2021 Toyota Sequoia vs 2022 Mazda CX-5

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia, despite its age, maintained a robust presence with its large silhouette and subtle updates from 2018, such as the refreshed headlights and grille. The introduction of the Nightshade Special Edition added a touch of modernity, but the overall design still felt reminiscent of its 2007 origins. Inside, the Sequoia's cabin was spacious, yet the design was dated, with a multi-tiered center dash and a standard 7-inch touchscreen that seemed small against the expansive dashboard. The front seats were bulky, limiting headroom for taller drivers, especially with the optional sunroof, while the second-row seats offered ample space and comfort.

In contrast, the 2022 Mazda CX-5 presented a more contemporary and refined aesthetic. The exterior updates included new LED headlights and taillights, revised bumpers, and a redesigned grille, enhancing its premium appeal. Inside, the CX-5's Signature trim exuded luxury with Nappa leather upholstery and polished metallic accents. The new seats provided improved comfort and support, addressing previous complaints about the seating. The driving position was sportier, and the interior layout was more intuitive, although the infotainment system's lack of a touchscreen and natural voice recognition remained a drawback.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a 5.7-liter V8 engine, delivering 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, provided strong acceleration, even for an SUV weighing up to 6,000 pounds. The Sequoia's driving dynamics were akin to a truck, with a soft suspension and powerful brakes, though it exhibited some body roll in corners. It could tow up to 7,400 pounds, which was less than competitors like the Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options. The 2.5 S model featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, while the 2.5 Turbo variant produced up to 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque on premium gas. Both engines came with a revised six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The CX-5's driving experience was enhanced by increased structural rigidity and reworked suspension tuning, resulting in a quieter, smoother ride with improved handling. The Mazda Intelligent Drive Select (Mi-Drive) system offered Normal, Sport, and Off-Road modes, further refining the driving dynamics.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia boasted a spacious interior with nearly 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 120 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. This was slightly less than the Chevrolet Tahoe but more than the Ford Expedition. The Sequoia's power-retractable rear window was a unique feature, allowing easy access to the cargo area. However, the front-row space could have been better utilized, with deep door pockets and a large center console providing ample storage.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 addressed previous complaints about its ride and seating with new, more comfortable seats and a sportier driving position. The back seat remained snug, but heated outboard cushions and air conditioning vents improved passenger comfort. The control layout was somewhat frustrating due to the non-touchscreen infotainment system, but storage space was adequate, with wireless smartphone charging and door armrest trays. The CX-5 offered 30.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 59.3 cubic feet with the seats folded, which was competitive with entry-level luxury SUVs.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a WiFi hotspot. The system was user-friendly, with simple menu navigation and large hard buttons. However, the digital trip computer was small compared to modern fully-digital instrument panels.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 retained its Mazda Connect infotainment system with a 10.25-inch display, though it lacked touch capability and natural voice recognition. Users had to rely on center console and steering wheel controls, which required acclimation. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a three-year trial of Mazda Connected Services. Starting with the 2.5 S Premium trim, a 10-speaker Bose premium sound system was included, offering satisfactory audio quality.

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. However, it lacked more advanced tech like lane-keeping assist and scored four out of five stars in the NHTSA's rollover test.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 offered a comprehensive i-Activsense package, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added adaptive headlights, a surround-view camera system, and Traffic Jam Assist. The CX-5 received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS, a distinction few rivals could match.