2023 Mazda CX-30 vs 2022 Toyota Sienna

The 2022 Toyota Sienna stood out in a market where minivans were becoming increasingly rare, as many manufacturers shifted focus to SUVs. Despite this trend, Toyota remained committed to the minivan segment, evolving the Sienna over the years. The fourth-generation Sienna, launched in 2021, embraced a design that blended SUV-like aesthetics with traditional minivan functionality. Its bold front end and cleverly engineered sliding doors gave it a distinctive look, while the interior offered a spacious and practical layout. The cabin was designed to avoid the typical minivan feel, providing ample storage and comfortable seating for all passengers, including available second-row captain’s chairs with ottomans.

In contrast, the 2023 Mazda CX-30 presented a more compact and artful design, albeit with some polarizing elements like excessive gray body cladding. The CX-30's interior was upscale and elegant, featuring quality materials and a tasteful color scheme. While the driver's seat offered ample comfort and adjustability, the front passenger seat was less accommodating. The rear seats provided limited legroom, but the overall cabin experience was refined, resembling an entry-level luxury SUV. The CX-30's design aimed to balance ruggedness with sophistication, appealing to those seeking a stylish and compact crossover.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna was equipped with a hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to produce 243 horsepower. This setup offered both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options, with the latter featuring an additional electric motor for the rear wheels. The Sienna's electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT) contributed to its smooth power delivery and impressive fuel efficiency, achieving up to 36 mpg in combined driving for FWD models. The Sienna's handling was surprisingly agile for a minivan, thanks to its advanced suspension system, making it a comfortable and efficient family hauler.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 offered two engine options: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and a turbocharged version delivering up to 250 horsepower with premium fuel. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The CX-30's performance was characterized by robust acceleration and a sporty driving experience, especially with the turbocharged engine. However, its small fuel tank limited its range, requiring frequent refueling. The CX-30 excelled in handling, with features like G-Vectoring Control Plus enhancing its agility on winding roads, though its suspension struggled with speed bumps and rough surfaces.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna excelled in practicality, offering a spacious interior with flexible seating and cargo configurations. It could accommodate a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed, and its sliding second row added versatility for loading cargo. The Sienna provided 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 101 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. It also boasted a 3,500-pound towing capacity, making it a capable family workhorse. Power-operated sliding doors and a tailgate added convenience, especially when hands were full.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30, while stylish, offered less interior space compared to the Sienna. It featured standard dual-zone climate control, a power-adjustable driver's seat, and heated front seats. However, the front passenger seat lacked adjustability, and rear legroom was tight. The CX-30 provided 20.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 45.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. While storage options were reasonable, the lack of underfloor storage and limited cargo capacity were drawbacks for those needing more space.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna was well-equipped with technology, featuring a 9-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. It offered a range of telematics services, including Safety Connect and Remote Connect, and a 12-speaker JBL audio system on higher trims. A rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display was available, enhancing family road trips. The Sienna also featured a head-up display and a digital rearview mirror on top trims, providing added convenience and safety.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30's infotainment system had notable shortcomings, lacking a touchscreen and relying on console controls that required attention away from the road. It also lacked conversational voice recognition, making it less user-friendly. However, it offered Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and connected services, with higher trims adding SiriusXM, navigation, and a Bose sound system. Despite its elegant display and quality controls, the CX-30's infotainment system needed improvements to match its competitors.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna received top safety ratings, including a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. It came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, offering features like adaptive cruise control, lane tracing assist, and automatic emergency braking. The Sienna also included 10 airbags and a rear-seat reminder system, enhancing its family-friendly safety credentials.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 also prioritized safety, earning a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS. It featured adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist as standard. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, a head-up display, and a surround-view camera. The CX-30's safety systems worked effectively, though some responses were overly sensitive, as experienced during testing.