Large or Luxury? 2025 Mazda CX-90 vs. 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander

The family 3-row SUV segment is booming in popularity and many of its customers want it all. From luxury to tech, space to features, and even design to driving dynamics, the list goes on and on for what buyers crave. That’s why it’s so important to look at every option: like the well-known Toyota Grand Highlander and the relative-newcomer Mazda CX-90. These Japanese SUVs both bring a ton to the table, but who should be your choice in a 2025 Mazda CX-90 vs. 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander comparison? Let’s find out!

Exterior Design

But getting right into the exteriors, you’ll see a signature design from each brand. On the Toyota, that means you have a rugged and boxy shape that looks like a bigger version of the popular RAV4. Mazda, on the other hand, goes for a much sleeker and sportier look with design details like body-color lower moldings.

Starting with the headlights, both models feature projector full-LED arrangements, with LED fog lamps on the Grand Highlander. Only the CX-90 includes adaptive headlight abilities that bend with corners, though.

Walking around the vehicles, you’ll find 20 or 21-inch wheels in the Toyota and Mazda, respectively. 

Lengthwise, both these options are larger than their peers, at over 200 inches long, and the Mazda rides on a RWD architecture. That does not mean they have the same amount of space inside, though, but we’ll save that for a later discussion in the interior section.

Lengths: Grand Highlander: 201.4-inches | CX-90: 201.6-inches

Out back, the trend of premium full LED lighting continues and they share towing ability up to 5,000 lbs. 

Towing: Grand Highlander: 5,000 lbs. | CX-90: 5,000 lbs.

The mirrors on each crossover feature heating, power-folding and blind spot monitoring. CX-90 adds the high-end touch of auto-dimming as well.

But these are family SUVs so what about the other active safety features? Fortunately, all of them are featured here, even highway assist systems for extra convenience. 

Well, that concludes the outside, so now let’s move on to the more important interiors.

Interior Design

So, walking up to the vehicles, both models have smart entry and remote start systems. But that’s where the similarities almost immediately end.

Seats are our first discussion point here, where you find a suede and leather combination seat in the Grand Highlander and a full Nappa leather seat in the CX-90. Nappa leather is one of the highest grades of leather, so the Mazda has the advantage here, and both SUVs will give you heating, ventilation, memory, and 10-way power adjustment.

Let’s fully climb inside and talk about the overall cabin quality, which we will divide into solidity and material selection. In both regards, you’ll notice an appreciable difference in favor of the Mazda. When you press on pieces and do things like shut the doors, the CX-90 feels solid and has more in common with a luxury vehicle. For materials, it’s also a step above and has a variety of selections, including premium leatherette, wood trims, and fabric accents. All that elevates the cabin’s feel above the mostly basic plastic finishes in the Toyota.

Starting them up, you will be greeted by two fully digital 12.3-inch gauge clusters with customizable graphics. Additionally, these top-end examples also include advanced head-up displays, in addition to heated, leather-wrapped steering wheels.

While both include rain sensing wipers, it’s only the Mazda with the power steering wheel adjustment.

Storage and Technology

Now the next major subject to evaluate is interior storage, looking at both the center console and the multi-use cubbies elsewhere. Starting with the console, you’ll begin to see a trend play out. Mazda focused more on stylish design than practicality, which is why when we performed the signature Car Confections donut test on both models, it got left behind.

The GH fit the max number of donuts, 2 dozen, compared to the Mazda’s measly 6 donuts. That means the Toyota clearly has more console space, and forward of that, the trend continues with only the Highlander including a passenger storage shelf and larger front bin.

Despite the space difference, both are utilizing electronic shifters. When in reverse, they display 360-degree camera systems with good resolution. 

For the climate controls, we have 3-zone systems that, thankfully, still use physical knobs and buttons for adjustment.

Alrighty, that brings us to the audio systems, so let’s sample them. Here, both systems leave a little to be desired by prioritizing bass-heaviness and there’s not a meaningful difference between them.

CX-90: Bose 12-speaker CenterPointe

Grand Highlander: 11-speaker JBL Premium Audio

Now moving on to the screens, just like a ton of cars on the market, they give you a 12.3-inch main screen. You may notice a big difference in the placement of those screens. The CX-90 is mounted far away from the driver because it does not function as a touchscreen unless you are using the wireless ACP or AA systems that both SUVs have. That means it’s much harder to use while daily driving, so GH will take the usability point.

Up above, both SUV’s include auto-dimming interior mirrors with HomeLink built in. Only the Grand Highlander has the rear camera ability, though, and up top both have opening panoramic moonroofs.

Rear Seats and Cargo

Moving to the backseat and cargo areas is perhaps the most important part of this entire video. Families need space and features, and these 3-row SUVs do quite well for themselves boasting about 39 inches of both rear leg and headroom. Neither have a significant advantage over the other, and features-wise, they have tons to keep the whole fam happy.

CX-90: Legroom: 39.4-inches | Headroom: 39.3-inches

GH: Legroom: 39.5-inches | Headroom: 38.5-inches

Both have climate vents, 2 USB ports, captain’s chairs that slide and recline, in addition to seat heating and ventilation. The sun can be blocked with sunshades on the windows, but only the Grand Highlander has a household outlet to power all the essentials. That’s not all, though, since they both have storage in between the seats with cupholders. Mazda’s setup is a bit more luxurious though with a whole console just like the front.

Getting into the third row is equally easy for either, but the third-row space leans in the Toyota’s favor. Legroom is 9% larger in the Grand Highlander and headroom is too close to score a point.

That legroom difference can certainly be felt and the thigh support in Grand Highlander only adds to that extra comfort.

For the loaded CX-90, you only get two third row seats which means the GH has an extra spot for a soccer team carpool, and for features, they have cupholders, vents and USB connections.

CX-90: Legroom: 30.4-in | Headroom: 36.9-in

GH: Legroom: 33.5-inches | Headroom: 37.2-inches

Now if you’ve been getting the hint the Grand Highlander is big for the segment, you’d be right. That shows a lot as we move to the cargo areas. It has a whopping 25% advantage in all 3 seating configurations over the CX-90 which isn’t packaged quite as efficiently. That is certainly a big deal for families who need the ultimate space.

CX-90: Seats up: 15.9 cu.ft | 2^nd Row: 40.1 cu.ft | MAX: 75.2 cu.ft

GH: Behind 3^rd Row: 20.6-cu.ft | 2^nd Row: 57.9-cu.ft | MAX: 97.5-cu.ft

Amenities-wise, they have power outlets and spare tires, and neither have the option of a power folding third row. 

But that’s it for the interiors, so now let’s take them out on the road and see how they stack up there!

Powertrains

Now if you thought the cargo areas were quite different, just wait until you hear what’s under their hoods. Grand Highlander has 3 different powertrain choices, and we have the highest-end version, which is a hybridized 2.4L Turbo I-4 and electric components to make a whopping 362 horsepower and 400 lb. ft. of torque. Normally, the CX-90 would have the advantage here, but it comes in at 6% less horsepower and 8% less torque from its still powerful 3.3L Turbo inline-6, making 340 horsepower. That horsepower and torque advantage can be felt out on the road.

CX-90: 3.3L Turbo I-6 w/ 48v Mild Hybrid|340 hp | 369 lb.ft | 0-60 (C&D): 6.3s

GH: 2.4L Turbo-4 w/ front electric motor and rear e-axle: 362 hp | 400 lb.ft | 0-60 (C&D): 5.6s

As far as the transmissions are concerned, we have 8 and 6-speed automatics in the CX-90 and Grand Highlander, respectively. Both perform well with their engines, and power is put down via AWD.

Test Drive and Fuel Economy

Let’s also talk about on-road manners. While ride quality is more than satisfactory in either option, the Grand Highlander will be the better of the two isolating out all but the largest road imperfections.

For families frequently road-tripping that’s a big deal, but Mazda took the sportier ride quality  trade off and instead went for excellent driving dynamics. It handles extremely well and exhibits very little body roll. Despite the GH being far from sloppy, it’ll take the point here.

Also important is how quiet the cabins are. Here at Car Confections, we take sound level readings for all the models we test so that we can compare them. At 55 MPH, the Toyota came in almost 4 dB’s quieter than the CX-90. Sound level readings are not linear, and the average adult ear can register a 1 dB difference, so that will be heard here.

CX-90: 57.4 dB @ 55 MPH

GH: 53.5 dB @ 55 MPH

Finally, when it comes to fuel economy, you’ll see that both are quite impressive despite their higher power figures. The mild-hybrid CX-90 gets a pretty good 25 MPG combined compared to 27 MPG in the full-hybrid Grand Highlander.

CX-90 AWD: 23/28/25 MPG

GH AWD: 26/27/27 MPG

Reliability & Resale

In our reviews and comparisons, we are also adding in reliability and resale information to give you a better picture of the overall value beyond just the original MSRP. 

Beginning with reliability, we developed the Combined Reliability Index, which considers several studies from trustworthy sources, and combines them in a way that gives a more realistic picture. In this respect, the Toyota pulls ahead as the top brand in the auto industry: It is rated 15 spots above industry average. Mazda also does decently well for itself and is 2 above average. 

Related to that, they have the same basic and powertrain warranty coverage, but only Toyota includes 2 years and 25k miles of complimentary maintenance.

GH: Warranty: Basic Warranty: 3yr/36k mi | Powertrain: 5yr/60k mi | Comp Main: 2 yrs

CX-90: Warranty: Basic Warranty: 3yr/36k mi | Powertrain: 5yr/60k mi | Comp Main: –

We also put Mason’s economics degree to work to develop a detailed Predicted Resale Value tool. After 5 years and 60,000 miles, Toyota has one of the highest values in the entire auto industry, at 64.5% expected retained value. Mazda is not far behind and sits at 59.4% after 5 years.

Price Assessment

Now let’s break down the cost of these two and evaluate how much value each model is delivering. 

Both models have a steep price with our fully loaded CX-90 Turbo S coming in a touch under $59,000 all in. The Grand Highlander continues to set the ceiling for price in this segment. It’s about 1500 more expensive, at over $60,000. 

Grand Highlander (Platinum Hybrid Max AWD): $58,775 | Options: +$0 | Destination: $1,450 | Total: $60,225

CX-90 (Turbo S Premium Plus AWD): $56,650 | Options: +$595 | Destination: $1,530 | Total: $58,775

To be exact, there is a $1,450 difference between these two today, in favor of the CX-90.

2025 Mazda CX-90 vs. 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Pick!

So, after all is said and done, which one should be your personal choice??

CX-90: 

• More premium interior finishes
• Inline 6-cylinder engine refinement
• Driving dynamics

Grand Highlander: 

• More space throughout
• Hybrid fuel economy
• Better ride quality

Now we want to know your opinions, so make sure to head to the comment section and let us know which one you would pick!

Thanks for joining us for another Car Confections Comparison! We’ll catch you next time as we sample the latest automotive delicacies!