2025 Mazda CX-50 vs 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

$30,500 · Crossover

$47,020 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the sporty efficiency of the 2025 Mazda CX-50 and the spacious hybrid economy of the 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid presents a classic dilemma: initial cost versus long-term running expense and size. The CX-50 starts appealingly low at an MSRP of $30,500, significantly undercutting the Highlander Hybrid's $47,020 price tag—a difference of $16,520 right off the lot. While the Mazda offers a solid 28 MPG combined, the Highlander Hybrid pulls ahead significantly with an excellent 35 MPG combined, which will save money over time. However, the Mazda’s 187 hp is noticeably less than the Highlander's 243 hp. For city dwellers prioritizing affordability and nimble size (185.8 inches long), the CX-50 is compelling; for larger families needing extra space and better fuel economy despite the higher price, the larger, taller (68.1 inches) Highlander leads.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Mazda CX-50

The Mazda CX-50 wins for commuters due to its lower starting price of $30,500 and better city MPG rating of 25 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is the family choice because it is larger overall and offers superior combined fuel efficiency at 35 MPG.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The Highlander Hybrid appeals more to driving enthusiasts because it boasts 243 hp compared to the CX-50's 187 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Mazda CX-50

The Mazda CX-50 provides significantly better value upfront, costing $16,520 less than the Highlander Hybrid.

Choose the Mazda CX-50 if...

You want to save $16,520 immediately, as the CX-50 starts at just $30,500.
You prefer a more compact vehicle, as the CX-50 is 185.8 inches long versus the Highlander's 194.9 inches.
You don't mind slightly lower power (187 hp) in exchange for utilizing regular unleaded fuel and excellent standard AWD.

Choose the Toyota Highlander Hybrid if...

Long-term fuel savings matter most, given the Highlander Hybrid's 35 MPG combined rating.
You need substantially more performance, benefiting from 243 hp and a faster transmission.
Your family requires more room, evidenced by the Highlander's greater height (68.1 inches) and superior capacity for passengers (implied by size, despite lower listed cargo space).

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	—	✓
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	P235/65R18
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 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid.

How much more fuel-efficient is the 2026 Highlander Hybrid than the 2025 CX-50?

The Highlander Hybrid is significantly more efficient, achieving 35 MPG combined, which is 7 MPG better than the CX-50's combined rating of 28 MPG. This efficiency gap is noticeable given the CX-50 offers 25/31 MPG city/highway, while the Toyota delivers a consistent 35/35 MPG.

Is the major price difference between the two worth the power increase?

The Highlander Hybrid commands a premium of $16,520 over the CX-50's MSRP, but it delivers 243 hp compared to the Mazda's 187 hp. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on if you prioritize that 56 hp boost and hybrid tech over immediate savings.

Which crossover is better equipped for poor weather driving?

Both vehicles come standard with All-Wheel Drive (AWD), making them suitable for adverse conditions. However, the Highlander Hybrid is physically larger and rides taller at 68.1 inches, which might offer slightly more ground clearance confidence than the 63.5-inch tall CX-50.

Does the Mazda CX-50 offer better cargo space than the Highlander Hybrid?

No, the Mazda CX-50 actually offers substantially more usable cargo volume at 31.4 cubic feet compared to the 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid's 16 cubic feet. This might be surprising given the Highlander's overall larger dimensions.

What kind of gas do these SUVs require?

Both the 2025 Mazda CX-50 and the 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid are designed to run on regular unleaded fuel. This keeps the day-to-day fueling costs predictable for both models.

Which vehicle has a more engaging transmission setup?

The Mazda CX-50 uses a traditional 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission, which many driving enthusiasts prefer for a more connected feel than the Highlander Hybrid’s continuously variable-speed automatic (CVT).