2025 Mazda CX-50 vs 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

$30,500 · Crossover

$46,820 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant numerical disparity between the 2025 Mazda CX-50 and the 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is the $16,320 MSRP gap, starting at $30,500 for the Mazda versus $46,820 for the Toyota. Power output is substantially different, with the Highlander Hybrid offering 243 hp compared to the CX-50's 187 hp. This power difference is reflected in their primary use cases; the Highlander achieves a superior 35 MPG combined rating utilizing its hybrid system, whereas the CX-50 manages 28 MPG combined. While the Highlander Hybrid is the larger vehicle (194.9 inches long versus 185.8 inches), the CX-50 offers substantially more usable space, boasting 31.4 cubic feet of cargo capacity compared to the Highlander Hybrid's 16 cubic feet. Furthermore, the CX-50 requires regular unleaded fuel across the board.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Mazda CX-50

The Mazda CX-50 offers a significantly lower initial MSRP of $30,500, making it the superior budget choice for daily commuting.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is the larger vehicle with a height of 68.1 inches, suggesting more overall cabin volume for passengers.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid produces 243 hp, giving it a 56 hp advantage over the CX-50's 187 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Mazda CX-50

The Mazda CX-50 provides 28 MPG combined efficiency for a base price that is $16,320 lower than the competition.

Choose the Mazda CX-50 if...

Your budget mandates an MSRP under $31,000, as the CX-50 starts at $30,500.
Maximizing cargo volume is critical, given the CX-50’s 31.4 cubic feet versus the Highlander’s 16 cubic feet.
You prefer a traditional 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission over a CVT.

Choose the Toyota Highlander Hybrid if...

Achieving a combined 35 MPG is essential, which the Highlander Hybrid delivers.
Higher outright power is desired, supported by the 243 hp engine output.
You require a taller vehicle, as the Highlander Hybrid stands 68.1 inches high.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Mazda CX-50	Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Length	185.8"	194.9"
Width	75.6"	76.0"
Height	63.5"	68.1"
Wheelbase	110.8"	112.2"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Mazda	Toyota
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	—
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	2
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	—
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	—	✓
Front Fog Lights	—	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Mazda	Toyota
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	hybrid
Horsepower	187 hp @ 6000 rpm	243 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	185 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	—
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓
Cylinder Deactivation	✓	—

Drive Train

Feature	Mazda	Toyota
Transmission Type	6-speed shiftable automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	all wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	Mazda	Toyota
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	25/31 MPG	35/35 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	28 MPG	35 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	397.5/492.9 mi.	598.5/598.5 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	15.9 gal.	17.1 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Mazda	Toyota
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	—	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	—	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Mazda	Toyota
Infotainment Display	10.3 in	8.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	8	6
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	3 months

Power Feature

Feature	Mazda	Toyota
One-Touch Power Windows	4	4
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Moonroof Type	—	1st Row Power Glass

Frontseats

Feature	Mazda	Toyota
Front Head Room	39.1 in.	39.6 in.
Front Leg Room	41.7 in.	42.0 in.
Front Shoulder Room	55.9 in.	59.0 in.
Front Hip Room	53.6 in.	57.2 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	—
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Mazda	Toyota
Rear Head Room	38.6 in.	39.4 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.8 in.	38.7 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	53.6 in.	58.4 in.
Rear Hip Room	52.1 in.	57.0 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	—
Folding Center Armrest	✓	—
Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Mazda	Toyota
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Size	17 x 7.0 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P225/65R17	P235/65R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Underbody Mounted
Wheel Material	—	Alloy
Wheel Diameter	—	18 in

Suspension

Feature	Mazda	Toyota
Front Suspension Type	Independent	—
Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	—	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	—	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	—	✓

Warranty

Feature	Mazda	Toyota
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	2 yr./ unlimited mi.
Hybrid Component Warranty	—	8 yr./ 100000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	2 yr./ 25000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Mazda CX-50 and 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid.

What is the primary difference in size specifications between the two crossovers?

The 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is physically larger, measuring 194.9 inches in length and 68.1 inches in height. Conversely, the 2025 Mazda CX-50 is narrower at 75.6 inches and provides substantially more cargo space at 31.4 cubic feet.

How does the fuel economy compare when considering the price difference?

The Highlander Hybrid leads significantly in efficiency, delivering 35 MPG combined, while the CX-50 offers 28 MPG combined. However, the CX-50’s initial $30,500 MSRP is significantly lower than the Highlander’s $46,820 price point.

Which vehicle offers superior performance metrics?

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is the more powerful option, generating 243 hp and 56 more horsepower than the CX-50’s 187 hp. Both models come standard with All-Wheel Drive.

Are the fuel requirements different for these two AWD crossovers?

No, both the 2025 Mazda CX-50 and the 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid are specified to run on regular unleaded fuel, avoiding premium fuel costs.

Does the Mazda CX-50 have better cargo capacity despite being smaller overall?

Yes, the CX-50 offers 31.4 cubic feet of cargo capacity. This is nearly double the 16 cubic feet available in the longer and taller Toyota Highlander Hybrid.

What transmissions do these two AWD models utilize?

The Mazda CX-50 employs a conventional 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid utilizes a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission.