2024 Toyota Grand Highlander vs 2023 Mazda CX-50

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 showcased a design that was both familiar and fresh, with its blunt nose, long hood, and rakish windshield. The cabin was positioned towards the rear wheels, maintaining the subtle allure that Mazda vehicles have been known for over the past decade. However, the CX-50 introduced a rugged aesthetic with its pronounced fender swells, bold lower body cladding, and faux skid plates. The oversized air intake and vent designs added a performance edge without being visually overwhelming. When combined with the standard black grille, mirror caps, and optional 20-inch alloy wheels, the CX-50 presented an appealing exterior. The introduction of the CX-50 Meridian Edition later in the model year brought exclusive features like all-terrain tires and a roof-mounted load platform.

Inside, the CX-50 continued Mazda's tradition of driver-focused design with a mix of quality materials and polished metallic trim. The interior featured black leather with caramel-coloured stitching, and higher trims offered terracotta upholstery. The dashboard design included vertical air vents and a somewhat conspicuous off-centre vent. Despite these quirks, the CX-50's interior was well-received for its aesthetics and functionality. The vehicle was available in two versions: the GS-L and GT trims with a 187-horsepower engine, and the GT Turbo and Meridian Edition with a turbocharged engine producing up to 256 hp. Prices ranged from $38,250 to $48,200, excluding destination charges.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was a significant addition to Toyota's lineup, positioned between the Highlander and the Sequoia. Built on the TNGA-K platform, it shared its underpinnings with several other Toyota models, including the RAV4 and Camry. The Grand Highlander was not a body-on-frame vehicle, which limited its towing capacity to 5,000 pounds. Its size was notable, stretching over 5,115 millimetres in length with a 2,950 mm wheelbase, making it larger than competitors like the Kia Telluride. The design was more conservative and blockier compared to the smaller Highlander, drawing inspiration from rugged vehicles like the Ford Explorer and Honda Pilot. The trapezoidal grille and narrow headlights gave it a resemblance to the Toyota 4Runner.

Inside, the Grand Highlander offered three trims: XLE, Limited, and Platinum. The XLE featured black Softex synthetic leather, while the higher trims offered real leather. The Platinum Hybrid trim could be equipped with Portobello upholstery. Standard features included a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Limited and Platinum trims added ventilation to the seats. The spacious interior was complemented by a large centre console and standard second-row sunshades. The Grand Highlander excelled as a comfortable road-trip vehicle, with high-quality materials and seamless fit and finish.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 offered two engine options. The base engine, a 2.5-litre four-cylinder, produced 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. It delivered fuel economy figures of 9.7 L/100 km in the city, 7.9 on the highway, and 8.9 combined. For those seeking more power, the GT Turbo trim featured a turbocharged version of the same engine, producing between 227 hp and 256 hp depending on the fuel used. Torque ranged from 310 lb-ft on regular gas to 320 lb-ft on premium. The turbo engine improved towing capacity from 2,000 to 3,500 pounds. The CX-50's driving experience was smooth, with minimal turbo lag and a deliberate power build. Mazda's Mi-Drive system offered different driving modes, though the differences were subtle. The CX-50's ride quality was firmer compared to the CX-5, and it handled off-road situations well, though it lacked a downhill assist control system.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander offered three engine options. The base 2.4-litre turbo four-cylinder produced 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. A 2.5-litre hybrid option delivered 245 combined net horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. The top-tier Hybrid Max powertrain combined a 2.4-litre turbo engine with electric motors, producing 362 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. All powertrains came with all-wheel drive in Canada. The Hybrid Max offered impressive acceleration, with a 0-60 time of 6.3 seconds. The Grand Highlander's size made it less maneuverable than the smaller Highlander, and its steering feel was somewhat numb. However, the brakes were solid, and acceleration was adequate. The Grand Highlander offered three drive modes, with additional off-road modes for gas-only and Hybrid Max models.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 GT Turbo was equipped for winter with heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated side mirrors. Ventilated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control added comfort. The driver's seat and front passenger's seat were comfortable for long drives, though they could use more side bolstering. The back seat was roomy, with rear air vents and charging ports. Storage space was adequate, though some opportunities for additional storage were missed. The power rear liftgate revealed 889 litres of cargo space, with a maximum of 1,595 litres when the rear seats were folded.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was larger than its rivals, offering a spacious interior with a total cargo capacity of 2,761 litres. With the second-row seats up, there were 1,640 litres of space, and 583 litres with all three rows in use. The Grand Highlander provided a comfortable ride, with ample headroom, legroom, and shoulder room in every row. The large greenhouse offered good visibility, and the third row could accommodate a six-foot adult comfortably.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 featured a Mazda Connect infotainment system with a 10.25-inch display, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system historically lacked touchscreen control, relying on centre console buttons and knobs, steering wheel controls, and voice recognition. However, the 2023 model introduced touchscreen control for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The available 12-speaker Bose sound system provided a satisfying audio experience. An Active Driving Display offered useful information, including blind-spot warnings.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. An intelligent assistant was available through a connected-services subscription, allowing voice commands for various tasks. The system included dual-device Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The 11-speaker JBL stereo was standard on the Limited and Platinum trims, offering a balanced audio experience. Streaming audio integration and Sirius XM satellite radio were also available.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 was rated as a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, though it fell short of the Top Safety Pick+ designation due to some headlight configurations and night-time pedestrian collision avoidance results. It offered a comprehensive package of driving assistance systems, including active blind-spot monitoring, Traffic Jam Assist, and a surround-view camera system. However, the adaptive cruise control occasionally failed to recognize slower vehicles cutting in.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. However, it came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 as standard, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, lane-tracing assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The Platinum grade offered additional features like traffic jam assist and a head-up display. Adaptive cruise control was standard, with four following-distance settings.