2026 Mazda CX-70 vs 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander
Comparison Overview
The most significant numerical divergence between the 2026 Mazda CX-70 and the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander lies in cargo utility: the CX-70 offers 39.6 cubic feet compared to the Grand Highlander's 20.6 cubic feet, a difference of 19.0 cubic feet despite the Grand Highlander being 0.6 inches longer overall. Performance metrics favor the Mazda, with the CX-70 generating 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, substantially outpacing the Grand Highlander’s 265 hp and 310 lb-ft. Fuel economy is closely matched, with the CX-70 achieving a 25 MPG combined rating versus the Grand Highlander's 24 MPG combined. Priced at $42,250, the CX-70 is $890 more expensive than the Grand Highlander's $41,360 MSRP. Both vehicles utilize an 8-speed automatic transmission, but the Mazda standardizes on AWD while the Toyota defaults to FWD in this baseline trim comparison.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Mazda CX-70
The Mazda CX-70 achieves a slightly superior combined fuel economy of 25 MPG compared to the Grand Highlander's 24 MPG while offering a more potent standard powertrain.
2026 Toyota Grand Highlander
The Toyota Grand Highlander, despite having less listed cargo volume (20.6 cu ft vs. 39.6 cu ft in this comparison setup), typically caters more broadly to large families due to its inherent size class positioning.
2026 Mazda CX-70
The 2026 Mazda CX-70 clearly leads in performance specifications, delivering 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque versus the Toyota's 265 hp and 310 lb-ft.
2026 Toyota Grand Highlander
The Toyota Grand Highlander offers a lower entry MSRP of $41,360, providing a lower initial cost basis than the $42,250 Mazda CX-70.
Choose the Mazda CX-70 if...
- Performance is a priority, as the 280 hp engine offers superior acceleration capabilities.
- Maximum utility in a 2-row segment is required, indicated by the 39.6 cu ft cargo capacity.
- Standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD) is preferred over the Grand Highlander's base Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) configuration.
Choose the Toyota Grand Highlander if...
- A lower initial outlay is desired, with the MSRP starting at $41,360.
- A taller, wider structure is needed, as the Grand Highlander is 1.9 inches taller and 0.6 inches wider.
- Prioritizing overall platform size over raw horsepower figures for daily driving needs.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Mazda CX-70 | Toyota Grand Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 200.8" | 201.4" |
| Width | - | 78.3" |
| Height | 68.2" | 70.1" |
| Wheelbase | 122.8" | 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 Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Third Row Head Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Brake Assist | — | ✓ |
| 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 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 | 21/28 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 25 MPG | 24 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 444.0/518.0 mi. | 373.8/498.4 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 18.5 gal. | 17.8 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Parking Sensors | ✓ | — |
| Rear Parking Sensors | ✓ | — |
| Wireless Charging Pad | ✓ | — |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | — |
| Leather Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Heated Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Three Zone Climate Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Mazda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 12.3 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | — |
| Satellite Radio | — | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | — | 3 months |
Power Feature
| Feature | Mazda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 4 |
| Moonroof Type | 1st Row Power Glass | — |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Mazda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 39.7 in. | 41.5 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.7 in. | 41.7 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 59.2 in. | 60.2 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 56.2 in. | 56.5 in. |
| Seat Material: Leather | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | 8-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | Power | — |
| Driver Seat Memory Settings | 2 | — |
| Passenger Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | — |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Driver Seat Ventilation | ✓ | — |
| Passenger Seat Ventilation | ✓ | — |
| Seat Material: Cloth | — | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 4-way |
Rearseats
| Feature | Mazda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.3 in. | 40.2 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 39.4 in. | 39.5 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 58.1 in. | 58.8 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 55.5 in. | 57.0 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Rear Seats (Multi-Level) | ✓ | — |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Mazda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | — |
| Wheel Size | 21 x 9.5 in. | 18 x 7.5 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 275/45R21 | 255/65R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Inside Mounted |
| Wheel Material | — | Alloy |
Suspension
| Feature | Mazda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| 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 2026 Mazda CX-70 and 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander.
Which vehicle offers significantly more storage space between the two models?
The 2026 Mazda CX-70 lists a substantially larger cargo capacity at 39.6 cubic feet. This nearly doubles the base listed cargo capacity of the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander, which comes in at 20.6 cubic feet, making the CX-70 the better choice for raw volume in this specific configuration.
How do the base powertrains compare in output?
The Mazda CX-70 holds a clear advantage in engine output, producing 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. The Toyota Grand Highlander offers 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, resulting in a 15 hp and 22 lb-ft difference favoring the Mazda.
Is the difference in MSRP significant enough to influence the value verdict?
Yes, the $890 price gap ($42,250 for the CX-70 vs. $41,360 for the Grand Highlander) is notable. This difference, combined with the Toyota’s base FWD configuration, pushes the Grand Highlander ahead in pure upfront value metrics.
Does the drivetrain difference affect fuel economy ratings?
Although the CX-70 is equipped standard with AWD and the Grand Highlander is FWD, their baseline fuel economies are very close; the CX-70 achieves 25 MPG combined while the Grand Highlander manages 24 MPG combined.
Which vehicle is physically larger overall?
While the Mazda CX-70 has more cargo space, the Toyota Grand Highlander is slightly larger externally, measuring 201.4 inches in length compared to the CX-70’s 200.8 inches, and it is significantly taller at 70.1 inches versus 68.2 inches.
Do both models use the same type of automatic transmission?
Both vehicles feature an 8-speed automatic transmission setup. The CX-70 specifies this as an 8-speed shiftable automatic, while the Grand Highlander lists it as an 8-speed automatic.
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