2024 Mazda CX-90 vs 2024 Toyota Sequoia

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 presented itself as a formidable contender in the luxury SUV market, challenging the likes of BMW and Mercedes-Benz with its sophisticated design and high-quality materials. Mazda had surpassed its Japanese counterparts, Honda, Nissan, and Toyota, in terms of design and material quality, edging closer to the luxury arms of these competitors. The CX-90's exterior was a supersized version of the elegant design language seen in the smaller CX-30 and CX-5 models. Its imposing presence was accentuated by a large grille, wide-set front end, and wheels ranging from 18 to 21 inches, complemented by tasteful chrome trim. Inside, the top-tier models boasted interiors that could rival luxury brands, featuring brown suede upholstery, wood inlays, and matte black plastic bits, creating an elegant and refined atmosphere.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Sequoia shared its platform and several design cues with the Tundra pickup, including hexagonal grilles and muscular stances. The exterior colour significantly influenced its appearance, with the Capstone model featuring more chrome brightwork and presented in Celestial Silver, giving it a somewhat dated look. Inside, the Sequoia's resemblance to the Tundra was evident, with a blocky, geometric dash layout and physical dials and buttons for climate control. The Capstone trim featured semi-aniline leather upholstery, while SofTex leatherette was standard on the base SR5 TRD Offroad trim. The Sequoia offered power-adjustable front seats across the lineup and a power-tilt and -slide moonroof, enhancing its appeal.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 introduced two new powertrains, including a plug-in hybrid option, marking a significant transformation from the outgoing CX-9. The turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine with a mild-hybrid system delivered 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque in its base spec, while the upgraded version in the GT-P and Signature trims increased power to 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. All models featured all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The CX-90 Signature offered three driving modes: Normal, Sport, and Off-Road, with noticeable differences in behaviour between Normal and Sport modes. The PHEV model combined a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with a 17.8-kWh battery and a 68-kW electric motor, producing 323 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, with an all-electric range of 42 kilometres.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia was exclusively offered in a hybrid format, utilizing Toyota's iForce MAX hybrid powertrain. This system combined a twin-turbo V6 engine with an electric motor, producing 427 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque, a significant increase over its V8-powered predecessor. The Sequoia's fuel economy improved to 11.7 L/100 km combined with four-wheel drive. In Canada, the Sequoia came with standard 4WD and a 10-speed automatic transmission. The SR5 TRD Off-Road model featured unique tires, TRD badging, and off-road suspension, enhancing its adventure-readiness. The Sequoia's maximum towing capacity was 4,137 kilograms, with several towing-related upgrades available.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 offered a range of trims and seating configurations, accommodating up to eight passengers in the lower trims and six in the Turbo Signature trim. Cargo space varied depending on the seating configuration, with a maximum of 2,129 litres in models with a two-seater third row. The CX-90 featured clever storage options, including a large centre console, spacious door pockets, and well-placed cupholders. Despite its improvements over the CX-9, the CX-90's cargo capacity fell short compared to rivals like the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia provided a maximum of 2,460 litres of cargo space with both second- and third-row seats folded. The second-row seats were easy to move for access to the back row, and the third-row bench seats could be folded down at the push of a button. However, the seats were positioned above the hybrid powertrain's battery pack, affecting headroom and legroom. The Sequoia's second-row captain's chairs were wide but lacked bolstering, and the seatbelt relied on the armrest for support.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 focused on eliminating distractions with its Mazda Connect infotainment system, which used hard buttons and a rotary control knob instead of a touchscreen interface. While the intention was to reduce distraction, the system's quirks often led to more distraction. However, the CX-90 offered personalization software that adjusted settings based on facial recognition, and it came standard with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with wireless functionality in higher trims.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia's Capstone trim featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, accessible through a massive 14-inch touchscreen in most trims. The Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system prioritized functionality over flashiness. The Sequoia's driver information display was a full-colour 12.3-inch affair, and the Panoramic View monitor was standard on higher trims. The 14-speaker JBL Premium Audio system was available on the Limited trim and standard on Platinum and Capstone.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 came standard with i-Activsense, Mazda's suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The top-spec CX-90 Signature also featured cruising and traffic support. While the CX-90 had not been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA, its predecessor, the CX-9, received high safety ratings.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia included the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 suite of safety features as standard, with technologies like a pre-collision system, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, and road-sign recognition. The only optional driver aid was a trailer backup guide with Straight-Path Assist, available on higher trims. The Sequoia had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but the similar Toyota Tundra earned a Top Safety Pick+ designation.