2025 Mazda CX-50 vs 2026 Toyota Highlander

$30,500 · Crossover

$45,270 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Mazda CX-50 grips the road with enthusiast focus, offering a nimble package starting at an alluring $30,500 and achieving 28 MPG combined. Conversely, the 2026 Toyota Highlander enters the arena as the powerful behemoth, boasting 265 hp and a substantial 310 lb-ft of torque for effortless passing maneuvers, though its price climbs to $45,270. The power gap is significant; the Highlander offers 78 more horsepower than the CX-50’s 187 hp. This difference in philosophy is clear in the dimensions: the CX-50 is notably shorter at 185.8 inches, fitting tighter urban spaces better, while the Highlander prioritizes presence and interior space, towering at 68.1 inches high. Despite the fuel-conscious mandate of the current era, the CX-50 maintains a clear efficiency edge with 28 MPG versus the Highlander’s 24 MPG combined, making it the frugal choice for daily commutes.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Mazda CX-50

The CX-50 wins for commuters due to its superior 28 MPG combined efficiency and lower entry price of $30,500.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Toyota Highlander

The Highlander offers greater practicality, reflected in its significantly larger height (68.1 inches) and overall structure suitable for family hauling.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Toyota Highlander

The Highlander delivers a much more thrilling drive with 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque compared to the CX-50's 187 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Mazda CX-50

The Mazda provides an excellent driving experience for significantly less money, saving buyers $14,770 compared to the Highlander’s starting MSRP.

Choose the Mazda CX-50 if...

You prioritize fuel economy and want to achieve 28 MPG combined.
Your budget requires an entry point of only $30,500.
You prefer a more compact AWD vehicle, measuring only 185.8 inches in length for easier city navigation.

Choose the Toyota Highlander if...

You demand outright power, benefited by 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque.
You need maximum interior volume and a larger presence, evidenced by its 68.1-inch height.
You prefer the slightly smoother power delivery provided by the 8-speed automatic transmission over the 6-speed unit in the CX-50.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Mazda CX-50	Toyota Highlander
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	2.4 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 shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	all wheel drive
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

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.	375.9/501.2 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	15.9 gal.	17.9 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	—	✓
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	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P225/65R17	P235/65R V
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.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	2 yr./ 25000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

How much more powerful is the 2026 Toyota Highlander than the 2025 Mazda CX-50?

The Highlander is substantially more potent, delivering 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, which is exactly 78 more horsepower than the CX-50's 187 hp baseline. This power deficit means the CX-50 will feel less dynamic during quick acceleration maneuvers.

Is the price difference worth the power upgrade between these two crossovers?

The price gap is $14,770, with the Highlander starting at $45,270. If maximizing performance with 265 hp is crucial, this premium might be justifiable; otherwise, the CX-50's $30,500 price point offers superior monetary value.

Which vehicle offers better fuel efficiency for highway driving?

The Mazda CX-50 has the efficiency advantage, achieving 31 MPG on the highway compared to the Highlander's 28 MPG highway rating. While both use regular unleaded fuel, the CX-50’s lighter weight aids in this fuel economy superiority.

Does the size difference between the CX-50 and Highlander impact cargo hauling?

Yes, although the Highlander is longer overall, the CX-50 technically offers more usable storage at 31.4 cubic feet versus the Highlander's 16 cubic feet, indicating a practical advantage for the smaller Mazda in sheer volume measurement provided.

Are both vehicles equipped with standard All-Wheel Drive?

Yes, both the 2025 Mazda CX-50 and the 2026 Toyota Highlander come standard with All-Wheel Drive, ensuring capable traction in various weather conditions for both options.

How does the transmission design differ between the two models?

The CX-50 utilizes a reliable 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission, focusing on Mazda's connection to traditional driving feel. The Highlander steps up with an 8-speed shiftable automatic, typically allowing for smoother shifting and better utilization of its higher horsepower figures.