Compare the2026 Volkswagen TiguanVS 2026 Mazda CX-50

The Tiguan has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The CX-50 doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Volkswagen Tiguan achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, outperforming the Mazda CX-50 which scored only an “Acceptable” in these critical safety features.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Tiguan 4Motion’s standard Hill Descent Assist allows you to creep down safely. The CX-50 doesn’t offer Hill Descent Assist.

The Volkswagen Tiguan’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Mazda CX-50 does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Tiguan has standard Rear Traffic Alert with automatic braking, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Only the CX-50 Turbo Premium Plus offers Rear Cross Traffic Braking.

Both the Tiguan and the CX-50 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The Tiguan comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck. The CX-50’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The Tiguan’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the CX-50’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Tiguan for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mazda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the CX-50.

There are over 15 percent more Volkswagen dealers than there are Mazda dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Tiguan’s warranty.

The Volkswagen Tiguan’s engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the CX-50’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

The Tiguan has more powerful engines than the CX-50:

As tested in Motor Trend the Volkswagen Tiguan turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Mazda CX-50 4 cyl.:

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the Tiguan’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. Mazda only offers a regenerative brake system on the CX-50 Hybrid.

Regardless of its engine, the Tiguan’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Mazda only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the CX-50 Turbo/Hybrid.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Tiguan uses regular unleaded gasoline. The CX-50 with the 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Volkswagen Tiguan higher (6 out of 10) than the Mazda CX-50 (4 to 6). This means the Tiguan produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the CX-50 every 15,000 miles.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Volkswagen Tiguan, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the CX-50.

For better stopping power the Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-50:

The Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the CX-50 are solid, not vented.

The Tiguan stops shorter than the CX-50:

For better traction, the Tiguan’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CX-50 (255/40R20 vs. 245/45R20).

The Tiguan’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CX-50 2.5 S Premium/2.5 Turbo/Turbo Premium Plus’ 45 series tires.

For superior ride and handling, the Volkswagen Tiguan has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mazda CX-50 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Tiguan has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Tiguan flat and controlled during cornering. The CX-50’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo handles at .85 G’s, while the CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the CX-50 (27 seconds @ .67 average G’s vs. 28 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

The Tiguan has 3.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CX-50 (103.8 vs. 100.3).

The Tiguan has .4 inches more front headroom, .8 inches more front hip room, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room, 1.1 inches more rear headroom, .4 inches more rear legroom, 1.2 inches more rear hip room and 2.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-50.

The Tiguan has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the CX-50 with its rear seat up (33.8 vs. 31.4 cubic feet). The Tiguan has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the CX-50 with its rear seat folded (69.8 vs. 56.3 cubic feet).

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Tiguan SEL’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The CX-50 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the CX-50 Premium Plus/Turbo/Hybrid Premium, the Tiguan SEL has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Tiguan SEL’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The CX-50 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

If the windows are left open on the Tiguan the driver can close all of them from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can also lower the windows the same way. The driver of the CX-50 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Tiguan to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The CX-50 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Tiguan’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mazda only offers heated mirrors on the CX-50 Preferred/Meridian/Premium/Turbo.

The Tiguan SEL has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the CX-50.

Compared to traditional radio, the Volkswagen Tiguan’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio is only offered on the CX-50 Premium/Turbo.

The Tiguan SEL’s Park Assist Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The CX-50 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Tiguan is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The CX-50 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Volkswagen Tiguan and the Mazda CX-50, based on reliability, safety and performance.