2023 Toyota Sienna vs 2024 Mazda CX-50

In the past, many shoppers found the minivan aesthetic to be a tough sell, often reminiscing about childhood trips and remembering the era of body-on-frame SUVs which later gave way to car-based crossovers. The 2023 Toyota Sienna aimed to change these perceptions, moving away from the classic minivan style with front-end design akin to a Japanese bullet train and offering larger 20-inch wheels on specific trims like the XSE and Platinum. With a variety of trims ranging from the base LE up to the top-shelf Platinum, 2023 also introduced the 25th Anniversary Special Edition. Inside, the Sienna provided a high-quality feel with detailed touches such as brown leather upholstery and wood-grain accents. The Sienna offered seating for seven or eight, with configurations allowing for three-across car seats in the middle row on LE or XLE trims.

Contrastingly, the 2024 Mazda CX-50 took on a more rugged appearance compared to its sibling, the CX-5. It was longer, wider, and lower, boasting a distinctive look with square wheel arches and air vents. Available in eight trims, from the 2.5 S Select all the way to the 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus, the CX-50 expanded its styling with features such as the black hood graphic and 18-inch wheels on the Turbo Meridian Edition. The earthy color palette and leather upholstery added to the refined look of the interior. Despite these enhancements, the CX-50 fell just short of Mazda’s upscale aspirations, remaining somewhat traditional with manually-adjustable seats in lower trims.

In 2020, Toyota transitioned the Sienna to a hybrid-only powertrain, employing a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine combined with three electric motors for AWD trims, resulting in a total of 245 horsepower. This output seemed less impressive compared to competitors, and the CVT gearbox was neither quiet nor particularly thrilling. Despite this, the Sienna performed admirably in everyday driving, with light steering and a surprisingly nimble chassis that made city driving easier. Various drive modes offered some variability, though Normal mode was recommended due to its balanced performance.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, with higher trims receiving a turbocharged version delivering up to 256 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel. All models came with AWD and a six-speed automatic transmission. Driving modes included Normal, Sport, and Off-road, with Turbo models also offering a Towing mode. While the CX-50 shared its powertrains with the CX-5, the driving experience was different, being less sporty and more suitable for daily commutes. Our test model, the Turbo Meridian Edition, had all-terrain tires that enhanced its off-road capability but added noise and reduced grip.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior storage, offering numerous cubbies, bins, and nooks. A notable design feature was the open cubby below the center console and a shelf extending across the dashboard, equipped with a wireless charging pad on higher trims. With a length of over 200 inches and a wheelbase of 120.5 inches, the Sienna made incredible use of its minivan platform. It provided 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 75.2 cubic feet with seats folded, and a total capacity of 101 cubic feet. However, unlike competitors, the Sienna’s middle-row seats could not be removed, which limited maximum cargo space.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 offered a competitive passenger space, with slightly more legroom but less headroom compared to the CX-5. Its cargo space was listed at 31.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats, extending to 56.3 cubic feet with seats folded. This was somewhat more than the CX-5 with seats up but less overall. The power liftgate added convenience, but the cargo area wasn’t ideally suited for bulky items. The ergonomically designed interior featured a rotary controller for the infotainment system and sensible storage solutions around the center console.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna stuck with Toyota’s older infotainment interface, offering essential features like SiriusXM, Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto—though both required a wired connection. There were seven USB ports, and the 9-inch touchscreen was complemented by physical buttons, which were practical if not state-of-the-art. The JBL audio system in higher trims provided good sound quality, but the overall tech package felt dated and a bit clunky.

Mazda’s 2024 CX-50 incorporated a 10.25-inch infotainment screen controlled via a rotary dial and buttons, diverging from the touchscreen norm. Although wireless Apple CarPlay was included, Android Auto required a cable. Higher trims received additional features like wireless charging and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. While intuitive for some, the non-touchscreen interface and basic graphics might not appeal to tech enthusiasts, yet it offered a straightforward user experience for those preferring less complexity.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna came standard with advanced safety features such as automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. With a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, it assured families of its safety credentials. Competitors like Honda and Chrysler also received similar accolades, and while Toyota didn’t offer an intercom or a rear-seat camera system, the Sienna’s safety technology was comprehensive.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 earned the Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS, excelling in crash tests and front-crash prevention tech. The NHTSA results were incomplete, with notable scores in frontal crash and rollover tests but missing side-crash and overall ratings. Standard safety features included emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane assistance, and a driver attention monitor. Optional features added extra layers of safety, making the CX-50 a reassuring vehicle for safety-conscious buyers.