2021 Mazda CX-30 vs 2022 Toyota Sienna

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo featured a distinctive design with shiny black 18-inch wheels, a black grille, black side mirror housings, and matte black body cladding. This combination gave the vehicle a unique, almost floating appearance, as if it were cresting a hill at speed. The CX-30 stood out from its Mazda3 hatchback roots by being perceptually and physically higher off the ground, offering a more SUV-like experience. Inside, the cabin mirrored the Mazda3’s quality materials and upscale vibe, with stitched chocolate brown surfaces and a chrome accent around the engine start button. The Premium and Premium Plus trims offered black or white leather upholstery, enhancing the luxurious feel.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Sienna embraced its minivan identity while incorporating SUV styling cues. The Sienna featured a macho front end and cleverly re-engineered door hinges to hide the slider channel, giving it a more assertive profile. The interior was designed to avoid the typical minivan feel, offering an uncluttered front cabin and ample storage throughout. The second and third rows provided roomy seating, with available captain’s chairs and a spacious three-across bench in the third row. The Sienna’s design focused on practicality and comfort, making it a versatile family vehicle.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo was equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing between 227 and 250 horsepower depending on the fuel octane. The engine delivered 310 to 320 pound-feet of torque, ensuring strong acceleration. The CX-30 Turbo featured a six-speed automatic transmission, standard i-Activ all-wheel-drive (AWD), and G-Vectoring Control Plus technology. Despite its impressive power, the CX-30 Turbo’s fuel economy was rated at 25 mpg combined, with a real-world average of 24.1 mpg. The vehicle’s handling was refined, with effortless acceleration and minimal torque steer, thanks to the revised GVC-Plus technology and robust rear differential mount.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna, continuing from its 2021 model, came exclusively with a hybrid powertrain. It combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, producing a total of 243 horsepower. The Sienna offered both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) options, with the AWD system adding a separate electric motor for the rear wheels. The Sienna used an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT), providing smooth and efficient power delivery. The hybrid system delivered impressive fuel economy, with EPA ratings of 36 mpg combined for FWD models and 35 mpg combined for AWD models. The Sienna’s handling was enhanced by the Toyota Next Generation Architecture (TNGA) platform, offering a comfortable and stable ride.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo provided exceptional comfort for the driver, with an eight-way power-adjustable seat and a driver-focused interior layout. Both front seats were heated, and the Premium and Premium Plus trims included a heated steering wheel. However, the front passenger seat lacked the same level of adjustability. The cabin’s design created a sense of spaciousness, but the rear seats were cramped for adults. The CX-30 offered 20.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 45.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna excelled in practicality, capable of carrying a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. The sliding second row added flexibility for loading cargo, with measurements of 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and 101 cubic feet behind the first row. The Sienna also had a 3,500-pound towing capacity. The third-row bench easily stored away into the floor, and each row featured ample storage cubbies and cupholders. Power-operated sliding doors and tailgate with foot-motion triggers added convenience for busy families.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo featured an 8.8-inch infotainment display, operated via physical controls and voice commands. While the system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, it was not a touchscreen, which could be frustrating for some users. The Premium and Premium Plus trims added SiriusXM, a navigation system, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The Active Driving Display projected useful data onto the windshield, enhancing safety and convenience.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna came with a 9-inch touchscreen standard across all trims, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The Sienna also included a one-year trial of Safety Connect and Remote Connect, a 10-year trial of Service Connect, and a three-month trial of AT&T WiFi Connect. Higher trims offered a 12-speaker JBL audio system and a rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display. The Platinum trim featured a 10-inch head-up display, providing essential information without requiring the driver to look away from the road.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rating in rollover resistance. The CX-30 Turbo came with a full suite of i-ActiveSense advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including adaptive front lighting, parking sensors, rear automatic braking, a surround-view camera, and Traffic Jam Assist. The mobile 9-1-1 automatic emergency notification system added an extra layer of safety.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna also received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA. The Sienna included the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite, featuring adaptive cruise control, Lane Tracing Assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and traffic sign recognition. The Sienna also had 10 airbags, multiple LATCH connectors, a rear-seat reminder system, and tire-pressure monitoring with an inflator kit.