2022 Mazda CX-30 vs 2022 Toyota Sienna

The 2022 Toyota Sienna occupied a unique niche in the automotive market, standing firm as a minivan while many competitors shifted focus to SUVs. Toyota's commitment to the minivan segment was evident through its history, from the original Van in the 1980s to the innovative Previa and the subsequent Sienna generations. The fourth-generation Sienna, launched in 2021, aimed to blend SUV styling with minivan functionality. It featured a bold front end, re-engineered door hinges, and a sleek profile with 17-inch to 20-inch wheels, depending on the trim. Inside, the Sienna offered a spacious and practical cabin with clever storage solutions, comfortable seating for up to eight passengers, and a versatile third-row bench that folded into the floor.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30, on the other hand, was a subcompact SUV that drew inspiration from the larger CX-5. It shared its platform with the Mazda3, giving it a raised hatchback feel. The CX-30's design included a raked windshield, which could cause some visual distortion for taller drivers. The cabin was praised for its comfort and quietness, with a blend of conventional and digital displays. However, the infotainment system, controlled by a rotary dial, had a steep learning curve. The CX-30 came in various trims, each adding more features, with the Turbo Premium Plus model offering the most advanced equipment.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna carried over its hybrid powertrain from the previous year, combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to produce 243 horsepower. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on all trims. The AWD system used a separate electric motor for the rear wheels, simplifying the mechanical setup. The Sienna featured an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT) and offered four selectable drive modes. Its handling was surprisingly good for a minivan, thanks to the Toyota Next Generation Architecture (TNGA) platform. The Sienna's fuel economy was impressive, with EPA ratings of 36 mpg city/highway/combined for FWD models and 35 mpg for AWD models.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 offered two engine options. The base engine was a 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. The upgraded 2.5-liter turbocharged engine delivered 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque on regular fuel, and 250 hp and 320 lb-ft on premium fuel. Power was sent to all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. The turbocharged engine provided lively acceleration, especially in Sport mode. The CX-30's handling was sporty and precise, with minimal body roll, but the ride could be rough on uneven roads. The conventional shifter design and steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters added to the driving experience.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna was designed to be a family workhorse, capable of carrying a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. The sliding second row added flexibility for loading cargo, with measurements of 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and 101 cubic feet behind the first row. The Sienna also had a 3,500-pound towing capacity. The third-row bench easily folded into the floor, and each row had ample storage and cupholders. Power-operated sliding doors and a rear tailgate with foot-motion triggers added convenience.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 provided up to 45.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 20.2 cubic feet with the seats in use. These figures were average for the subcompact SUV segment. The Turbo Premium Plus model featured a power rear liftgate. The front seats had a sliding center console cover, which could get stuck when the rear seats were folded. The center console offered plenty of space for personal items, and the front doors had deep pockets for large water bottles. Rear seats provided decent headroom for short-to-medium trips but lacked the space of larger SUVs.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna came with a 9-inch touchscreen standard on all trims, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, and multiple USB ports. However, it lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims offered additional features like Qi wireless charging, a 12-speaker JBL audio system, and a rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display. The Sienna also included various telematics services and a head-up display on Platinum models. The digital rearview mirror and Smart Key System added to the convenience and safety.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 featured an elegant dash design with an infotainment screen controlled by a rotary dial and toggle buttons. This setup, inspired by luxury cars, lacked touch functionality, making it cumbersome to use, especially with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system required a learning curve and could be frustrating for new users. Despite its drawbacks, the CX-30's infotainment system aimed to provide a premium feel, aligning with Mazda's upmarket aspirations.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna received top safety ratings, including a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. It came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included adaptive cruise control, lane tracing assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and traffic sign recognition. The Sienna also featured 10 airbags, multiple LATCH connectors, a rear-seat reminder system, tire-pressure monitoring, and an inflator kit.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assistance features, including forward collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, rain-sensing wipers, and adaptive cruise control. The Turbo Premium Plus model added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic-sign recognition, parking sensors, reverse automatic emergency braking, adaptive front headlights, and a 360-degree parking camera. The CX-30 earned five-star ratings from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS.