2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2022 Mazda CX-30

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 was a stylish subcompact SUV that borrowed its design cues from the larger CX-5, featuring an upright grille and smooth, flowing fenders. Built on the same platform as the Mazda3, it was essentially a raised version of the Mazda3 hatchback. The CX-30's raked windshield, while adding to its aesthetic appeal, acted like a greenhouse on sunny days and distorted the road view for taller drivers. Inside, the cabin was a blend of comfort and quietness, with a solid feel to all its components. The interior design was one of the best in its class, with a mix of conventional and digital displays. However, the infotainment system, though attractive, had a steep learning curve.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sequoia was a bold and distinctively redesigned three-row SUV, drawing inspiration from the Toyota Tundra pickup truck. Its industrial-themed interior, especially in the upscale Capstone trim, featured leather, wood, and metallic finishes. The Sequoia's cabin was dominated by a massive 14-inch infotainment system, and the Capstone trim offered a luxurious cream white-over-black two-tone colour scheme. Despite its luxurious appearance, some interior materials reminded occupants of its pickup truck origins. The Sequoia lineup included various trims, each offering different features and capabilities, with the TRD Pro trim being the most off-road capable.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 offered a range of engine options, starting with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 155 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque in the GX trim. The GS and GT trims came with a 2.5-litre engine delivering 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. Our test model featured the upgraded 2.5-litre turbocharged engine, which produced 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque on 87 octane fuel, and 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft on 93 octane fuel. The CX-30's turbocharged engine provided decent acceleration, and the Sport mode enhanced throttle response and shift mapping. The vehicle's sporty and refined ride was complemented by well-weighted steering and quick turn-in, though it had a rough ride over potholes.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre 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 hybrid powertrain delivered 437 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 583 pound-feet of torque at 2,400 rpm. The Sequoia's towing capacity was significantly improved, with a maximum tow rating of 4,137 kilograms in Canada. Fuel efficiency was also enhanced, with a rating of 11.7 L/100 km in combined driving with 4WD. The Sequoia offered various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience to their preferences. However, the steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 provided up to 1,280 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 572 litres with the seats in use. The GT grade featured a power rear liftgate, adding convenience. The front seats had a sliding centre console cover, which could get stuck when the rear seats were folded. The centre console offered ample space for personal items, and the front doors had deep pockets for large water bottles. Rear seats provided solid headroom for short-to-medium trips, though longer drives might be less comfortable.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, with a comfortable cabin featuring soft leather upholstery, a JBL premium audio system, and a triple-zone automatic climate control system. The Sequoia's power-deploying running boards aided entry and exit, though taller individuals might find them cumbersome. The second-row captain's chairs lacked sliding functionality, limiting legroom adjustments for third-row passengers. The third-row seat, mounted above the battery pack, offered limited comfort and legroom. Cargo space was compromised by the hybrid powertrain, with only 325 litres available with the third-row seat in its rearmost position. Folding the second-row seats expanded cargo capacity to 2,460 litres, but this was still less than the previous-generation model.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 featured an elegant dash design with an infotainment screen nestled into the dash. The screen lacked touch functionality and was controlled by a rotary dial/joystick in the centre console. This setup, inspired by luxury-car infotainment systems, was not user-friendly, especially when using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Navigating between presets and exiting CarPlay was cumbersome, making the system frustrating to use.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came with a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with a 14-inch touchscreen in most trims. The system was intuitive for those familiar with smartphones and tablets, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Intelligent Assistant responded to voice commands, though it occasionally provided incomplete results. The system allowed simultaneous Bluetooth pairing for two devices, but there were occasional glitches. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display, though it was not visible with polarized sunglasses. The Sequoia also featured a surround-view camera system and a digital rearview mirror, enhancing safety and convenience.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 offered various driver-assistance features, though many were not standard in Canada. Available features included forward collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Standard features included rain-sensing wipers, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The CX-30 earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came with a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features as standard, bundled into Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5). This package included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centring assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam headlights, and a road sign recognition system. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. While crash tests had not been performed on the new Sequoia, the Tundra on which it was based received high ratings from the IIHS.