2024 Mazda CX-90 vs Toyota Grand Highlander 

When it comes to mid-sized family vehicles, Mazda’s CX-90 and Toyota’s Grand Highlander are clear leaders of the pack in today’s market. Both of these well-regarded, three-row SUVs provide drivers with space, power, and amenities, but deciding which one is better for your needs can be a challenge. Let’s take a closer look at a 2024 Mazda CX-90 vs. Toyota Grand Highlander comparison.

Overview of the 2024 Mazda CX-90

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 offers drivers some of the top features that are common across all models in Mazda’s latest lineup. This includes Mazda’s well-known (and incredibly loved) premium interior, standard all-wheel drive (AWD), and a performance and power combination that makes the Mazda CX-90 more than just another family-sized SUV. It makes the vehicle one that is fun to drive. The tagline “Engineered to fit your lifestyle” makes sense, given the vehicle’s six-, seven-, and eight-seat configuration options, expansive cargo space, and eight different trim packages.

Overview of the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander

Like the CX-90, the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander is a notable member of the brand’s family that offers many of the same features found on many other members of the Toyota lineup. This includes sporty practicality, enhanced technology, and expansive cargo space. In fact, one of the vehicle’s taglines is “More space means more memories,” which seems fitting for a vehicle with seven seats and seven unique trims.

Key Highlights of Each Vehicle

When it comes to meeting the needs of families or drivers who just want more space, these two competitors are among the most successful options available. The highlights of both the Mazda CX-90 and the Toyota Grand Highlander show that the creators of both models have taken both practicality and luxury into consideration when designing their vehicles.

Engine and Performance

Both the Toyota Grand Highlander and the Mazda CX-90 offer buyers two different engine options. For the Toyota, the base model is equipped with a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder turbo engine with 265 horsepower (hp) and 310 pound-feet (lb/ft) of torque. There is also a hybrid option (available in the trims named “Hybrid”) that boasts a 2.5-liter L4HV engine with 244 hp and 175 lb/ft of torque.

The Mazda’s engine options pack a bit more punch and also come with standard AWD across all trims. The base engine, a 3.3-liter turbo inline-6 comes with 280 hp and 332 lb/ft of torque. The upgraded option for the CX-90, available in the Turbo S trim and higher, offers even more power at 340 hp and 369 lb/ft of torque. Both Mazda engine options are also paired with 11 kW M Hybrid Boost (Mild Hybrid) electric engines to help boost fuel economy while retaining power.

Comfort and Interior Amenities

Inside both of these three-row SUVs, drivers and passengers alike will find ample space and amenities to enjoy. For its part, the Toyota is well-equipped with several luxury touches, such as heated and ventilated first- and second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, and a JBL sound system. The Grand Highlander is also the slightly larger of the two competitors, offering anywhere from 20.6 to 97.5 cubic feet of cargo volume, depending on which seats are configured. These vehicles, however, are limited to seven seats, regardless of the trim selected.

In contrast, the Mazda CX-90 has a variety of seating arrangements available for drivers, ranging from a six- to eight-seat capacity. The vehicle’s cargo room is also quite impressive, ranging from 14.9 to 74.2 cubic feet. Where the Mazda really shines, however, is in the details provided by its interior amenities and accessories.

Like all vehicles in the Mazda line, the CX-90 offers drivers standard features that are more closely aligned with luxury vehicles in this class. This includes standard synthetic leather upholstery, as well as an option to upgrade to premium Nappa leather, along with supportive and comfortable seats that are heated and ventilated in the first two rows. Additional luxury touches, such as faux suede on the dash, add a level of elegance to the CX-90 that is unmatched for vehicles in this price range.

Technology and Connectivity

Technology is another area where both vehicles thrive, with manufacturers understanding the need to stay connected while on the road. In the Toyota Grand Highlander, this translates to a 12.3-inch touchscreen center display with full Apple and Android compatibility. Other notable tech features found on the Toyota include wireless phone charging and three-zone climate control.

The Mazda CX-90 also offers a touchscreen center display, which is 10.25 inches wide. The display also offers users a rotary dial operation for those who prefer that mode. In combination with full Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, in-car wi-fi and wireless charging are also available.

Safety and Security Features

Safety is another category where both the Toyota and Mazda offer drivers excellent options. In fact, the Mazda CX-90 has even earned the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) top honor. The vehicle was named a Top Safety Pick+ for the 2024 model year.

Notable safety features of the Grand Highlander are all included as part of a suite of tools known as Toyota Safety Sense 3.0. This suite includes tools such as a pre-collision system with pedestrian protection, dynamic radar cruise control, a lane departure warning system, and a road sign assist system that detects road signs and projects them onto the vehicle’s head-up display.

The Mazda  has many similar features as well as some notable extras that helped it earn its IIHS award. These safety features, known collectively as i-ACTIVSENSE®, include smart brake support both in the front of the vehicle and rear; cross-traffic, road keep, and blind spot assist systems; radar cruise control; and a vehicle exit warning system. In addition, Mazda’s rigid SKYACTIV®-body design features a ring structure, seatbelt with pretensioner and load limiter, an anti-intrusion brake pedal, and SRS airbag systems.

Verdict: How the 2024 Mazda CX-90 and Toyota Grand Highlander Compare

Drivers looking for a solid mid-size SUV cannot go wrong with either the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander or the Mazda CX-90. However, when it comes right down to it, there are two factors that put the Mazda over the top: price and gas mileage.

While most of their features match up nicely, the 2024 Mazda CX-90, gets some of the best gas mileage in its class — 24 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, thanks to that supplemental hybrid engine. That’s an incredible 25 mpg combined. In contrast, the Toyota only offers 21/24/28 in its non-hybrid models.

The other feature that Mazda clearly wins out on is price. The entry price of the CX-90 3.3 Turbo Select is just $37,845, while the entry-level Grand Highlander XLE is $43,320, nearly $5,000 more. On the high end, the CX-90 3.3 Turbo S Premium Plus starts at $55,950, and the Grand Highlander MAX Platinum is similarly higher at $58,475.

Contact DePaula Mazda to Test Drive the 2024 Mazda CX-90

Of course, the only way to truly decide which mid-size SUV is right for you is to take them both for a test drive. At DePaula Mazda, we can help you on both fronts, thanks to our extensive inventory of used Toyota models that are available along with the many used models and trims of the 2024 Mazda CX-90. Visit DePaula Mazda today to check out the various options and take the ones that appeal to you on a test drive.