Compare the2024 Mazda CX-90VS 2024 Toyota Sienna

For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Mazda CX-90 have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Toyota Sienna doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

The Mazda CX-90 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Sienna doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

With its standard Smart Brake Support, the Mazda CX-90 is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Toyota Sienna, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-90. But it costs extra on the Sienna.

Both the CX-90 and the Sienna have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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 around view monitors.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the CX-90 is much safer than the Sienna:

The Mazda CX-90 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Sienna is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2024.

The CX-90’s standard 3.3 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 35 more horsepower (280 vs. 245) than the Sienna’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The CX-90 PHEV’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 78 more horsepower (323 vs. 245) than the Sienna’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The CX-90 Turbo S’ standard 3.3 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 95 more horsepower (340 vs. 245) than the Sienna’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the CX-90 PHEV 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Toyota Sienna:

The CX-90 PHEV can travel with zero emissions for 26 miles. The Sienna can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

The CX-90 Turbo S’ standard fuel tank has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sienna (19.6 vs. 18 gallons).

For better stopping power the CX-90 Turbo S/PHEV’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Sienna:

The CX-90 stops much shorter than the Sienna:

For better traction, the CX-90 has larger standard tires than the Sienna (265/55R19 vs. 235/50R20). The CX-90 Premium/Turbo S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Sienna (275/45R21 vs. 235/50R20).

The CX-90’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Sienna LE/XLE’s standard 65 series tires. The CX-90 Premium/Turbo S’ tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Sienna XSE/FWD Platinum’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CX-90 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Sienna LE/XLE. The CX-90 Premium/Turbo S’ 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the Sienna XSE/FWD Platinum.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-90’s wheelbase is 2.3 inches longer than on the Sienna (122.8 inches vs. 120.5 inches).

For better maneuverability, the CX-90’s turning circle is .2 feet tighter than the Sienna’s (38.1 feet vs. 38.3 feet). The CX-90’s turning circle is 1.1 feet tighter than the Sienna XSE/Platinum FWD’s (38.1 feet vs. 39.2 feet).

For greater off-road capability the CX-90 has a 1.6 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Sienna (8 vs. 6.4 inches), allowing the CX-90 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The CX-90 PHEV Premium/Turbo S’ minimum ground clearance is 1.1 inches higher than on the Sienna Woodland Edition (8.1 vs. 7 inches).

The CX-90 is 3.3 inches shorter than the Sienna XSE, making the CX-90 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Sienna’s spare tire is stored in the cargo area, where it diminishes the useable cargo capacity and interferes with loading and unloading. The CX-90’s spare is out of the way under the trunk floor.

Maximum trailer towing in the Toyota Sienna is limited to 3500 pounds. The CX-90 offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

The CX-90 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Sienna uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The engine in the CX-90 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Sienna. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The CX-90’s standard Advanced Keyless Entry and Start allow you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Pushbutton Start standard on the Sienna only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the van. Pushbutton Start is not available on the Sienna XLE/XSE/Woodland/Limited/Platinum.

The CX-90’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Sienna’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the CX-90 Turbo S has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Sienna doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The CX-90 Premium Plus has standard front air conditioned seats and the CX-90 Turbo S Premium Plus also has them in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The Sienna doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.