Mazda CX 90 VS Toyota Grand Highlander: Which SUV Wins?

You’re looking for a spacious and stylish three-row SUV, and the Mazda CX-90 vs. Toyota Grand Highlander have both caught your eye. Both models offer a blend of practicality and comfort, but choosing between them can be tricky. This post, Supercar Info will explore the strengths and weaknesses of each vehicle, helping you determine which one best fits your lifestyle and budget.

Fuel Efficiency: A Tale of Two Hybrids

When it comes to fuel efficiency, CX 90 vs Grand Highlander both offer compelling options, but with distinct approaches. The CX-90 boasts a plug-in hybrid powertrain, while the Grand Highlander relies on a traditional hybrid system.

The CX-90’s Plug-in Advantage

The CX-90’s plug-in hybrid system allows for pure electric driving for up to 25 miles, making it ideal for shorter commutes or errands. This translates to significant fuel savings and reduced emissions.

When the battery is depleted, the CX-90 seamlessly transitions to a hybrid mode, combining the power of a gasoline engine with an electric motor for enhanced efficiency. However, without a charge, the CX-90’s fuel economy drops to an estimated 25 mpg in mixed driving.

The Grand Highlander’s Traditional Hybrid Efficiency

The Grand Highlander, on the other hand, features a traditional hybrid system that constantly blends gasoline and electric power. This results in consistent fuel efficiency across various driving conditions. The Grand Highlander achieves an impressive EPA-estimated 37 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 36 mpg combined in front-wheel drive.

Pricing and Features: Finding Value in the Details

While both the Mazda CX-90 and Toyota Grand Highlander offer compelling features, their starting prices and available options can influence your decision.

Starting Prices

• Mazda CX-90 PHEV: $47,445
• Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid: $44,670

The Grand Highlander has a slight price advantage, starting at a lower price point than the CX-90. However, it’s important to consider the standard features and optional packages available on each vehicle to determine the true value proposition.

Standard Features

Both vehicles come well-equipped with standard features, including:

CX-90:

• All-wheel drive
• Leather upholstery
• Sunroof
• 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Advanced safety features (lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring)

Grand Highlander:

• Front-wheel drive (all-wheel drive is optional)
• Cloth upholstery (leather is optional)
• 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Advanced safety features (lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring)

Optional Packages

Both vehicles offer a range of optional packages to enhance features and luxury:

• CX-90: Packages include premium audio systems, heated and ventilated seats, and advanced driver assistance features.
• Grand Highlander: Packages include a panoramic sunroof, premium sound system, and a more luxurious interior trim.

Pricing and Value

While the Grand Highlander starts at a lower price, the CX-90’s standard features, including all-wheel drive, leather upholstery, and a sunroof, might make it a better value proposition for some buyers. The Grand Highlander’s optional packages can increase its price, potentially exceeding the CX-90’s starting price.

Design and Styling: A Clash of Aesthetics

Mazda CX 90 VS Grand Highlander present distinct design philosophies, appealing to different tastes. While both vehicles are undoubtedly stylish, their approaches to design set them apart.

The CX-90: Elegance and Sportiness

The CX-90 embodies a sophisticated and sporty aesthetic. Its sleek lines, sculpted bodywork, and prominent grille give it a refined and athletic presence. Notable design elements include:

• Kodo Design Language: Mazda’s signature design language, emphasizing flowing lines and a sense of motion.
• Large, Aggressive Grille: The CX-90’s grille is prominent and assertive, adding a touch of sportiness to its overall appearance.
• Sharp Character Lines: The CX-90’s bodywork is defined by sharp character lines that accentuate its muscular stance.
• Sleek Taillights: The taillights are slim and stylish, adding a touch of elegance to the rear end.

The Grand Highlander: Practicality and Familiarity

The Grand Highlander embraces a more traditional and practical approach to design. Its boxy shape and upright stance prioritize interior space and functionality. Key design features include:

• Bold, Upright Grille: The Grand Highlander’s grille is large and imposing, reflecting its robust nature.
• Straight Lines and Angles: The Grand Highlander’s exterior is characterized by straight lines and sharp angles, giving it a more utilitarian look.
• Large Windows: The Grand Highlander’s large windows provide excellent visibility for passengers and enhance the spacious feel of the cabin.
• Traditional SUV Silhouette: The Grand Highlander’s overall silhouette is familiar and reassuring, appealing to those who prefer a more traditional SUV design.

Design and Styling: A Clash of Aesthetics

CX90 vs Grand Highlander present distinct design philosophies, appealing to different tastes. While both vehicles are undoubtedly stylish, their approaches to design set them apart.

The CX-90: Elegance and Sportiness

The CX-90 embodies a sophisticated and sporty aesthetic. Its sleek lines, sculpted bodywork, and prominent grille give it a refined and athletic presence. Notable design elements include:

• Kodo Design Language: Mazda’s signature design language, emphasizing flowing lines and a sense of motion. This is evident in the CX-90’s sweeping roofline, sculpted flanks, and the way the headlights seamlessly integrate with the grille.
• Large, Aggressive Grille: The CX-90’s grille is prominent and assertive, adding a touch of sportiness to its overall appearance. Its intricate mesh pattern and bold chrome accents further enhance its presence.
• Sharp Character Lines: The CX-90’s bodywork is defined by sharp character lines that accentuate its muscular stance. These lines run along the sides, hood, and rear, adding a sense of dynamism to its profile.
• Sleek Taillights: The taillights are slim and stylish, adding a touch of elegance to the rear end. Their unique shape and integrated lighting elements create a distinctive signature.

The Grand Highlander: Practicality and Familiarity

The Grand Highlander embraces a more traditional and practical approach to design. Its boxy shape and upright stance prioritize interior space and functionality. Key design features include:

• Bold, Upright Grille: The Grand Highlander’s grille is large and imposing, reflecting its robust nature. Its horizontal bars and chrome accents give it a strong and confident look.
• Straight Lines and Angles: The Grand Highlander’s exterior is characterized by straight lines and sharp angles, giving it a more utilitarian look. This approach maximizes interior space and provides a sense of solidity.
• Large Windows: The Grand Highlander’s large windows provide excellent visibility for passengers and enhance the spacious feel of the cabin. They also contribute to a more airy and open interior.
• Traditional SUV Silhouette: The Grand Highlander’s overall silhouette is familiar and reassuring, appealing to those who prefer a more traditional SUV design. Its upright stance and boxy shape evoke a sense of reliability and practicality.

Technology and Safety Features: A Tech-Savvy Showdown

Both the Grand Highlander VS CX 90 are packed with technology and safety features, designed to enhance your driving experience and provide peace of mind. While they share some similarities, there are notable differences in their infotainment systems, driver assistance features, and safety ratings.

Infotainment Systems

• CX-90: The CX-90 features a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with crisp graphics and intuitive controls. It includes standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, as well as a premium Bose sound system (optional).
• Grand Highlander: The Grand Highlander boasts a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering a more expansive display. It also includes standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but a premium sound system is optional.

Driver Assistance Features

Both vehicles offer a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features, including:

Standard Features:

• Lane Departure Warning
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Blind Spot Monitoring
• Automatic Emergency Braking
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert

Optional Features:

• Lane Keeping Assist
• Traffic Sign Recognition
• Driver Attention Monitoring
• Head-Up Display
• Parking Assist

Safety Ratings

• CX-90: The CX-90 has not yet been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA, as it is a new model.
• Grand Highlander: The Grand Highlander has received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

Notable Differences

• Screen Size: The Grand Highlander’s larger touchscreen provides a more immersive infotainment experience.
• Safety Ratings: The Grand Highlander has already received top safety ratings, while the CX-90’s safety performance is yet to be evaluated.
• Optional Features: The CX-90 offers a head-up display as an optional feature, which is not available on the Grand Highlander.

In conclusion

Choosing between the Mazda CX-90 and Toyota Grand Highlander is a decision that requires careful consideration. Both vehicles offer a unique blend of features, technology, and design. This comparison has highlighted key differences in fuel efficiency, interior space, and safety ratings. However, it’s essential to conduct a thorough test drive and compare pricing for optional packages to make an informed decision.