2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Mazda CX-50

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 newly creased and kinked body gave it a more commanding appearance than its predecessor. Inside, the Sequoia shared many design elements with the Tundra, featuring an industrial theme with upscale touches like leather, wood, and metallic finishes in the Capstone trim. The 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system dominated the dashboard, and the interior was available in a luxurious cream white-over-black two-tone colour scheme. Despite its luxurious appearance, some interior materials reminded drivers of its pickup truck origins. The Sequoia lineup included various trims, with prices starting at $79,335 for the TRD Off-road and reaching $95,335 for the Capstone. The TRD Pro trim offered enhanced off-road capabilities, while the TRD Off-Road provided a more budget-friendly option with off-road features.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 showcased a design that combined subtle seductiveness with newfound ruggedness. Its styling featured a blunt nose, long hood, and rakish windshield, while blistered fender swells and lower body cladding added a rugged touch. The CX-50's exterior design elements, including a black grille and available 20-inch alloy wheels, created an appealing look. The CX-50 Meridian Edition introduced exclusive wheels, all-terrain tires, and a roof-mounted load platform. The CX-50 offered two engine options: a 187-horsepower 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine for the GS-L and GT trims, and a turbocharged 2.5-litre engine producing up to 256 hp for the GT Turbo and Meridian Edition. Prices ranged from $38,250 to $48,200, excluding the $1,995 destination charge. The interior featured black leather with caramel-coloured accent stitching, quality materials, and a driver-focused design. The CX-50's interior was both stylish and functional, with a few minor design quirks.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with a powerful hybrid powertrain, featuring a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, a 36-kilowatt electric motor/generator, and a 1.87 kilowatt-hour nickel-metal hydride battery pack. This setup delivered an impressive 437 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 583 pound-feet of torque at 2,400 rpm. The Sequoia's towing capacity increased to 4,137 kilograms (9,120 pounds) in Canada, surpassing the previous model's 3,356 kilograms (7,400 pounds). Fuel efficiency improved, with a rating of 11.7 L/100 km in combined driving with 4WD. During testing, the Sequoia averaged 13.2 L/100 km on a mountainous evaluation loop. The SUV offered various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience. However, the Sequoia's steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive at times.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 offered two engine options, with the GT model featuring a 187 hp Skyactiv 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 186 lb-ft of torque. This engine delivered fuel consumption figures of 9.7 L/100 km in the city, 7.9 on the highway, and 8.9 combined. The GT Turbo trim offered a turbocharged version of the engine, producing between 227 hp and 256 hp, depending on the fuel used. Torque ranged from 310 lb-ft to 320 lb-ft. The turbo engine provided smooth acceleration and a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds (1,587 kilograms). Fuel economy for the turbo engine was 10.4 L/100 km city, 8.1 highway, and 9.4 combined. The CX-50's driving experience was characterized by smooth acceleration and a firm ride quality. The SUV's Mi-Drive system offered Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing modes, ensuring natural vehicle behaviour in various situations. The CX-50's driving character resembled a modern Mazda6 station wagon with a Subaru Outback treatment.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, offering a comfortable cabin with soft leather upholstery, a JBL premium audio system, and a triple-zone automatic climate control system. The front seats were comfortable, and the heated steering wheel and power-folding mirrors added convenience. However, the panoramic glass moonroof reduced second-row headroom, and the third-row seat was less comfortable due to its high floor and low roof. Cargo space was limited, with 325 litres available with the third-row seat in its rearmost position, expandable to 631 litres by sliding the seat forward. The Sequoia's maximum cargo capacity was 2,460 litres, significantly less than its predecessor and segment rivals.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 offered a well-equipped interior with power-adjustable heated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. The ventilated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control ensured comfort in various weather conditions. The front seats were comfortable for long drives, though additional side bolstering would have been beneficial. The back seat provided ample space for adults, and rear doors opened to nearly a 90-degree angle for easy entry and exit. Cargo space measured 889 litres, with a maximum capacity of 1,595 litres. The CX-50's load floor was long but narrow between the wheel wells, and side bins and hooks added convenience for securing items.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen on the base TRD Off-road trim and a 14-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and connected services allowed for user accounts and an Intelligent Assistant. However, the display suffered from glare, and some features required workarounds. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system. The Sequoia's parking sensors and automatic rear braking system effectively prevented collisions.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 came with a Mazda Connect infotainment system, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and Mazda Connected Services. The system included a 10.25-inch display and offered touchscreen control for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The available 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround-sound system provided a satisfying audio experience. The CX-50 also offered an Active Driving Display, projecting data within the driver's line of sight and displaying blind-spot warnings.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5), which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centring assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam headlights, and a road sign recognition system. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. The Sequoia's adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist systems made highway driving easier, though the lane-departure warning system's beeping was irritating.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 was rated as a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, though it fell short of the Top Safety Pick+ designation due to some headlight configurations and night-time pedestrian collision avoidance results. The CX-50 offered a comprehensive package of driving assistance systems, including active blind-spot monitoring, Traffic Jam Assist, front and rear parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. However, the adaptive cruise control occasionally failed to recognize slower vehicles cutting into the gap ahead.