2024 Mazda CX-30 vs 2025 Toyota Sienna

The 2024 Mazda CX-30 was designed with a distinctive aesthetic that set it apart from typical cars. Despite the excessive charcoal-coloured plastic cladding on the lower body, which some found overwhelming, the CX-30 maintained an overall appealing look. Its short overhangs, long and low hood, and sculpted flanks contributed to its sporty appearance, complemented by black wheels for those who appreciated them. Inside, the CX-30's interior exuded a sense of luxury, with style and refinement akin to an entry-level luxury SUV. The gauges were clear, the infotainment screen was seamlessly integrated into the dashboard, and the dual-zone climate controls were elegantly designed.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Sienna embraced the traditional minivan design, prioritizing practicality over style. Despite Toyota's efforts to add flair with upswept body lines and a trapezoidal grille, the Sienna still resembled a minivan. The Platinum package introduced new flower-petal wheel designs, but the overall look remained utilitarian. Inside, the Sienna's interior received updates for 2025, with a new woodgrain finish in the Platinum package. However, opinions on the interior were mixed, with some finding the design unappealing. Despite this, the Sienna offered practicality with seating for up to eight and a spacious interior.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30, equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivered a robust 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque. Despite these impressive figures, the CX-30's power delivery was smooth and gradual, akin to catching and riding a wave. The six-speed automatic transmission provided flawless shifting, and the standard all-wheel-drive system ensured power was distributed to all four wheels. However, the turbocharged engine's fuel economy was less impressive, with an observed 13.3 litres per 100 kilometres on a mountainous route, limiting its range due to a small 48-litre fuel tank. Nevertheless, the CX-30 offered a fun and nimble driving experience, with excellent visibility and standard safety features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Sienna featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The hybrid system produced a net horsepower of 245, which, while not particularly high, was sufficient for city driving and highway cruising. The Sienna's hybrid powertrain prioritized fuel economy, with an official rating of 6.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. However, during testing, it averaged 8.9 L/100 km. The Sienna's handling was predictable and secure, but not particularly engaging, with a smooth and absorbent ride. The CVT's droning during hard acceleration was a drawback, but the Sienna remained impressively quiet on the highway.

Inside the 2024 Mazda CX-30, the design was characterized by quality materials and logical controls. The three-gauge, partial digital instrumentation was a standout feature, and the traditional PRNDL shifter was easy to operate. Gloss black trim, metallic accents, and exposed stitching added contrast to the cabin, while the Terracotta leather seats with simulated Black suede inserts provided a splash of colour. However, the interior space was cramped, especially in the back seat. The cargo volume measured 572 litres behind the back seat, with the flexibility to drop the load floor for additional storage. Folding the back seat down increased the cargo capacity to 1,280 litres.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna, as a minivan, excelled in form and function, offering unusual seating and cargo solutions. The front seats were power-adjustable and heated, with ventilated leather in the Limited with Platinum package. However, the cushions felt hard after extended driving. The second-row captain's chairs with ottoman-style leg rests were popular with passengers, and the third-row seat accommodated adults comfortably. The Sienna's cargo space was generous, with 949 litres behind the third-row seat and a maximum capacity of 2,860 litres. However, the Sienna's design did not allow for the removal of the second-row seats, limiting its maximum load space compared to rivals.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30's GT and Suna trims featured a new 10.25-inch infotainment display, replacing the standard 8.8-inch screen. This larger system offered touchscreen functionality for smartphone mirroring platforms like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the screen's placement far from the driver and front passenger was a drawback. Mazda's approach to reducing driver distraction involved static displays and a combination of controls, but the lack of natural voice recognition was a limitation. All CX-30s in Canada included a two-year subscription to Mazda Connected Services, with USB-C ports, a wireless smartphone charger, and a Bose premium audio system on higher trims.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Sienna's higher-spec models boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen display for the Toyota Audio Multimedia (TAM) infotainment system. The Limited with Platinum package included a four-zone automatic climate control system, a 10-inch head-up display (HUD), and a camera-based digital rearview mirror. The TAM system offered access to four connected services plans, with varying complimentary subscription periods. The digital assistant, part of the Drive Connect plan, responded accurately to commands, enhancing the infotainment experience. The Sienna's infotainment system paired with a 12-speaker JBL premium audio system, although the sound quality was not always optimal.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30 came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims offered additional features like adaptive headlights, front and rear parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and traffic jam assist. The CX-30 received high safety ratings, with a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2025 Toyota Sienna, however, featured the older Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.0, which included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centring assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Sienna also had blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. While the TSS 2.0 system lacked some of the newer features found in TSS 3.0, it provided a more straightforward driving experience. The Sienna added a new rear-seat reminder technology for 2025, enhancing safety for families. However, its crash-test safety ratings were mixed, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but lower scores in frontal impact tests.