2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs 2026 Mazda CX-70

$46,820 · Crossover

$42,250 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid thrills with its exceptional efficiency, boasting an outstanding 35 MPG combined rating, making routine journeys remarkably affordable. Contrast this efficiency marvel with the spirited 2026 Mazda CX-70, which unleashes a muscular 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque for a more engaging drive. While the Highlander anchors itself firmly at an MSRP of $46,820 with 243 hp, the CX-70 undercuts it significantly at $42,250, offering 37 more horsepower. The crucial trade-off manifests in fuel economy: the Highlander delivers an impressive 10 MPG better combined mileage than the CX-70’s 25 MPG rating. Furthermore, the CX-70 offers dramatically more utility with 39.6 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Highlander's tighter 16 cu ft measurement, illustrating a clear divide between hyper-efficiency and driver engagement.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The Highlander Hybrid is the clear commuter champion due to its segment-leading 35 MPG combined fuel economy.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Mazda CX-70

The CX-70 is superior for families as it offers a massive 39.6 cu ft of cargo capacity versus the Highlander's 16 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Mazda CX-70

The Mazda CX-70 appeals more to driving enthusiasts with its higher output of 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2026 Mazda CX-70

The CX-70 provides better performance per dollar, costing $4,570 less while delivering 37 more horsepower.

Choose the Toyota Highlander Hybrid if...

Your primary concern is minimizing fuel stops, thanks to its 35 MPG combined rating.
You prefer the familiarity and efficiency of a continuously variable transmission.
You need a slightly smaller footprint, as the Highlander is 5.9 inches shorter in length than the CX-70.

Choose the Mazda CX-70 if...

You prioritize raw power, commanding 280 horsepower from its engine.
You need serious hauling capacity, provided by its cavernous 39.6 cu ft of cargo space.
You want the agility of an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission and want to save $4,570 upfront.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Toyota Highlander Hybrid	Mazda CX-70
Length	194.9"	200.8"
Width	76.0"	-
Height	68.1"	68.2"
Wheelbase	112.2"	122.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Toyota	Mazda
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic 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 Solid Disc Brakes	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	—
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Fog Lights	✓	—
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	2	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	—
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	—	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Toyota	Mazda
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	3.3 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 6
Base Engine Type	hybrid	mild hybrid
Horsepower	243 hp @ 6000 rpm	280 hp @ 5000 rpm
Number of Valves	16	24
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓
Torque	—	332 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm

Drive Train

Feature	Toyota	Mazda
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	all wheel drive
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Toyota	Mazda
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	35/35 MPG	24/28 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	35 MPG	25 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	598.5/598.5 mi.	444.0/518.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.1 gal.	18.5 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Toyota	Mazda
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	—
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	—
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Toyota	Mazda
Infotainment Display	8.0 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	8
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	—
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	—
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Toyota	Mazda
One-Touch Power Windows	4	4
Moonroof Type	1st Row Power Glass	1st Row Power Glass
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Toyota	Mazda
Front Head Room	39.6 in.	39.7 in.
Front Leg Room	42.0 in.	41.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	59.0 in.	59.2 in.
Front Hip Room	57.2 in.	56.2 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	Power
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Seat Material: Leather	—	✓
Driver Seat Memory Settings	—	2
Driver Seat Ventilation	—	✓
Passenger Seat Ventilation	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Toyota	Mazda
Rear Head Room	39.4 in.	39.3 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.7 in.	39.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	58.4 in.	58.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	57.0 in.	55.5 in.
Folding Rear Seatback	✓	—
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓
Folding Center Armrest	—	✓
Heated Rear Seats (Multi-Level)	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Toyota	Mazda
Wheel Material	Alloy	—
Wheel Diameter	18 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P235/65R18	275/45R21
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	—	21 x 9.5 in.

Suspension

Feature	Toyota	Mazda
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Toyota	Mazda
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Hybrid Component Warranty	8 yr./ 100000 mi.	—
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	2 yr./ unlimited mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	2 yr./ 25000 mi.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid and 2026 Mazda CX-70.

How significant is the performance gap between the 2025 Highlander Hybrid and the 2026 CX-70?

The difference is substantial; the Mazda CX-70 offers 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, significantly outpacing the Highlander Hybrid's 243 hp. This extra power means the CX-70 will feel noticeably quicker when merging onto highways or during spirited acceleration.

Is the trade-off in fuel economy worth the lower price of the CX-70?

It depends on your driving habits; the Highlander achieves 35 MPG combined while the CX-70 is rated at 25 MPG combined, a 10 MPG difference. If you drive 15,000 miles annually, the Highlander will save substantially more on fuel than the initial $4,570 price difference might suggest over several years.

Which crossover offers better utility for large families?

The 2026 Mazda CX-70 is far superior for utility, boasting 39.6 cu ft of cargo capacity. The 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid only provides 16 cu ft behind the second row, making the CX-70 better equipped for road trips or large grocery hauls.

How do the drivetrains and transmissions differ?

The Highlander utilizes an all-wheel drive system paired with a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission for seamless efficiency. In contrast, the CX-70 also features AWD but employs a traditional 8-speed shiftable automatic, which enthusiasts often prefer for a more engaging, connected feel.

Comparing the base MSRPs, how much more expensive is the efficient Toyota?

The 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid starts at $46,820, which is $4,570 more expensive than the 2026 Mazda CX-70's starting MSRP of $42,250. Buyers must weigh this higher initial cost against the long-term savings from better fuel economy.

Are both models restricted to premium fuel?

No, both the 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid and the 2026 Mazda CX-70 are specified to run on regular unleaded fuel, which helps keep running costs lower for both vehicles.