2022 Toyota Sienna vs 2022 Mazda CX-5

The 2022 Toyota Sienna continued Toyota's long-standing tradition of producing minivans, a segment many other manufacturers had abandoned. The Sienna, which debuted in 1998, evolved through four generations, with the latest model launched in 2021. This iteration aimed to blend SUV styling cues with the practicality of a minivan. It featured a bold front end, re-engineered door hinges, and a sleek profile with integrated styling details. The interior was designed to avoid the typical minivan feel, offering an uncluttered front cabin, ample storage, and comfortable seating for up to eight passengers. The second-row seats could slide up to 25 inches, making access to the third row easy, and the third-row bench could be quickly stowed away for additional cargo space.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5, on the other hand, received subtle exterior updates, including new LED headlights and taillights, revised bumpers, and a redesigned rear liftgate. The top-of-the-line Signature trim featured body-color lower exterior trim, enhancing its premium appeal. Inside, the CX-5 retained its luxurious feel with Nappa leather upholstery, real wood trim, and polished metallic accents. The seats were new for 2022, offering improved comfort and support. Mazda also restructured its trim levels, introducing the CX-5 2.5 S and 2.5 Turbo, with the latter offering a turbocharged engine for those seeking more power.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna carried over its hybrid powertrain from the previous year, combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to produce 243 horsepower. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on all trim levels. The AWD system used a separate electric motor for the rear wheels, adding 54 hp and 89 lb-ft of torque. The Sienna featured an electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and offered four selectable drive modes: Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport. The Toyota Next Generation Architecture (TNGA) platform provided a comfortable and stable ride, with minimal body roll. The Sienna's fuel economy was impressive, with EPA ratings of 36 mpg city/highway/combined for FWD models and 35 mpg for AWD models.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 2.5 S came with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. All CX-5 models featured standard all-wheel drive and a revised six-speed automatic transmission for improved responsiveness. The EPA rated this powertrain at 26 mpg in combined driving. The CX-5 2.5 Turbo offered a turbocharged engine with 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium gas, or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on regular gas. The Turbo model also had standard AWD and achieved 24 mpg in combined driving. The CX-5's driving dynamics were enhanced with increased structural rigidity and reworked suspension tuning, providing a quieter, smoother, and sportier ride. The Mazda Intelligent Drive Select (Mi-Drive) system offered Normal, Sport, and Off-Road settings for various driving conditions.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna was designed to be a versatile family workhorse, 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 60/40-split third-row bench could be easily stowed away, and each row featured storage cubbies and cupholders. Power-operated sliding doors and a rear tailgate with foot-motion triggers added convenience for busy families.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 addressed previous complaints about its ride and front seats with new, more comfortable furnishings. The driving position was sportier, and the front passenger seat was height-adjustable in all trims except the base. The 2.5 Turbo model featured leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The back seat remained snug but offered heated outboard cushions and air conditioning vents. The control layout, while not touchscreen, became more intuitive over time. Storage space was adequate, with a small center armrest bin, wireless smartphone charging, and door armrest trays. The CX-5 provided 30.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 59.3 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna came equipped with a 9-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, and multiple USB ports. However, it lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Sienna offered 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 featured a 12-speaker JBL audio system and an optional rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display. A color multi-information display and a 10-inch head-up display were available on higher trims, along with a digital rearview mirror and Smart Key System.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 retained its Mazda Connect infotainment system with a 10.25-inch display, which was not touch-sensitive. The system required the use of center console and steering wheel controls, lacking natural voice recognition. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text-messaging support, E911 automatic emergency notification, and Mazda Connected Services with a three-year trial. The 2.5 S Premium trim and above included a 10-speaker Bose premium sound system and SiriusXM satellite radio.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. It came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included 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 featured the Star Safety System, 10 airbags, multiple LATCH child-seat connectors, a rear-seat reminder system, tire-pressure monitoring, and an inflator kit.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 also earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. It came standard with the i-Activsense package, which included 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 adaptive headlights, a surround-view camera system, parking sensors, automatic rear braking, a driver monitoring system, and Traffic Jam Assist. The head-up display in the CX-5 also showed blind-spot warnings, enhancing safety.