Compare the2025 Mazda CX-90VS 2024 Toyota Sequoia

Full-time four-wheel drive is standard on the CX-90. Full-time four-wheel drive gives added traction for safety in all conditions, not just off-road, like the only system available on the Sequoia. Four-wheel drive of any type costs extra on the Sequoia.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the CX-90 uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The Sequoia uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the CX-90 and the Sequoia 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 around view monitors.

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 Sequoia has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

On the EPA test cycle the CX-90 running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Sequoia:

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

Both the CX-90 and Sequoia have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The CX-90 has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Mazda CX-90 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended on CX-90 PHEV for maximum performance). The Sequoia requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mazda CX-90 higher (6 out of 10) than the Toyota Sequoia (5). This means the CX-90 produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Sequoia every 15,000 miles.

The CX-90 stops much shorter than the Sequoia:

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 Sequoia’s standard 70 series tires. The CX-90 Premium/Turbo S’ tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Sequoia Capstone’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CX-90 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Sequoia.

The CX-90 has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the CX-90 flat and controlled during cornering. The Sequoia’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The CX-90 Premium Plus handles at .85 G’s, while the Sequoia Capstone 4x4 pulls only .76 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the CX-90’s turning circle is 2.1 feet tighter than the Sequoia’s (38.1 feet vs. 40.2 feet). The CX-90’s turning circle is 6.5 feet tighter than the Sequoia TRD Pro’s (38.1 feet vs. 44.6 feet).

The Mazda CX-90 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 900 to 950 pounds less than the Toyota Sequoia.

The CX-90 is 7.3 inches shorter than the Sequoia, making the CX-90 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Unibody construction lowers the CX-90’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The Sequoia doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

The CX-90 has .5 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front legroom, .9 inches more rear headroom, .2 inches more rear legroom and 1.3 inches more third row headroom than the Sequoia.

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

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 Sequoia’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 Sequoia doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Mazda CX-90 outsold the Toyota Sequoia by 39% during 2023.