2023 Toyota Sienna vs 2023 Mazda CX-50

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 stood out with its distinctive styling. Characterized by a blunt nose, long hood, and rakish windshield, the CX-50's cabin was deftly pulled back toward the rear wheels. These design choices echoed the subtle allure for which Mazda's vehicles had been celebrated. However, there was a new ruggedness to the CX-50 that wasn’t present in its predecessors. The vehicle featured blistered and boxed fender swells and borderline garish lower body and wheel arch cladding. Fake front and rear skid plates added to its SUV pretensions. Despite these aggressive elements, the oversized air intake and vent designs imparted a sense of performance without being an eyesore.

When paired with the CX-50’s standard black grille, mirror caps, and available 20-inch wheels, these elements formed an appealing exterior. Later in the model year, the CX-50 Meridian Edition was set to join the lineup with exclusive wheels, all-terrain tires, splash guards, and a roof-mounted load platform designed to hold a rooftop tent.

The CX-50 was available in two versions: the 2.5 S model with a 187-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and the 2.5 Turbo variant, which boasted up to 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque with 93-octane gas. Prices ranged from $26,800 to $41,550, excluding a $1,225 destination charge. Our test vehicle, the top-of-the-line CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus in Zircon Sand Metallic, had an MSRP of $43,170.

Inside, the Mazda CX-50 was dressed in black leather with caramel-colored accent stitching on the seats, dashboard, and door panels. The automaker maintained its tradition of driver-focused design with round analog and digital gauges, high-quality materials, and polished metallic trim. Although the vertical air vents surrounding the instrument cluster looked and functioned well, the lone off-center vent on the middle dash seemed like an afterthought. However, the new Mazda CX-50 presented itself as a good-looking compact crossover both inside and out.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sienna made an effort to break away from the traditional minivan aesthetic. Many found the sliding doors and slab-slide designs reminiscent of family outings from decades past. Toyota aimed to change perceptions with the Sienna, giving it front-end styling akin to a Japanese bullet train. Although most trims boasted 18-inch wheels, the front-wheel-drive (FWD) versions of the XSE and Platinum trims sported 20-inch wheels.

The Sienna offered various trim levels: LE, XLE, sporty XSE, upper-class Limited, and the premium Platinum trim. New for 2023 was the 25th Anniversary Special Edition, priced just below the Limited trim.

Inside the Sienna, Toyota succeeded in creating a welcoming environment. Our Platinum trim test model featured high-quality brown leather upholstery and beautiful wood-grain accents on the center console. The Sienna accommodated either seven or eight passengers, with the larger capacity models available only in the LE and XLE trims. The minivan provided ample room for three car seats across the middle row in the eight-seater configurations, equipped with LATCH anchors.

Mazda’s 2023 CX-50 offered a choice between a fuel-efficient 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, and a more powerful 2.5-liter turbocharged engine that amped up the horsepower to between 227 and 256 depending on the fuel used. The turbo engine provided 310 pound-feet of torque on regular gas and 320 pound-feet with premium fuel. Both engines ran power through a six-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels. The base 2.5 S model was expected to return 27 mpg in combined driving, whereas the turbocharged variants were projected to achieve about 25 mpg, according to Mazda, though our tests averaged slightly less at 23.4 mpg.

The turbo engine generated smooth acceleration across a broad power curve with minimal turbo lag. The SUV offered Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing driving modes, all working seamlessly with the CX-50’s G-Vectoring Control (GVC) technology. We found that the differences between the drive modes were subtle, aligning with Mazda's philosophy of consistent vehicle behavior.

Compared to its sibling, the 2022 CX-5, the CX-50 had a firmer ride quality, reinforcing its role as an adventure-ready vehicle. Despite detecting slight torque steer during sharp accelerations, the CX-50 still delivered a driving experience reminiscent of a smaller, sportier vehicle, akin to a modern Mazda6 wagon with a Subaru Outback veneer. With 8.6 inches of ground clearance, the CX-50 could handle moderate off-roading but might not match a Subaru Wilderness model’s off-road prowess.

In towing, the CX-50 2.5 Turbo could handle up to 3,500 pounds with relative ease on flat roads, though mountainous terrains posed a bit more of a challenge.

Contrarily, Toyota transitioned the Sienna entirely to a hybrid setup, pairing a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with three electric motors. This powertrain delivered a combined 245 horsepower, which felt somewhat lacking for the Sienna’s size. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) aimed for efficiency but struggled in delivering satisfying acceleration and had an unappealing sound during high revs.

Despite the lackluster powertrain, the Sienna’s ride and handling were nimble and impressive for such a large vehicle. It offered a light steering feel and a tidy turning radius, ideal for city driving. The Sienna featured various driving modes, including EV, Normal, Eco, and Sport. However, Eco mode extended gear simulations excessively, and EV mode rarely ran on electric power alone.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 came with an array of practical features. Our test vehicle boasted power-adjustable heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated side mirrors—all beneficial if one lived in colder climates. Ventilated front seats and effective dual-zone automatic climate control ensured comfort on warmer days. The front seats provided hours of comfort, though could use more side bolstering, and the back seat offered ample room for adult passengers. The rear doors opened nearly 90 degrees, facilitating easier entry and exit.

Storage options in the CX-50 were adequate but not abundant. The SUV had missed opportunities for more storage bins and shelves. The cargo space amounted to 31.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and expanded to 56.3 cubic feet with the back seats folded, slightly less than what the CX-5 offered.

In comparison, the 2023 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior storage solutions. It featured an open cubby below the center console, ideal for large bags or purses, and a shelf extending from the central dash to the passenger side, perfect for phones and equipped with a wireless charging pad in higher trims. The Sienna also had a big bin in the center console and plenty of cupholders.

At over 200 inches in length, the Sienna offered abundant space. It provided 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and 75.2 cubic feet with the third row folded down. Total cargo space maxed out at 101 cubic feet. However, the Sienna’s middle-row seats could neither be removed nor folded into the floor, unlike its competitors, limiting maximum storage capacity. Yet, the second-row captain’s chairs were exceedingly versatile, featuring extending ottomans and a long sliding track, making the third row spacious enough even for adults.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 included the Mazda Connect infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Mazda Connected Services for remote engine start, WiFi hotspot, and automatic collision notification. The base trim had an 8.8-inch display, while other trims got a larger 10.25-inch screen. Mazda Connect typically lacked a touchscreen, relying instead on center console buttons and sometimes tricky voice recognition. However, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were given touchscreen functionality in the CX-50, a step forward in usability. The Bose 12-speaker surround-sound system and the Active Driving Display head-up system were additional highlights.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sienna relied on Toyota’s older infotainment interface. It included core features such as SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth, standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an optional navigation system. Physical buttons added ease of use, though the interface itself felt dated and clunky. It required wired connections for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and navigating to these features had cumbersome steps. However, a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12-speaker JBL audio system provided adequate functionality.

Mazda had a reputation for safety, and while the CX-50 had not yet been tested by the IIHS, it was expected to perform well. It came standard with a comprehensively equipped safety package, including Traffic Jam Assist, active blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors with reverse automatic braking, and a surround-view camera on higher trims. These systems worked well generally, but the adaptive cruise control occasionally failed to recognize quicker traffic changes, a minor glitch in an otherwise sound system.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna offered an impressive suite of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control, making it well-suited for family use. It earned a 5-star NHTSA rating, and the 2022 model had an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation.