2024 Toyota Sienna vs 2025 Mazda CX-5

The 2024 Toyota Sienna, available in Canada in LE, XLE, XSE, and Limited trims, presented a distinctive appearance with sleek front and rear fascias. It offered a range of cool colours like deep blue, red, and bronze. LED lighting was standard, with upper trims featuring Bi-LED projector headlamps. The XSE trim, noted for its sporty look, included a black metallic mesh front grille, black heated side mirrors, and 20-inch dark wheels. Inside, the Sienna provided cloth seats, three-zone climate control, and room for eight, with the XSE trim offering leatherette-trimmed sport seats and a heated, leather-trimmed power steering wheel. The interior design, with horizontal lines and satin accents, added a sense of spaciousness, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2025 Mazda CX-5 was considered one of the most attractive vehicles in the small SUV class, with graceful curves that set it apart. Despite not being redesigned since 2017, its design remained timeless, resembling an entry-level luxury SUV. The interior featured high-quality materials and a layout that balanced traditional and modern elements. While it lacked a large infotainment touchscreen, the physical buttons and knobs enhanced usability. The CX-5's interior was comparable to last-generation Acura or Lexus models, offering a refined feel. Although it didn't match some rivals in space, it provided a pleasant driving experience with its elegant design and practical features.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna was equipped with a hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, producing a total of 245 horsepower. All-wheel drive models included an additional electric motor for the rear wheels. Despite having a sport-tuned suspension and a Sport mode, the Sienna's performance was not particularly thrilling, feeling sluggish off the line. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) contributed to a smooth but slow acceleration, especially noticeable during highway merging or climbing. Around town, the Sienna offered a pleasant driving experience with light and accurate steering, although the brakes were occasionally grabby.

The 2025 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine choices: a base 2.5-litre four-cylinder with 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged version with 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive was standard. The base engine provided adequate power, while the turbocharged model delivered quicker acceleration, reaching 96 km/h in about six seconds. The CX-5 excelled in sporty driving dynamics, with minimal body roll and a firm ride quality. Its quiet cabin and responsive handling made it an enjoyable choice for those seeking a more engaging driving experience.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior space and functionality, though some seating features were complex. It featured a lower storage pass-through for bulkier items, multiple cupholders, and a shelf with a wireless charging pad. The second-row captain’s chairs offered significant legroom but were not removable, limiting cargo space. The third row was accessible and provided ample legroom when the second row was adjusted. The Sienna included tri-zone climate control, with an additional zone in the XSE trim, and a rear liftgate with 949 litres of cargo space, expandable to 2,860 litres with seats folded.

The 2025 Mazda CX-5's interior was praised for design and refinement but lacked some practicality compared to rivals. It offered sufficient headroom and rear legroom, though competitors like the Honda CR-V provided more space. The CX-5 had 871 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,680 litres with rear seats folded. It featured moderately sized cupholders, door pockets, and a centre armrest bin. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with a control dial and logical menus. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, with wireless options in higher trims. The CX-5's interior, while not the most spacious, offered a comfortable and stylish environment.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna was equipped with an older infotainment system featuring a nine-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While the system included physical buttons for common menus, the backup camera's grainy view was a drawback. The Sienna offered a 7-inch digital display in the gauge cluster, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 12-speaker JBL stereo system. USB ports were plentiful, and a 1500-watt inverter with a 120-volt outlet was available. Despite some outdated elements, the Sienna provided essential tech features for a family vehicle.

The 2025 Mazda CX-5 featured a 10.25-inch infotainment display controlled via a centre console dial. The system was easy to operate, with logical menus and minimal distraction. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, with wireless options in higher trims. The CX-5 included a head-up display in the Premium Plus trim and above, projecting speed and other information onto the windshield. The audio system ranged from a four-speaker setup in the base trim to a 10-speaker Bose system in the Signature model. The CX-5's technology, while not cutting-edge, offered a user-friendly experience.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna came standard with the Toyota Safety Sense suite, including lane departure alert, automatic emergency braking, road sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. The Sienna received four out of five stars from the NHTSA for frontal crash and rollover protection, and five stars for side crash protection. The IIHS rated it "Good" in crashworthiness but "Average" in front crash prevention.

The 2025 Mazda CX-5 earned five stars from the NHTSA in most evaluations, except for rollover protection, where it received four stars. The IIHS rated its crash tests well, but the standard collision avoidance system received a Poor rating. All trims included forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims added features like adaptive headlights, a head-up display, and a 360-degree camera. The CX-5's safety systems operated smoothly, providing reliable protection.