2024 Mazda CX-90 vs 2025 Toyota Sienna

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 presented itself as a formidable contender in the luxury SUV market, challenging the traditional dominance of brands like BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Mazda had made significant strides in design and material quality, surpassing other Japanese automakers such as Honda, Nissan, and Toyota. The CX-90's exterior design was an elegant evolution of Mazda's smaller models, featuring a large grille, wide-set front end, and wheels ranging from 18 to 21 inches, all contributing to its imposing presence. Inside, the top-tier trims offered a luxurious experience with brown suede upholstery, wood inlays, and matte black plastic, rivaling even the likes of the BMW X5 in terms of interior sophistication.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Sienna maintained its minivan identity, despite efforts to inject style into its design. The trapezoidal grille and upswept body lines gave it a distinctive look, but it still resembled a traditional minivan. The Sienna's Platinum package introduced new wheel designs and a Magnetic Grey paint colour, but it remained unmistakably a minivan. The interior updates for 2025 included a woodgrain finish, though opinions on its aesthetics varied. While the Sienna offered practicality with seating for up to eight and a spacious interior, it couldn't escape its utilitarian roots.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 introduced two new powertrains, including a plug-in hybrid option, marking a significant departure from the outgoing CX-9. The turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine with a mild-hybrid system delivered 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque in its base form, while the upgraded version in the GT-P and Signature trims produced an impressive 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. All models featured all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The CX-90's driving modes, including Normal, Sport, and Off-Road, allowed for versatile performance, with Sport mode delivering an exhilarating engine roar. The PHEV variant offered a combined output of 323 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, with an all-electric range of 42 kilometres. Despite its larger platform, the CX-90 handled corners with agility, thanks to its double-wishbone front suspension and transverse engine layout.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Sienna relied on a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The net horsepower rating was 245, which, while not particularly high, was sufficient for city driving and highway cruising. The Sienna's hybrid system prioritized fuel economy, with a Natural Resources Canada 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 but lacked excitement, with a smooth and absorbent ride. The CVT's droning noise during hard acceleration was a drawback, but the Sienna excelled in providing a quiet highway experience.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 offered a range of seating configurations, with lower trims accommodating eight passengers and mid-level trims featuring captain's chairs for seven. The Turbo Signature trim provided an exclusive six-seat layout. Cargo space varied depending on the seating arrangement, with a maximum of 2,129 litres available. While the CX-90 improved on the CX-9's capacity, it still fell short compared to competitors like the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander. Clever storage solutions, comfortable seats, and premium materials contributed to a pleasant interior experience.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna prioritized practicality with its minivan design. The front seats were power-adjustable and heated, but the cushions felt hard during long drives. The Platinum package's second-row captain's chairs with ottoman-style leg rests were popular with passengers. The Sienna's third-row seat accommodated adults comfortably, and the sliding side doors facilitated easy access. Cargo space was generous, with 949 litres behind the third row and a maximum of 2,860 litres. However, the Sienna's cargo capacity was less than its minivan rivals due to the lack of removable second-row seats.

Mazda's approach to technology in the CX-90 focused on minimizing distractions. The Mazda Connect infotainment system used a rotary control knob and hard buttons instead of a touchscreen. While the intention was to enhance safety, the system's quirks and complexities often led to frustration. 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 2025 Toyota Sienna featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen display for the Toyota Audio Multimedia (TAM) system in higher trims. The Limited with Platinum package included a four-zone automatic climate control system, a 10-inch head-up display, and a camera-based digital rearview mirror. The TAM system offered connected services with varying subscription periods, and the digital assistant responded well to voice commands. The Sienna's infotainment system was complemented by a 12-speaker JBL premium audio system, though the sound quality could be improved.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 came equipped with i-Activsense, Mazda's suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), as standard. This included features like blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The CX-90's cruising and traffic support system provided hands-on driver assistance, maintaining lane position effectively. While crash-test ratings were not yet available, the CX-90 was expected to perform well based on the accolades received by the previous CX-9 model.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna featured Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.0, an older version of the automaker's ADAS suite. While it lacked some of the newer features found in TSS 3.0, it provided essential safety technologies such as forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Sienna's lane-centring assist performed well, but the adaptive cruise control required vigilance in urban areas. The Sienna also introduced a rear-seat reminder system to prevent leaving passengers behind. The NHTSA awarded the Sienna a five-star overall rating, though its frontal crash-test result was lower than expected.