2026 Mazda CX-90 vs 2026 Toyota Highlander

$38,800 · Crossover

$45,270 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant divergence between the 2026 Mazda CX-90 and the 2026 Toyota Highlander is the initial cost, with the CX-90 starting at a compelling $38,800 compared to the Highlander's $45,270, a $6,470 advantage. Performance metrics show the CX-90 leads in power, producing 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque against the Highlander's 265 hp and 310 lb-ft. Fuel economy is virtually identical, with the CX-90 achieving a combined 25 MPG versus the Highlander's 24 MPG, although the CX-90 manages better highway efficiency at 28 MPG to the Highlander's 28 MPG (note: CX-90 City MPG is 23, Highlander City MPG is 21). Dimensionally, the CX-90 is substantially longer at 200.8 inches versus 194.9 inches, yet it offers less cargo space at 14.9 cu ft compared to the Highlander's 16 cu ft. Both models utilize AWD and an 8-speed automatic transmission, making the decision hinge heavily on initial outlay versus utility.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Mazda CX-90

The lower starting MSRP of $38,800 provides immediate fiscal benefits for the daily commuter.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Toyota Highlander

The Highlander offers 16 cu ft of cargo capacity, providing 1.1 cu ft more storage space than the CX-90's 14.9 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Mazda CX-90

The 2026 Mazda CX-90 delivers superior output with 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2026 Mazda CX-90

The CX-90 offers a $6,470 lower purchase price while retaining competitive fuel economy figures.

Choose the Mazda CX-90 if...

The immediate budget is a primary constraint, as the $38,800 MSRP is significantly lower than Car 2.
Higher peak output is desired, evidenced by the CX-90's 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque.
Better low-speed efficiency is needed, as the CX-90 achieves 23 MPG city versus 21 MPG city for Car 2.

Choose the Toyota Highlander if...

Maximum usable cargo volume is critical, with the Highlander offering 16.0 cu ft versus 14.9 cu ft.
A shorter overall footprint is preferred, as the Highlander measures 194.9 inches long compared to 200.8 inches for Car 1.
A vehicle that provides slightly better highway range efficiency is sought (28 MPG is equal for both, but the Highlander's larger chassis may imply perceived stability).

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Mazda CX-90	Toyota Highlander
Length	200.8"	194.9"
Width	78.5"	76.0"
Height	68.3"	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	2
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	all wheel drive
Center Differential Type	Limited Slip	Limited Slip
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓

Fuel

Feature	Mazda	Toyota
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	23/28 MPG	21/28 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	25 MPG	24 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	425.5/518.0 mi.	375.9/501.2 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	✓	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	—	✓
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 (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	✓	✓
Moonroof Type	—	1st Row Power Glass

Frontseats

Feature	Mazda	Toyota
Front Head Room	39.7 in.	39.6 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	Power
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	—
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	39.3 in.	39.4 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.4 in.	38.7 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	58.1 in.	58.4 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	✓	✓
Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Mazda	Toyota
Wheel Material	Alloy	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 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 2026 Mazda CX-90 and 2026 Toyota Highlander.

What is the exact price difference between the 2026 Mazda CX-90 and the 2026 Toyota Highlander?

The 2026 Mazda CX-90 has an MSRP of $38,800, while the 2026 Toyota Highlander starts at $45,270. This results in a substantial starting price advantage of $6,470 favoring the CX-90.

Which crossover offers better powertrain performance specifications?

The 2026 Mazda CX-90 leads in performance metrics, delivering 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. The 2026 Toyota Highlander trails slightly with 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque.

How do the cargo capacities compare between these two AWD models?

The 2026 Toyota Highlander provides a slightly larger rear cargo area, measuring 16.0 cubic feet, compared to the 2026 Mazda CX-90, which is rated at 14.9 cubic feet.

Are there significant differences in fuel economy despite both vehicles using regular unleaded gasoline?

Both models achieve a 28 MPG highway rating. However, the CX-90 holds a slight edge in combined fuel economy at 25 MPG versus the Highlander’s 24 MPG, driven by its better 23 MPG city rating.

What are the dimensional differences regarding exterior size?

The Mazda CX-90 is noticeably longer than the Highlander, measuring 200.8 inches in length compared to the Highlander's 194.9 inches. Width differences are also present, with the CX-90 being 78.5 inches wide versus 76.0 inches for the Highlander.

Do both crossovers come standard with All-Wheel Drive?

Yes, based on the provided specifications, both the 2026 Mazda CX-90 and the 2026 Toyota Highlander come equipped standard with All-Wheel Drive (AWD).