2025 Mazda CX-50 vs 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

$30,500 · Crossover

$44,710 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant numerical divergence between the 2025 Mazda CX-50 and the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid is the $14,210 MSRP gap, starting at $30,500 for the Mazda versus $44,710 for the Toyota. Performance metrics also show distinct priorities: the Toyota offers 245 hp compared to the CX-50’s 187 hp. This power difference is mitigated by the Toyota’s superior fuel economy, achieving a 34 MPG combined rating against the CX-50’s 28 MPG combined. However, the Mazda provides greater utility in terms of cargo space, boasting 31.4 cubic feet compared to the Highlander Hybrid’s 20.6 cubic feet. While the Toyota is substantially larger, measuring 201.4 inches in length against the CX-50’s 185.8 inches, its higher price and lower inherent cargo capacity present a clear trade-off against the CX-50’s entry-level accessibility and usable storage volume.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Mazda CX-50

The Mazda CX-50 offers a significantly lower $30,500 MSRP and marginally better city MPG at 25 MPG for daily driving efficiency.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid provides greater passenger and driver space due to its 72.1-inch height and 201.4-inch length, despite less dedicated cargo room.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The 245 hp output of the Toyota significantly surpasses the Mazda's 187 hp, suggesting superior acceleration capability.

💰 Best Value

2025 Mazda CX-50

The Mazda CX-50 provides a highly competitive 28 MPG combined efficiency for $14,210 less than the entry-level Toyota model.

Choose the Mazda CX-50 if...

Budget consciousness is paramount, given the $14,210 lower starting MSRP.
Maximum accessible storage is required, as the 31.4 cu ft cargo capacity exceeds the competitor by over 10 cubic feet.
Performance requirements are modest, aligning with the 187 hp engine and 6-speed automatic transmission.

Choose the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid if...

Maximum horsepower is desired, as the 245 hp engine offers a 58 hp advantage.
Long-term fuel savings are a priority, reflected by the 34 MPG combined rating.
Larger vehicle dimensions are necessary, evidenced by the 72.1-inch height and 201.4-inch overall length.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Mazda CX-50	Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid
Length	185.8"	201.4"
Width	75.6"	78.3"
Height	63.5"	72.1"
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	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	hybrid
Horsepower	187 hp @ 6000 rpm	245 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
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Mazda	Toyota
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	25/31 MPG	36/32 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	28 MPG	34 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	397.5/492.9 mi.	619.2/550.4 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	15.9 gal.	17.2 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	—	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓
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.
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 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid.

What is the primary trade-off when choosing the 2025 Mazda CX-50 over the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid?

The primary trade-off involves power and size versus cost. The CX-50 saves buyers $14,210 upfront but delivers only 187 hp, whereas the Grand Highlander Hybrid offers 245 hp. Additionally, the Mazda sacrifices overall exterior length (185.8 inches vs 201.4 inches).

How does the fuel economy difference impact owners over time?

The Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid achieves 34 MPG combined, six miles per gallon better than the CX-50's 28 MPG combined rating. For drivers averaging 15,000 miles annually, this difference could lead to significant, measurable savings at the pump over the vehicle's lifespan.

Which vehicle offers more usable interior space for cargo?

The 2025 Mazda CX-50 has superior standard cargo capacity at 31.4 cubic feet. The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid, despite being much larger externally, is rated for only 20.6 cubic feet of cargo space.

Is the Grand Highlander Hybrid’s increased horsepower worth the higher price tag for performance-minded drivers?

For drivers prioritizing raw power, the 58 hp advantage (245 hp vs. 187 hp) of the Toyota is substantial. However, this comes at a $14,210 premium, meaning enthusiasts must weigh the performance gain against the considerable initial investment.

Do both vehicles use premium fuel?

No, both the 2025 Mazda CX-50 and the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid are specified to use regular unleaded fuel, which benefits the running costs of both vehicles despite their price differences.

How do the transmissions differ between these two AWD crossovers?

The Mazda CX-50 utilizes a conventional 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission, offering a more traditional driving feel. Conversely, the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid employs a continuously variable-speed automatic (CVT).