.
Rear Hip Room	53.2 in.	45.4 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	—
Folding Rear Seat Feature	—	✓
Pass-Thru Center Armrest	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Mazda	Volkswagen
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	16 x 6.5 in	17 x 7.0 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	215/65R16	215/55R H
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted

Suspension

Feature	Mazda	Volkswagen
Front Suspension Type	Independent	Independent
Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Mazda	Volkswagen
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	7 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	2 yr./ 20000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Mazda CX-30 and 2025 Volkswagen Taos.

Which crossover is better on gas for highway driving?

The 2025 Volkswagen Taos takes the efficiency crown with an official rating of 36 MPG highway, which is 3 MPG better than the Mazda CX-30's 33 MPG highway rating. This efficiency difference can add up significantly over a year of commuting.

Is the standard engine in the Mazda CX-30 more powerful?

Yes, the standard engine in the 2025 Mazda CX-30 is slightly stronger, producing 191 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. This is noticeable compared to the Taos' 174 horsepower.

How much more space does the VW Taos offer inside?

The Volkswagen Taos is substantially more cargo-friendly. It offers 27.9 cubic feet of storage space, while the Mazda CX-30 is limited to 20.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats.

Are these vehicles similarly priced?

They are very close in base pricing. The Mazda CX-30 starts at $25,195, just slightly undercutting the Volkswagen Taos, which has an MSRP of $25,495.

Which car has All-Wheel Drive standard?

The 2025 Mazda CX-30 comes standard with All-Wheel Drive (AWD) for enhanced traction. The 2025 Volkswagen Taos configuration specified here comes standard with Front Wheel Drive (FWD).

Does the transmission type differ between the two models?

Yes, the CX-30 utilizes a 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission, whereas the VW Taos employs a transmission with more gears, featuring an 8-speed shiftable automatic.