2024 Toyota Sequoia vs 2024 Mazda CX-30

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia shared its platform with the Tundra pickup, and this was evident in its design cues, such as hexagonal grilles, wheel arches, and a muscular stance. The exterior colour significantly influenced its appearance, with the Capstone model featuring more chrome brightwork. Our tester, in Celestial Silver, appeared somewhat dated, reminiscent of a "cop car." Inside, the Sequoia closely resembled the Tundra, with a blocky, geometric dashboard layout, physical dials, and buttons for climate control. The Capstone trim boasted semi-aniline leather upholstery, while other trims offered SofTex leatherette or standard leather. The seating was power-adjustable, and all models featured a power-tilt and -slide moonroof, with an upgraded panoramic version available on higher trims.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30 aimed to distinguish itself from a typical car with its excessive charcoal-coloured plastic cladding, which some found excessive. However, its overall design was appealing, featuring short overhangs, a long hood, and a rakish roofline. The interior exuded a sense of luxury, with style and refinement akin to entry-level luxury SUVs. The gauges were clear, and the infotainment screen was seamlessly integrated into the dashboard. In Canada, the CX-30 offered four versions, with two engine options: a 191-horsepower 2.5-litre four-cylinder and a turbocharged version producing up to 250 hp. Our test car, in the Suna trim, featured a unique Zircon Sand paint over Terracotta and Black interior upholstery, which elicited mixed reactions.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia was exclusively available in a hybrid format, utilizing Toyota's iForce MAX hybrid powertrain. This combined a twin-turbo V6 engine with an electric motor, delivering 427 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque. This marked a significant increase over its predecessor, with improved fuel economy rated at 11.7 L/100 km combined with 4WD. The Sequoia featured a standard 4WD system with a 10-speed automatic transmission, offering smooth operation. The SR5 TRD Off-Road model catered to adventure enthusiasts with unique tires, off-road suspension, and driver-assist features like Crawl Control and hill-descent control. The Sequoia's towing capacity reached 4,137 kilograms, with optional towing upgrades available.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30, equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivered 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque. Despite its power, the CX-30's acceleration was gradual, with torque arriving at 2,000 rpm. The six-speed automatic transmission provided flawless shifting, and the standard AWD system ensured power distribution to all four wheels. However, the turbocharged engine's fuel economy was less impressive, with an observed 13.3 L/100 km on a mountainous route. The CX-30 offered a zippy and nimble driving experience, with excellent visibility and standard safety features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. It handled back roads with enthusiasm, thanks to its Off-Road traction assist setting and 20.3 cm of ground clearance.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia Capstone featured automatic power-deploying running boards, aiding entry for shorter individuals. Inside, it offered 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, while the third-row seats folded at the push of a button. However, the hybrid powertrain's battery pack affected the load floor and headroom, with legroom ranging from 713 to 855 mm in the third row. Second-row captain's chairs were available on higher trims, providing ample width but lacking bolstering.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30 boasted a well-designed interior with quality materials and logical controls. The three-gauge, partial digital instrumentation was a highlight, and the Terracotta leather seats with simulated Black suede inserts added a touch of colour. While the interior was cramped, especially in the back seat, the driver and front passenger enjoyed comfort and ease of entry. The power-adjustable driver's seat made finding the perfect position easy. Cargo volume measured 572 litres behind the back seat, with flexibility for hidden underfloor storage. Folding the back seat down provided 1,280 litres of volume, comparable to other small SUVs.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia Capstone trim was equipped with a range of features, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SR5 trim had an 8-inch touchscreen, while higher trims featured a 14-inch centre touchscreen. The Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system prioritized functionality over flashiness. The driver information display was a full-colour 12.3-inch unit, and the Panoramic View monitor was standard on higher trims. The Capstone trim also included a 10-inch colour head-up display and a 14-speaker JBL Premium Audio system.

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

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia came standard with the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.5 suite, including features like a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, and road-sign recognition. Front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. The only optional driver aid was a trailer backup guide with Straight-Path Assist, available on higher trims. While the Sequoia hadn't been rated by safety organizations, the similar Toyota Tundra earned a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30 included blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert as standard features. Forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control were available from the GS trim. Higher trims offered adaptive headlights, parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and a traffic jam assist system. The CX-30 received high safety ratings, with five-star ratings from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS.