2024 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Mazda CX-50

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 showcased a design that was both familiar and fresh. Its styling featured a blunt nose, long hood, and rakish windshield, with a cabin positioned towards the rear wheels, embodying Mazda's signature subtle seductiveness. However, the CX-50 introduced a rugged edge with its blistered fender swells, bold lower body cladding, and faux skid plates. The oversized air intakes and vent designs added a performance flair without being visually overwhelming. The combination of a standard black grille, mirror caps, and optional 20-inch alloy wheels created an appealing exterior. The introduction of the CX-50 Meridian Edition brought exclusive features like all-terrain tires and a roof-mounted load platform.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Sequoia shared its platform with the Tundra pickup, adopting similar design cues such as hexagonal grilles and muscular stances. The Sequoia's appearance varied significantly with exterior colour choices. Our Capstone model, in Celestial Silver, featured abundant chrome, giving it a somewhat dated look. Inside, the Sequoia mirrored the Tundra's blocky, geometric dashboard design, with physical controls for climate and audio. The Capstone trim boasted semi-aniline leather upholstery, while other trims offered SofTex leatherette or standard leather. The Sequoia's interior was spacious, with power-adjustable seats and a standard moonroof, enhancing its luxurious feel.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 offered two engine options. The base model featured a 187 hp 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 186 lb-ft of torque through a six-speed automatic transmission. It achieved fuel consumption rates of 9.7 L/100 km in the city and 7.9 on the highway. The GT Turbo variant, with a turbocharged engine, produced between 227 hp and 256 hp, depending on fuel type, and offered a towing capacity of up to 1,587 kg. The turbo engine provided smooth acceleration and minimal turbo lag, with a fuel economy of 10.4 L/100 km in the city. The CX-50's driving modes and G-Vectoring Control ensured consistent performance across various terrains.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia, exclusively a hybrid, featured the iForce MAX powertrain, combining a twin-turbo V6 with an electric motor. This setup delivered 427 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque, significantly improving over its predecessor. The Sequoia's fuel economy was rated at 11.7 L/100 km combined with 4WD. It came with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard 4WD, offering adequate on-road handling. The TRD Off-Road model included features like Crawl Control and hill-descent control, enhancing its off-road capabilities. The Sequoia's towing capacity reached 4,137 kg, with available towing upgrades for added convenience.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50's interior was equipped for comfort, with heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone climate control. The front seats were comfortable for long drives, though additional side bolstering would have been beneficial. The rear seat offered ample space, with nearly 90-degree opening doors for easy access. Cargo space was 889 litres behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,595 litres with seats folded. However, storage options were limited, with few bins and a narrow load floor.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia provided a maximum of 2,460 litres of cargo space with seats folded. The second-row seats were easy to move for third-row access, though the third-row seats did not fold flat due to the hybrid battery placement. This affected headroom and legroom, making the rear seats less comfortable for taller passengers. The Sequoia's second-row captain's chairs, available on higher trims, offered width but lacked bolstering. Automatic power-deploying running boards aided entry, though they required careful timing to avoid mishaps.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 featured the Mazda Connect infotainment system with a 10.25-inch display, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While Mazda Connect lacked touchscreen functionality for its native interface, it allowed touch control for smartphone integration. The system's user interface was sometimes frustrating, but the available Bose 12-speaker sound system provided a satisfying audio experience. An Active Driving Display projected essential information within the driver's line of sight.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia's infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with an 8-inch touchscreen on the SR5 trim and a 14-inch screen on higher trims. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system prioritized functionality over flashiness. A 12.3-inch driver information display was standard, along with a Panoramic View monitor on Platinum and Capstone trims. The 14-speaker JBL Premium Audio system was available on Limited trims and standard on higher trims, enhancing the audio experience.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with some limitations in headlight configurations and night-time pedestrian collision avoidance. It offered a comprehensive package of driving assistance systems, including active blind-spot monitoring and Traffic Jam Assist. However, the adaptive cruise control occasionally failed to recognize vehicles cutting in, requiring manual intervention.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia came standard with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 suite, including pre-collision and lane-departure alerts. It also featured adaptive cruise control and road-sign recognition. Optional trailer backup assistance was available on higher trims. While not yet rated by safety organizations, the Sequoia's Tundra sibling received a Top Safety Pick+ designation, suggesting strong safety performance.