2022 Mazda CX-30 vs 2022 Toyota Sequoia

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia, a continuation of its second generation, showcased a mature design that had remained largely unchanged since its last major overhaul in 2008. Despite its age, the Sequoia maintained a classic exterior with a modestly sized grille and elegant wheel arches, avoiding the oversized features seen in many modern SUVs. Its dimensions were substantial, with a height of 1,956 mm, a width of 2,030 mm, and a length of 5,210 mm, riding on a 3,099 mm wheelbase. The interior, however, felt dated, with a 7-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch TFT driver information screen that seemed out of place in the era of large digital displays. Nevertheless, the Sequoia's interior was built with high-quality materials, ensuring durability and longevity.

In contrast, the 2022 Mazda CX-30 offered a more contemporary and stylish design, reminiscent of a downsized CX-5. Its sleek exterior featured an upright grille and smooth, flowing fenders, while the interior boasted a comfortable and quiet cabin with a blend of conventional and digital displays. The infotainment screen, although elegantly integrated into the dashboard, lacked touch functionality, relying instead on a rotary dial and toggle buttons. This design choice, inspired by luxury-car systems, was not without its usability challenges. The CX-30's interior was well-appointed, with features like a sliding centre console cover and deep door pockets, although the rear seats offered limited headroom compared to larger models.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a robust 5.7-litre i-Force V8 engine, delivering 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, providing a reliable and durable powertrain. The Sequoia's truck-based construction contributed to its impressive payload capacity of up to 608 kilograms and a towing capacity of 3,221 kilograms. Despite its hefty weight of approximately 2,721.5 kilograms, the Sequoia offered a smooth and stable ride, with excellent off-road capabilities thanks to its body-on-frame construction and four-wheel independent double-wishbone suspension. However, its fuel consumption ratings were less impressive, with 18.5 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 13.9 on the highway.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30, on the other hand, offered a range of engine options, with the test model featuring a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine. This engine produced 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque on 87 octane fuel, with increased output on 93 octane. The CX-30's six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive provided a lively driving experience, especially in Sport mode. The vehicle's sporty and refined ride was complemented by well-weighted steering and quick turn-in, although it could be rough over potholes. The CX-30's suspension handled dirt and gravel roads well, but craggy paved roads posed a challenge.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia excelled in passenger comfort, offering spacious seating across all three rows with ample headroom and legroom. The SUV featured three-zone climate control, a power moonroof, and heated front seats as standard, with heated rear seats available on higher trims. The Sequoia's cargo space was generous, with 535 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,886 litres with the third row folded, and a massive 3,401 litres with both the second and third rows down. The interior also provided ample storage options, including a large centre console and door pockets.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 offered up to 1,280 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and 572 litres with the seats in use. While these figures were average for the subcompact SUV segment, the CX-30's GT grade featured a power rear liftgate for added convenience. The front seats included a sliding centre console cover, although its design could be problematic when folding the rear seats. The rear seats provided adequate headroom for short-to-medium trips, but longer journeys might be less comfortable due to limited space.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia's technology offerings were somewhat outdated, with a 7-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch TFT driver information screen that felt clunky compared to modern digital dashboards. However, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility were standard, along with Bluetooth connectivity. Higher trims added navigation and a 14-speaker JBL premium audio system. Despite its technological shortcomings, the Sequoia featured LED exterior lighting and standard safety technologies like a rear backup camera and parking sonar.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30's infotainment system was elegantly integrated into the dash, controlled by a rotary dial and toggle buttons. While this setup aimed to emulate luxury-car systems, it lacked touch functionality, making it less user-friendly. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were supported, but navigating these systems with a rotary dial proved challenging. Despite these drawbacks, the CX-30's infotainment system offered a sleek design, and the vehicle included features like a head-up display and a 360-degree parking camera on higher trims.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense P suite, which included features like a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. The Sequoia also featured a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, and a full complement of airbags. However, it lacked crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 offered a range of driver-assistance features, although many were not standard in Canada. Available features included forward collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The CX-30 earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with top marks in crash tests and driver-assistance technology.