2023 Mazda CX-5 vs 2023 Toyota 4Runner

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition (40 ASE) was based on the SR5 Premium trim level and added $4,505 to its price. This included a standard four-wheel-drive system (4WD) and retro body stripes, a heritage grille design, bronze 17-inch wheels, and various bronze badges and stitching. The 40 ASE was available only in black, white, or red paint with a black artificial leather interior. The 4Runner lineup included several trims, with prices ranging from $39,555 to $54,020, plus a $1,335 destination charge. The 40 ASE test vehicle had an MSRP of $48,455. The 4Runner's design evoked a strong SoCal vibe with its retro stripes and bronze wheels, reminiscent of the 1970s. Its truck-based SUV stance and purposeful interior, despite the abundance of plastic, offered a solid and quality feel. The controls were easy to locate and use, even with gloves on.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5, despite its age, remained an excellent choice in the compact crossover SUV segment. It was stylish and assembled with high-quality materials, giving it the look and feel of a small luxury SUV. The available turbocharged engine provided impressive power, and the CX-5 boasted a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Mazda redesigned and renamed the CX-5 as the CX-50, but the 2023 CX-5 continued to offer quality, refinement, and sophistication across its lineup. The CX-5's engine options included a standard 187-horsepower four-cylinder and a 256-hp turbocharged four-cylinder. Prices ranged from $26,700 to $39,650, with the 2.5 Turbo Signature test vehicle priced at $41,655, including destination charges. The CX-5's updates in 2022 improved its structural rigidity, suspension dampening, and interior noise, making it feel more like an entry-level luxury vehicle.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner featured a 4.0-liter V6 engine producing 270 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 278 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. A five-speed automatic transmission sent power to the rear wheels unless upgraded to a 4WD system. The 4Runner had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and an EPA fuel economy rating of 17 mpg in combined driving, with an observed average of 16.9 mpg in the 40 ASE. The 4Runner offered two 4WD systems: a part-time 4WD system and a full-time 4WD system available on the Limited trim. It had a minimum ground clearance of nine inches and various off-roading technologies, including Hill-Start Assist Control, Downhill Assist Control, and Active Traction Control. The TRD Sport and Limited trims had suspensions designed for on-road performance, while the TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro trims focused on off-road capabilities. The 4Runner excelled in off-roading but had flaws as a daily driver, with leisurely acceleration, heavy and slow steering, and a brake pedal that lacked finesse.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options: a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, and a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel (227 hp and 310 lb-ft on regular fuel). Both engines paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The standard engine had an EPA fuel economy rating of 26 mpg in combined driving, while the turbocharged engine was rated at 24 mpg. The turbocharged engine's torque arrived at 2,000 rpm with regular gas and 2,500 rpm with premium fuel, providing quick acceleration. The CX-5's updates in 2022 improved its structural rigidity, suspension dampening, and interior noise, making it feel more refined and luxurious. The CX-5 excelled on paved roads, offering a firm, connected, and communicative ride quality, with responsive steering and brakes.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner featured a unique power-down rear window in the tailgate, providing excellent flow-through ventilation when combined with the sunroof and automatic windows. The 4Runner's interior offered comfortable seats, with heated and ventilated leather seats available in the Limited trim. The 40 ASE test vehicle had SofTex artificial leather and heated front seats. The second-row seating area was roomy, with good legroom, headroom, air conditioning vents, and USB charging ports. A third-row seat was available but was uncomfortable and reduced cargo space. The cargo area had several storage cubbies, trays, and a 120-volt AC power outlet, with an optional sliding floor for easier loading. The 4Runner offered 46.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second-row seat and a maximum of 89.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 received updates in 2022, including improved front seat comfort and support. All versions had a height-adjustable driver's seat, and all but the base 2.5 S included a height-adjustable front passenger seat. Higher trims offered power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and various upholstery upgrades. The Signature trim test vehicle featured Nappa leather upholstery. However, the CX-5's interior had limitations, including small storage areas, cramped rear-seat room, and limited cargo space. The CX-5 provided 30.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and a maximum of 59.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner had traditional analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The infotainment system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Connected services plans were available, with complimentary trial subscriptions, and the 4Runner could be transformed into a Wi-Fi hotspot. Upgrades included a navigation system, additional connected services, and a JBL premium sound system. The infotainment system's home screen displayed multiple functions simultaneously, and the voice recognition performed well, handling most commands accurately.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5's Mazda Connect infotainment system featured a 10.25-inch display with sophisticated graphics and a logical menu structure. However, it lacked a helpful voice recognition system and had awkward physical controls on the center console. The control knob required a series of twists and pushes to execute commands, making it distracting to use while driving. The system's user experience was often frustrating, with issues like the SiriusXM channel list defaulting to the bottom of the list. Despite these drawbacks, Mazda Connect offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a free three-year trial subscription to Mazda Connected Services, and a 10-speaker Bose premium audio system in upper trims. The test vehicle also had a front-facing camera and a surround-view camera system for easier parking.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner came with Toyota Safety Sense, which included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, automatic high-beam headlights, and a rear-seat reminder system. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on all trims. The adaptive cruise control provided smooth braking, but the lane-departure warning could be irritating. The 4Runner received a four-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with three-star ratings for front passenger protection in a frontal-impact collision and rollover resistance. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the 4Runner a Marginal rating for driver protection in the small overlap frontal-impact test.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 offered a comprehensive suite of driver assistance technologies under the i-Activsense banner. Most features were standard, with the 2.5 Turbo Signature trim adding a surround-view camera system, front and rear parking sensors, rear low-speed automatic emergency braking, and Traffic Jam Assist. The i-Activsense tech operated smoothly and accurately, with an Active Driving Display showing operational status and alerts. The lane-departure warning system offered audible and tactile alerts, and the adaptive cruise control provided smooth braking. The CX-5 also had an E911 system for automatic collision notification. The CX-5 received five-star ratings in every assessment from the NHTSA, with a four-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS awarded the CX-5 a Top Safety Pick rating for 2023.