Help Me Choose a $30k SUV Car: Volvo Vs Mazda Vs VW

Ljm888 on 22/05/2025 - 16:43
Last edited 22/05/2025 - 18:02 by 2 other users

Hi guys, I'm thinking of upgrading my car (Mazda 3 SP25 Astina) to a SUV ($30k-ish budget) and would like some inputs please. Apologise for the lengthy post.

I've shortlisted: 2022 CX5 turbo Akera AWD, 2018 Volvo XC40 T5 R-design/XC60 D5/T6 R-design and 2021 VW Tiguan All space 162TSI R-line

About myself: Long time Mazda 3 owner (my family and I have owned/still owning every single generation of Mazda 3). The car will be primarily used by my partner and I. We are either thinking of getting a SUV as a second car or selling the Mazda 3 (manual, hard to get a good price).

I've done some research and listed out the pros and cons of each car. Ideally, I'd like a reliable car with good resell value and affordable servicing cost.

CX5:
Pros: Reliable, cheap to run/maintain, sporty with direct steering, relatively easy to resell, stylish. Best feature: Walk-away auto-lock, matrix headlight. Factory warranty
Cons: Outdated interior, very similar to my Mazda 3. No touch screen on infotainment, no pano sunroof or full digital cluster. Thirsty on fuel

XC40/60:
Pros: Always wanted a Volvo, well-built known for its safety. Very stylish and spacious. Tons of tech. Best feature: Bowers & Wilkins/Harman Kardon sound system. Relatively fuel efficient. Has the performance (especially the XC60 T6)
Cons: Worried about resell value and servicing cost. Half screen Apple Carplay (though can be fixed through aftermarket kit). No matrix headlights or walk-away auto-lock. Air-con controlled through the laggy screen

Tiguan:
Pros: Factory warranty. More well known than the Volvo. Solid built with heaps of tech, including matrix headlights. The only one with 7 seats.
Cons: Concerned about the DSG, serving cost and resell value

I'd love to hear your thoughts. Dm is open if you prefer sharing more detailed thoughts. TIA

Poll Options Mon, 09/06/2025 - 00:00

  • 172
    Mazda CX5
  • 11
    Volvo XC40
  • 10
    Volvo XC60
  • 22
    Volkswagen Tiguan
Automotive Car Mazda SUV Volkswagen Volvo

Comments

    • retailsaver on 25/05/2025 - 13:11

      How much did you pay for the MG4 (i.e. did you wait for good deal (and was there one))?

      • UltimateAI on 25/05/2025 - 17:55
        +1

        Yes, just after they dropped the price by 25%, so base was under 30k drive away.
        Arguably better options now, but rear wheel drive, lots of fun to drive. Took a few drives to get my head around, no start \ stop buttons.
        Sit in the car (with the key) and it turns on, lock the doors and it turns off. Unless you park on a hill you don't even need to worry about the handbrake, on\off it does it for you.
        Heck my friends Tesla automatically changes between gears (drive, reverse) automatically.

        If your an aggressive driver this modern safety gear may annoy you, the good thing with the CX-5 is it's old school radar cruise control. it's not designed to prevent accidently, nice and simple.

  • Signet on 24/05/2025 - 13:17

    ZM Outlander?

  • happydude on 24/05/2025 - 15:58
    +2

    If you like the Tiguan also consider the Skoda Kodiaq.

    Built on the same platform but all the Skodas are made in Europe. The Tiguans are made anywhere with the cheapest quote: Mexico at the moment I think. They also have 7 year warranty after about MY21/22. The VWs are 5 year.

  • Jackson on 25/05/2025 - 01:04

    Where the none of the above option?

    There's a tonne of EV SUVs for sale that would fit the bill, and at least 2 that are available second hand in your budged (MG ZS EV and BYD Atto 3). Both these cars will be much cheaper to run, smoother and quieter, and more responsive off the mark.

    Whatever you do, don't buy a Volvo from that era. The motors have known issues with burning oil and run way too thin oil, I know people who've bought a car for 30k only to be up for a 25k motor in under a year. It's not on your list but same goes for Hyundai's, except you will only be up for 10k.

  • YoursTruly on 25/05/2025 - 08:43
    -5

    What are peeps smoking when saying avoid VW Tiguans?

    Tiguan’s (especially fully specced) are amazing and super reliable. German strong and smooth comfort luxury (when fully specced). Leather interiors recommended. Sunroof not necessary.

    The paint in German VW are also hard paint (long lasting) as opposed to Japanese Mazda (soft paint) - which fades and scratches much easily

    There is also an Tiguan/ VW SUV EV options, however I’m not familiar with them

    Op - don’t be afraid to spec up. It’s worth it in the long run.

    • Powershopz on 25/05/2025 - 14:00

      "Hey everyone! Check out my sick long lasting paint. It's in such good condition"

      Didn't you just spend $7K replacing your transmission after only 4 years?

      (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻

      • YoursTruly on 25/05/2025 - 14:52

        (╯°Д°)╯︵/(.□ . )

        ┬─┬ノ( º _ ºノ)

        Didn't you just spend $7K replacing your transmission after only 4 years?

        You must be referring to someone else.

        • Gesiet on 27/05/2025 - 07:37

          Probably me! We had our DSG gearbox replaced in our Tiguan after only 3 years. $8K. Fortunately a warranty job.

    • MS Paint on 25/05/2025 - 14:46

      Weren't you after a tent carport to avoid damage to your long lasting paint?

      • YoursTruly on 25/05/2025 - 14:54

        Yes I was and did

        Just because something is bullet proof and reliable, it does not mean it’s untouchable. It’s still requires care.

        Take care of your car, and it will take care of you.

      • YoursTruly on 25/05/2025 - 14:56

        Ms Paint

        long lasting paint

        username checks in 🥹

  • kaleidoscope on 25/05/2025 - 15:43
    +1

    I have a 21 tiguan allspace and its fun to drive and comfortable. So far it’s been quite alright. Had to replace headlight assembly for a fault in high beam under warranty.
    I really like the ergonomics and the practicality of where things are placed and size of compartments etc compared to some of the other cars i’d driven.

    Due to the way modern cars are assembled the repair works can be brutally expensive however (with any other car even) Specially if the parts have to be sourced from far away land such as germany, so keep that in mind.

    If you like the cx5 go with it. You can’t go wrong with those cars for reliability… i personally don’r like mazdas for their interior design, sound of engine and the infotainment systems seems like an afterthought. But these are personal preferences and not problems with the brand / car itself.

  • S Baldrick on 25/05/2025 - 16:53
    +2

    Any reason why you want an SUV in particular? Might be a bit overkill for just two people, IMO.

  • SanguinarySeraph on 25/05/2025 - 17:52
    +1

    Only real knock against the Mazda is the engine/performance, but they are generally reliable (similar to Toyota in that regard). And if you spec up/newer they’re a pretty nice place to be. This is definitely the choice if reliability/finances are the driving (sorry) factor.

    Volvos are nice but modern ones are notoriously complex, unreliable and expensive to maintain, even within the Euro subset. Run (don’t walk) from anything with a Turbo + Supercharger setup.

    A lot of hate for VW here but they’re generally ok if well maintained (big ? used) and there are definitely perishable parts that really shouldn’t be. That being said stay away from any dry clutch DSG and the Tiguan has a pretty horrible rep with frequent reports of major drivetrain issues.

    If you really want Euro/VW go Skoda or Cupra instead. They still share some issues, but Skoda generally better built/more reliable, cheaper to maintain. Cupra have the performance and personality - and they’ve depreciated hard enough you should be able to get a newish Formentor/Ateca with ok warranty.

  • TOKEN8 on 25/05/2025 - 20:54
    +2

    I've got a 2022 XC60 R-Design, it is an amazing car that drives amazingly well. My previous car was a Mazda 3 SP25 which was a great ride, but the Volvo is miles above the Mazda SUV's that I test drove.

  • acersaurus on 25/05/2025 - 20:56
    +2

    I would also consider the Subaru outback - it's not an SUV but does have some of the benefits of one, it's reliable and has superb safety credentials.

    Pay little attention to ANCAP - in the US there is an insurance oversight organization that publishes the deaths (adjusted for demographics) by car per million years of ownership. This data shows the Outback has just 3 deaths per million from a huge data pool of over 700,000 cars. it achieved similar (albeit not quite as good) in the IIHS studies before and after this one. It suggests you can reduce your chances of dying in a car accident to very little if using a Subaru outback.

    https://www.iihs.org/api/datastoredocument/status-report/pdf…

    • Euphemistic on 26/05/2025 - 05:21
      +1

      Subaru outback - it's not an SUV but does have some of the benefits of one

      Wha…? An outback is literally an original SUV style. A regular wagon jacked up to handle light offroad. A cross between a car and a 4wd.

      SUV has been so blurred that virtually everything is called an SUV these days.

    • Gesiet on 27/05/2025 - 07:40

      Or a Forester! We’re replacing our Tiguan, and the top spec Forester is the leading contender. Luxurious inside, so comfortable to drive (like Tiguan), roomy and reliable! I really liked Outback too, but a little big for our needs.

  • RocketSwitch on 26/05/2025 - 23:52

    Kia Carnival.

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