Toyota Sienna vs Mazda CX-5

In addition to promising 6.6–6.8 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, the 2025 Sienna distinguishes itself in several ways. It offers an available all-wheel-drive (AWD) system for extra traction. And while its maximum cargo capacity measurement falls short of rivals, you never need to remove the second-row seats to use it.

Verdict: Saving money on gas, making life simpler, and the option of AWD are all good things in a minivan. They make the Toyota Sienna worth considering if you’re also looking at cars such as the Chrysler Pacifica, Honda Odyssey, and Kia Carnival.

Mazda's compact SUV gets its first full redesign in nearly a decade, and the results are a mixed bag.

The 2026 CX-5 is longer, wider, more spacious, and more technologically advanced than its predecessor, with a striking new exterior, standard all-wheel drive (AWD) across the lineup, and Google built-in as standard. But the carried-over 187-horsepower engine and six-speed automatic transmission feel like relics from a different era, especially when every key competitor now offers a hybrid option with significantly more power and better fuel economy.

Verdict: The 2026 CX-5 is one of the best-looking and best-equipped compact crossovers you can buy, but its sluggish and thirsty powertrain and odd interior quibbles hold it back from greatness. Buyers who prioritize style, interior quality, and value will love it; those who want efficiency or performance should wait for the hybrid in 2027.