2024 Toyota 4Runner vs 2023 Mazda CX-5

The 2023 Mazda CX-5, despite its age, continued to be a strong contender in the compact crossover SUV market. It was known for its stylish design and high-quality materials, giving it the appearance and feel of a small luxury SUV. The CX-5 offered a turbocharged engine option that delivered impressive power, and it boasted a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Mazda's decision to transition from the CX-5 to the CX-50 was a strategic move, similar to Infiniti's rebranding of the G37 to the Q50 and Q60. This change aimed to ease consumers into the new model while maintaining the CX-5's reputation for quality, refinement, and sophistication.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota 4Runner was a throwback to an earlier era of SUV design. Its rugged, boxy shape and flared fenders gave it a stable and brawny appearance, ideal for off-road adventures. The TRD Pro model, with its underbody skid plates and all-terrain tires, further emphasized its off-road capabilities. However, the 4Runner's interior showed its age, with outdated styling and technology. While it offered ample space and practical features for off-road enthusiasts, its old-school design and lack of modern touches made it feel more like a well-maintained used vehicle than a contemporary SUV.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options. The base model featured a Skyactiv-G 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). It achieved a fuel economy rating of 9.0 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The more enticing option was the 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 256 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel, or 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft on regular gas. This engine also came with AWD and a six-speed automatic transmission, with a fuel economy of 9.8 L/100 km. The turbocharged engine's power increase, along with structural and suspension improvements, made the CX-5 feel more like an entry-level luxury vehicle, offering a firm and connected ride quality.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner, on the other hand, was equipped with a 4.0-litre V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque. While these figures were competitive with the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler, the 4Runner's five-speed automatic transmission limited its responsiveness and fuel efficiency. The TRD Pro model featured standard four-wheel drive (4WD) and a two-speed transfer case, making it capable off-road. However, on pavement, the 4Runner felt sluggish, with noticeable rear-end squat during acceleration and a noisy engine and exhaust. Its soft suspension, while beneficial for off-road articulation, resulted in body roll and floatiness on highways.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 received updates to its front seats for improved comfort and support. It offered a range of features, including power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated seats, and dual-zone climate control. The Signature trim added luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. However, the CX-5's interior space was limited, with cramped rear-seat head and legroom and a cargo capacity of 871 litres behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,680 litres with the seats folded.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's interior design felt outdated, but it offered practicality with large climate-control dials and sturdy handles for off-road adventures. It provided ample space for front passengers, though taller drivers might find the steering wheel's telescoping range insufficient. The second row offered generous legroom, but headroom was limited for taller passengers. The 4Runner's cargo capacity was impressive, with 1,337 litres behind the rear seats and up to 2,540 litres with the seats stowed. However, the lack of remote seat releases and a powered liftgate were drawbacks.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5's Mazda Connect infotainment system featured a 10.25-inch display with sophisticated graphics but was criticized for its lack of a helpful voice recognition system and awkward physical controls. The system required memorization and focus, making it distracting to use while driving. Despite these issues, it offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Bose premium audio system on upper trims. The test vehicle also included a front-facing camera and a surround-view camera system.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's infotainment system included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but its small eight-inch touchscreen was challenging to use while driving. The TRD Pro model featured a 15-speaker JBL premium audio system, but road noise often overshadowed its quality. The 4Runner also had additional terrain controls in the headliner console, including Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select, but these required familiarity with the owner's manual for full utilization.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 excelled in safety, with a range of driver assistance features under the i-Activsense banner. It included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The CX-5 received five-star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick ranking from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). However, it lacked a warning message for driving without headlights at night, a common issue with the model.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner received mixed safety ratings, with four stars from NHTSA for overall and frontal crash protection, five stars for side impacts, and three stars for rollover evaluations. The IIHS gave it "Good" ratings for moderate frontal overlap and side protection tests but noted "Marginal" and "Poor" results in the small overlap frontal test. The 4Runner included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-departure warning, but its alerts were often oversensitive.