2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2022 Mazda CX-5

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 presented a subtle yet refined exterior update with new LED headlights and taillights, redesigned bumpers, a revised grille, and a fresh rear liftgate. These changes aimed to enhance the vehicle's premium appeal, especially in the Signature trim, which featured body-color lower exterior trim. Inside, the CX-5 maintained its luxurious feel with Nappa leather upholstery, real wood trim, and polished metallic accents. The interior remained unchanged stylistically, but the new seats offered improved comfort and support, addressing previous complaints about the seating.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sequoia underwent a significant redesign, adopting a bold look reminiscent of the Toyota Tundra. The Sequoia's new styling gave it a more commanding presence, though opinions on its appeal varied. Inside, the Sequoia shared design elements with the Tundra, featuring an industrial theme with leather, wood, and metallic finishes in the upscale Capstone trim. The 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system dominated the dashboard, and the Capstone's interior boasted a luxurious cream white-over-black two-tone color scheme. However, some materials reminded occupants of the SUV's pickup truck origins.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options. The 2.5 S model featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a revised six-speed automatic transmission for improved responsiveness. All CX-5s came standard with all-wheel drive, and the 2.5 S achieved an EPA-rated 26 mpg in combined driving. The 2.5 Turbo variant, running on premium gas, delivered 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque, with a slightly lower fuel economy of 24 mpg combined. The CX-5's driving dynamics were enhanced with increased structural rigidity and reworked suspension tuning, resulting in a quieter, smoother, and sportier ride.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a hybrid powertrain with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, a 36-kilowatt electric motor/generator, and a 1.87 kilowatt-hour nickel-metal hydride battery pack. This setup produced 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque, significantly improving towing and payload capacities compared to the previous model. The Sequoia's maximum tow rating increased to 9,520 pounds, and its fuel efficiency improved to 20 mpg with 4WD. The Sequoia offered multiple driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, with a Custom mode for personalized settings. However, the ride quality varied depending on the mode, and the steering was slow, requiring effort in tight maneuvers.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 addressed previous complaints about its ride and seating with new, more comfortable seats and a sportier driving position. The interior featured dual-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. However, the back seat remained snug, and the control layout of the Mazda Connect infotainment system was frustrating due to the lack of a touchscreen and natural voice recognition. Cargo space was adequate, with 30.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 59.3 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, offering a comfortable cabin with soft leather upholstery, a JBL premium sound system, and triple-zone automatic climate control. The Sequoia's second-row captain's chairs provided comfort but lacked adjustability, impacting third-row space. The third-row seat was less comfortable due to its high floor and low roof. Cargo space was limited, with only 11.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 22.3 cubic feet. The Sequoia's hybrid powertrain compromised overall utility, with a maximum cargo capacity of 86.9 cubic feet, significantly less than its predecessor.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 retained its Mazda Connect infotainment system with a 10.25-inch display, lacking touchscreen capability and natural voice recognition. Users had to rely on center console and steering wheel controls, which required acclimation. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a three-year trial of Mazda Connected Services. The 2.5 S Premium trim and above featured a 10-speaker Bose premium sound system, which performed adequately.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia introduced a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen in the base SR5 trim and a 14-inch touchscreen in higher trims. The system was intuitive, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Connected services allowed for user accounts and an Intelligent Assistant with a "Hey Toyota" wake word. However, the system had some quirks, such as issues with phone pairing. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system, enhancing convenience and safety.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 came equipped with the i-Activsense package, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added features like adaptive headlights, a surround-view camera system, and Traffic Jam Assist. The CX-5 received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS, highlighting its strong safety credentials.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia included Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5) as standard, featuring forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam headlights, and road sign recognition. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking. While crash-test ratings were not available, the Sequoia's Tundra platform received high marks from the IIHS.