2022 Volkswagen Taos vs. Mazda CX-30 - POV Comparison

[@henryblack323]

Always Mazda because I like their quality and their elegant interior. Also Mazda's car design is so elegant like flowing water.

[@esparda07]

Very true. Both the exterior and interior quality are way ahead the competitors in the same price range.

[@BoopSnoot]

Taos is like a high fiber vegan diet, large, visually bulky, and solid. Mazda is like feeding a dog prodigious amounts of chocolate, explosively fluid.

[@raygun1414]

Mazda is just miles ahead in terms of luxury and class. It's like comparing a middle schooler and a college student lol

[@jv6miata]

I loved my 4th Gen Mazda3. The interior makes it feel like you're not driving rather than the Taos. It's way more comfortable and the fit and finish is top notch.

[@zachlacomb378]

Thanks so much for reviewing one of these, you really delivered well

[@P4SDetails]

One of my most beloved cars was a Mazda 626, so I have always been a bit Mazda bias. Now, my awesome wife drives an Atlas and it has given me a new appreciation for VW. I couldn’t decide who to root for in this mashup.

[@P4SDetails]

@@xxk4rilsxx just went out and checked. It has 24K and running amazing. Do you mind if I ask what is falling apart? Which year? Which motor?

[@luisvaldez3693]

You just sould wait for the cx 50

[@P4SDetails]

@@luisvaldez3693 on paper, it looks pretty epic.

[@Dubdubs16]

I miss my 929 that rwd beast.

[@SilentTrip]

I like the space and interior of VW, but I trust Mazda'a quality more

[@stapletonwill]

I own a taos and test drove the NA and turbo CX30. Felt like the space for my legs was too small in the CX30 and it had a lot of body roll compared to the Taos. You can floor the Taos through a left turn and it stays flat.

[@rafaeljuarez1522]

I chosed the Taos just because the space in the backseat and trunk, and I liked the exterior better and I can't say is a very nice car to have if you have a small family and or you want a compact SUV feeling but you live in a major city.

[@lukeheffernan]

I'm a diehard VW fan but I'd go with the Mazda.

[@ultimatesportstv1555]

I've never heard anyone say they are a die hard VW fan.

[@tricia154]

@@ultimatesportstv1555 GTI/Golf Type R have a lot of die hard fans, not sure what other vehicles could do it lol.

[@lukeheffernan]

@@ultimatesportstv1555 Really? Hahaha. I’d say VW has one of the highest brand loyalties. VW, Audi, Porsche, etc.

[@ultimatesportstv1555]

@@lukeheffernan Lmao. This guy tryna compare a VW to a Porsche 🤡

[@lukeheffernan]

@@ultimatesportstv1555 You realize VW makes Porsche, right?

[@theconformist2399]

Good points on both cars. Also, I recall that you said y’all are considering getting a Toyota Highlander to replace the CX-30. Just curious, but why not the CX-5 or CX-9 instead?

[@angusp5515]

CX-9 would be a better choice over the highlander

[@alh06]

@@angusp5515 Not really, in every other way but driving dynamics the Highlander does the job better for families.

[@angusp5515]

@@alh06 the new highlander feels cheap, very thin doors and plastic inside. CX-9 feels solid with a better dynamics even though its older design. Highlander may have little more space but thats all.

[@alh06]

@@angusp5515 I doesn't feel cheap, and actually feels well made, and in higher trims compares somewhat to an RX. Thin door cards maximize cargo and passenger space

[@ΧρήστοςΔενέχεισημασία]

Honestly i would prefer the Mazda just for reliability alone. Not saying VW is a bad manufacturer, BUT, both the engine and the transmission have inherent disadvantages: The engine is turbocharged, therefore less reliable by nature, and the gearbox is dual clutch, meaning, again, less reliable, especially if used heavily in city traffic. The VW will prove more expensive in the long run. Also, while i definitely like the bigger screens on the VW, they look more impressive initially, at the end of the day they are just distractions, you don't really need them, you need eyes on the road instead. Instead, i prefer my money to go to the nice leather interiors of the Mazda, and its ergonomics.

[@gns942]

CX-30 all day any day. The Taos is a VW, so expect it to be in the shop regularly until it has a catastrophic failure out of warranty. VW has really, really watered their brand down with cheap junk, which is a shame because they used to have pretty decent, solid cars that may not have been Toyota reliable, but weren't pieces of trash like the Taos.

[@MegaNinjaMonkeyZord]

In Europe they sell under like 4 brands globaly more so big chance they will fool someone more than once If not they calculated that its better to sell overpriced trash once than sell good car at low profit margin and hope that customer will like it enough to not won't switch to Korean Japanese American French and now Chinese offer because its cheaper or cooler

[@DoSum4Me]

We had a 20' Tiguan and drove it 40k in 6 months and never had a single issue until we traded it for a new Odyssey. My best friend had a 17' Golf that she drove the crap out of till 110k and didn't have any issues and never went to the shop. Tho I will say Mazda is better. But imo VW isn't as bad as you make them seem. I will say every automaker has problematic vehicles. Toyotas reliability has gone downhill over the past 5-10 years.

[@jbm0866]

I can't totally disagree since I used to own a 2016 GTI that develop numerous niggling small issues, but nothing show stopping. VW's are puzzling to me..they appear and feel solidly built, yet tend to develop rattles and quality control/material issues after they get a little age/mileage. Engine and trans were rock solid the entire time I had the GTI, yet VW's cost cutting became apparent in the form of a soft, weak windshield, moonroof frame that developed hairline fractures for no apparent reason, infotainment system that would randomly freak out or go black screen, and wheels that are far too easy to bend on moderate potholes most cars can hit with no issues. Having said that, I can't say it ever left me stranded...and thats the most important thing.

[@gns942]

@@jbm0866 It comes down to VW hell bent on doing extra cost cutting on the materials that you don't see and touch on a regular basis, or that you won't run into until a few years later. VW is especially guilty of this on their North American models.

[@jbm0866]

@@gns942 Yes, that's why I sold my GTI this past June and took delivery of a 2021 Mazda 3 turbo hatch in July. I mean if you're good with doing your own wrenching, have a decent set of tools and the space to work on your own vehicles...VW's can be great and last quite a while, but thats a pretty narrow percentage of the population.

[@BoopSnoot]

I really wanted a Taos for my daughter, but everyone says that DCT or 8-speed it doesn't matter both are SUPER laggy on takeoff.

[@iamthedutchbro]

So excited for the HR-V redesign.

[@Mulovita]

I was cross shopping between these and I'm very happy I went with Taos. It drives great, if you know how to drive. I think for the typical North American driver it might be an issue tho. The interior too, it's so clean, open, and very PRACTICAL, and as far as actual features you need and use (not whether some out of way surfaces you never use and touch are plastic or soft something), everything is there and much more. Also with adaptive cruise control and lane assist, it's semi self-driving which is real nice in annoying traffic or longer highway trips.

[@katiecannon8186]

I have an mk8 GTI. And VW really is doing a good job on their driver’s assistance. My son has the Mazda 3. They’re both great cars. But, of course, I love my GTI more 😅 Personally, I’d always take the GTI over the Taos. I’d also take the 3 over the Taos. Americans are nuts for thinking we need monster sized cars.

[@MrMeoow91]

I love how only Mazda still have a 2.5L NA engine. Everyone else is doing Turbo small 1.5L.

[@guidosarduci6664]

The Mazda CX30 in its turbo version is the way to go. It will absolutely destroy the TAOS in the performance arena. The interior of the Mazda is much better feel, fit and quality than the TAOS. The CX30 Turbo is a drivers vehicle. We chose the CX30 turbo premium over a TAOS SEL.

[@sjnavaid]

we got a good lease deal on the taos, doing pretty good so far

[@chocolatewheelchair]

What are the lease numbers and what trim did you get?

[@sjnavaid]

@@chocolatewheelchair we got the mid level se for 403 a month 0 down

[@chocolatewheelchair]

@@sjnavaid that’s not even bad deal

[@deepaksubramony5438]

FWD or AWD version?

[@sjnavaid]

@@deepaksubramony5438 awd

[@vincento1067]

After comparing multiple models in this segment. My wife and I went with the Mazda CX30 Turbo Premium. After owning it now for 2 months this vehicle is well built, quiet, solid and fun to drive. The fit and finish is outstanding for this class. I am averaging per the computer 28.7 MPG. How? I keep my foot out of the turbo until I really need it. Put the CX30 on your test drive list.

[@AndreThompson925]

Sorry to comment again, but you are saying the same things about VW and Mazda as I am. I traded in my 2019 GLI for a Mazda3 Turbo because honestly, the Mazda fells more like what VW USED to be, and VW kind of seems to be like what Mazda was. Both manufacturers seem to be going in different directions, and perhaps in directions they WANT to be going in. I'm not a fan of what VW is doing, and I've owned 15 of them.

[@chocolatewheelchair]

What’s the main difference

[@ionebae9157]

I love Mazdas - they are fun to drive, stylish, and have very premium-feeling interiors. Unfortunately, they have horribly cramped backseats and poor rearward visibility. I have a current gen Mazda3 hatchback and while I love my car, if it weren't for the blind spot monitoring I would've already gotten into about 10 car accidents by now. The technology is also starting to feel outdated - no touch screen, no USB-C chargers, and no wireless Apple carplay/Android auto... I would have to go with the Volkswagen Taos just for the spaciousness of the backseat and trunk, and overall better technology. It is a more conventional-feeling, less powerful, and more boring car.... but more practical too.

[@ΧρήστοςΔενέχεισημασία]

I don't understand your comment. Mazda's technology is not outdated, if anything, VW is outdated. Its internal combustion engines and gearboxes are old, inefficient, and not very reliable longer term. Mazda's engines are more efficient without relying on turbo chargers (except america-only turbo versions), and more reliable in NA forms. The torque converter automatic is also far more reliable as well. Sure, you don't get an ipad fixed on the dash, this doesn't make it outdated. You don't need an ipad while driving. If you actually know the roads you are on and you don't need gps directions, you don't really need a screen at all. Wireless smartphone connection? Cables are still fine (i think Apple is wireless in current year models). In the end, those are minor details. When you buy a car, the technology of the car, is what moves the car, not the ipad on the dash or the type of the usb ports... You can get adaptors for those FFS....

[@ionebae9157]

@@ΧρήστοςΔενέχεισημασία Okay, but I wasn't talking about the engine...

[@Cichlid_Visuals]

imagine wasting a 7 speed DCT on a 1.5 liter 150 horsepower crap factory and THEN paying the repair bill on it when it craps out on you immediately after the powertrain warranty is up. well played VW

[@ΧρήστοςΔενέχεισημασία]

This. Most people don't realise how fragile DCTs are, all of them break if used too much especially in stop/start city traffic. DCTs are great in sportscars when you need the fastests shifts and you only use them as weekend toys, for daily drivers they are very unreliable. Mazda with torque converters and NA engines are bullet proof.

[@Mulovita]

It's just amazing reading how for N Americans, their VWs fall apart fast, so unreliable and cost a fortune to repair, yet all around the world, like in Europe, China, that are their much much bigger markets they are perfectly fine... and are in fact the no. 1 best selling brand worldwide.

[@Cichlid_Visuals]

Yes, because VW purposely screws the american market with made in Mexico garbage, and lies it's way through the environmental protection agency to sell us 2nd rate diesels. We don't the solid, reliable euros that you guys are blessed with. Enjoy that, because if you come to the United States u will find that VW is not the same here.

[@RichardVac]

The Taos 4MOTION DCT is pretty peppy on sports mode, the hp is 154 but it has 184 pft more than the Mazda and did you know it has launch control? Press the brake pedal all the way dawn and press the gas all the way down, but first disable the traction control from the settings, put it on S mode let go of the brake and it will take off like a real sports car, I clocked my Taos using LC at 6.9 seconds, at sea level and using 91 or 93 octane gas I bet it will leave the Mazda CX30 In the dust. The 4MOTION model is a better handling vehicle because it has 4 wheel independent suspension with coil links, the dynamics on a twisty back road is better than the FWD. Raddle in the back not sure what that is on that car because I do not have that problem on my Taos and it's bery quite, except for the tire noise on bumps

[@BaBaYaga1999-p7u]

Great comparison. Would love to see the CX-30 turbo model in comparison, although it would only fare better i think.

[@SniperCommando4]

great review! would love to hear your thoughts on the volvo xc40 recharge if you can get your hands on one :)

[@andrec3697]

Mazda for sure. Mazda is ahead and much more reliable.

[@mashndrow]

I'm waiting for VW R right now with the real topher

[@TheTopher]

Coming soon!

[@jeffgroves4533]

Vw please!

[@Luciano-IL]

good video but u forget to mention that vw cost more...5000 $ it a big deal these days...

[@wauwau1]

Although this VW looks very stylish and modern I'd still prefer the Mazda simply cuz it somehow reminds me of a porsche

[@zachlacomb378]

Vw is Porsche which is ironic

[@zachlacomb378]

The Mazda is a little tight for me and some of the annoyances are well annoying, the Taos has a little wiper for the reverse camera. I just feel like the taos and vw thought about more stuff than Mazda did, and the fun to drive nature is in the taos and not the mazda, I thought the Mazda was it when buying my first car but once I sat in it I hated, I’m biased but I own a Taos for my first car which the best car I’ve ever could have imagined, it’s quick fun to drive and it gets good gas mileage with all the vw tech, the fwd version rides horribly the handling sucks but the awd handles amazing

[@tomlaucn]

is CX-5 quieter or CX-30?

[@AmitojdeepSinghBrar]

CX 30 I quiet on highway but the rear gets noisier than CX 5 around the town due to torsion beam suspension

[@jbm0866]

I think either of these would be a great choice if a lifted hatchback is what you're looking for. Having said that, I prefer the lower slung cars both are based on...and I say this as a previous owner of a 2016 GTI SE that I sold this past June, and took delivery of a 2021 Madza 3 turbo premium hatch in late july. I loved the GTI, but there were signs beginning to show me exactly why VW's in general arent good long term vehicles unless you have basic mechanical knowledge, a good set of tools and enough garage/driveway space to do most of your own maintenance repairs after it reaches 4-5 years of age and approaching 70k miles. I'm a condo dweller and have none of those things...just a single car garage that wouldnt fit a longbed full size truck or SUV. The GTI never had a catastrophic failure that left me stranded, but there were numerous little annoyances that became a bit too much. The Mazda on the other hand has been great so far, but so was the GTI in the first year or so. It definitely is more cozy than the GTI (just like the CX-30 vs Taos) but it's just me and my girlfriend most of the time..and I enjoy driving it just as much as the GTI. The Mazda has more power and torque..but doesnt neccesarily feel faster because of the 6 speed auto versus the 6 speed DSG in the VW which I liked the feel of quite a bit. (use the paddles in town, no jerkiness) Really the only bad thing I can say about my Mazda is the near complete lack of rear visibilty which does take some getting used to. The rearview mirror is pretty useless unless you need to inspect the rear headrests..and thats no joke😂 The handling may not be quite as sharp as the GTI, but it's fine for my needs. The Mazda turbo is just as fun to take out on a winding road on a quiet Sunday morning...and unless you're coming from something with 350+ HP and loads of torque..you'll never be wanting for enough power to make a safe pass on a two lane country road. Oh, and the best part is the peace of mind knowing I'm now driving a Japanese car...and Mazda has made great reliability strides in recent years.

[@paranromallover4543]

I still don't trust turbo engines and would never buy one. Sure they may have better acceleration and be more fun in the short term but a naturally aspirated engine is still gonna be more reliable in the long term. So i would go for mazda non-turbo anyday.

[@kevinyeh8891]

I don't know, I'm sure turbo engines can be reliable.

[@jmanstuck]

A turbo is just a lot more of borrowed time parts.

[@ΧρήστοςΔενέχεισημασία]

@@kevinyeh8891 Depends on your definition of reliable. ALL turbo engines have a shorter lifespan, regardless of manufacturer. It is just the nature of the tech. It is going to fail sooner than a NA engine on average. Also, most of the time they don't really save too much fuel as well. They are just a sinister way to promote planned obsolesence on cars and make manufacturers richer.

[@noobwow2009]

Mazda never lose on the internet but these supporter change their mind when they actually shop around. Space is one of the most important and yet most hidden factor . You can’t feel it from the video. I was trying to get the CX30 or Mazda 3 hatchback but the moment I sit in the front and back, my mind immediately tell me nope. Too suppressing and feel so trapped lol. I really like the 6AT but the handling is not as excited as the internet said. I end up buying the 2022 civic hatchback. The 11th gen civic handling really blow Mazda away. You gotta test drive both. lol. Hope I don’t get issues with the CVT🥲

[@chocolatewheelchair]

Truth.

[@ΧρήστοςΔενέχεισημασία]

Most people aren't too tall or too fat. Sure, if you are very big, or need a taxi for big adults in the back, the CX30 may feel small. But it is more than enough for most people. You seem to be american, you fit the stereotype of soccer moms driving solo in their humongous SUVs of 5+ meter length and 2+ ton weight just to shop some bread... LOL.

[@shatner99]

Cx30 gt is near the Audi q3?

[@HughRussell06]

Out of these I’d take the CX-30 (because it’s the more premium car, by a good margin), though it’d be interesting to see the CX-30 compared with the VW T-Roc which we get in Australia and Europe

[@WoolyBlubber]

its the more premium? Mazda interior is crap material. Shit rubs off over time and loosens to a squeaky mess. Idk how you can consider the crap transmission on the mazda as premium.

[@Buick_GSX]

The Taos would be good if it was a T-Roc or actual compact crossover, or even just the regular european Tiguan instead. But nope, VWoA had to attach the aisin automatic to FWD models, redesign the styling, and give the FWD models torsion beam rear suspension. I love Volkswagen but I'm still extremely disappointed with the direction VWoA has been taking in these last 5-6 years. I get that they wanted the pricepoint to be lower than the european tiguan, but I really think the Taos should at least have VW's plug in hybrid system that most VWs have in Europe, the 1.4TSI with the eHybrid system.

[@Katiemtz099]

They got rid of the Passat to focus more on the I.D.

[@woodstocknun]

how did you get two cars, to a remote car park, but you are the only one in the video. are you a car magician?

[@rrange]

I have owned many Japanese brands like Lexus and Infiniti as well as Mercedes and bmw and my cx30 is as quiet as those makes, it’s super quiet on the road and freeway. It’s soft touch everywhere and everything. The vw is all hard touch plastic and road noise galore.

[@Katiemtz099]

I LOVE euro cars, but I do like the Mazda has a turbo

[@Bacon12954]

Just can't justify another Mazda. On the surface, they seem well built and nice to drive. However, when things start breaking you realize it's insanely cheaply made.

[@AndreThompson925]

I have to say, the Mazda3 Hatchback seemed to have a tad more back seat space, at the cost of trunk space. It was actually a reason I went with the Mazda3 (that and doing everything I can to NOT buy another SUV/CUV).

[@ionebae9157]

The current gen Mazda3 hatchback has a horribly cramped backseat... I have one and it's my biggest complaint about the car. That, and the terrible blind spots

[@AndreThompson925]

@@ionebae9157 I couldn't agree more. My kid was so uncomfortable in there That was a big factor. It's a shame because the infotainment and normal driving experience is really good. But It just didn't like being pushed hard. My previous MK7 GLI and GTI were so much better on a backroad. And none of them compare to my new car, a 2022 Miata Club.

[@leecanon]

Should’ve compared the 30 Turbo with the Taos

[@Brian-iv5pz]

Mazda for sure. VW suck. Lmao 😂

[@dnoanoa]

I test drove a Mazda and the performance was awesome. The seat, however, was too narrow and tight - I felt like I was in a vise. Not comfortable at all. Sorry to say it was a deal killer for me. Visibility isn't great, either. I really wanted to love it, but I didn't.

[@pitmie]

Mazda is not great when it comes to interior size, their cars always aren't as spacious comparing to other makes esp the VW. Like the Mazda 3, the design really gets my attention but looking at its interior space esp legroom space at the back which is pretty tight, it turned me off.

[@zachlacomb378]

I like the Mazda but the visibility was really bad, too hard to see around me and it didn’t have the fun to drive nature, I felt like it was boring but that’s just me

[@BrianUchiha1]

A lot of Mazda fan boys 🤣😂🤣 the sun roof alone on the Taos wrecks the Mazdas interior.

[@Calwinn]

You get an SUV like this for its utility. The Mazda's interior space is so ridiculously small.

[@mdayeh9712]

Love the review and love both cars but neither one of them offer a dealer installed rear hitch for bike racks!!

[@A._J_.]

mazda: cramped interior, ugly analog gauges and floating tablet infotainment screen. no thanks.

[@RealKevGotEm]

Why is Mazda keep getting compared to these mainstream companies

[@bobbyjeff32]

Mazda is pretty big, their parent company is Toyota

[@RealKevGotEm]

@@bobbyjeff32 which Toyota sucks now 😂 before they benchmarked BMW what happened

[@bobbyjeff32]

@@RealKevGotEm I think they are trying to get their higher paying customers to buy Lexus, I also think that BMW is actually currently building the fastest Toyota.

[@Steven-en6uu]

I'm biased but could VW possibly add any more superfluous crap onto their car?

[@powertools2375]

I made the mistake of buying a Taos. Biggest pos. Had to dump it at a huge loss

[@SFic87]

Mazda.❤

[@mattalki]

The Taos is screaming for a manual transmission.

[@victorfranco5298]

Siempre Mazda. Mucho mejor

[@ALEX20hoc]

Tiguan>CX-5>Taos

[@sandsmarc]

And the fun factor goes WAY WAY up if you opt for the cx-30 Turbo. I wouldn’t even consider a normally aspirated Cx-30. The Turbo is a different, and much better car.

[@hstaff3336]

Mazda interior design is more Porsche-like than VW! How is that possible??

[@BLVCKxvSCVLE]

my cx30 feels like I'm just floating across the road

[@stagm3]

Just don’t like the look and feel of Mazda

[@dlhfm4281]

that VW motor belongs in a base civic. 150hp to pull a large amount of cargo and passengers is nothing. why do car manufacturers tune their engines to be complete pieces of shit.

[@RichardVac]

Not so, the Taos 4MOTION I have is pretty peppy, I clocked it at 7.4 seconds 0-60 doing L control

[@iTw1ns]

damn dog you slurpin mazdis

[@jiwonseosuperwhy1170]

Volkswagen is best!

[@mustasheolll2020]

The vw is ugly so Mazda