Last updated: 2026-03-28
Mazda CX-30 vs Volkswagen Taos: Reliability Compared
Mazda CX-30
Volkswagen Taos
Choosing between the Mazda CX-30 and the Volkswagen Taos? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two compact suvs.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Volkswagen Taos currently leads with an average score of 69/100 compared to 66/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Mazda CX-30 and Volkswagen Taos Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Volkswagen Taos is more reliable than the Mazda CX-30, scoring 69/100 vs 66/100.
The Volkswagen Taos edges out the Mazda CX-30 in reliability, with a slightly higher average reliability score of 69/100 compared to 66/100 for the CX-30. The Taos also has a significantly lower owner complaint rate of 0.6 per 10,000 sold, whereas the CX-30 experiences more frequent issues, reflected in its 5.7 complaints per 10,000 vehicles. While both models face common issues with their engines and electrical systems, the Taos has had fewer total recalls over a comparable timeframe, suggesting a more consistent track record. Overall, the Taos presents a more reliable choice for consumers in the compact SUV segment.
Key Differences
- 1Volkswagen Taos has 5.1 fewer complaints per 10k sold
- 2Volkswagen Taos has 4 fewer total recalls
- 3Volkswagen Taos scores 3 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Mazda CX-30 vs Volkswagen Taos: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Mazda CX-30 | Volkswagen Taos |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 66/100 | 69/100 |
| Years Tracked | 7 | 5 |
| Total Recalls | 10 | 6 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 5.7 | 0.6 |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 1 | 3 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Mazda CX-30 and Volkswagen Taos?
The Volkswagen Taos has a notably higher total complaint count at 408 compared to the Mazda CX-30's 218, with significant issues in the engine and service brakes categories, the latter having one crash-linked incident. The Taos also presents concerns in the electrical system and vehicle speed control, each with crash-linked complaints, highlighting potential safety risks. Conversely, the Mazda CX-30, while having fewer complaints overall, shows a higher proportion of crash-linked issues within its service brakes and air bags, suggesting more severe safety implications. Both models share issues in the electrical system, but the CX-30's problems in forward collision avoidance and visibility/wiper systems further differentiate its problem profile.
| Component | Mazda CX-30 | Volkswagen Taos |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 1.2Low | 0.1Very Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.8Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.7Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.4Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.3Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.3Very Low | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 0.3Very Low | —None |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| SUSPENSION | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| STEERING | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| STRUCTURE | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| SEATS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| WHEELS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | —None |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | —None |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
How Does Mazda CX-30 vs Volkswagen Taos Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Mazda CX-30 | Volkswagen Taos | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 68/1001R / 22C | 69/1000R / 3C | Volkswagen Taos |
| 2024 | 68/1002R / 23C | 74/1000R / 41C | Volkswagen Taos |
| 2023 | 68/1001R / 20C | 73/1000R / 87C | Volkswagen Taos |
| 2022 | 67/1001R / 28C | 59/1006R / 277C | Mazda CX-30 |
| 2026(predicted) | 68/100(predicted) | 72/100(predicted) | Volkswagen Taos |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Mazda CX-30 scored 68/100 and the 2024 Volkswagen Taos scored 74/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Mazda CX-30 vs the Volkswagen Taos?
Mazda CX-30 vs Volkswagen Taos: Common Questions
- Is the Mazda CX-30 more reliable than the Volkswagen Taos?
- Based on our data, the Volkswagen Taos is more reliable with an average score of 69/100 compared to 66/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Mazda CX-30 or the Volkswagen Taos?
- The Mazda CX-30 has more recalls (10) compared to the Volkswagen Taos (6). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Mazda CX-30 or the Volkswagen Taos?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Volkswagen Taos has a lower complaint rate at 0.6 per 10,000 sold versus 5.7 for the Mazda CX-30. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Is the Mazda CX-30 or Volkswagen Taos safer?
- Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the Mazda CX-30 has a higher overall safety rating of 5/5 stars compared to 4/5 for the Volkswagen Taos. Check sub-ratings (frontal, side, rollover) above for a more detailed safety comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Mazda CX-30 comparisons
How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
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