Compare the2025 Mazda CX-90VS 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The Mazda CX-90 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-90. But it costs extra on the Highlander Hybrid.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the CX-90’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the CX-90 and the Highlander Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the CX-90 is much safer than the Highlander Hybrid:

The Mazda CX-90 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Highlander Hybrid is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2024.

The CX-90’s standard 3.3 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 37 more horsepower (280 vs. 243) than the Highlander Hybrid’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The CX-90 PHEV’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 80 more horsepower (323 vs. 243) than the Highlander Hybrid’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The CX-90 Turbo S’ standard 3.3 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 97 more horsepower (340 vs. 243) than the Highlander Hybrid’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the CX-90 PHEV 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Toyota Highlander Hybrid:

The CX-90 PHEV can travel with zero emissions for 26 miles. The Highlander Hybrid can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Both the CX-90 and Highlander Hybrid have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The CX-90 has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The CX-90’s standard fuel tank has 1.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Highlander Hybrid (18.5 vs. 17.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The CX-90 Turbo S’ standard fuel tank has 2.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Highlander Hybrid (19.6 vs. 17.1 gallons).

For better stopping power the CX-90 Turbo S/PHEV’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Highlander Hybrid:

The CX-90 stops shorter than the Highlander Hybrid:

For better traction, the CX-90 has larger standard tires than the Highlander Hybrid (265/55R19 vs. 235/65R18). The CX-90 Premium/Turbo S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Highlander Hybrid (275/45R21 vs. 235/65R18).

The CX-90’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Highlander Hybrid LE/XLE’s standard 65 series tires. The CX-90 Premium/Turbo S’ tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Highlander Hybrid Limited/Platinum’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CX-90 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Highlander Hybrid LE/XLE. The CX-90 Premium/Turbo S’ 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the Highlander Hybrid Limited/Platinum.

The CX-90 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-90’s wheelbase is 10.6 inches longer than on the Highlander Hybrid (122.8 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the CX-90 is 1.8 inches wider in the front and 1.8 inches wider in the rear than on the Highlander Hybrid.

The CX-90 Premium Plus handles at .82 G’s, while the Highlander Hybrid Platinum AWD pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The CX-90 Premium Plus executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the Highlander Hybrid Platinum AWD (27.2 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the CX-90 PHEV Premium/Turbo S has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Highlander Hybrid (8.1 vs. 8 inches), allowing the CX-90 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The CX-90 has .2 inches more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear legroom, .8 inches more third row headroom and 2.4 inches more third row legroom than the Highlander Hybrid.

Maximum trailer towing in the Toyota Highlander Hybrid is limited to 3500 pounds. The CX-90 offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

The CX-90 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Highlander Hybrid uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The engine in the CX-90 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Highlander Hybrid. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The CX-90 Premium’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The CX-90’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.

The CX-90’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Highlander Hybrid offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The CX-90 Premium Plus/Turbo S has standard front air conditioned seats and the CX-90 Turbo S Premium Plus also has them in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.