2023 Mazda CX-30 vs 2024 Toyota Sienna

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 presented a stylish yet somewhat controversial design. It featured a long hood, dramatic flanks, and a stubby rear end, giving it a nose-heavy appearance. Despite its appealing design, the excessive gray body cladding seemed to overemphasize its SUV identity. The 2.5 Turbo's black wheels blended into the dark lower body, making them almost invisible. Inside, the CX-30 offered an upscale cabin with quality materials, including leather upholstery in all but the base trim. The 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus model boasted a tasteful interior with off-white leather, a chocolate brown center console, and black accents, resembling an entry-level luxury SUV.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Sienna stood out with its distinctive look, available in various trims like LE, XLE, XSE, Woodland Edition, Limited, and Platinum. The Sienna maintained its "swagger wagon" vibe with sleek front and rear fascias and vibrant color options. The XSE trim, with its sporty black metallic mesh grille and 20-inch dark wheels, added to its appeal. The Woodland Edition offered a more off-road-ready appearance with roof rails, a tow hitch, and increased ground clearance. Inside, the Sienna provided a spacious and functional cabin with features like a lower storage pass-through, multiple cupholders, and a shelf above the glovebox. The second-row captain’s chairs offered ample legroom, and the third row provided comfortable seating with tilting seats and window shades.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 offered two engine options: the 2.5 S with 191 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, and the 2.5 Turbo with up to 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel. The CX-30's fuel economy improved to 29 mpg in combined driving. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The CX-30 excelled on twisty roads, thanks to its G-Vectoring Control Plus and responsive steering. However, its small 12.7-gallon fuel tank limited its range, and the suspension struggled over speed bumps, impacting ride comfort.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna, a hybrid minivan, combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with electric motors, producing 245 horsepower. While it offered a smooth ride, the Sienna felt sluggish, especially when merging onto highways. The CVT contributed to a lack of excitement, and the brakes were occasionally grabby. However, the Sienna excelled in urban settings with its light steering and excellent visibility. It featured multiple driving modes, including an EV mode for low-speed areas. For those seeking more power, alternatives like the Honda Odyssey or Kia Carnival offered stronger V6 engines.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 provided a comfortable driver's seat with dual-zone climate control, but the front passenger seat lacked adjustability. Rear passengers had limited legroom, though the seatbacks were padded for comfort. Storage space was reasonable, with bins and compartments for organization. The CX-30's cargo space was limited, offering 20.2 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 45.2 cubic feet with them folded.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior space and functionality. It featured a lower storage pass-through, multiple cupholders, and a shelf above the glovebox. The second-row captain’s chairs offered 40 inches of legroom, and the third row provided ample space with tilting seats. The Sienna's tri-zone climate control ensured comfort for all passengers. The rear liftgate revealed 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 101 cubic feet with the third row stowed.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30's infotainment system had notable flaws, lacking a touchscreen and conversational voice recognition. The controls required frequent glances, causing distractions. However, it offered Bluetooth, HD Radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and connected services. Turbos added SiriusXM, navigation, and a Bose sound system. Wireless charging was an optional accessory.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna featured a nine-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While the system was older, it included physical buttons for common functions. The backup camera's quality was lacking, but the Sienna offered a Wi-Fi hotspot, SiriusXM, and an optional JBL stereo. USB ports and a 1500-watt inverter were available, though the outlets required manual activation.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, thanks to improved side-impact protection and standard safety features like adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Turbo Premium Plus trim added advanced aids like a surround-view camera and Traffic Jam Assist. The safety systems generally worked well, though a forward-collision warning event felt excessive.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna came with the Toyota Safety Sense suite, including lane departure alert, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. While the lane-keeping assist showed some side-to-side movement, the system was easy to control. The Sienna received high safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, with excellent crash protection and child restraint systems.