2023 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2022 Mazda CX-5

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 presented a refreshed exterior with new LED headlights and taillights, redesigned bumpers, a revised grille, and a new rear liftgate. These updates aimed to enhance the vehicle's premium appeal, especially in the top-of-the-line Signature trim, which featured body-colour lower exterior trim. Inside, the CX-5 maintained its luxurious feel with premium Nappa leather upholstery, real wood trim, and polished metallic accents. The new seats provided improved comfort, and the overall interior design remained unchanged, offering a convincingly upscale experience.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan carried over its design from the previous year, with minor updates. It was available in several trims, including the sportier R-Line versions. The Tiguan offered a range of exterior and interior colour options, although choices were limited by trim level. The test vehicle featured Atlantic Blue paint and Storm Grey leather seats, which were not available in Canada unless ordered in the Highline R-Line trim. The Tiguan's design was conservatively styled, with a sporty appearance in the R-Line trim, and it featured adaptive front lighting and a light bar across the grille for added sophistication.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 came with a base Skyactiv-G 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. It featured a revised six-speed automatic transmission for improved responsiveness and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). Fuel consumption for this powertrain was rated at 9.3 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The turbocharged engine option delivered 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque on premium gas, with a combined fuel consumption of 9.8 L/100 km. The CX-5's driving dynamics were enhanced with increased structural rigidity and reworked suspension tuning, providing a quieter and smoother ride with reduced body roll and improved handling.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. In Canada, the Tiguan featured standard 4Motion AWD, with various driving modes to suit different conditions. Fuel economy was rated at 9.8 L/100 km in combined driving, although the test vehicle achieved 10.4 L/100 km. The Tiguan's powertrain offered adequate performance, but the automatic transmission occasionally stumbled with delayed downshifts. The Tiguan's dynamic qualities were rewarding, with excellent tire grip and stable handling, although the brake pedal required more effort than expected.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 addressed previous complaints about its ride and front seats with new furnishings that provided better support and a sportier driving position. The interior featured leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, and heated and ventilated front seats. However, the back seat remained snug, and the control layout was frustrating due to the lack of a touchscreen display and natural voice recognition. Cargo space was adequate, with 871 litres behind the rear seats and 1,680 litres with the seats folded.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a spacious interior with comfortable front seats featuring eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The dashboard's touch-sensing controls were problematic, with reflections and awkward placement affecting usability. The Tiguan excelled in passenger and cargo space, with generous rear legroom and a cavernous cargo area. With AWD, the Tiguan provided 1,064 litres of cargo space behind the second row and 2,078 litres with the seats folded, comparable to some midsize SUVs.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 retained its Mazda Connect infotainment system with a 10.25-inch display, but it lacked a touchscreen interface and natural voice recognition. Users had to rely on centre console and steering wheel controls, which required acclimation. The system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and higher trims offered a 10-speaker Bose premium sound system.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan featured digital instrumentation, with R-Line trims offering a larger 10.25-inch display. The infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, and a nine-speaker Fender premium sound system. However, the system's user interface was complex, with sub-menus and touch-sensing controls causing unnecessary distraction. The voice-recognition system was limited, often requiring a data connection for full functionality.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 came with a comprehensive i-Activsense package, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and more. Higher trims added features like adaptive headlights and a surround-view camera system. The CX-5 received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS, highlighting its strong safety credentials.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a robust suite of safety features, including Front Assist, Side Assist, and an Automatic Post Collision Braking System. The IQ.Drive package added adaptive cruise control, active blind-spot monitoring, and more. The Tiguan's safety technology was effective and unobtrusive, but its crash-test ratings were incomplete, with concerns about the driver's door unlatching during a side-impact test. The IIHS gave the 2022 Tiguan a Top Safety Pick+ rating, but this did not apply to the 2023 model.