2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Mazda CX-5

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was a striking presence on the road, with its bold design inspired by the Toyota Tundra pickup truck. The SUV's exterior featured a traditional grille and front bumper, giving it a distinct look that set it apart from its predecessor. Inside, the Sequoia shared many design elements with the Tundra, offering an industrial yet upscale feel, especially in the Capstone trim. This top-tier version boasted a luxurious cream white-over-black two-tone interior, dominated by a massive 14-inch infotainment system. However, despite its premium appearance, some materials reminded drivers of its pickup truck origins. The Sequoia lineup included various trims, each catering to different needs, from off-roading to luxury.

In contrast, the 2023 Mazda CX-5, despite its age, remained a strong contender in the compact crossover SUV segment. It exuded a sense of luxury with high-quality materials and stylish design, making it feel more like a premium vehicle. The CX-5 offered a choice between a standard 187-horsepower engine and a more powerful 256-horsepower turbocharged option, providing impressive performance. While the CX-5's back seat and cargo area were somewhat cramped, its overall refinement and sophistication made it a popular choice. Mazda's decision to transition to the CX-50 nameplate was a strategic move, but the CX-5 continued to impress with its quality and driving experience.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with a robust hybrid powertrain, featuring a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and an electric motor/generator. This setup delivered an impressive 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque, significantly enhancing its towing capacity to 4,137 kilograms. The Sequoia's fuel efficiency improved, achieving 11.7 L/100 km in combined driving with 4WD. Despite its power, the Sequoia's ride quality varied depending on the driving mode, with Sport mode offering the most enjoyable experience. However, its steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive at times.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options: a standard 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and a turbocharged version delivering up to 256 horsepower with premium fuel. The turbo engine provided a thrilling driving experience, with torque arriving at 2,000 rpm on regular gas. The CX-5's fuel economy was rated at 9.8 L/100 km in combined driving. Mazda's updates to the CX-5's suspension and structural rigidity improved its handling and ride quality, making it feel more like a luxury vehicle. The CX-5 excelled on winding roads, offering a firm and connected driving experience.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on highways, offering a comfortable cabin with features like a JBL premium audio system, triple-zone climate control, and heated and ventilated seats. However, its interior space was compromised by the hybrid powertrain, resulting in reduced cargo capacity compared to its predecessor. The third-row seat was less comfortable, with limited legroom and thigh support. The Sequoia's cargo area offered 325 litres with the third-row seat in place, expandable to 2,460 litres with the second-row seats folded down.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 featured improved front seats for enhanced comfort and support. While the interior materials were top-notch, the CX-5's technology and storage space left room for improvement. The infotainment system lacked a conversational voice recognition system, and the control knob was cumbersome to use. The CX-5's cargo space measured 871 litres behind the rear seat, expanding to 1,680 litres with the back seat folded down. Despite its limitations, the CX-5's interior exuded a sense of luxury, especially in the Signature trim with Nappa leather upholstery.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with a 14-inch touchscreen in most trims. The system was intuitive and included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, glare on the display was an issue, especially in the Capstone trim. The Sequoia offered connected services, including an Intelligent Assistant for navigation. The Capstone trim also included a head-up display and a surround-view camera system, enhancing convenience and safety.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5's Mazda Connect infotainment system featured a 10.25-inch display with sophisticated graphics. However, its physical controls were awkward to use, requiring memorization and focus. The system's control knob often required multiple steps to execute commands, making it less user-friendly than a touchscreen. Despite these challenges, Mazda Connect offered features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Bose premium audio system in upper trims. The CX-5 also included a front-facing camera and a surround-view camera system for easier parking.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, offering a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features. These included forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. The Sequoia also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors with automatic braking. While crash-test ratings were not available, the Sequoia's platform shared with the Tundra received high marks from the IIHS.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 excelled in safety, offering a range of driver-assistance features under the i-Activsense banner. Most features were standard, with additional options available in the 2.5 Turbo Signature trim. The CX-5's safety tech operated smoothly, with features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and a head-up display. The CX-5 received top safety ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS, earning a Top Safety Pick ranking.