2024 Toyota Sequoia vs 2024 Mazda CX-50

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia shared its platform with the Tundra pickup, and this connection was evident in its design elements such as hexagonal grilles, wheel arches, and strong fender creases. The Sequoia's appearance varied significantly with different exterior colors. The Capstone model, with its chrome accents and Celestial Silver paint, appeared somewhat dated, reminiscent of a "cop car." However, a switch to Solar Octane orange with black accents transformed its look to a more playful "Tonka truck" vibe. Inside, the Sequoia mirrored the Tundra's blocky, geometric dashboard design, featuring physical dials and buttons for climate control and audio. The Capstone trim boasted semi-aniline leather upholstery, while other trims offered a mix of fabric, SofTex, and leather options. The Sequoia's interior was equipped with power-adjustable front seats and a power-tilt and -slide moonroof, enhancing comfort and customization.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 was a rugged counterpart to the CX-5, with a design that emphasized its broad-shouldered proportions through square wheel arches and fake air vents. It was larger than the CX-5, with a lower, wider, and longer stance. The CX-50 was available in eight trim levels, with the 2.5 Turbo Meridian Edition standing out for its active-lifestyle image, featuring all-terrain tires, a black hood graphic, and pronounced rocker-panel trim. The interior of the CX-50 was well-designed, with a BMW-like infotainment screen and impressive material quality. However, Mazda's aspiration to move upscale was still a work in progress, as evidenced by the standard half-leatherette seats and manually-adjustable front seats in base models. The CX-50's interior was functional, but it didn't quite match the luxury aspirations Mazda aimed for.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia was exclusively offered in a hybrid format, utilizing Toyota's iForce MAX hybrid powertrain. This system combined a twin-turbo V6 engine with an electric motor, producing 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque. This marked a significant increase over its V8 predecessor, with improved fuel economy rated at 20 mpg combined with 4WD. The Sequoia's off-road capabilities were enhanced with the TRD Pro trim, featuring a part-time 4WD system, skid plate, and off-road suspension. The TRD Off-Road package added all-terrain tires, a skid plate, and driver-assist features like Crawl Control and hill-descent control. The Sequoia's towing capacity reached 9,520 pounds, with towing-related upgrades available.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, with turbocharging available on higher trims. The base engine produced 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, while the turbo engine delivered 256 hp and 320 lb-ft on 93-octane fuel. All models came with a six-speed automatic transmission and AWD, along with driving modes like Normal, Sport, and Off-road. The CX-50's towing capacity increased to 3,500 pounds on turbo models. While the CX-50 shared powertrains with the CX-5, it offered a different driving experience, focusing more on comfort than sporty dynamics. The Meridian Edition's all-terrain tires added noise and limited grip, but the CX-50 remained well-mannered overall.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia Capstone featured automatic power-deploying running boards, aiding entry for shorter passengers. The Sequoia offered a maximum of 86.9 cubic feet of cargo space with both second- and third-row seats folded. Behind the second row, it provided 49 cubic feet, and behind the third row, it ranged from 11.5 to 22.3 cubic feet. The third-row seats were positioned above the hybrid powertrain's battery pack, affecting headroom and legroom. The Sequoia's second-row captain's chairs were wide but lacked bolstering, and the interior space was slightly behind rivals like the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 offered similar passenger space to the CX-5, with slightly less headroom and more legroom. It provided 31.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 56.3 cubic feet with them folded. The CX-50's cargo area was accessible via an available power liftgate, but it wasn't ideal for dirty or bulky items. The interior featured a sensible layout with adequate storage space, and the center console housed a substantial shifter and Mazda's rotary infotainment controller. While some competitors offered more cargo space, the CX-50's design was practical for everyday use.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia Capstone was equipped with a range of tech features, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SR5 trim had an 8-inch touchscreen, while other trims boasted a 14-inch center touchscreen. The Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system prioritized functionality over flashy graphics. A full-color 12.3-inch driver-information display was standard across all trims, along with a Panoramic View monitor. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch color head-up display and a 14-speaker JBL Premium Audio system.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 featured a 10.25-inch infotainment screen, operated via a rotary controller and buttons on the center console. Wireless Apple CarPlay was standard, but Android Auto required a cable. Higher trims offered wireless phone charging, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The rotary controller provided physical feedback, making it easier to use without distraction. While the infotainment system felt dated, it was straightforward and suited buyers who preferred simplicity over excessive tech.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia came with the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.5 suite of safety and driver-assistance features as standard. This included a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure alert with steering assist, adaptive cruise control, and road-sign recognition. Front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. The Tow Technology Package added a digital rearview mirror and trailer backup guide. The Sequoia had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but the similar Tundra earned a Top Safety Pick+ designation.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 received a 2023 Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention tech. However, it received a "Basic" score for nighttime pedestrian detection and "Average" for standard headlights. The NHTSA had not published complete ratings, but the CX-50 received a five-star frontal crash-test rating and a four-star rollover rating. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. Optional features included rear automatic braking and a 360-degree camera system.