2023 Toyota Venza vs 2023 Mazda CX-50

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 featured a blunt nose, long hood, and rakish windshield, with a cabin pulled back toward the rear wheels, embodying the subtle seductiveness typical of Mazda's designs over the past decade. However, it also conveyed a newfound ruggedness with blistered and boxed fender swells, lower body and wheel arch cladding, and fake front and rear skidplates. Oversized air intake and vent designs added a performance touch without being offensive to the eye. The standard black grille, mirror caps, and available 20-inch wheels contributed to its 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.

Inside, the CX-50's interior displayed Mazda's traditional mix of driver-focused design, quality materials, and polished metallic trim. The test vehicle, a top-of-the-line CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus, featured black leather with caramel-colored accent stitching. Vertical air vents surrounded the instrument cluster, and the dashboard had a lone off-center vent that seemed like an afterthought. Despite this, the CX-50 was a good-looking compact crossover both inside and out.

The 2023 Toyota Venza, a midsize crossover SUV, stood out with its sleek and sculpted design, resembling a Lexus more than a typical Toyota. The rear roofline tapered sharply to the taillights, avoiding the weak look of some "coupe-like" SUVs. The contoured body, free of awkward side bulges, was a departure from typical Toyota designs, blending harmoniously like a Mazda. Inside, the Venza borrowed heavily from the Toyota RAV4 but dressed up the cabin with nicer materials and details. The dashboard and center stack were similar, but the Venza featured better-integrated climate control buttons and more soft-touch surfaces, approaching Lexus' level of luxury.

Overall, the 2023 Venza was attractively styled inside and out, a rarity for Toyota. It was considered one of the best-looking vehicles in Toyota's lineup, alongside the new Prius.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 offered two engine options. The 2.5 S model had a 187 hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 186 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Mazda estimated this base engine would return 27 mpg in combined driving. For those seeking stronger acceleration and increased towing capacity (from 2,000 to 3,500 pounds), the CX-50 2.5 Turbo was the better choice. It featured a turbocharged version of the standard engine, producing between 227 hp and 256 hp depending on the fuel type, with torque ranging from 310 lb-ft to 320 lb-ft. Mazda predicted the turbo model would achieve 25 mpg in combined driving, though real-world tests averaged 23.4 mpg.

The CX-50 Turbo provided smooth acceleration across a broad power curve, with no noticeable turbo lag. It featured Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing modes, though the differences between them were subtle. The CX-50 felt firmer in ride quality compared to the CX-5, and there was a hint of torque steer during tight turns. Despite this, it handled well on pavement, feeling more like a modern Mazda6 station wagon with a Subaru Outback treatment. The CX-50 had 8.6 inches of ground clearance, nearly matching the Subaru Forester and Outback, and was capable of moderate off-roading. The upcoming Meridian Edition with all-terrain tires would enhance its off-road capabilities.

The 2023 Toyota Venza featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid system, producing 219 hp with the help of electric motor/generators and a 1.6-kilowatt-hour nickel metal hydride battery pack. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) sent power to the front wheels, while a separate electric motor powered the rear wheels for all-wheel drive. The Venza reached 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, a respectable time for its class. The brakes used regenerative braking initially, seamlessly transitioning to physical brake pads when needed.

The Venza prioritized ride comfort over sporty handling, with light steering effort and adequate handling for easy and calm transportation. Maneuverability was a drawback, requiring more space for U-turns. The ride quality was smoother than the RAV4 Hybrid's but not as plush as a similarly sized Lexus. It absorbed most road imperfections well, keeping larger jolts from disturbing the cabin.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50's interior was well-equipped for cold climates, with power-adjustable heated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, heated side mirrors, and heated windshield wipers. Ventilated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control were effective in warmer conditions. The driver's seat and front passenger seat were comfortable for long drives, though they could use more side bolstering. The back seat was roomy enough for adults, with rear air vents and charging ports in nearly all trims. The rear doors opened to nearly a 90-degree angle, making entry and exit easier.

Storage space in the CX-50 was adequate, though there were missed opportunities for additional bins. The available smartphone charger had a convenient slot under the center armrest. The power rear liftgate revealed 31.4 cubic feet of cargo space, slightly more than the CX-5. The load floor was long but narrow between the wheel wells, with side bins and hooks for securing items. Maximum cargo space was 56.3 cubic feet, slightly less than the CX-5 due to the CX-50's lower roofline.

The 2023 Toyota Venza's front seats offered ample space for taller drivers and passengers, with large windows and a panoramic sunroof enhancing the feeling of spaciousness. The Star Gaze panoramic roof could turn opaque at the touch of a button, though it was more of a novelty. Outward visibility was excellent, though the roof pillar behind the driver could block the blind spot. Rear visibility was limited, typical for most SUVs. The power-adjustable driver's seat and three-spoke steering wheel were standard, while the power-adjustable passenger seat was only available on the Limited trim.

The rear seats were spacious enough for average adults, with abundant legroom and foot room. The rear passenger area featured materials as nice as the front seats, unlike other SUVs with hard plastics. The Venza's cargo space was limited to 28.8 cubic feet, significantly less than competitors like the Honda Passport and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The Venza was not rated for towing, further limiting its cargo capabilities. However, it excelled at holding smaller personal items, with a wireless phone charger, well-sized cupholders, a deep center armrest bin, and large door pockets.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 came with the Mazda Connect infotainment system, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and Mazda Connected Services. The base 2.5 S had an 8.8-inch display, while other trims included a larger 10.25-inch display. Historically, Mazda Connect did not offer touchscreen control, relying on center console buttons, steering wheel controls, and voice recognition. However, the 2023 CX-50 allowed touchscreen control for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though the screen was still distant from the driver.

The available 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround-sound system provided a satisfying audio experience. The Active Driving Display, or head-up display (HUD), projected data within the driver's line of sight, including blind-spot warnings.

The 2023 Toyota Venza featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a wireless charging pad. The base LE trim had an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, while the XLE trim and above offered a 12.3-inch display. The new infotainment system for 2023 delivered sharp graphics, quick responses, and a logical menu structure. A Wi-Fi connection was available for a 30-day trial, with access to remote vehicle monitoring and control via a smartphone app. The top Limited trim included a one-year trial subscription to Drive Connect services, activated by saying "Hey Toyota."

The base audio system had six speakers and satellite radio for a three-month trial. The nine-speaker JBL premium audio system was optional on the XLE trim and standard on the Limited model, offering punchier bass with a subwoofer.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 was expected to rate high for safety, though the IIHS had not yet performed crash tests. Mazda provided a generous standard package of driving assistance systems, with additional features available on the CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus. These included Traffic Jam Assist, active blind-spot monitoring, front and rear parking sensors with reverse automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system. The adaptive cruise control had a notable flaw, failing to recognize slower vehicles cutting in, requiring manual braking.

The 2023 Toyota Venza scored five stars in overall and side crash protection from the NHTSA, and four stars in frontal and rollover protection. The IIHS awarded it "Good" ratings across the board, except for an "Acceptable" rating in the new side impact test. It was named a Top Safety Pick. All Venzas came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure assist, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and a traffic sign reader. The XLE trim added parking sensors and reverse automatic braking, while the Limited trim included a surround-view camera, head-up display, and digital rearview mirror. The safety features functioned well, with smooth adaptive cruise control.