2025 Mazda CX-90 vs. Toyota Grand Highlander

If you’ve been waiting for the latest midsize SUVs to hit the market, you’re in luck. The new Mazda CX-90 and Toyota Grand Highlander are both receiving high praise from drivers and critics alike, giving you some impressive options to choose from. But how do they stack up against each other when it comes to pricing, performance, interior comfort, and safety? That’s what we’re here to explore. Check out our detailed 2025 Mazda CX-90 vs. Toyota Grand Highlander comparison guide below to decide which vehicle deserves a spot in your garage.

Pricing and Value

To kick off the great 2025 Mazda CX-90 vs. Toyota Grand Highlander showdown, let’s jump right into their pricing and overall value. The Mazda CX-90 has a starting MSRP of $37,845 for the base 3.3 Turbo Select trim, offering a competitive entry point if you’re looking for a luxurious midsize SUV on a budget. The Toyota Grand Highlander, on the other hand, starts its 2025 lineup quite a bit higher, with the XLE trim coming in at $43,630 MSRP. Of course, it’s also important to factor in warranties, perks, and extra coverage options.

While Toyota provides two years or 25,000 miles of complimentary scheduled maintenance, Mazda’s warranty includes roadside assistance for three years or 36,000 miles. The Mazda CX-90’s plug-in hybrid model also offers long-term fuel savings with a combined 56 MPGe and an all-electric range of 26 miles. Toyota does offer a hybrid variant of the Grand Highlander that earns impressive gas mileage ratings at 37 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway, but it lacks the plug-in hybrid functionality that Mazda offers. Overall, when it comes to price and potential savings, Mazda inches slightly ahead of Toyota.

Performance and Reliability

The Mazda CX-90 Turbo S offers an impressive 340 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque, giving it a sportier edge that makes merging on highways and accelerating quickly a breeze. The Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid MAX comes in just slightly ahead of the Turbo S at 362 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. Despite this, the CX-90 feels more agile, completing a 0-to-60 mph sprint in just 6.4 seconds.

Mazda’s hallmark “Zoom-Zoom” philosophy also delivers sharp handling and a responsive steering system that rivals luxury SUVs. In contrast, Toyota’s focus with the new Grand Highlander seems to be on comfort and daily commutes, prioritizing a quieter cabin and smoother suspension over a dynamic driving experience. Its large turning radius also makes it less maneuverable in tight spaces compared to the CX-90.

When it comes to reliability, both Mazda and Toyota have strong reputations. Older Toyota models have been known to last well beyond 200,000 miles with proper maintenance, but Mazda’s meticulous engineering and focus on quality make it a top contender in this category as well. With consistently high customer satisfaction and reliability rankings, both auto manufacturers continue to produce durable, long-lasting vehicles.

Interior Features and Comfort

Next, let’s explore how the Mazda CX-90 vs. Grand Highlander debate stacks up when it comes to interior features and comfort. At 153.3 cubic feet of cabin space, the Grand Highlander is just slightly bigger than the CX-90, which offers 141.6 cubic feet of space. However, the CX-90 offers a more driver-centric cockpit with luxury features that may appeal if you’re a solo driver who wants a more intimate driving experience. Mazda also decked out the 2025 CX-90 with premium finishes, including nappa leather seating and fabric inserts on higher trims.

While Toyota is much more practical in its redesign of the Grand Highlander, you’ll still enjoy the soft-touch materials, symmetrical dashboard, and quiet cabin. Moving on to compare infotainment systems between the CX-90 and the Grand Highlander, you’ll immediately notice Mazda’s 12.3-inch center display, which gives the entire cabin a high-tech feel. It includes a unique rotary dial control for native systems, which may require a bit of a learning curve, but certainly gets points for style.

Conversely, the Toyota Grand Highlander focuses on a user-friendly interface with its 12.3-inch touch screen. Finally, let’s talk about seating. The Grand Highlander’s third row is easy to access and big enough to seat adult passengers comfortably. However, the CX-90 offers second-row captain’s chairs that provide a more upscale feel, even if this requires giving up some cargo space. When it comes to storage, the Grand Highlander offers up to 20.6 cubic feet of cargo room, while the more agile CX-90 provides 15.9 cubic feet.

Safety and Advanced Features

Let’s compare how the Mazda CX-90 and Toyota Grand Highlander stack up in terms of safety and advanced features. The Mazda CX-90 comes equipped with the i-ACTIVSENSE suite, which includes features such as automated emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. This package emphasizes real-time hazard detection and driver awareness, making it an excellent choice if you frequently drive on the highway or in urban settings.

The new Grand Highlander comes decked out with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which includes similar features. This system comes with automated emergency braking, lane departure warning with lane-keeping assist, and road sign recognition capabilities. Both SUVs offer advanced features you can add on to create an even safer driving experience. Mazda’s CX-90 includes optional parking sensors and a 360-degree camera system, while the Grand Highlander comes with an available Traffic Jam Assist and digital rearview mirror.

Which Is the Better 2025 Model for You?

Now that we’ve explored the Mazda CX-90s and Toyota Grand Highlander’s specs, features, pricing, and overall value, it’s time for you to decide which one is better for you. Schedule a test-drive at Capistrano Mazda in Orange County, California, today to get behind the wheel of the new CX-90 yourself. You can also browse our entire inventory of new vehicles online to explore different models and trim levels. Have any questions? Send us a message, and our team will be happy to help.