2023 Mazda CX-30 vs 2024 Toyota Sequoia

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 was available in Canada in four trim levels: GX, GS, GT, and GT Turbo, each equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Prices ranged from $26,700 for the base GX to $38,600 for the GT Turbo, excluding a $2,095 destination charge. The CX-30's design featured a long hood and a stubby rear end, giving it a nose-heavy appearance, accentuated by excessive gray body cladding. Despite this, the interior was upscale, with quality materials and a tasteful combination of off-white leather and chocolate brown accents in the GT Turbo model.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Sequoia shared its platform with the Tundra pickup, featuring hexagonal grilles and muscular stances. The Capstone model, tested in Celestial Silver, had a dated appearance with chrome brightwork. Inside, the Sequoia mirrored the Tundra's blocky dash design, with physical dials and buttons for climate control. The Capstone trim boasted semi-aniline leather upholstery, while the base SR5 TRD Offroad trim had SofTex leatherette. The Sequoia offered power-adjustable front seats and a power-tilt and -slide moonroof, enhancing its appeal.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 offered three engine options. The base GX trim featured a 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder engine with 155 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque. The GS and GT models had a 2.5-litre engine producing 191 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. The GT Turbo model, when using premium gas, delivered 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque. The CX-30's six-speed automatic transmission and AWD were standard, with a Sport mode for enhanced performance. Despite its robust acceleration, the CX-30's small 48-litre fuel tank limited its range, and the suspension struggled with speed bumps.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia, exclusively a hybrid, used the iForce MAX powertrain, combining a twin-turbo V6 with an electric motor, producing 427 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque. This was a significant improvement over its predecessor. The Sequoia's fuel economy was rated at 11.7 L/100 km combined with 4WD. It featured a 10-speed automatic transmission and a part-time 4WD system. The SR5 TRD Off-Road model included off-road suspension and driver-assist features like Crawl Control. The Sequoia's towing capacity was 4,137 kilograms, with available towing upgrades.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 offered dual-zone automatic climate control, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and a power moonroof. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard from the GS trim. The CX-30's rear seats were less comfortable due to limited legroom, but storage space was reasonable. The cargo area provided 572 litres of space, expanding to 1,280 litres with the rear seats folded, though lacking additional storage features.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia's Capstone trim featured automatic power-deploying running boards and a maximum cargo space of 2,460 litres with seats folded. The second-row seats were easy to move for third-row access, but the third-row seats did not create a flat load floor due to the hybrid battery. The Sequoia's legroom was less than some rivals, but second-row captain's chairs were available on higher trims, offering comfort despite their flat design.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30's Mazda Connect infotainment system had notable flaws, lacking a touchscreen and conversational voice-recognition technology. The system required frequent glances away from the road, and the absence of a tuning knob was inconvenient. Despite these issues, the system integrated well with the dashboard and offered features like Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Bose premium sound system on Turbo models.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia's Capstone trim included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, accessed through a 14-inch touchscreen on most trims. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system prioritized functionality over flashiness. A 12.3-inch driver information display was standard, and the Panoramic View monitor was available on higher trims. The Sequoia also offered a 14-speaker JBL Premium Audio system on select trims.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 excelled in safety, earning a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS. It featured standard rear side airbags and outboard rear seatbelt tensioners. Safety features varied by trim, with the GS trim adding adaptive cruise control and forward-collision warning. The GT trims included advanced features like a surround-view camera and traffic jam assist. The CX-30's safety systems generally performed well, though some responses were overly sensitive.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia came standard with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 suite, including a pre-collision system, lane-departure alert, and adaptive cruise control. Front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking were also standard. The Sequoia's only optional driver aid was a trailer backup guide. While not yet rated by safety organizations, the Sequoia's Tundra sibling received a Top Safety Pick+ designation.