2022 Mazda CX-5 vs 2023 Toyota Venza

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 underwent subtle yet impactful exterior updates, including new LED headlights and taillights, redesigned bumpers, a revised grille, and a fresh rear liftgate. These changes aimed to enhance its premium appeal, especially in the top-tier Signature trim, which featured body-color lower exterior trim. Inside, the CX-5 maintained its luxurious feel with premium Nappa leather upholstery, real wood trim, and polished metallic accents. The new seats provided improved comfort, addressing previous complaints about the seating experience. However, the introduction of a more complex trim lineup replaced the familiar structure, offering choices between the CX-5 2.5 S and the turbocharged 2.5 Turbo.

The 2023 Toyota Venza presented a sleek and sculpted design, distinguishing itself from the typical boxy midsize crossovers. Its coupe-like silhouette, with a tapering rear roofline, gave it a Lexus-like appearance. The Venza's interior borrowed elements from the RAV4 but elevated the experience with higher-quality materials and a more luxurious feel. The dashboard and center stack were similar, but the Venza's cabin featured better-integrated climate controls and more soft-touch surfaces. Overall, the Venza's design was cohesive and graceful, making it one of the most attractive vehicles in Toyota's lineup.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options. The 2.5 S model featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a revised six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. It achieved an EPA-rated 26 mpg in combined driving. The 2.5 Turbo variant, running on premium gas, delivered 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque, while regular gas yielded 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. It also came with standard AWD and returned 24 mpg in combined driving, though real-world testing showed 21.1 mpg. The CX-5's driving dynamics improved with increased structural rigidity and reworked suspension, offering a quieter, smoother, and sportier ride.

The 2023 Toyota Venza featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid system, producing a combined 219 horsepower. It utilized a continuously variable transmission (CVT) to power the front wheels, while a separate electric motor powered the rear wheels for AWD. The Venza accelerated to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, with seamless transitions between electric and gasoline power. Its ride prioritized comfort over sporty handling, with light steering effort and adequate maneuverability. The Venza's ride quality was smoother than the RAV4 Hybrid's, though not as plush as a Lexus, providing a compliant experience over road imperfections.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 addressed previous complaints with new, supportive seats and a sportier driving position. Most trims included a height-adjustable front passenger seat, a rarity among rivals. The back seat remained snug but offered heated outboard cushions and air conditioning vents for passenger comfort. The control layout, however, was frustrating due to the non-touchscreen Mazda Connect infotainment system. Cargo space was adequate, with 30.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 59.3 cubic feet with them folded, comparing favorably to entry-level luxury SUVs.

The 2023 Toyota Venza provided ample front seat space, enhanced by large windows and a panoramic sunroof. The Star Gaze panoramic roof added a luxury touch, though its opacity feature was more of a novelty. Rear visibility was limited, but the rear seats offered sufficient space for average adults. Cargo capacity was limited to 28.8 cubic feet, significantly less than competitors like the Honda Passport and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. However, the Venza excelled in holding smaller personal items, with a wireless phone charger, well-sized cupholders, and a deep center armrest bin.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 retained its Mazda Connect infotainment system with a 10.25-inch display, lacking touch sensitivity and natural voice recognition. Users had to rely on center console and steering wheel controls, which required acclimation. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a three-year trial of Mazda Connected Services. Starting with the 2.5 S Premium trim, a 10-speaker Bose premium sound system was included, offering satisfactory audio quality.

The 2023 Toyota Venza came with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a wireless charging pad. The base LE trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen, while higher trims offered a 12.3-inch display with improved graphics and responsiveness. A Wi-Fi connection was available for a 30-day trial, and the Limited trim included a one-year trial of Drive Connect services. The base audio system had six speakers, with a nine-speaker JBL premium audio system available on higher trims, providing enhanced sound quality.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 boasted a comprehensive i-Activsense package, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. Higher trims added features like adaptive headlights, a surround-view camera system, and Traffic Jam Assist. The CX-5 received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS, a distinction few rivals could match.

The 2023 Toyota Venza earned five stars in NHTSA crash tests and a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS. It came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, offering adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and more. Higher trims added features like parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and a digital rearview mirror. The safety features functioned smoothly, with no false alarms reported.