2025 Toyota Sienna vs 2025 Mazda CX-5

The 2025 Mazda CX-5 was often praised for its elegant design, which stood out in the small SUV class. Its graceful curves and lack of sharp angles gave it a sophisticated appearance that was reminiscent of entry-level luxury SUVs. Despite not having been redesigned since 2017, the CX-5's design remained timeless and appealing. Inside, the CX-5 offered a blend of traditional and modern elements, with high-quality materials and a user-friendly layout. While it lacked the large infotainment screens of its competitors, the physical buttons and knobs were appreciated for their practicality and ease of use. The interior was comparable to those of last-generation Acura or Lexus models, providing a more upscale feel than similarly priced crossovers.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Sienna maintained the classic minivan silhouette, prioritizing practicality over style. Despite Toyota's efforts to add flair with features like a trapezoidal grille and upswept body lines, the Sienna still looked like a traditional minivan. The Platinum trim level introduced new wheel designs and a Magnetic Gray paint color, adding a touch of elegance. Inside, the Sienna's interior received updates, including a new woodgrain finish, although opinions on its aesthetics varied. The Sienna's design focused on functionality, offering ample seating for up to eight passengers and a spacious cargo area, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2025 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged version delivering 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and came with standard all-wheel drive. The base engine provided adequate power, with a 0-60 mph time of around 8 seconds, while the turbocharged model was quicker, reaching 60 mph in about 6 seconds. The CX-5 was known for its sporty handling, with minimal body roll and a firm ride quality that enhanced driving confidence. The cabin remained quiet, filtering out wind and road noise effectively.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). It offered a net horsepower rating of 245, which was modest for a vehicle seating up to eight people and towing up to 3,500 pounds. However, the electric assist motor provided immediate torque, preventing the Sienna from feeling sluggish. The hybrid powertrain prioritized fuel economy, achieving an EPA rating of 36 mpg in combined driving. While the Sienna's handling was predictable and secure, it lacked the sporty dynamics of the CX-5. The ride was smooth and absorbent, providing excellent impact isolation, but the CVT's droning noise was noticeable during hard acceleration.

The 2025 Mazda CX-5's interior design and refinement were commendable, but it fell short in terms of practicality and space compared to some rivals. While rear headroom was sufficient for adults, competitors like the Toyota RAV4 and Kia Sportage offered slightly more. The CX-5 excelled in rear legroom, surpassing the RAV4, but the Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage provided more room for passengers to stretch. Cargo space behind the rear seats measured 30.8 cubic feet, with the capacity expanding to 58.1 cubic feet when the rear seatbacks were folded flat. The CX-5's cargo area was wide and flat, accommodating larger items, but it couldn't match the cargo capacity of the CR-V and Sportage.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna prioritized form and function, offering innovative seating and cargo solutions. The front seats were power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated, but the cushions felt hard during long drives. The second-row captain's chairs with ottoman-style leg rests were popular with teenagers, and the third-row seat accommodated adults comfortably. The Sienna's sliding side doors and second-row seats made loading and unloading passengers easy, even in tight spaces. Cargo space behind the third-row seat measured 33.5 cubic feet, expanding to 75.2 cubic feet with the third-row seats stowed. Maximum cargo capacity reached 101 cubic feet, although it fell short of rivals due to the lack of removable second-row seats.

The 2025 Mazda CX-5 featured a 10.25-inch infotainment display mounted atop the dash, controlled via a dial on the center console. While the screen appeared smaller than those in other crossovers, its placement in the driver's sightline minimized distraction. The dial-based control system was intuitive, allowing for easy navigation through menus. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, with wireless connectivity offered in midrange trims. The CX-5's analog gauges felt dated, but a head-up display was standard in higher trims. The base trim included a four-speaker audio system, while the top Signature model boasted a 10-speaker Bose premium system. Remote vehicle monitoring and a Wi-Fi hotspot were also available.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna's higher-spec models featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen for the Toyota Audio Multimedia (TAM) system. The Platinum trim included a four-zone automatic climate control system, a 10-inch head-up display, and a camera-based digital rearview mirror. The TAM system offered access to various connected services plans, with a digital assistant that responded to voice commands. The Sienna Platinum came with a 12-speaker JBL premium audio system, although the sound quality was affected by excessive bass. The four-zone climate control system was appreciated, and the digital rearview camera provided zoom-in/zoom-out capability.

The 2025 Mazda CX-5 received high safety ratings, earning five stars in all NHTSA evaluations except for rollover protection, where it received four stars. The 2024 model, identical to the 2025 version, received the IIHS' highest score of "Good" in all tests and a Top Safety Pick rating. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims added features like adaptive headlights, a head-up display, a surround-view camera system, and traffic jam assist. The CX-5's safety systems operated smoothly, with no false alarms or technical glitches during testing.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna featured Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.0, an older technology set compared to TSS 3.0 found in other Toyota models. TSS 2.0 included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Sienna also had automatic high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. While the lane-centering assist performed well, the adaptive cruise control required human intervention during sudden traffic braking events. The Sienna introduced a new rear-seat reminder system, alerting drivers to movement within the cabin. The NHTSA awarded the Sienna a five-star overall rating, but it received lower scores in frontal crash tests.