2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2024 Mazda CX-30

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 presence 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 interior was dominated by a large 14-inch infotainment system, and while it looked luxurious, some materials reminded occupants 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 was recommended for off-roading enthusiasts, while the TRD Off-Road offered a more budget-friendly option with off-road capabilities.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30, on the other hand, aimed to stand out with its excessive charcoal-coloured plastic cladding, which some found excessive. Despite this, the CX-30's overall design was appealing, featuring short overhangs, a long hood, and a rakish roofline. Inside, the CX-30's interior exuded a sense of luxury, with clear gauges, a well-integrated infotainment screen, and dual-zone climate controls. In Canada, the CX-30 was available in four trims, with two engine options: a 191-horsepower 2.5-litre engine for the GX, GS, and GT trims, and a turbocharged engine producing up to 250 hp for the Suna model. Prices ranged from $28,150 to $43,390. The test vehicle featured a unique Zircon Sand paint and Terracotta and Black interior, which received mixed reactions.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with a 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 437 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 583 pound-feet of torque at 2,400 rpm. While it lacked the rumble of the previous V8, the new V6 offered improved towing capacity, with a maximum tow rating of 4,137 kilograms in Canada. Fuel efficiency also improved, with a rating of 11.7 L/100 km in combined driving. The Sequoia offered various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, but the steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30, with its turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, produced 250 hp and 320 pound-feet of torque. The power delivery was smooth, and the CX-30 was considered the sports car of its class. It featured a six-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. However, fuel economy was not its strong suit, with an observed 13.3 L/100 km on a mountainous route. The CX-30 was nimble and fun to drive, offering excellent visibility and a smooth ride at highway speeds. It also had a ground clearance of 20.3 centimetres, making it capable of handling challenging trails.

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 climate control system. However, the third-row seat was less comfortable due to its high floor and low roof. Cargo space was limited, with only 325 litres behind the third row, expandable to 1,387 litres with the seats folded. The Sequoia's hybrid powertrain compromised its overall utility, reducing cargo capacity compared to the previous model.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30 featured a well-designed interior with quality materials and logical controls. The front seats were comfortable, but the rear seat was cramped. Cargo space measured 572 litres behind the back seat, expandable to 1,280 litres with the seats folded. The CX-30 offered flexibility with its adjustable load floor, making it practical for its size.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with a 14-inch touchscreen in most trims. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but glare on the display was an issue. The system included an Intelligent Assistant and allowed for multiple Bluetooth pairings. The Capstone trim also had a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30's GT and Suna trims featured a new 10.25-inch infotainment display with touchscreen functionality for smartphone mirroring. However, the screen was located far from the driver and passenger. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the GT and Suna trims had additional features like USB-C ports, a wireless smartphone charger, and a Bose premium audio system.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which included features like forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. It also had blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors with automatic braking. While crash test ratings were not available, the Sequoia's platform-mate, the Tundra, received high ratings from the IIHS.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30 offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward-collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims added features like adaptive headlights, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. The CX-30 received high safety ratings, earning a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS.