Car and Driver - USA (2020-05)

supportive. They’re appropriate in

an interior that’s so businesslike, it’s

almost spartan. Even that starkness

adds to the hot-hatch vibe. The info-

tainment screen is reasonably large and

operates in a straightforward manner,

and there are volume and tuning knobs

for the audio system.

Volkswagen’s journey to under-

standing American tastes has been

ObZ]f ObaVaμ` QR¼ [VaRYf\[aUR _VTUa

road with this latest Tiguan. It’s sized

right, dressed for success, and blessed

with the driver-friendly DNA of the

company’s best cars. That’s why it’s the

salutatorian of this class.

1st Place: The Mazda

Once again, the 10 Best-winning CX- 5

emerges on top, and once again, the

story is quality over quantity. Based

solely on the objective results, the CX- 5

would be dead last, but the data doesn’t

QR¼[RT_RNa[R``6aμ`aUR`bOWRPaVcRPNa-

egories—its design, interior materials, and driving charac-

ter—that propel the Mazda into the winner’s circle.

The CX- 5 is special from the moment you climb in. Sleek

shapes, delicate brightwork, and top-grade materials give

you the sense that this crossover comes from a luxury brand

rather than a mainstream automaker. Attention is paid to

every detail. The shifter moves with expensive precision, the

classic white-on-black gauge faces on the cluster are crisp,

and the steering wheel is upscale. It’s also the only wheel of

chassis, which encourage you to dig into two-lanes—
aU\bTU VaV\ZRaVZRaVßYRTTRQ [ b[RcR[ ]NcR-
ment. The engine hums expensively. It was the quietest
NadVQR]R[aU_\aaYRN[QaURZ`aR¼[RQ\SaURT\b]
The Tiguan also lives up to its family responsibilities.
It has plenty of rear kneeroom, and only the CR-V hauls
more boxes with the rear seat folded. The VW’s leather-
P\cR_RQRNaN_RNZ[TaUR¼_ZR`adRμcRR[P\b[aR_RQ
in a long time, but they’re nonetheless comfortable and

58 *These objective scores are calculated from the vehicles’ dimensions, capacities, rebates and extras, and/or test results.

FINAL

RESULTS

Maximum points available

1. Mazda CX-5


2. Volkswagen Tiguan


3. Honda CR-V


4. Toyota RAV4


5. Subaru Forester


6. Ford Escape

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Volkswagen Tiguan

Plus Go-for-it handling, refined

engine, generous cargo space.

Minus Cabin might be a little

too minimalist for some, hits

the bumps harder than most.

Equals VW finally builds a broad-

appeal crossover that also

honors the brand’s sporty side.