2025 Mazda CX-90 vs 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Mazda CX-90 charges into the arena, immediately distinct with its robust 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, promising an engaging drive supported by standard AWD, positioning it as the driver's choice despite a combined 25 MPG rating. Contrarily, the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan appeals with pragmatic efficiency, boasting a superior 29 MPG combined and a lower starting MSRP of $30,245, saving buyers $7,800 over the Mazda. While the CX-90 dwarfs the Tiguan in power, offering 79 more horsepower, it sacrifices utility, yielding a smaller 14.9 cubic feet of cargo space compared to the Tiguan's substantial 26.5 cubic feet. This comparison pits near-luxury power and sophisticated AWD against economical dimensions and superior fuel sipping, defining two vastly different approaches to the crossover segment.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Volkswagen Tiguan
The Tiguan wins for commuters due to its superior 29 MPG combined rating and lower ownership cost.
2025 Volkswagen Tiguan
The Tiguan provides significantly more utility, offering 26.5 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the CX-90's 14.9 cu ft.
2025 Mazda CX-90
The CX-90 dominates the driving experience with 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, complemented by standard AWD.
2025 Volkswagen Tiguan
The Tiguan offers excellent base value by costing $7,800 less than the CX-90 while delivering better fuel economy.
Choose the Mazda CX-90 if...
- You prioritize exhilarating performance, leveraging the CX-90's 280 horsepower output.
- You require standard All-Wheel Drive capability for varied driving conditions.
- You prefer the refinement and size associated with a longer vehicle (200.8 inches).
Choose the Volkswagen Tiguan if...
- Maximizing fuel efficiency is key, relying on the Tiguan's 34 MPG highway rating.
- Your budget needs to remain under $31,000, given the significant $7,800 price gap.
- You need maximum dedicated cargo space, benefiting from 26.5 cubic feet.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Mazda CX-90 | Volkswagen Tiguan |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 200.8" | 184.4" |
| Width | 78.5" | 73.0" |
| Height | 68.2" | 66.1" |
| Wheelbase | 122.8" | 109.9" |
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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Third Row 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 Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | — |
| Brake Preparation System | ✓ | — |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Self-Leveling Headlights | ✓ | — |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Brake Drying | — | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Brake Assist | — | ✓ |
| Adaptive Headlights | — | ✓ |
| Cornering Lights | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Mazda | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 3.3 L | 2.0 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 6 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | mild hybrid | gas |
| Horsepower | 280 hp @ 5000 rpm | 201 hp @ 5250 rpm |
| Torque | 332 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm | 207 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 24 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Mazda | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | all wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Center Differential Type | Limited Slip | — |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | — |
Fuel
| Feature | Mazda | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 24/28 MPG | 26/34 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 25 MPG | 29 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 444.0/518.0 mi. | 377.0/493.0 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 18.5 gal. | 14.5 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Mazda | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | ✓ | — |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | — |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | — |
| Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry | ✓ | — |
| Leather Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Three Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Wireless Charging Pad | — | ✓ |
| Leatherette Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Mazda | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 10.3 in | 12.9 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 8 | 7 |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Memory Card Slot | ✓ | — |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | — |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | — | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | — | 3 months |
Power Feature
| Feature | Mazda | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | — |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Mazda | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 39.7 in. | 39.5 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.7 in. | 40.2 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 59.2 in. | 57.0 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 56.2 in. | 54.4 in. |
| Seat Material: Leatherette | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | — |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | Power | — |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 4-way | 6-way |
| Seat Material: Cloth | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 6-way |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Heating | — | Multi-level |
| Passenger Seat Heating | — | Multi-level |
Rearseats
| Feature | Mazda | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.3 in. | 39.7 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 39.4 in. | 40.2 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 58.1 in. | 55.7 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 55.5 in. | 53.3 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | — |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | — |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Mazda | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | Alloy | — |
| Wheel Size | 19 x 8.5 in | 17 x 7.0 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 265/55R19 | 215/65R H |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Inside Mounted |
| Wheel Finish | — | Painted Alloy |
Suspension
| Feature | Mazda | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | — | ✓ |
| Rear 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-90 and 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan.
How significant is the performance difference between the two crossovers?
The difference is substantial; the Mazda CX-90 produces 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, providing far more immediate acceleration than the Tiguan's 201 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque.
Which vehicle is better equipped for hauling cargo on road trips?
The Volkswagen Tiguan is clearly superior for cargo, offering 26.5 cubic feet of storage, which is nearly double the 14.9 cubic feet available in the longer Mazda CX-90.
Is the Mazda CX-90's higher cost justified by its efficiency metrics?
No, the CX-90 costs $7,800 more upfront and returns lower efficiency, achieving only 25 MPG combined versus the Tiguan’s 29 MPG combined.
Do both vehicles come standard with AWD?
No, the 2025 Mazda CX-90 comes standard with All-Wheel Drive, whereas the base 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan is equipped with Front Wheel Drive.
What is the difference in size, considering external dimensions?
The CX-90 is substantially larger overall, measuring 200.8 inches long compared to the Tiguan's 184.4 inches, reflecting Mazda's larger three-row positioning versus the Tiguan's compact profile.
Are there any differences in required fuel type?
Both the CX-90 and the Tiguan are designed to run optimally on regular unleaded fuel, avoiding the premium fuel requirement often seen in higher-output vehicles.
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