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Mazda CX-90 vs Toyota Highlander

2026 Mazda CX-90 vs 2026 Toyota Highlander — two standard SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Mazda CX-90

2026 Mazda CX-90

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS2 – 4Toyota Highlander wins 4 of 6 categories
Toyota Highlander

2026 Toyota Highlander

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

The Toyota Highlander is more fuel-efficient: 35 vs 26 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $800 a year less in fuel for the Toyota Highlander (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Mazda CX-90 is the bigger car, about 6 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Mazda CX-90 has had fewer recall campaigns (11 vs 47).

The two cars

The 2026 Mazda CX-90 is a standard SUV offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 3.3L 6-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and 4-wheel drive. It measures about 201 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 123-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,786 lb (Cx90 Mild Hybrid 4dr SUV).

The 2026 Toyota Highlander is a standard SUV offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 2.4L 4-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive. It measures about 195 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,123 lb (4dr SUV L FWD).

Basics

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Plug-in Hybrid, Hybrid
Fuel
Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
2.5L 4-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl turbo
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl turbo
4-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

26 MPG
Best combined MPG
35 MPG
24 city
City / highway MPG (best)
35 city
$2,700
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$1,900

Performance & space

280 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
265 hp
8
Seats (most)
7
200.8 in
Length
194.9 in
77.6 in
Width
76 in
68.1 in
Height
68.1 in
4,786 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
4,123 lb

Safety & reliability

13
Driver-assist features standard
14
0
Recalls (2026)
0
11
Recalls, all years since 2005
47
13
Owner complaints (latest year)
4

Interest

7,099
Wikipedia views, 30 days
21,118

Buying used

–
Best used year
2024
–
Year to avoid
2021

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Mazda CX-90 if…

  • You need more seats (8 vs 7)
  • You want more room (6 in longer)
  • You put reliability history first (11 vs 47 recalls since 2005)

Choose the Toyota Highlander if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (35 vs 26 MPG)
  • You want something easier to park (6 in shorter)

Pros & cons of each

2026 Mazda CX-90

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 26 MPG combined — 30% better than the average 2026 standard SUV (20 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
  • Seats up to 83 rows of seating.
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

2026 Toyota Highlander

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 35 MPG combined — 75% better than the average 2026 standard SUV (20 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • Seats up to 73 rows of seating.
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Full 2026 Mazda CX-90 specs →Full 2026 Toyota Highlander specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →