2024 Toyota 4Runner vs 2024 Mazda CX-50

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 presented itself as a more rugged version of the well-known Mazda CX-5, but Mazda didn't simply add plastic body cladding. The CX-50 was 1.4 inches lower, 3 inches wider, and 5.7 inches longer than the CX-5, with a wheelbase that stretched by 4.6 inches. It displayed broad-shouldered proportions, enhanced by square wheel arches and faux air vents below the headlights and taillights. As a model refreshed in 2023, it looked noticeably more modern compared to the CX-5, which had remained largely unchanged since its 2017 debut.

In 2024, the CX-50 was available in eight trim levels, ranging from the 2.5 S Select to the 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus. Lower trims came with 17-inch wheels, while the higher trims featured 20-inch wheels, contributing to a more polished look. Differentiating between the trims in terms of styling was challenging since core design elements remained consistent across the range.

We tested the 2.5 Turbo Meridian Edition, which pushed the CX-50’s adventurous personality even further with its all-terrain tires on 18-inch wheels, black hood graphic, and more prominent rocker-panel trim. Additional options like a roof platform and splash guards came with the optional Apex Package. This trim aimed to compete with models like the Kia Sportage X-Pro, Subaru Forester Wilderness, and Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road. However, unlike its rivals, Mazda did not modify the suspension or drive modes to enhance off-road capabilities uniquely.

The Meridian Edition delivered an earthy color palette, including Polymetal Gray Metallic or Zircon Sand Metallic paint and Terracotta leather upholstery, appealing to those favoring an adventurous image. Inside, the design impressed with a proper fit and finish for a non-luxury brand. The cleaned-up use of piano black plastic meant the interior would age better compared to some competitors. However, Mazda’s ambition of positioning itself as a more upscale brand seemed a work in progress. While half-leatherette seats were a step above Toyota or Honda, base models with manually adjustable front seats reminded us of Mazda’s traditional market position.

Meanwhile, the 2024 Toyota 4Runner presented itself as a classic, albeit dated, choice. It last received a design overhaul in 2010, with only minor refreshes since, making it feel like a trip down memory lane. Yet, its boxy shape remained well-suited for an all-terrain vehicle. Flared fenders gave it a broad stance, while chunky, beveled shapes in the grille and liftgate contributed to its rugged image. Our TRD Pro model showcased specific touches like underbody skid plates and all-terrain tires, enhancing its robust appearance. The hefty tubular roof rack indicated the 4Runner’s readiness to handle any challenging terrain.

However, the 4Runner’s interior reflected its age with somewhat outdated design elements and last-gen tech features. The analog instrument panel was a glaring reminder of the SUV’s old-school nature, with configurable digital displays common in modern vehicles absent. Its small eight-inch infotainment touchscreen and traditional gear selector and transfer case levers also pointed back to an earlier era. For some, this might be nostalgic, but for others, it might make the vehicle appear like a well-maintained used car.

Plentiful hard plastics characterized the interior, which is typical for off-road vehicles, but Toyota covered frequently touched surfaces with cushioned panels. Though functional, the materials seemed more like vinyl than genuine leather, similar to what’s seen in comparable SUVs. In comparison, vehicles like the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler manage to blend nostalgia with modern touches more successfully.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 came fitted with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine across all models, with turbocharging available on higher trims. The base naturally aspirated engine produced 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. On the other hand, the turbo engine was rated at 256 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque with 93-octane gasoline, and 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft with 87-octane fuel.

A six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive were standard across all variants. The model offered Normal, Sport, and Off-road driving modes, with turbo models also providing a Towing mode. This mode boosted the towing capacity from a standard 2,000 pounds to 3,500 pounds.

Although the CX-50 shared its powertrains with the Mazda CX-5, the driving experiences they offered were notably different. The CX-5 captured Mazda's "Zoom Zoom" ethos with its sporty dynamics, while the CX-50 inclined more towards its segment's general comfort and practicality. Although it made for a reliable daily driver, it didn't inspire the same enthusiasm as the CX-5.

The performance of the Meridian Edition was hampered by its all-terrain tires, which were excellent for off-road scenarios but offered limited on-road grip and increased noise levels. Combined with the roof platform adding wind noise, the vehicle's driving experience could feel somewhat compromised at highway speeds.

Meanwhile, the 2024 Toyota 4Runner featured a 4.0-liter V6 engine, producing 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque. These numbers weren't far off from the Ford Bronco or Jeep Wrangler, but the 4Runner was hindered by its five-speed automatic transmission. Competing models like the Bronco benefited from a ten-speed transmission and the Wrangler from an eight-speed, providing more responsive acceleration and better fuel economy.

In the TRD Pro model, four-wheel drive and a two-speed transfer case were standard, but most other trims started with rear-wheel drive, with four-wheel drive available optionally. Though the 4Runner’s engine felt underpowered on the highway, its performance was more acceptable off-road. Its soft suspension provided excellent wheel articulation over rugged terrain but could be an issue during everyday driving.

On paved roads, the 4Runner felt rather sluggish. Accelerating onto highways required more pedal input, and the vehicle exhibited significant rear-end squat due to the soft suspension. Its engine also sounded strained, further compromised by the sportier yet louder TRD Pro exhaust, which worsened the noise levels inside the cabin.

During hard braking, the 4Runner experienced an unsettling nosedive, although it remained controllable. Cornering led to noticeable body roll, meaning careful driving was required on winding roads. Though larger road imperfections were easily absorbed, the residual bounces and floatiness over highways, especially with an empty vehicle, could make the ride less comfortable.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 had interior passenger space comparable to the CX-5, offering slightly less headroom but slightly more legroom in both rows. When compared to similarly sized rivals like the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage, and Subaru Forester, the CX-50 fell short in headroom but came close in legroom, even offering two extra inches of rear-seat legroom compared to the Toyota RAV4.

The cargo space was listed at 31.4 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 56.3 cubic feet with them folded, which was three cubic feet less than the CX-5's maximum capacity. However, it offered slightly more space than the CX-5 when the second row was upright. When compared to competitors, the Mazda lagged behind in cargo space, with only the Subaru Forester having less space than the CX-50 with the seats up.

Access to the cargo area was improved by an available power liftgate. Still, nothing else significantly added to the cargo functionality to match the rugged aesthetic of the Meridian Edition. The cargo area wasn't particularly friendly for dirty or bulky items, and the roof platform was quite high for shorter individuals to use conveniently.

Comparatively, the 2024 Toyota 4Runner's interior felt old-fashioned but straightforward and functional. Large climate-control dials and prominent driveline levers were user-friendly, even with gloves on. The SUV offered sturdy handles for passengers to hold onto during off-road adventures and provided excellent outward visibility due to the forward-positioned roof pillars.

Up front, there was ample space for larger passengers, though the steering wheel had limited telescoping range. The second-row seats provided plenty of legroom and space for feet under the front seats, but taller passengers might find headroom slightly constrained due to the elevated rear bench. A third row was available on select trims.

With 47.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, the 4Runner could accommodate a fair amount of gear. However, opting for the optional sliding deck reduced this capacity slightly. Maximum cargo space with the rear seats stowed reached 89.7 cubic feet, but these seats had to be accessed from the rear doors, with a cumbersome process to stow them.

Once the seats were folded, the 4Runner offered an almost flat load floor, making it user-friendly compared to the Bronco's stepped floor, and suitable for camping inside the vehicle if needed. Although lacking a powered or hands-free liftgate, it had unique party speakers inside the hatch and a sliding rear window for easy gear access. Additionally, the 4Runner came with a hitch receiver and a seven-pin harness, capable of towing up to 5,000 pounds.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 came standard with a 10.25-inch infotainment screen, operated by a rotary controller and buttons on the center console rather than a conventional touchscreen. It featured wireless Apple CarPlay, while Android Auto required a cable. Front and rear USB ports were standard, with higher trims adding wireless phone charging, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system.

Mazda's touchscreen-free system required some getting used to, especially for those accustomed to touchscreens. Located near the shifter, the rotary controller was within easy reach and provided physical feedback, making it easier to use without diverting attention from the road. However, the infotainment system felt dated with basic graphics and functions, favoring buyers who preferred simplicity and weren't seeking cutting-edge tech.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's infotainment system covered the basics with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the small eight-inch touchscreen was challenging to use while driving. Unlike rivals, it lacked off-road specific apps and gauges, which, although seldom used, could add to off-road adventures.

The TRD Pro model featured a 15-speaker JBL premium audio system, offering clear tones and strong bass. However, it was difficult to appreciate due to the loud engine and exhaust noise and noticeable road noise. Additional terrain controls were located in the headliner console, using pictograms rather than descriptions. Understanding these controls required reading the owner’s manual to fully utilize the 4Runner’s off-road capabilities. Important features like Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select were part of this setup, with buttons for a braking differential and a locking rear differential to maximize traction.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 earned the prestigious 2023 Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It achieved the highest "Good" score in all IIHS crash tests, a "Good" score for optional headlights, and the top "Superior" score for front-crash prevention technology in vehicle-to-pedestrian daytime tests. However, it received a "Basic" score for the nighttime version of that test, and its standard headlights were rated "Average."

Complete National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) ratings for the 2024 model weren’t available at the time, but the CX-50 had a five-star frontal crash-test rating and a four-star rollover crash-test rating from the agency. Side-crash and overall safety ratings had not been published.

Mazda covered the essential bases regarding safety features, providing standard driver-assist technologies like automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, driver attention monitor, and emergency lane-keeping with road-keep assist. Optional features included rear automatic braking, traffic-jam assist, and a 360-degree camera system.

For the 2024 Toyota 4Runner, NHTSA awarded it four out of five stars for overall and frontal crash protection, five stars for side impacts, and three stars in rollover evaluations. The IIHS also gave mixed results, with the 4Runner earning top "Good" scores for moderate overlap frontal and side protection tests. However, its performance in the newer small overlap frontal test was concerning, with some "Marginal" and "Poor" ratings.

The Ford Bronco scored higher in safety ratings from both NHTSA and IIHS, while the Jeep Wrangler had similar, albeit incomplete, ratings to the 4Runner.

Toyota ensured a full suite of safety features with adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert. The TRD Pro and Limited trims added a surround-view camera system, with front and rear parking sensors exclusive to the Limited trim. However, some alerts in the Toyota system could be overly sensitive, potentially leading to frequent beeping during everyday driving.