2025 Mazda CX-90 vs 2025 Toyota Highlander
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Mazda CX-90 bursts onto the scene with a thrilling 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque from its standard engine, promising a more engaging drive than the 2025 Toyota Highlander’s 265 hp and 310 lb-ft. While both crossovers manage an identical 25 MPG combined, the CX-90 offers superior power delivery, making highway merging feel far more urgent. The Highlander counters with a slightly greater focus on practicality, offering 16 cubic feet of cargo capacity compared to the Mazda’s 14.9 cu ft, and achieving marginally better highway efficiency at 29 MPG versus the CX-90’s 28 MPG. However, the CX-90's standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system provides a traction advantage over the Highlander's standard Front Wheel Drive (FWD). Priced aggressively starting at $38,045, the CX-90 immediately undercuts the Highlander's $40,320 entry point, positioning itself as the performance bargain.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Toyota Highlander
The Toyota Highlander wins for commuters due to its slightly better 29 MPG highway rating and marginally smaller footprint, aiding urban navigation.
2025 Toyota Highlander
Families will prefer the Highlander for its slightly larger 16 cu ft cargo capacity compared to the CX-90's 14.9 cu ft.
2025 Mazda CX-90
The Mazda CX-90 offers superior performance metrics with 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, along with the inherent advantage of standard AWD.
2025 Mazda CX-90
The CX-90 provides higher horsepower and torque for a lower starting MSRP of $38,045 versus the Highlander's $40,320.
Choose the Mazda CX-90 if...
- You prioritize driving excitement, benefiting from the 280 hp standard engine output.
- You need standard All-Wheel Drive capability for varied road conditions.
- You are seeking the lowest entry price point at $38,045, saving over $2,200 upfront.
Choose the Toyota Highlander if...
- Maximum cargo space is essential, as the Highlander offers 16.0 cu ft versus 14.9 cu ft.
- You prioritize the best possible highway fuel economy, netting 29 MPG.
- You prefer the maneuverability offered by a slightly shorter overall length of 194.9 inches.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Mazda CX-90 | Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 200.8" | 194.9" |
| Width | 78.5" | 76.0" |
| Height | 68.2" | 68.1" |
| Wheelbase | 122.8" | 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Third Row 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 Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | — |
| Brake Preparation System | ✓ | — |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Self-Leveling 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Brake Assist | — | ✓ |
| Front Fog Lights | — | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Mazda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 3.3 L | 2.4 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 6 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | mild hybrid | gas |
| Horsepower | 280 hp @ 5000 rpm | 265 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque | 332 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm | 310 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 24 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Mazda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | all wheel drive | front 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) | 24/28 MPG | 22/29 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 25 MPG | 25 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 444.0/518.0 mi. | 393.8/519.1 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 18.5 gal. | 17.9 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Mazda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry | ✓ | — |
| Leather Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Three Zone Climate Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Mazda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 10.3 in | 8.0 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 8 | 6 |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Memory Card Slot | ✓ | — |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | — |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| 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 | 39.7 in. | 41.2 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.7 in. | 42.0 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 59.2 in. | 59.0 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 56.2 in. | 57.2 in. |
| Seat Material: Leatherette | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | 8-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | Power | — |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 4-way | 4-way |
| Seat Material: Cloth | — | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Mazda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.3 in. | 39.4 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 39.4 in. | 38.7 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 58.1 in. | 58.7 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 55.5 in. | 57.0 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Mazda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | Alloy | — |
| Wheel Size | 19 x 8.5 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 265/55R19 | P235/65R V |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Underbody Mounted |
| Wheel Finish | — | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Diameter | — | 18 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Mazda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
| 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-90 and 2025 Toyota Highlander.
Which vehicle offers better acceleration performance?
The 2025 Mazda CX-90 holds the clear advantage here, boasting 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, significantly outperforming the Highlander’s 265 hp and 310 lb-ft. This power difference means the Mazda will feel noticeably punchier during acceleration tests.
How do the fuel economy ratings compare between the two crossovers?
Both vehicles share an identical 25 MPG combined rating for their standard configurations. However, the 2025 Toyota Highlander achieves a marginally better 29 MPG highway versus the CX-90’s 28 MPG highway.
Is the Mazda CX-90 AWD standard while the Highlander is FWD?
Yes, based on the provided data, the 2025 Mazda CX-90 comes standard with All-Wheel Drive. Conversely, the 2025 Toyota Highlander defaults to Front Wheel Drive in its base configuration.
Which vehicle offers more interior hauling capacity?
The 2025 Toyota Highlander is the more practical choice for cargo hauling, providing 16.0 cubic feet of storage space. The Mazda CX-90 trails slightly with 14.9 cubic feet available behind the rear seats.
What is the price difference between the base models?
The 2025 Mazda CX-90 is the more affordable entry point with an MSRP of $38,045. The 2025 Toyota Highlander starts $2,275 higher, listed at $40,320.
Are both crossovers similar in exterior size?
While both are large three-row crossovers, the CX-90 is the longer vehicle, measuring 200.8 inches in length compared to the Highlander's 194.9 inches. The CX-90 is also significantly wider at 78.5 inches versus 76.0 inches.
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