Compare the2023 Mazda CX-5VS 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-5. But it costs extra on the Highlander Hybrid.

Both the CX-5 and the Highlander Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mazda CX-5 is safer than the Toyota Highlander Hybrid:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Mazda CX-5 is safer than the Toyota Highlander Hybrid:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Toyota vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda first in overall reliability. Toyota is ranked second.

The CX-5’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 13 more horsepower (256 vs. 243) than the Highlander Hybrid’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mazda CX-5 is faster than the Toyota Highlander Hybrid:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the CX-5 (except Turbo)’s fuel efficiency. The Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The CX-5 stops shorter than the Highlander Hybrid:

The CX-5 has engine speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The CX-5 handles at .81 G’s, while the Highlander Hybrid Platinum AWD pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The CX-5 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Highlander Hybrid Platinum AWD (27.8 seconds @ .59 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the CX-5’s turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the Highlander Hybrid’s (36 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

The Mazda CX-5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 600 to 750 pounds less than the Toyota Highlander Hybrid.

The CX-5 is 1 foot, 2.8 inches shorter than the Highlander Hybrid, making the CX-5 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front step up height for the CX-5 is 1.4 inches lower than the Highlander Hybrid (17.6” vs. 19”). The CX-5’s rear step up height is 1 inches lower than the Highlander Hybrid’s (18.2” vs. 19.2”).

The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume than the Highlander Hybrid with its rear seat up (30.8 vs. 16 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the CX-5 easier. The CX-5’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 29.4 inches, while the Highlander Hybrid’s liftover is 31.2 inches.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the CX-5’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The CX-5’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Highlander Hybrid’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Consumer Reports rated the CX-5’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Highlander Hybrid’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

The CX-5 was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 4 of the last 5 years. The Highlander Hybrid has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.