2025 Mazda CX-50 vs 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander

$30,500 · Crossover

$41,360 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the nimble 2025 Mazda CX-50 and the massive 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander presents a classic dilemma: premium driving feel versus sheer size and power. The Mazda starts at a significantly lower MSRP of $30,500, offering a clear financial advantage over the Grand Highlander's $41,360 entry price. Furthermore, the CX-50 prioritizes efficiency, achieving a better combined MPG of 28, beating the larger Toyota’s 24 MPG rating, making it cheaper to run day-to-day. However, the Toyota boasts substantially more output, delivering 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque compared to the Mazda’s 187 hp and 185 lb-ft. Despite the size difference, the CX-50 actually offers more cargo space at 31.4 cubic feet versus the Grand Highlander’s 20.6 cubic feet in the first two rows or base configuration, suggesting the Grand Highlander's primary size benefit lies in its potential third row, which isn't quantified here. This comparison pits efficient, stylish maneuverability against brute force and size.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Mazda CX-50

The Mazda CX-50 wins for commuting due to its superior 28 combined MPG and smaller footprint, making city driving less expensive and easier to navigate.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Toyota Grand Highlander

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander is built for families needing capacity, evidenced by its significantly larger exterior dimensions (201.4 inches long) potentially accommodating more passengers or gear.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Toyota Grand Highlander

The Grand Highlander appeals more to power enthusiasts by offering a massive 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, vastly exceeding the CX-50's 187 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Mazda CX-50

The CX-50 provides better value by costing $10,860 less while simultaneously offering better fuel economy (28 MPG vs 24 MPG).

Choose the Mazda CX-50 if...

Your budget is strict, as the Mazda CX-50 starts $10,860 lower than the Grand Highlander.
Fuel economy matters most, given the CX-50 achieves 28 combined MPG compared to 24 MPG.
You prefer a tighter driving dynamic, as the CX-50 is considerably shorter at 185.8 inches long.

Choose the Toyota Grand Highlander if...

You frequently need maximum power, evidenced by the Grand Highlander's 265 hp engine.
You need the assuredness of higher ride height, as the Grand Highlander is taller at 70.1 inches.
You need the superior stopping/passing grunt from the 310 lb-ft of torque available in the Toyota.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Mazda CX-50	Toyota Grand Highlander
Length	185.8"	201.4"
Width	75.6"	78.3"
Height	63.5"	70.1"
Wheelbase	110.8"	116.1"

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	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Mazda	Toyota
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	2.4 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	187 hp @ 6000 rpm	265 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	185 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	310 lb-ft @ 1700 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	8-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	front wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	Mazda	Toyota
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	25/31 MPG	21/28 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	28 MPG	24 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	397.5/492.9 mi.	373.8/498.4 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	15.9 gal.	17.8 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	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Mazda	Toyota
Infotainment Display	10.3 in	12.3 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	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Mazda	Toyota
Front Head Room	39.1 in.	41.5 in.
Front Leg Room	41.7 in.	41.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	55.9 in.	60.2 in.
Front Hip Room	53.6 in.	56.5 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	4-way
Seat Material: Cloth	—	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way

Rearseats

Feature	Mazda	Toyota
Rear Head Room	38.6 in.	40.2 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.8 in.	39.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	53.6 in.	58.8 in.
Rear Hip Room	52.1 in.	57.0 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Mazda	Toyota
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Size	17 x 7.0 in	18 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P225/65R17	255/65R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Material	—	Alloy

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.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	2 yr./ 25000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Mazda CX-50 and 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander.

Is the 2025 Mazda CX-50 powerful enough for highway merging?

The CX-50 produces 187 hp and 185 lb-ft of torque with a 6-speed transmission, which is adequate for general highway driving. However, if you frequently need rapid acceleration or pass maneuvers, the 265 hp Toyota Grand Highlander will feel much stronger.

Why is the Toyota Grand Highlander so much more expensive than the Mazda CX-50?

The primary reasons for the $10,860 price gap ($41,360 vs $30,500) likely stem from its larger size (201.4 inches vs 185.8 inches) and significantly higher power output (265 hp vs 187 hp), suggesting a more substantial vehicle platform.

Does the smaller Mazda CX-50 have less cargo room than the larger Toyota Grand Highlander?

Surprisingly, no; based on the available figures, the CX-50 offers 31.4 cubic feet of cargo space compared to the Grand Highlander’s 20.6 cubic feet, suggesting the Toyota’s extra length is mostly dedicated to a third row.

Which car is better for long road trips in terms of running costs?

The Mazda CX-50 is the economical choice for road trips, delivering 28 combined MPG on regular unleaded fuel. The Grand Highlander sacrifices 4 MPG, netting only 24 combined MPG, leading to higher fuel expenditures over distance.

Does the drive type affect city vs. highway mileage differently between these two crossovers?

Yes, the standard AWD Mazda CX-50 maintains a consistent 25/31 MPG split, while the front-wheel-drive Grand Highlander is less efficient in the city (21 MPG) than on the highway (28 MPG).

How do the transmissions compare between the 2025 CX-50 and 2026 Grand Highlander?

The CX-50 uses a 6-speed shiftable automatic optimized for responsive driving, while the Grand Highlander employs a more modern 8-speed automatic transmission, which typically aids efficiency and power delivery from its more powerful engine.