2024 Toyota Grand Highlander vs 2024 Mazda CX-50

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was a standout in Toyota's lineup of crossovers and SUVs, positioned between the Highlander and the Sequoia. Built on the TNGA-K platform, it shared its underpinnings with models like the RAV4 and Camry, distinguishing itself from the body-on-frame Sequoia. The Grand Highlander was notably large, measuring 5,115 millimetres in length with a 2,950 mm wheelbase, offering more space than competitors like the Kia Telluride. Its design was inspired by rugged vehicles, featuring a blockier style akin to the Ford Explorer and Honda Pilot, with a trapezoidal grille and narrow headlights reminiscent of the 4Runner. Inside, it offered three trims—XLE, Limited, and Platinum—with features like Softex synthetic leather, a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat, and heated front seats. The interior was spacious and well-built, making it an excellent choice for road trips.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 was a more rugged alternative to the CX-5, with a design that emphasized broad-shouldered proportions and square wheel arches. It was lower, wider, and longer than the CX-5, with a fresher design introduced in 2023. Available in three trims—GS-L, GT, and Meridian Edition—the CX-50 offered features like 17-inch wheels on the GS-L and 20-inch wheels on the GT. The Meridian Edition enhanced its active-lifestyle image with all-terrain tires and a black hood graphic. The interior featured an earthy colour palette and a pleasing design, with a rotary infotainment controller and minimal piano black plastic trim. However, Mazda's aspiration to move upscale was still a work in progress, with some features like manually adjustable passenger seats reminding buyers of its traditional market position.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander offered three engine options. The base 2.4-litre turbo four-cylinder engine produced 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. A 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid option delivered 245 combined net horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. The top-tier Hybrid Max powertrain, a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid, generated 362 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. All models came with all-wheel drive in Canada. The Hybrid Max provided impressive acceleration with a zero-to-60 time of 6.3 seconds. The Grand Highlander was not a sports car, but it offered adequate acceleration and solid brakes. It featured three drive modes—Sport, Eco, and Normal—with additional modes for gas-only and Hybrid Max models. The steering was somewhat numb, but the vehicle's size and road manners were commendable.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, with turbocharging available on higher trims. The base engine produced 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, while the turbo engine offered 256 hp and 320 lb-ft on 93-octane fuel, or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on 87-octane. A six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive were standard. The CX-50 had Normal, Sport, and Off-road driving modes, with a Towing mode on turbo models, increasing towing capacity to 1,587 kilograms. The CX-50 shared powertrains with the CX-5 but offered a different driving experience, focusing more on daily driving than sporty dynamics. The Meridian Edition's all-terrain tires added noise and limited grip, but the CX-50 was otherwise well-mannered.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was larger than its primary rivals, with a length of over 5 metres and a 2,950 mm wheelbase. It offered more cargo space than competitors like the Ford Explorer and Kia Telluride, with a total capacity of 2,761 litres. With the second-row seats up, it provided 1,640 litres, and with all three rows up, 583 litres were available. The Grand Highlander was not only spacious but also comfortable, with ample headroom, legroom, and shoulder room in every row. Its design allowed for good outward visibility, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 had similar passenger space to the CX-5, with slightly less headroom but more legroom. It offered 889 litres of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 1,595 litres with them folded. While it trailed some competitors in cargo space, it had a power liftgate for easier access. The interior featured a sensible layout with adequate storage space, despite the substantial shifter and rotary infotainment controller on the centre console. The CX-50's design was practical, but the cargo area wasn't ideal for bulky items, and the optional roof platform was high for shorter users.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a significant improvement over previous models. It offered features like dual-device Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an 11-speaker JBL stereo on higher trims. An intelligent assistant and cloud-based navigation were available via a subscription. While the tech was advanced, buyers needed to consider subscription options carefully.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 featured a 10.25-inch infotainment screen controlled by a rotary controller and buttons. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with higher trims offering wireless phone charging and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The interface required adjustment but provided physical feedback, making it easier to use without distraction. The system felt dated, but it was suitable for buyers who preferred simplicity over excessive tech.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it included Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 as standard. This suite featured automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, lane-tracing assist, automatic high beams, road-sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control with four following-distance settings was also standard.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 was named a 2023 Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, receiving top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention. However, it scored lower in the nighttime vehicle-to-pedestrian test. The NHTSA had not published complete ratings, but the CX-50 received a five-star frontal crash-test rating. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control, with optional features like a 360-degree camera system.