2021 Toyota Sequoia vs 2020 Mazda CX-5

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 was a testament to Mazda's commitment to delivering a premium experience. It featured captivating style and compelling substance, with continual improvements that enhanced its appeal. This model year saw the addition of more standard equipment, refined instrumentation, and control markings that elevated the cabin's appearance. Modifications were made to reduce noise, vibration, and harshness, while the turbocharged engine received a torque boost. The all-wheel-drive versions gained a new off-road traction assistance feature. The CX-5's design, rooted in the "Kodo" styling themes, remained appealing, distinctive, and upscale. Inside, especially in the Signature trim, the SUV exuded luxury with premium Nappa leather upholstery, real wood, and a black headliner, although the Caturra Brown leather lacked contrast against the predominantly black cabin.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Sequoia, despite its age, maintained a robust presence. Introduced in 2007, the second-generation Sequoia received a facelift in 2018, updating its headlights and grille, and adding new tech. For 2021, the Sequoia introduced a Nightshade Special Edition. The subtle updates were somewhat overshadowed by the vehicle's imposing silhouette. Inside, the Sequoia's massive, multi-tiered center dash design harkened back to the mid-2000s, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen that appeared small against the expansive dash. Despite its size, the front seats were bulky, limiting headroom for taller drivers, especially with the optional sunroof. However, the second-row seats offered ample headroom and legroom, and all seats were comfortable and supportive.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 offered a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission with a Sport mode. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive optional. The Grand Touring Reserve and Signature trims featured a turbocharged version of the engine, delivering 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque with premium fuel, or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft with regular fuel. Despite its 3,825-pound curb weight, the turbocharged CX-5 accelerated with authority. However, the turbo engine was less fuel-efficient, achieving 24 mpg in combined driving compared to 26 mpg for the naturally aspirated engine with AWD. The CX-5's G-Vectoring Control Plus technology enhanced driving engagement, but excessive body motions during spirited driving detracted from the experience.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came standard with a 5.7-liter V8 engine producing 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with four-wheel drive available. Despite its weight of up to 6,000 pounds, the Sequoia offered stout acceleration. The six-speed transmission, while a throwback, held gears longer under hard acceleration, impacting fuel economy. The Sequoia drove like a truck, with a soft suspension and overpowered brakes. It exhibited some body roll in corners but settled well due to its wide stance. The Sequoia could tow up to 7,400 pounds, trailing behind competitors like the Ford Expedition, Nissan Armada, and Chevrolet Tahoe in towing capacity.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5's interior, while stylish and upscale, was more cramped compared to competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Mazda focused on the CX-5's upscale cabin and generous standard equipment to offset its lack of practicality. The interior featured classy gauges and elegant metallic accents. Touring trim added dual-zone automatic climate control and heated front seats, while Grand Touring trim included a power height-adjustable front passenger seat. The Signature trim offered Nappa leather, genuine wood trim, and more. The front seats were comfortable, but rear passengers might find legroom lacking. Cargo space measured 30.9 cubic feet behind the rear seat, expanding to 59.6 cubic feet with the rear seat folded.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia boasted a spacious cabin, with nearly 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and over 66 cubic feet with the third row folded. With all rear seats folded, it offered an impressive 120 cubic feet of cargo space. The Sequoia's power-retractable rear window was a standout feature, allowing easy access to the cargo area. While the front-row space could have been better utilized, the Sequoia provided deep in-door pockets, a massive center console, and multiple cupholders. Despite its age, the Sequoia offered ample storage solutions, though newer SUVs had improved space utilization.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 featured the Mazda Connect infotainment system, inspired by luxury brands like Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. The system included a 7-inch touchscreen in Sport trim, with Bluetooth, HD Radio, and integrated internet radio apps. Touring trim added Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Grand Touring trim upgraded to an 8-inch touchscreen and a 10-speaker Bose sound system. Signature trim included navigation, a surround-view camera, and SiriusXM data services. The system required acclimation, with controls on the center console, steering wheel, and voice recognition. Mazda planned to update the system in 2021, addressing some operational issues.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a WiFi hotspot. Our test model had a larger 9-inch screen, which still felt small on the large dash. The older infotainment system was user-friendly, with simple menu navigation and large hard buttons. The digital trip computer was small but easy to use. While the Sequoia's technology was dated, its simplicity was refreshing.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 excelled in safety, with all advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) standard under the i-Activsense banner. This included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and lane-keep assist. The CX-5 also featured standard LED headlights and rain-sensing wipers, with adaptive headlights available on Grand Touring trim. The CX-5 earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with high marks in individual testing parameters.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense-P suite, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. It also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front-and-rear parking sensors. While lacking advanced tech like lane-keeping assist, the Sequoia offered a comprehensive list of safety features. However, it scored only four out of five stars in the NHTSA's rollover test and had not been rated in further crash tests.