2023 Mazda CX-50 vs 2022 Toyota Sequoia

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia, a stalwart in the SUV market, continued its second generation into its 14th year without substantial changes. Its exterior design, characterized by a modestly sized grille and elegant wheel arches, maintained a classic appeal. The Sequoia's dimensions, including a height of 77 inches and a length of 205.1 inches, contributed to its imposing presence. Inside, however, the Sequoia's age was evident, with a dated dashboard and a 7-inch touchscreen that seemed out of place in a modern vehicle. Despite this, the interior was built with high-quality materials, ensuring durability and comfort for families. The Nightshade Special Edition added a contemporary touch with darkened chrome and black-painted finishes, enhancing its visual appeal.

In contrast, the 2023 Mazda CX-50 showcased a blend of sleek styling and ruggedness. Its design featured a blunt nose, long hood, and rakish windshield, exuding a seductive charm. The CX-50's exterior elements, such as blistered fender swells and oversized air intakes, added a sense of adventure. The interior of the CX-50 was driver-focused, with quality materials and a mix of analog and digital gauges. The top-of-the-line CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus model boasted black leather with caramel-colored stitching, creating a sophisticated ambiance. Despite some minor design quirks, the CX-50's overall appearance was modern and appealing.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a robust 5.7-liter i-Force V8 engine, delivering 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, provided a smooth and stable ride. The Sequoia's truck roots contributed to its impressive payload capacity of around 1,300 pounds and a towing capacity of 7,400 pounds. However, its weight of up to 6,000 pounds resulted in less-than-stellar fuel economy, with ratings of 13 mpg city and 17 mpg highway for both RWD and 4WD models. Despite its heft, the Sequoia offered a pleasant driving experience, with excellent highway stability and off-road capabilities, especially in the TRD Pro off-road model.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 offered two engine options: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and a turbocharged version producing up to 256 horsepower. The turbo engine provided a towing capacity increase from 2,000 to 3,500 pounds. The CX-50's turbocharged engine delivered smooth acceleration without noticeable turbo lag, and its G-Vectoring Control technology ensured natural vehicle behavior across different driving modes. The CX-50's ride quality was slightly firmer, aligning with its adventurous character. While it excelled on pavement, the CX-50 also demonstrated off-road capabilities, though it lacked a downhill assist control system. The turbo model's towing performance was commendable, though it faced challenges on steep grades.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia prioritized passenger comfort with spacious seating across all three rows. It featured three-zone climate control, a power moonroof, and available heated and ventilated front seats. The Sequoia's interior offered ample storage, with a generous center console and glove compartment. Its cargo space was versatile, with 18.9 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 66.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 120.1 cubic feet with both rear rows down.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 provided a comfortable interior with power-adjustable heated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. The front seats were supportive, though additional side bolstering would have been beneficial. The rear seat offered ample space for adults, and the rear doors opened wide for easy access. While storage space was adequate, some opportunities for additional storage were missed. The CX-50's cargo area offered 31.4 cubic feet of space, expanding to 56.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, though it was narrower between the wheel wells.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia's infotainment system felt outdated, with a 7-inch touchscreen and a 4.5-inch TFT driver information screen. However, it included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, WiFi connectivity, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Sequoia Limited added navigation and a 12-speaker audio system, with an optional premium audio package. While the Sequoia lacked modern powertrain technology, it featured LED exterior lighting and standard safety features like a rear backup camera and parking sonar.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 came equipped with the Mazda Connect infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The base model featured an 8.8-inch display, while higher trims included a 10.25-inch display. Mazda Connect's user interface was not touchscreen-friendly, but the CX-50 allowed touchscreen control for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The available 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround-sound system provided a satisfying audio experience. The CX-50 also offered an Active Driving Display, projecting essential information within the driver's line of sight.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it came equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense P suite, including pre-collision systems, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure alert. The Sequoia also featured a blind-spot monitor, stability control, traction control, and a full complement of airbags. Its robust construction and safety features contributed to its reputation as a safe family vehicle.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 had not yet been crash-tested by the IIHS, but Mazda's vehicles typically received high safety ratings. The CX-50 included a comprehensive package of driving assistance systems, with additional features available on the 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus trim. These included Traffic Jam Assist, active blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. While the CX-50's systems generally performed well, there were occasional issues with adaptive cruise control in heavy traffic.