Compact SUV Comparison: Volkswagen Tiguan v Mazda CX-5 v Hyundai Tucson

It's not easy to please the whole family when it comes to buying a new car. Firstly, it needs enough space and be comfortable for the whole tribe. Secondly, it has to be safe. And then there's the latest gizmos and gadgets. And, maybe a little bit of sportiness in how it drives. Oh, and it shouldn't be expensive to buy or run.

It seems like an impossible concoction of attributes, yet it is being solved almost everyday by the seemingly endless number of SUVs that are spawning to become Australia's most popular form of family transport.

The newest soft roader is the second-generation Volkswagen Tiguan, which arrives in showrooms this month and comes with claims from the German brand that it re-sets some key benchmarks in the compact SUV segment.

It's bigger than before, better value than ever, loaded with the latest safety tech and creature comforts and offered with a wider choice of models. But is it any better than the most popular models already on sale?

To answer that question, we've put the mid-level Tiguan up against similarly-specced rivals – mid-range variants with all-wheel drive and automatic transmissions - in the Mazda CX-5 and Hyundai Tucson.

Hyundai Tucson

The South Korean car maker has found a purple patch and become one of the country's favourite brands on the strength of good cars like the latest-generation Tucson.

Our test car is a limited edition model created to celebrate the company's 30th anniversary of arriving in Australia, blending the trim level of the Active X (which costs from $31,150 (plus on-roads) with the mechanical set-up of the higher grade Elite that nudges close to the $40k barrier.

So, although there are only 300 units of the Tucson 30 available (each costing $37,750 and featuring unique paint, lightweight 19-inch alloy wheels and a unique rear bumper with twin exhaust outlets), it is representative of what the mainstream models offer in competition to the CX-5 and Tiguan.

Apart from the unique birthday bits, the Tucson comes equipped with fake leather trim, air conditioning, keyless entry and 7.0-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring.

On the safety front, it has six airbags, a reverse camera, rear-parking sensors and it's the only one here with a full-size spare. But the latest electronic driver aids are reserved exclusively for the range-topping Highlander variant which costs from $45,450 (plus on-roads).

Under the bonnet is a 1.6-litre turbo charged four cylinder engine that drives all-four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Despite having the smallest capacity here, it's on par with the others in terms of maximum outputs with 130kW and 265Nm.

In the real world, it's a cracker of an engine that feels the most energetic of this trio off the mark, revs swiftly through its mid-range and cruises effortlessly at highway speeds. But it has to work harder and is penalised with the highest fuel consumption. Hyundai claims it consumes an average of 7.7L/100km but we saw just over double digits on our test loop which included suburban roads and a lengthy freeway stint.

The Tucson scores points back in the way it drives as Hyundai's suspension tuning program is showcased in just how compliant it is on local roads. It is easily the most comfortable of this trio yet still enjoyable and surefooted through the bends.

There's also good space in the back seat, the boot is big enough to handle most family activities, it's quiet on the road and it feels solidly put together even if the overall presentation of the cabin and the quality of materials aren't as fancy as the Mazda and Volkswagen.

While the multi media system misses out on sat nav as standard it is available through the smartphone mirroring applications, but we experienced a multitude of bugs – including the audio disappearing after hanging up from a phone call or diverting all the sound to the far left speaker – that were annoying.

But, all in all, the Tucson is a great package.

Mazda CX-5 Maxx Sport

Even though a new, second-generation CX-5 is just around the corner (it's due to be revealed at the LA motor show in November before arriving in local showrooms early next year) Mazda has given the current model a slight tweak to keep it competitive, primarily against the Tiguan.

The update includes the standard fitment of the safety pack that includes automated city braking, blind spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert which was previously available as a $1230 option. Yet, despite the extra gear, prices have come down, with our mid-level Maxx Sport variant falling by $530 to become the most affordable in this comparison with a starting price of $36,490 (plus on-road costs).

Beyond the safety gear, which is supported by six airbags, the CX-5 is fitted with 17-inch alloys, cloth interior trim, dual-zone climate control and a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with sat nav, Bluetooth and integrated apps such as Pandora and Stitcher.

The CX-5 is powered by a naturally-aspirated 2.5-litre four cylinder that produces 138kW and 250Nm and drives all four wheels through a conventional torque-converter automatic with six gears. Despite its larger capacity, Mazda claims the CX-5 consumes an average of 7.5L/100km which isn't far off the 8.3L/100km reading we measured after our test loop.

While the engine doesn't have the low-down pulling power of its turbo-charged rivals, in the real world it still feels strong enough and willing to propel the CX-5 around without too much fuss, whether it is around town or out on the open road. By virtue of its configuration, it has a more linear power delivery that comes alive with higher engine speeds but it never feels strained even at low revs and it works harmoniously with its smooth shifting automatic.

It fits in well with the overall character of the car, which has a nice balance between everyday comfort and an underlying sportiness. It doesn't quite have the suppleness of the Hyundai over bumps, but it's only the sharpest of corrugations that jar through the cabin. The steering is the best here with a consistent feel across the ratio and it has the most dynamic suspension set-up through the corners.

One of the biggest gripes we still have with the CX-5 is how much louder it is than the others when transferring road noise into the cabin. It's not a complete deal breaker, but it is noticeable. And if it's an issue, then it may pay to wait for the new model, particularly if the bigger CX-9 is any indication of how Mazda has taken big strides in improving this area.

Also, the cabin isn't quite as spacious as the Hyundai and Volkswagen, especially in the rear where occupants don't have as much legroom. The boot is also marginally smaller, but will still cope with most everyday activities.

But the rest of the package is nicely presented with comfortable front seats, a flexible 40:20:40 split folding rear seat, good quality materials and a logical layout to the controls and instruments.

In the end, it's easy to see why the CX-5 is Australia's most popular compact SUV. It doesn't excel at any particular area, but it is consistently good at everything.

Volkswagen Tiguan 132TSI

There are big expectations for the second-generation Tiguan – and for good reason. Volkswagen hasn't been a big player in the SUV segment as the original model was smaller and yet more expensive than its rivals. And it was getting on a bit too in terms of technology.

The new model changes all of that as it is, firstly, larger in every dimension and packed with the latest gadgets and, by virtue of that combination, is better value than before.

The mid-spec 132TSI Comfortline we're testing still commands a premium over most of the competitors, including the Mazda and Hyundai, with a starting price of $41,490 (plus on-road costs). But it picks up extra niceties such as three-zone climate control, folding tables on the backrests for rear-seat occupants and a rear bench that can slide and recline for extra comfort. Otherwise, it rides on 17-inch alloys, has cloth interior trim and an 8.0-inch colour touchscreen with sat nav, Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring.

From  a safety perspective, it has seven airbags, a pop-up bonnet, automated emergency braking, lane departure warning, reverse camera and is the only vehicle here with automated parking assistance. Our test car was also fitted with the optional Driver Assistance Package that adds radar cruise control, rear traffic and side blind zone alerts as well as a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument display.

Under the bonnet, it is powered by the 2.0-litre four cylinder turbo petrol engine that is widely used across the Volkswagen group. In the Tiguan, it produces 132kW and sets the benchmark for torque with a healthy 320Nm on tap from just 1500rpm while driving all four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

As is the case with most Volkswagens, the powertrain has been tuned to maximise fuel economy than play to the engine's strong mid-range pulling power and, in its default drive mode, it quickly shuffles through to the higher gears making it feel somewhat dull in comparison to the others.

You can call upon its torque advantage for quick getaways or overtaking at highway speeds, but it needs to be provoked with a big lunge on the throttle. But that doesn't help its fuel consumption, which is claimed to be the most efficient of this trio at 7.4L/100km and was replicated over our test with a reading just on 8.0L/100km.

On the road, the Tiguan isn't quite as relaxed as the Hyundai nor is it as sporty as the CX-5. But it is a well-rounded package with a definitive European flavour that sits flat and feels surefooted through the corners but rides just a little sharper over the bumps. The steering is also a little too light and doesn't feel as natural as the Mazda.

But it does have a lot of wow factor from anywhere within the cabin as it has the most premium ambience of this trio with comfortable seats, top-quality materials, good storage space and the easiest multi media system to navigate around. The fully digital dash is pretty cool too, and something none of its rivals can match.

There's also the most space in the rear and it easily has the biggest boot.

The second-generation Tiguan is a massive step-up on its predecessor and a worthy rival in this ultra-competitive segment. But is the new benchmark?

Verdict

There are no losers here as all three are great examples of the compact SUV. But they all reach the same point through different strengths, so ranking them depends on your preference.

The Hyundai is well packaged, has the most comfortable suspension and it's owernship credentials are unmatched in this trio, but the bugs we experienced in the multi media system are annoying, the quality of the materials are still not up to the same level and access to the latest safety features only comes in the top-spec Highlander that costs more than the others.

The Volkswagen, on the other hand, is the classiest of this trio in terms of its presentation, and comes available with technology not offered on the Hyundai or Mazda, but its automatic is still a little jerky, the ride is sharper than the other two and it costs more.

That leaves the CX-5 as the Goldilocks option. It's not perfect as it doesn't have as much space in the back seat and it is still afflicted by road noise on rough surfaces, but it feels just as well built as the Tiguan, the powertrain is smooth and efficient, it's as comfy as it is sporty to drive and it now comes with the latest safety gear for the least money here. You can't argue with that…

Hyundai Tucson 30 pricing and specifications

Price: $37,750 (plus on-road costs)

Engine: 1.6-litre four cylinder turbo petrol

Power: 130kW at 5500rpm

Torque: 265Nm at 1500-4500rpm

Transmission: 7-spd dual-clutch automatic, AWD

Fuel use: 7.7L/100km

Mazda CX-5 Maxx Sport pricing and specifications

Price: $36,490 (plus on-road costs)

Engine: 2.5-litre four cylinder petrol

Power: 138kW at 5700rpm

Torque: 250Nm at 4000rpm

Transmission: 6-spd automatic, AWD

Fuel use: 7.4L/100km

Volkswagen Tiguan 132TSI pricing and specifications

Price: $41,490 (plus on-road costs)

Engine: 2.0-litre four cylinder turbo petrol

Power: 132kW at 3900-6000rpm

Torque: 320Nm at 1500-3940rpm

Transmission: 7-spd dual-clutch automatic, AWD

Fuel use: 7.5L/100km

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