2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2024 Mazda CX-30

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was a striking presence on the road, blending the bold aesthetics of the Toyota Tundra with a newly sculpted SUV body. Its traditional grille and front bumper distinguished it from the Tundra's more unconventional design. Inside, the Sequoia shared much with the Tundra, featuring an industrial theme with luxurious touches in the Capstone trim, such as leather, wood, and metallic finishes. The 14-inch infotainment system dominated the dashboard, and the interior's two-tone color scheme added a touch of elegance. However, some materials reminded occupants of its pickup truck origins. The Sequoia lineup included various trims, with prices starting at $59,895 for the base SR5 and reaching $79,895 for the Capstone with 4WD.

In contrast, the 2024 Mazda CX-30 aimed to stand out with its excessive charcoal-colored plastic cladding, which some found excessive. Despite this, the CX-30's design was appealing, featuring short overhangs, a long hood, and a rakish roofline. Inside, the CX-30 exuded a sense of luxury with its refined materials and attention to detail. The gauges were clear, and the infotainment screen was seamlessly integrated into the dashboard. The CX-30 offered eight versions, with the 2.5 S models featuring a 191-horsepower engine and the 2.5 Turbo models boasting up to 250 hp. Prices ranged from $24,995 to $36,800, plus a destination charge of $1,420.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with a powerful hybrid powertrain, featuring a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, a 36-kilowatt electric motor/generator, and a 1.87 kilowatt-hour nickel-metal hydride battery pack. This setup delivered an impressive 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. The Sequoia's towing capacity increased to 9,520 pounds, and it could carry a payload of 1,730 pounds. Fuel efficiency improved, with EPA ratings of 20 mpg with 4WD and 22 mpg with RWD. The Sequoia offered various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience. However, the steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30, on the other hand, featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 250 hp and 320 pound-feet of torque. The power delivery was smooth, and the traditional six-speed automatic transmission provided flawless shifting. The CX-30's AWD system ensured power was distributed to all four wheels. However, fuel economy was not its strong suit, with an observed 21.3 mpg on a mountainous evaluation route. The CX-30 was nimble and fun to drive, offering excellent visibility and a smooth ride at highway speeds. It handled winding roads with enthusiasm, and its standard AWD and Off-Road traction assist setting made it capable on challenging trails.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, offering a comfortable cabin with soft leather upholstery, a JBL premium sound system, and a triple-zone climate control system. The power-deploying running boards aided entry and exit, though taller individuals might find them cumbersome. The second-row captain's chairs provided comfort but lacked sliding functionality, limiting third-row space. The third-row seat was less comfortable than competitors, and cargo space was compromised by the hybrid powertrain. With the third-row seat in place, cargo capacity was 11.5 cubic feet, expandable to 22.3 cubic feet. Folding the seats increased capacity to 86.9 cubic feet, but it was still smaller than previous models.

In contrast, the 2024 Mazda CX-30 offered a well-designed interior with quality materials and logical controls. The driver and front passenger enjoyed comfort, and the power-adjustable driver's seat made finding the perfect position easy. Storage space was adequate, with 20.2 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the back seat, expandable to 45.2 cubic feet with the seats folded. The CX-30's interior was practical, though rear-seat space was cramped.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen in the base SR5 trim and a 14-inch touchscreen in higher trims. The system was intuitive, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Connected services allowed for user accounts and an Intelligent Assistant for directions. However, glare on the display was an issue, and some features required workarounds. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30 Turbo models received a new 10.25-inch infotainment display with touchscreen functionality for smartphone mirroring platforms. While the screen was far from the driver, it represented an improvement over static displays. Mazda Connected Services offered a three-year subscription, and new USB-C ports provided connectivity. Higher trims included a wireless smartphone charger and a Bose premium audio system.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services were also standard. While crash test ratings were not available, the Sequoia's Tundra platform received high marks from the IIHS.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30 prioritized safety with new standard features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a rear-seat alert system. Higher trims offered adaptive headlights, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. The CX-30 received five-star ratings from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.