The Toyota Highlander is, most months, America’s best-selling 3-row midsize SUV. But it surely has a compelling new challenger. Mazda has constructed an all-new 3-row midsize SUV with an inexpensive value and traits borrowed from the luxurious courses. The 2024 Mazda CX-90 has an inline-6-cylinder engine, rear-biased all-wheel-drive, and inside design aptitude that makes it price consideration for many midsize SUV customers.
Let’s see how the thrilling rookie compares to the revered veteran. Word that this comparability makes use of the 2024 mannequin 12 months CX-90 and 2023 mannequin 12 months Highlander as a result of these are the fashions presently on supplier tons.
2024 Mazda CX-90
The 2024 Mazda CX-90 is each the brand new child on the block and essentially the most intriguing new entry on this phase. It makes use of a structure extra widespread to luxurious SUVs than to mainstream fashions and has some beautiful inside design touches that present designers put their finest work into this one. Mazda additionally presents a plug-in hybrid model. Costs begin at $39,595.
Mazda CX-90 Highlights
Inline-6 with rear-biased AWD: Mazda really rethought the mainstream midsize SUV this 12 months. Most producers provide a regular turbocharged 4-cylinder engine or a V6, in front-wheel drive (FWD), with all-wheel drive (AWD) obtainable for the next payment. Mazda used a smooth-running inline-6-cylinder engine with rear-biased AWD as a substitute. That strategy is extra widespread to BMW than inexpensive automakers and may make the CX-90 extra enjoyable to drive.
Designed with panache: The CX-90’s cabin would make some luxurious SUVs nervous. Designers made considerate decisions, like light-colored wooden trims with beautiful straight-grain patterns. Out there Nappa leather-based ups the luxurious quotient. A singular ornamental sew utilized in conventional Japanese bookbinding provides the dashboard aptitude.
Extra energy: Consumers get a selection of engines. A turbo 3.3-liter 6-cylinder making 280 horsepower beats the Highlander’s 265. An non-obligatory, higher-output turbo 6-cylinder makes 340. The Highlander doesn’t have a extra highly effective engine possibility. Mazda additionally presents the CX-90 has a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), whereas the Highlander may be had as a regular hybrid.
Examine this week’s Honest Buy Worth or see the CX-90 fashions on the market close to you.
2023 Toyota Highlander
The Toyota Highlander hangs its hat on a two-decade fame as a balanced, snug household hauler with excellent resale worth. For 2023, Toyota has tweaked the components, dropping the previous commonplace V6 engine for a extra fuel-efficient turbocharged 4-cylinder with comparable energy. Costs begin at $36,620.
Toyota Highlander Highlights
Cheaper price: Mazda’s transfer on the premium market means its 3-row flagship is pricier. The Highlander begins almost $3,000 under the CX-90. The highest of the CX-90 lineup pushes the $60,000 line. Essentially the most well-equipped Highlander begins at simply $49,475.
Resale worth possible increased: The CX-90 is just too new for our analysts to plot its resale worth. However Toyota not too long ago gained our 2023 Greatest Model for Resale Worth award. Odds are you’ll pay much less for a Highlander after which get extra again when it’s time to promote it.
10.1 cubic ft extra cargo house: The CX-90’s shapely design comes at the price of baggage house. The Highlander can carry extra in each configuration. With all of the seats down, it has 10.1 cubic ft more room. That’s nearly a compact-car-trunk’s-worth more room for baggage and equipment.
Examine this week’s Honest Buy Worth or see the Highlander fashions on the market close to you
Similarities
Equivalent warranties, comparable mixed gasoline economic system ranking.
Conclusion
The Toyota Highlander tends to win the 3-row midsize SUV gross sales race each month with its longstanding fame, nice stability of traits, and powerful resale worth. The all-new Mazda CX-90, although, is genuinely beautiful in and out and brings some traits from the luxurious courses right into a value vary extra consumers can afford. That’s argument for a take a look at drive.
Specs
| 2024 Mazda CX-90 | 2023 Toyota Highlander | |
| Beginning Worth | $39,595 | $36,620 |
| Fashionable Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 3.3-liter Inline-6 | 2.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 280 hp @ 5,000 rpm | 265 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 332 lb-ft @ 2,000 rpm | 310 lb-ft @ 1,700 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automated | 8-speed automated |
| Gasoline Economic system | 24 metropolis/28 freeway/25 mixed mpg | 22 metropolis/29 freeway/25 mixed mpg |
| Additionally Out there | Larger output turbo mannequin; Plug-in hybrid | AWD; hybrid |
| Specs | ||
| Fundamental Guarantee | 3 years/36,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Guarantee | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA General Security | TBD | 5 stars |
| Max Seating Capability | 8 | 8 |
| Wheelbase | 122.8 inches | 112.2 inches |
| General Size | 201.6 inches | 194.9 inches |
| Width | 84.9 inches | 76.0 inches |
| Peak | 68.2 inches | 68.1 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 38.1 ft | 37.4 ft |
| Headroom, Entrance | 39.7 inches | 41.2 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 39.3 inches | 39.4 inches |
| Headroom, third Row | 36.9 inches | 36.1 inches |
| Legroom, Entrance | 41.7 inches | 42.0 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 39.4 inches | 38.7 inches |
| Legroom, third Row | 30.4 inches | 28.0 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Entrance | 57.2 inches | 59.0 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 58.1 inches | 58.7 inches |
| Shoulder Room, third Row | 53.3 inches | 55.0 inches |
| EPA Cargo Quantity | 14.9/40.0/74.2 cubic ft | 16.0/48.4/84.3 cubic ft |