Compare the2023 Mazda CX-9VS 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-9. But it costs extra on the Highlander Hybrid.

Both the CX-9 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-9 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-9 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-9’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 7 more horsepower (250 vs. 243) than the Highlander Hybrid’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mazda CX-9 is faster than the Toyota Highlander Hybrid:

The CX-9 has 2.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Highlander Hybrid (19.5 vs. 17.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The CX-9 stops shorter than the Highlander Hybrid:

For better traction, the CX-9 has larger tires than the Highlander Hybrid (255/60R18 vs. 235/65R18).

The CX-9 Touring’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Highlander Hybrid LE/XLE/Bronze’s standard 65 series tires. The CX-9 Touring Plus/Carbon Edition/Grand Touring/Signature’s tires have a lower 50 series profile than the Highlander Hybrid Limited/Platinum’s 55 series tires.

The CX-9 has 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.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-9’s wheelbase is 3.1 inches longer than on the Highlander Hybrid (115.3 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

The CX-9 Signature handles at .85 G’s, while the Highlander Hybrid Platinum AWD pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The CX-9 Signature executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.7 seconds quicker than the Highlander Hybrid Platinum AWD (26.7 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the CX-9 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Highlander Hybrid (8.8 vs. 8 inches), allowing the CX-9 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The CX-9 has .4 inches more rear hip room and 2 inches more third row legroom than the Highlander Hybrid.

The CX-9’s cargo area is larger than the Highlander Hybrid’s in almost every dimension:

The CX-9’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.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mazda CX-9 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Highlander Hybrid XLE/Bronze/Limited/Platinum offers wireless charging.

The CX-9 was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Five/10Best Trucks” for 4 of the last 15 years. The Highlander Hybrid has never been a Car and Driver “Top Five/10Best Truck” pick.