2024 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Mazda CX-5

The 2023 Mazda CX-5, despite its age, remained a strong contender in the compact crossover SUV market. It was known for its stylish design and high-quality materials, giving it the feel of a small luxury SUV. The CX-5 offered a turbocharged engine option that delivered impressive power, and it boasted a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS. Mazda's decision to transition from the CX-5 to the CX-50 was part of a broader marketing strategy, similar to Infiniti's rebranding of the G37. The CX-5 was praised for its quality, refinement, and sophistication across all its versions, with a range of engine options and price points that catered to various consumer preferences.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Sequoia shared its platform with the Tundra pickup, featuring design elements like hexagonal grilles and muscular stances. The Sequoia's appearance varied significantly with exterior color choices, with the Capstone model showcasing more chrome and a Celestial Silver finish. Inside, the Sequoia mirrored the Tundra's blocky, geometric dashboard design, with physical controls for climate and audio. The Capstone trim offered semi-aniline leather upholstery, while other trims had different seating materials. The Sequoia's interior was spacious, with power-adjustable front seats and a standard power moonroof, enhancing its appeal as a family-friendly SUV.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options: a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, and a turbocharged version delivering up to 256 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel. The turbocharged engine provided a thrilling driving experience, with torque arriving at 2,000 rpm on regular gas and 2,500 rpm on premium. The CX-5's updates in 2022 improved its structural rigidity, suspension, and transmission, enhancing its driving dynamics. The AWD system was standard, and the CX-5 achieved an EPA rating of 26 mpg combined for the base engine and 24 mpg for the turbocharged version.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia, exclusively a hybrid, featured the iForce MAX powertrain, combining a twin-turbo V6 with an electric motor. This setup produced 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque, significantly more than its V8 predecessor. The Sequoia's fuel economy improved to 20 mpg combined with 4WD. The TRD Pro trim offered off-road capabilities with 4WD, while other trims had RWD as standard. The Sequoia's 10-speed automatic transmission provided smooth operation, and its towing capacity increased to 9,520 pounds. The TRD Off-Road package added features like all-terrain tires and an off-road suspension for adventure enthusiasts.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5's interior updates in 2022 improved front seat comfort and support. It offered power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated options, and dual-zone climate control. The Signature trim featured luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. However, the CX-5's infotainment system lacked a touchscreen and voice recognition, making it less user-friendly. The CX-5's cargo space was limited, with 30.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 59.3 cubic feet with them folded.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia provided ample cargo space, with a maximum of 86.9 cubic feet. The second-row seats were easy to move for third-row access, but the third-row seats didn't create a flat load floor due to the hybrid battery. The Sequoia's headroom and legroom were slightly compromised, especially in the third row. Second-row captain's chairs were available on higher trims, offering comfort but lacking bolstering. The Sequoia's interior was spacious, but it fell short of some rivals in terms of legroom.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5's Mazda Connect infotainment system featured a 10.25-inch display with sophisticated graphics but was frustrating to use. It lacked a voice recognition system, and its physical controls were awkward. The system required memorization and focus, making it distracting. Despite this, it offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Bose audio system on upper trims. The CX-5 also had a front-facing camera and a surround-view camera system for parking assistance.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia's Capstone trim came with a 14-inch touchscreen and the Toyota Audio Multimedia system, which prioritized functionality over flashiness. The Sequoia featured a 12.3-inch driver-information display and a Panoramic View monitor as standard. The 10-inch head-up display was available on higher trims, and the JBL Premium Audio system was standard on Platinum, TRD Pro, and Capstone. The Sequoia's technology package was comprehensive, offering convenience and safety features.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 excelled in safety, with the i-Activsense suite offering standard driver assistance features. The 2.5 Turbo Signature trim added exclusive features like a surround-view camera and Traffic Jam Assist. The CX-5 received five-star ratings from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS. However, it lacked a warning for driving without headlights at night, a common issue.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia included the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 suite as standard, with features like a pre-collision system, lane-departure alert, and adaptive cruise control. The Sequoia's blind-spot monitoring system extended for trailers, and the Tow Technology Package added aids for towing. The Sequoia hadn't been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but the similar Tundra earned a Top Safety Pick+ designation.