Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs Mazda CX-90

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 minimal design changes, with a new Cypress Green paint colour being the most notable update. The Highlander Hybrid's exterior was characterized by exaggerated styling, including scowling headlights and dramatically sculpted rear forms. Inside, the cabin was dominated by oversized elements like a 12.3-inch touchscreen and large climate control knobs. However, the interior quality was questionable, with mismatched textures and inexpensive-feeling controls. Despite these drawbacks, the Highlander Hybrid offered a quiet ride on the road.

In contrast, the 2024 Mazda CX-90 showcased a more refined and elegant design. It borrowed design cues from smaller Mazda models and expanded them into a larger, more imposing SUV. The CX-90's exterior featured a big grille, wide-set front end, and tasteful chrome trim, giving it a luxurious appearance. Inside, the top-tier models boasted high-quality materials like brown suede upholstery and wood inlays, rivaling luxury brands. The CX-90 offered a range of trims, each benefiting from Mazda's stylish design language and comfortable layout. While not all trims were equally striking, the overall impression was one of sophistication and elegance.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid combined a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with two electric motor-generators, delivering 243 combined horsepower. It featured standard all-wheel drive and regenerative brakes to assist with battery charging. While the Highlander Hybrid excelled in fuel economy, averaging 8.2 L/100 km during testing, it lacked high-speed passing power and struggled with towing. The driving experience was described as uninspiring, with soft suspension and a continuously variable transmission contributing to a lack of engagement. However, it provided a smooth and quiet ride, making it suitable for city and suburban driving.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 introduced two new powertrains, including a plug-in hybrid option and a turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine with a mild-hybrid system. The upgraded 3.3-litre inline-6 turbo engine delivered 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, providing a thrilling driving experience. The CX-90 featured three driving modes, with noticeable differences between Normal and Sport modes. The eight-speed automatic transmission occasionally exhibited inconsistent behaviour, but the overall performance was impressive. The CX-90 PHEV offered a more fuel-efficient option with a 2.5-litre engine, 323 horsepower, and a 42-kilometre all-electric range. Both models demonstrated excellent handling and agility, making them enjoyable to drive.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid accommodated seven or eight passengers, with most models featuring second-row captain's chairs. While the third-row seat was best suited for occasional use, the Highlander Hybrid offered comfortable seating with heated and ventilated options. The interior included practical features like a wireless charging pad and rubber-lined cupholders. However, the storage console design was unnecessarily complex, and the cargo space measured 453 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,387 litres with the second-row seats folded.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 offered various seating configurations, with the Turbo Signature trim featuring an exclusive six-seat layout. Cargo space varied depending on the seating arrangement, with a maximum of 2,129 litres available. While the CX-90 fell short of some competitors in terms of capacity, it provided ample storage options and comfortable seating. The interior boasted high-quality materials, a panoramic sunroof, and clever storage solutions, enhancing the overall comfort and functionality.

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 larger 12.3-inch display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The infotainment system offered over-the-air updates and various connected service plans. However, the controls for the digital display were not intuitive, and the graphics lacked sharpness. The JBL sound system provided decent audio quality, and the head-up display added convenience.

Mazda's approach to technology in the 2024 CX-90 focused on minimizing distractions. The Mazda Connect infotainment system used a rotary control knob and hard buttons instead of a touchscreen. While the intention was to reduce distractions, the setup proved frustrating to use. However, the CX-90 offered personalization software with facial recognition, allowing for automatic adjustments to driving preferences. The vehicle also featured standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with touchscreen controls available for these systems.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid prioritized safety with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems. It included features like adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard, with additional parking sensors and a surround-view camera available on higher trims. The Highlander Hybrid received excellent crash-test ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 came equipped with i-Activsense, Mazda's suite of advanced driver assistance systems. Standard features included blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. The CX-90 Signature trim added cruising and traffic support, providing a hands-on driver support system. While crash-test ratings were not yet available, the CX-90 was expected to perform well based on the safety accolades of its predecessor, the CX-9.