Mazda CX-5 vs Volkswagen Touareg
What's the difference?

Mazda CX-5

$37,240 - $56,150

2026 price

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Volkswagen Touareg

$59,990 - $107,990

2024 price

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Chery Tiggo 8 PRO MAX

Land Rover Discovery Sport

Mercedes-Benz EQ-Class

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Mercedes-Benz G63

Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

Mini Countryman

Mitsubishi ASX

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Mitsubishi Outlander

Mitsubishi Pajero

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

Summary

2026 Mazda CX-5

2024 Volkswagen Touareg

By Emily Agar

By Tom White

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Inline 4, 2.5L

Turbo V6, 3.0L

Fuel Type

Unleaded Petrol

Unleaded Petrol/Electric

Fuel Efficiency

7.4L/100km (combined)

3.3L/100km (combined)

Energy consumption

21.1 kWh/100km

Electric range

51 km

Battery capacity

17.90 kWh

Seating

Likes

Comfortable, dynamic drive
Practical family interior
Strong safety package

Technically very impressive
Luxurious interior
Absolutely packed with stuff

Dislikes

No hybrid option
Engine can feel sluggish
No rear charging ports

Disappointing ride quality
PHEV elements frustrating to use IRL
Limited appeal compared to other R models

2026 Mazda CX-5 Summary

The new-generation Mazda CX-5 is here, promising to be bigger, better and bolder, with fresh styling, sharper handling and more technology. But in a market where hybrid power is becoming increasingly hard to ignore, has Mazda left the CX-5 at a disadvantage? I’ve spent a week with the Evolve grade to find out for you.

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Interested in a Mazda CX-5?

2024 Volkswagen Touareg Summary

It’s big, it’s fast, it’s luxurious, Volkswagen’s Touareg has always been a stand-out large SUV.

This one, the full-fat R is the latest take on the halo Volkswagen model. It has big shoes to fill.

See, top-spec Touaregs in the past are hardly rivals to the Toyota LandCruisers and Hyundai Palisades of this world. They’re a different breed, with the first-generation Touareg powered by a variety of engines up to a 5.0-litre turbo-diesel V10, and the second-gen version packing petrol and diesel V8s in its upper levels.

They were the ultimate sleeper family SUV, ridiculous engines with rich VW Group lineage in a seemingly mainstream family-friendly package.

But this third-generation version can’t quite replicate the over-engined craziness of its predecessors. It has to think outside the box as emissions regulations crack down the world over.

This Touareg R is a plug-in hybrid. A performance-focused one at that. Can it hope to replicate the unhinged nature of its forebears and find an appropriate place atop the hierarchy of Volkswagen’s R models? Let’s find out.

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Deep dive comparison

2026 Mazda CX-5 2024 Volkswagen Touareg

Verdict

The Mazda CX-5 Evolve kicks some goals and with its comfortable on-road handling, robust safety equipment and practical interior, it’s still a solid choice for families looking for a mid-sized SUV. The only thing it’s missing is a hybrid powertrain, which would make this already well-rounded package even more compelling.

Verdict

A car as impressive as it is frustrating, the Touareg R is a vehicle for a very specific buyer. Someone whose daily commute consists of limited distances, someone who can always charge at home overnight and someone who appreciates the subtlety of the performance and luxury the Touareg brings.

For everyone else - there are better options. Performance-focused PHEVs can be tricky to charge and extract the full benefit from, and at this price you have access to some serious performance-oriented combustion SUVs or the choice of going fully electric.

While this R-badged VW might be the most mind-bending of the lot then, it also has the most 'specific' appeal.

Mazda CX-5 vs Volkswagen Touareg What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Mazda CX-5 vs Volkswagen Touareg
What's the difference?