2025 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2026 Mazda CX-90

$30,245 · Crossover

$38,800 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant numerical divergence between the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan and the 2026 Mazda CX-90 is the $8,555 difference in starting MSRP, positioning the Tiguan at $30,245 versus the CX-90's $38,800. Performance metrics strongly favor the Mazda, which generates 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque compared to the Tiguan's 201 hp and 207 lb-ft. This power gain comes at the expense of efficiency; the Tiguan achieves a superior combined 29 MPG versus the CX-90's 25 MPG. Furthermore, the Tiguan offers substantially more cargo space, delivering 26.5 cu ft to the CX-90’s 14.9 cu ft. While the Tiguan is smaller overall, measuring 184.4 inches long, the CX-90 commands a larger footprint at 200.8 inches, reflecting a segment difference between compact and midsize utility.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2025 Tiguan wins for commuting due to its superior 29 combined MPG rating compared to the CX-90's 25 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Volkswagen Tiguan

The Tiguan provides significantly more utility with 26.5 cu ft of cargo space versus the CX-90's 14.9 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Mazda CX-90

The 2026 CX-90 offers substantial performance superiority with 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2025 Volkswagen Tiguan

The Tiguan presents better value by starting $8,555 lower and offering better fuel economy at 29 combined MPG.

Choose the Volkswagen Tiguan if...

Your primary concern is minimizing operational cost, evidenced by its 29 combined MPG.
You require maximum inherent cargo volume, as it offers 26.5 cu ft compared to 14.9 cu ft.
You prefer the lower barrier to entry with an MSRP starting at $30,245.

Choose the Mazda CX-90 if...

Maximum on-road performance is essential, supplied by 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque.
All-wheel drive capability is required, whereas Car 1 comes standard with front-wheel drive.
You need a larger overall vehicle, as the CX-90 is 200.8 inches long compared to 184.4 inches for the Tiguan.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Volkswagen Tiguan	Mazda CX-90
Length	184.4"	200.8"
Width	73.0"	78.5"
Height	66.1"	68.3"
Wheelbase	109.9"	122.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Volkswagen	Mazda
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
Brake Drying	✓	—
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	—
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Adaptive Headlights	✓	—
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Cornering 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	✓	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Brake Preparation System	—	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Volkswagen	Mazda
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	3.3 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 6
Base Engine Type	gas	mild hybrid
Horsepower	201 hp @ 5250 rpm	280 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque	207 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm	332 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
Number of Valves	16	24
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Volkswagen	Mazda
Transmission Type	8-speed automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Volkswagen	Mazda
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	26/34 MPG	23/28 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	29 MPG	25 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	377.0/493.0 mi.	425.5/518.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	14.5 gal.	18.5 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Volkswagen	Mazda
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	✓	—
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	—
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	—
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Leatherette Steering Wheel	✓	—
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	—	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Front Seatback Storage	—	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Volkswagen	Mazda
Infotainment Display	12.9 in	10.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	7	8
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	—
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	—
Android Auto (Wired)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	—	✓
Memory Card Slot	—	✓
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	—	✓

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Volkswagen	Mazda
Front Head Room	39.5 in.	39.7 in.
Front Leg Room	40.2 in.	41.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.0 in.	59.2 in.
Front Hip Room	54.4 in.	56.2 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	4-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	—
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	—
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	—
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power

Rearseats

Feature	Volkswagen	Mazda
Rear Head Room	39.7 in.	39.3 in.
Rear Leg Room	40.2 in.	39.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.7 in.	58.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	53.3 in.	55.5 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Volkswagen	Mazda
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Size	17 x 7.0 in	19 x 8.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	215/65R H	265/55R19
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Material	—	Alloy

Suspension

Feature	Volkswagen	Mazda
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Stabilizer Bar	—	✓

Warranty

Feature	Volkswagen	Mazda
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	7 yr./ 100000 mi.	5 yr./ unlimited 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 Volkswagen Tiguan and 2026 Mazda CX-90.

What is the main performance disparity between the 2025 Tiguan and the 2026 CX-90?

The 2026 Mazda CX-90 substantially outperforms the Tiguan, boasting 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. In contrast, the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan delivers 201 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque.

How does the fuel economy compare for daily commuting?

The Volkswagen Tiguan holds a distinct advantage in fuel efficiency, achieving 29 combined MPG (26 City/34 Highway). The larger, more powerful Mazda CX-90 is rated slightly lower at 25 combined MPG (23 City/28 Highway).

Which vehicle offers more interior storage capacity?

The Tiguan is the superior cargo hauler, offering 26.5 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats. The CX-90, despite being physically larger, only provides 14.9 cubic feet of cargo capacity.

Is the higher price of the CX-90 justified by its specifications?

The CX-90 demands an $8,555 premium over the Tiguan. This extra cost funds significantly more power (79 hp difference) and standard all-wheel drive, though it sacrifices 4 MPG and cargo volume.

Are both vehicles utilizing similar transmissions?

Both vehicles utilize 8-speed automatic transmissions; however, the CX-90's is specified as a shiftable automatic, indicating potentially different programming or manual control options than the Tiguan's standard 8-speed automatic.

How do the exterior dimensions compare between these two crossovers?

The CX-90 is the larger platform, measuring 200.8 inches in length and 78.5 inches in width. The Tiguan is more compact at 184.4 inches long and 73.0 inches wide, which may benefit urban maneuverability.