2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2024 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, which distinguished it from the Tundra's more unconventional look. 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 14-inch infotainment system. Despite its premium appearance, some 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. Off-road enthusiasts found the TRD Pro trim appealing, though the Sequoia's off-road capabilities were somewhat limited compared to its predecessor.

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 retained its familiar design, which had aged gracefully since its debut in 2017. The new Suna trim, exclusive to the U.S., featured Zircon Sand paint and Terracotta leather seats, adding a touch of exclusivity. Mazda improved the fuel economy for models with the base engine and introduced wireless charging and connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in several trims. The CX-5 offered a choice between a 187-horsepower base engine and a 256-horsepower turbocharged engine, both paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. In Canada, the CX-5's trim levels ranged from GS to Signature, with prices between $35,476 and $48,276. The Suna trim, priced at $47,026, came with the Turbo engine as standard. The CX-5's interior materials and technology upgrades over the years resulted in an upscale feel at a mainstream price.

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, a significant improvement over the previous model. 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+, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience. However, the steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive at times.

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 Turbo, when fueled with premium gas, produced 256 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 320 lb-ft of torque at 2,500 rpm. On regular gas, it still delivered 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. The CX-5's powertrain was more rewarding with a gradual acceleration approach, allowing the turbocharged engine to shine. However, its fuel efficiency was less impressive, with a combined rating of 9.8 L/100 km. The CX-5's driving experience was enhanced by its excellent outward visibility, smooth suspension, and responsive handling. It offered a quiet ride on highways and lively handling in urban settings. The CX-5's ground clearance of 20 centimetres allowed it to handle well-traveled trails with ease.

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. The front seats were heated and ventilated, and the steering wheel was heated as well. However, the Sequoia's interior space was compromised by its hybrid powertrain, resulting in reduced cargo capacity compared to its predecessor. The third-row seats were less comfortable, with limited legroom and thigh support. The Sequoia's cargo space was also limited, with a maximum capacity of 2,460 litres, significantly less than its rivals.

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 provided a comfortable and supportive interior, with standard heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The seats were redesigned for comfort, and the driver enjoyed six-way power adjustment. The CX-5's interior was smaller compared to its segment rivals, but it offered good support and a proper sitting position for rear passengers. The cabin's design and quality elevated the CX-5 above most mass-market competitors. The cargo area provided 871 litres of space behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,680 litres with the seats folded down.

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. The Capstone trim offered a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system. However, the system had some quirks, such as glare on the display and occasional issues with the Intelligent Assistant. The Sequoia's parking sensors and automatic rear braking system were effective in preventing accidents.

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 took a different approach, avoiding touchscreens in favour of traditional controls. However, it allowed touchscreen operation for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 10.25-inch display was easy to navigate, with a large knob and surrounding buttons for quick access. Mazda Connected Services offered remote engine starting and other features. The CX-5's Bose premium sound system added to the SUV's premium feel.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure 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, which received high ratings from the IIHS.

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 was equipped with advanced driving assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims offered additional safety features like adaptive headlights and a driver monitoring system. The CX-5 had previously received a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, and the NHTSA awarded it five-star ratings, except for a four-star rollover resistance rating.