Compare the2024 Toyota SequoiaVS 2024 Mazda CX-90

The Sequoia has standard Active Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The CX-90 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Sequoia has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert with Parking Support Brake, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Only the CX-90 Premium Plus/Turbo S Premium offers Rear Cross Traffic Braking.

Both the Sequoia and the CX-90 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available four-wheel drive.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Sequoia for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mazda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the CX-90.

There are over 2 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Mazda dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Sequoia’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. With 9 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Toyota higher than Mazda.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in long-term dependability. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Mazda is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. Mazda is ranked 7th.

The Sequoia’s 3.4 turbo V6 hybrid produces 157 more horsepower (437 vs. 280) and 251 lbs.-ft. more torque (583 vs. 332) than the CX-90’s standard 3.3 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid. The Sequoia’s 3.4 turbo V6 hybrid produces 114 more horsepower (437 vs. 323) and 214 lbs.-ft. more torque (583 vs. 369) than the CX-90 PHEV’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The Sequoia’s 3.4 turbo V6 hybrid produces 97 more horsepower (437 vs. 340) and 214 lbs.-ft. more torque (583 vs. 369) than the CX-90 Turbo S’ standard 3.3 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the Toyota Sequoia is faster than the Mazda CX-90:

The Sequoia has 4 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-90’s standard fuel tank (22.5 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Sequoia has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-90 Turbo S’ standard fuel tank (22.5 vs. 19.6 gallons).

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Toyota Sequoia, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the CX-90.

For better stopping power the Sequoia’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-90:

For better traction, the Sequoia TRD Pro’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CX-90 (285/65R18 vs. 275/45R21).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Sequoia Capstone has standard 22-inch wheels. The CX-90’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

The Toyota Sequoia’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Mazda CX-90 only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Sequoia has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the CX-90; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The Sequoia offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The CX-90’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Sequoia Platinum/Capstone has a standard automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The CX-90 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Sequoia is 1.8 inches wider in the front and 1.6 inches wider in the rear than the track on the CX-90.

For greater off-road capability the Sequoia has a greater minimum ground clearance than the CX-90 (8.6 vs. 8 inches), allowing the Sequoia to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Sequoia TRD Pro’s minimum ground clearance is 1 inch higher than on the CX-90 PHEV Premium/Turbo S (9.1 vs. 8.1 inches).

The front grille of the Sequoia uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The CX-90 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Sequoia has 5.8 inches more front shoulder room, 3.7 inches more rear shoulder room, 3.3 inches more third row legroom and 9.3 inches more third row shoulder room than the CX-90.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Sequoia’s middle and third row seats recline. The CX-90’s third row seats don’t recline.

The Sequoia’s cargo area provides more volume than the CX-90.

A control in the cargo area automatically lowers or raises the Sequoia’s optional third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The CX-90 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Sequoia. The CX-90 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Sequoia’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the CX-90’s (9120 vs. 3500 pounds).

The Sequoia Limited/TRD Pro/Platinum/Capstone’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The CX-90 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Sequoia’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The CX-90 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The power windows standard on both the Sequoia and the CX-90 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Sequoia is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The CX-90 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

If the windows are left open on the Sequoia the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the CX-90 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Sequoia’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The CX-90’s power window (except driver window) switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Sequoia is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The CX-90 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.