Toyota Sienna vs Mazda CX-90

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 was available in three variants: the 3.3 Turbo, the 3.3 Turbo S, and the PHEV. Trim levels ranged from Select to Premium Plus, with prices spanning from $39,575 to $59,480. Our test vehicle, a 3.3 Turbo with Premium Plus trim and Soul Red paint, had an MSRP of $51,450. The CX-90's exterior boasted lustrous paint, polished chrome trim, and intricate 21-inch wheels, giving it a luxury SUV appearance. Its sculptural sheet metal and athletic design contributed to its sophisticated look. Inside, the CX-90 featured an upscale interior with polished metallic trim and Nappa leather, though some materials reflected its competitive pricing. Ergonomic issues, such as a confusing electronic shifter and non-touchscreen infotainment, were noted, but overall, the CX-90 exuded sophistication compared to other midsize three-row SUVs.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna, despite its minivan design, attempted to add style with features like a trapezoidal grille and upswept body lines. The Platinum trim introduced new flower-petal wheel designs. While it still looked like a minivan, it offered practicality with seating for up to eight. Our test vehicle, a Platinum model in Magnetic Gray, had an MSRP of $58,634. The Sienna's interior received updates, including a woodgrain finish, though opinions on its aesthetics varied. The Sienna's interior was considered improved, but it still retained its minivan practicality.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90's performance was somewhat disappointing, given its refined design. The 3.3 Turbo model featured a turbocharged 3.3-liter inline-six engine producing 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. The Turbo S variant offered 319 hp and 369 lb-ft, with 340 hp on premium gas. Power was delivered through an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The AWD system favored rear-wheel power for better dynamics. The CX-90 offered Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing modes, with a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. However, drivetrain refinement was lacking, with unpredictable power delivery and transmission behavior. Noise and impact harshness were noticeable, and vibrations affected the second-row seats. Despite these issues, the CX-90 excelled in ride and handling, offering a firm and communicative suspension.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a CVT. It offered 245 net horsepower, which was adequate for its seating capacity and towing capability of 3,500 pounds. The Sienna's hybrid system provided immediate torque, making it feel responsive in city driving. On the highway, it was quiet, but hard acceleration revealed the CVT's noise. The Sienna's hybrid powertrain prioritized fuel economy, with an EPA rating of 36 mpg combined for the FWD model. However, our test model averaged 26.3 mpg. The Sienna's handling was predictable but not particularly engaging, with squishy steering and brakes that struggled during hard braking. The Sienna XSE offered a sportier look and suspension, but the standard suspension provided a smooth and quiet ride.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90's interior had some climate control issues, with the three-zone system taking time to cool the cabin. The Premium Plus trim featured Nappa leather, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated second-row captain's chairs. The panoramic sunroof provided natural light, and second-row passengers enjoyed comfortable seating. However, the CX-90's long rear doors and limited seat-track travel posed challenges for loading children. The third row was best suited for children. Storage space was limited, with a smartphone charging tray, shallow bin, and small trays under the load floor. Cargo space measured 14.9 cubic feet behind the third row, 40 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 74.2 cubic feet with the second row flattened.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna offered practical seating and cargo solutions. The front seats were power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated, but the cushions felt hard on long drives. The Platinum trim's second-row captain's chairs with ottoman-style leg rests were popular with teenagers. The third-row seat accommodated adults, and the sliding side doors made loading easy. Storage was generous, with a wide tray under the center console. However, finding secure places for large water bottles was challenging. The Sienna provided 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet with the third row stowed, and a maximum of 101 cubic feet. Unlike some rivals, the Sienna's second-row seats couldn't be removed, limiting maximum cargo capacity.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. The infotainment screen was touch-sensitive only with wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, requiring the use of a knob and buttons for the native Mazda Connect platform. Mazda's voice recognition system was hit-and-miss, and a new Google Built-in infotainment system was expected in future models. The test vehicle had a 12-speaker Bose audio system and a head-up display with blind-spot alerts.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna's higher-spec models had a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen for the Toyota Audio Multimedia (TAM) system. The Platinum trim featured a four-zone climate control system, a 10-inch head-up display, and a digital rearview mirror. The TAM system offered various connected services plans, with a digital assistant that responded well to commands. The Sienna Platinum had a 12-speaker JBL audio system, though sound quality varied. The four-zone climate control system was appreciated, and the digital rearview camera offered zoom capabilities.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings in NHTSA crash tests for the PHEV model. Gas-only models received four-star ratings in frontal-impact testing. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. Higher trims added advanced features like steering assist and a surround-view camera system. The CX-90's driver aids generally met expectations, though some features, like speed reduction, were irritating.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna featured TSS 2.0, an older version of Toyota Safety Sense, which was preferred for its simplicity. TSS 2.0 included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and more. The Sienna's adaptive cruise control responded quickly to lane changes but required human intervention in sudden braking situations. New rear-seat reminder technology was added for 2025. The Sienna received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA but had lower scores in frontal crash tests.