2025 Mazda CX-90 vs 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan

$38,045 · Crossover

$30,805 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant numerical difference between the 2025 Mazda CX-90 and the 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan is the MSRP, with the Tiguan priced $7,240 lower at $30,805 compared to the CX-90's $38,045. This price gap reflects substantial differences in capability. The CX-90 offers substantially more power, generating 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, significantly outpacing the Tiguan’s 201 hp and 207 lb-ft. Conversely, the Tiguan provides superior fuel economy, achieving a combined 29 MPG versus the CX-90's 25 MPG. Furthermore, the Tiguan offers more than double the utility space with 33.8 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the CX-90's 14.9 cu ft, though the Mazda is notably longer at 200.8 inches. These metrics establish clear trade-offs between premium power/size and economy/practicality.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan is the commuter winner due to its superior combined fuel economy of 29 MPG and lower entry price.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Volkswagen Tiguan

The Tiguan is preferred for families because it offers 33.8 cu ft of cargo capacity, significantly exceeding the CX-90's 14.9 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Mazda CX-90

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 appeals more to enthusiasts with its robust 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque output.

💰 Best Value

2026 Volkswagen Tiguan

The Tiguan offers better objective value, costing $7,240 less while achieving better fuel efficiency.

Choose the Mazda CX-90 if...

You require the higher performance delivered by the CX-90's 280 horsepower engine.
Your typical journeys demand the stability provided by the standard All-Wheel Drive system.
You prefer the greater physical presence and length of 200.8 inches for perceived road presence.

Choose the Volkswagen Tiguan if...

Prioritizing low running costs is essential, benefiting from the 29 MPG combined fuel economy.
Maximum accessible storage space is a necessity, leveraging the 33.8 cu ft cargo volume.
You are budget-conscious, opting for the $30,805 MSRP, saving $7,240 over the competitor.

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 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan.

How significant is the power difference between the two crossovers?

The power discrepancy is substantial; the Mazda CX-90 produces 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. In contrast, the Volkswagen Tiguan delivers 201 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque, meaning the CX-90 has a 79 hp advantage.

Which vehicle is more practical for carrying luggage and gear?

The 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan is overwhelmingly more practical for cargo, offering 33.8 cu ft of space. The 2025 Mazda CX-90 is limited to just 14.9 cu ft of cargo capacity.

What is the measurable fuel economy impact of choosing one over the other?

The Tiguan is projected to be 4 MPG more efficient overall, achieving 29 MPG combined compared to the CX-90's 25 MPG combined rating. This efficiency difference is consistent across city driving (26 vs 24 MPG).

Does the lower MSRP of the Tiguan reflect comparable capability?

While the Tiguan's $30,805 MSRP offers clear cost savings, it uses a Front Wheel Drive system standard, whereas the CX-90 includes All Wheel Drive at a $38,045 starting price.

Which vehicle is physically larger?

The Mazda CX-90 is the larger vehicle in exterior dimensions, measuring 200.8 inches long, 78.5 inches wide, and 68.2 inches tall. The Tiguan is significantly smaller across all three metrics.

Are there differences in required fuel types?

Both the 2025 Mazda CX-90 and the 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan are designed to run on regular unleaded gasoline, simplifying long-term fueling requirements for both models.