2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Mazda CX-5

The 2021 Toyota Sienna sought to elevate the minivan’s image, striving to break away from the typical bland design. It presented a more SUV-like appearance with a wide grille that emphasized its width and sleek LED headlamp arrays. From the side, the Sienna stood out with an assertive stance, thanks to carefully re-sculpted sliding side doors and a distinct body line swooping over the rear wheels. Wheel sizes ranged from 17 to 20 inches, depending on the trim, adding to its dynamic look. At the rear, the Sienna managed to look wide and low, which is quite a feat for a minivan. The exterior demonstrated Toyota’s quality with superior fit and finish.

Inside, the Sienna continued to push against the minivan archetype. It featured horizontal lines that elevated the cabin's aesthetic and a high seating position that was more comfortable than that of a standard sedan. The dashboard was straightforward and uncluttered, with controls conveniently located just below the infotainment screen. The center console boasted smart storage solutions, including cupholders and a large storage compartment. The second and third rows were designed for comfort, with the second row having the flexibility to slide up to 25 inches, accommodating both seven-passenger and eight-passenger configurations.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5, while not groundbreaking, was a smooth and stylish vehicle that exuded a sense of movement even when stationary. The exterior design varied little across trim levels, though the Carbon Edition stood out with Polymetal Gray paint, gloss black door mirrors, and 19-inch black metallic wheels. The higher trims offered more upscale features like leatherette seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and auto-leveling LED headlights.

The CX-5's interior also aimed for a premium feel, especially in the Signature trim, which included Nappa leather seats and genuine wood trim. The higher trims added features such as a power liftgate, paddle shifters, and a seven-inch digital gauge display. However, the vehicle’s sporty design came at a cost—while the materials were high-quality, the layout of the controls, particularly the position of the infotainment system controls, left something to be desired.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid came with a proven hybrid powertrain, featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine combined with two electric motors to produce 243 horsepower. Available in both FWD and AWD configurations, the Sienna used an electronically controlled CVT that, while maximizing fuel efficiency, sometimes dulled throttle response. The Sienna delivered improved handling with new front suspension and steering, along with an independent rear trailing arm suspension. This setup resulted in minimal body roll and a comfortable ride. Fuel economy was impressive, with FWD models achieving 36 mpg in all categories and AWD models coming in at 35/36/35.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder delivering up to 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, the CX-5 offered a more spirited driving experience, especially in Sport mode. FWD was standard, with AWD available. The naturally aspirated engine achieved decent fuel economy, getting 25 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined in FWD configuration. The turbocharged engine was nearly as efficient, with AWD models averaging 22 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined. Despite its sportiness, the CX-5's stiff suspension could be jarring, making it less comfortable than some competitors.

In terms of interior space and functional design, the 2021 Toyota Sienna excelled. The minivan featured a practical design with a standard third-row seat and a second row that could slide up to 25 inches. This made accessing the third row easier and allowed for flexible cargo management. The cabin boasted an impressive 16 cupholders, adding to its family-friendly credentials. Cargo space was generous, with 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’s ability to carry a full sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed highlighted its practicality. Despite its hybrid nature, the cleverly placed battery did not impinge on cargo space, maintaining the vehicle’s versatility.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5, on the other hand, offered less impressive cargo space. With 30.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 59.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, it fell behind competitors like the Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4 in terms of cargo capacity. The seating position and comfort levels were typical for an SUV of its size, but legroom in the back seat was limited, particularly with taller front-seat occupants. The LATCH connections for child seats were functional, albeit not the easiest to use. Mazda's straightforward climate controls were complemented by a larger but somewhat intrusive shifter. Overall, the CX-5’s design favored sporty aesthetics over maximum functionality.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna was packed with standard and available technology features. All grades came with a nine-inch touchscreen compatible with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. Standard connectivity features included a year’s trial of Safety Connect and Remote Connect (on XLE and above), a ten-year trial of Service Connect, and a three-month trial of AT&T WiFi Connect. The audio system ranged from a six-speaker setup on the LE to a 12-speaker JBL system with Premium Audio on Limited and Platinum models. An available rear-seat entertainment system featured an 11.6-inch 1080p display, remote, and wireless headphones. Other tech highlights included a color multi-information display, a 10-inch Head-Up Display on Platinum trims, and a digital rearview mirror.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 came standard with a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, but its operating system was less user-friendly. The interface, while uncluttered, was not in keeping with modern design standards and could be challenging to navigate via the center console knob. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, making it easier to bypass the native system. Volume control was conveniently located on the steering wheel or the center console knob, but the lack of dedicated tuning knobs was a drawback. The positioning of both the infotainment screen and controls was less intuitive, especially for shorter drivers.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, offering features such as full-speed range dynamic radar cruise control, lane-tracing assist, pre-collision system with pedestrian and bicyclist detection, and lane-departure alert. Additional safety systems included 10 airbags, multiple LATCH connectors for child seats, and a rear-seat reminder system. A tire pressure monitoring system was also standard, with the option for a spare tire. Although the 2021 model had not been tested, the 2020 Sienna received high marks from both IIHS and NHTSA, indicating strong safety performance.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 also boasted a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional features included a head-up display, reverse automatic emergency braking, and a surround-view camera system. These safety technologies helped the CX-5 earn a Top Safety Pick+ designation from IIHS and a five-star rating from NHTSA. Mazda’s warranties were also competitive, covering three years/36,000 miles for basic coverage and five years/60,000 miles for the powertrain.