Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs Mazda CX-50

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was priced at just over $50,000 for the base Hybrid LE, with the Limited trim reaching $61,800 in Canada. It featured a bold design with exaggerated forms, including scowling headlights and flared rear fenders. The interior was characterized by oversized elements like a 12.3-inch touchscreen and large climate control knobs, but the mismatched textures and tones, along with reflections from the display, made it visually overwhelming. Despite its quiet ride, the interior quality was questionable, with controls that felt inexpensive and storage areas that were unlined, leading to potential noise issues.

In contrast, the 2024 Mazda CX-50 presented a more rugged design compared to its sibling, the CX-5. It was lower, wider, and longer, with square wheel arches and fake air vents. The Meridian Edition emphasized an active-lifestyle image with all-terrain tires and a black hood graphic. The interior was well-designed, with a BMW-like infotainment screen and impressive material quality for a non-luxury brand. However, Mazda's aspiration to move upscale was still a work in progress, as evidenced by the standard half-leatherette seats and manually adjustable passenger seat in base models.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid combined a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with electric motor-generators, producing 243 horsepower. It offered standard AWD and could operate solely on electricity at low speeds. However, the gas engine's 175 pound-feet of torque limited high-speed passing power, and towing capacity was questionable. The Highlander Hybrid featured Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes, but its soft suspension and CVT made for a dull driving experience. Fuel economy was a focus, with a Predictive Efficient Drive system, but real-world consumption was higher than expected.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 offered a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, with turbocharging available on higher trims. The base engine produced 187 horsepower, while the turbo version delivered up to 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel. A six-speed automatic transmission and AWD were standard, with Normal, Sport, and Off-road driving modes. The CX-50's handling was less sporty than the CX-5, and the Meridian Edition's all-terrain tires added noise and reduced grip. Despite this, the CX-50 was well-mannered, making it a good daily driver.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid accommodated seven or eight passengers, but the third-row seat was best for occasional use. Standard features included three-zone automatic climate control and heated front seats, with additional comforts in the Platinum package. The second-row captain’s chairs were comfortable, but accessing the third row was challenging. Cargo space was generous, with 453 litres behind the third row and up to 2,387 litres with seats folded. However, the centre armrest storage design was unnecessarily complex, and the optional all-weather cargo mat compromised utility.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 offered similar passenger space to the CX-5, with slightly more legroom but less headroom. It provided 889 litres of cargo space with rear seats up and 1,595 litres with them folded. The cargo area was less accommodating for dirty or bulky items, and the optional roof platform was high. The interior layout was sensible, with adequate storage space, despite the substantial shifter and rotary infotainment controller on the centre console. The CX-50's cargo space trailed most competitors, but it was still functional for everyday use.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid introduced new technology, including a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment systems. The Limited trim featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen with over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Remote Connect allowed remote access via a smartphone app, while Drive Connect offered advanced features like natural voice recognition and cloud-based navigation. The JBL sound system provided decent audio quality, but the graphics could have been sharper.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 came with 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 touchscreen-free interface required adjustment, but the rotary controller provided physical feedback. The infotainment system felt dated, with basic functions and plain graphics, but it was suitable for buyers who preferred simplicity over excessive tech.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid excelled in safety, equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, which included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard, with additional features like parking sensors and a surround-view camera on higher trims. The Highlander Hybrid received excellent crash-test ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, making it a reliable choice for safety-conscious buyers.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 was named a 2023 Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention tech. However, it received lower scores for nighttime pedestrian detection and standard headlights. NHTSA ratings were incomplete, but the CX-50 had 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.