New 2026 MAZDA CX-90 vs Toyota Highlander Comparison
New 2026 MAZDA CX-90 vs Toyota Highlander Comparison
Three-row family SUVs rarely feel special from the driver's seat, which is exactly the gap the 2026 Mazda CX-90 aims at. Its turbocharged 3.3-liter inline-6 sends up to 340 horsepower through standard i-ACTIV® all-wheel drive, and a plug-in hybrid version adds 26 miles of EPA-estimated electric range. The 2026 Toyota Highlander answers with a proven 265-horsepower turbo four, a 35-mpg hybrid, and newly standard AWD on every grade.
Jenkins Mazda of Ocala compares the two across performance, safety, technology, interior space, and design below.
2026 MAZDA CX-90 Full ReviewView Vehicle Specials.jpg)
2026 MAZDA CX-90 vs Toyota Highlander Performance
The rear-biased 2026 Mazda CX-90 inline-6 delivers 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft on regular fuel in Turbo form, while the Turbo S produces 340 horsepower on premium, all through an 8-speed automatic with a 48-volt mild-hybrid assist. EPA estimates are 23/28/25 mpg for every six-cylinder trim, and towing reaches 5,000 pounds on Premium Sport and above with the towing package. The 323-horsepower PHEV tows 3,500 pounds and adds gas-free commuting.
The Highlander's 2.4-liter turbo four makes 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft with an 8-speed automatic, rated at 21/28/24 mpg with its standard AWD, and every gas Highlander tows 5,000 pounds with no package required. The 243-horsepower hybrid returns an EPA-estimated 35 mpg combined and tows 3,500. Toyota wins the efficiency column with its hybrid; the Mazda wins outright power and drivetrain character.
2026 Mazda CX-90
- 3.3L turbo inline-6: 280 hp, or 340 hp in Turbo S on premium fuel
- 48-volt M Hybrid Boost and 8-speed automatic
- i-ACTIV® AWD standard on every trim
- EPA-estimated 23/28/25 mpg on all six-cylinder trims
- Tows up to 5,000 lb properly equipped; PHEV option with 26-mile electric range
2026 Toyota Highlander
- 2.4L turbo four: 265 hp and 310 lb-ft
- Hybrid option: 243 hp, EPA-estimated 35 mpg combined
- AWD standard on every 2026 grade
- Gas models: EPA-estimated 21/28/24 mpg
- Tows 5,000 lb on all gas models, 3,500 lb hybrid
2026 MAZDA CX-90 vs Toyota Highlander Safety Features
Every 2026 Mazda CX-90 ships with i-ACTIVSENSE®: radar cruise control with stop and go, Smart Brake Support, blind-spot monitoring with Vehicle Exit Warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assistance, and a rear-seat reminder. Upper trims layer on Cruising and Traffic Support and Emergency Lane Keeping.
The Highlander carries Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, the previous generation of Toyota's suite, with pre-collision braking, radar cruise, and lane tracing. It is a thorough package, but the RAV4 and other newer Toyotas have already moved to version 4.0, and the Highlander's blind-spot monitoring starts standard as well. Both SUVs protect the family; the Mazda driver-assist extras on upper trims give it a slight edge.
2026 Mazda CX-90
- i-ACTIVSENSE® standard on all trims
- Blind-spot monitoring with Vehicle Exit Warning
- Radar cruise control with stop and go
- Rear-seat alert and driver attention monitoring
- Cruising and Traffic Support on upper trims
2026 Toyota Highlander
- Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ standard
- Pre-collision system with pedestrian detection
- Dynamic radar cruise control
- Lane departure alert with steering assist
- Runs the previous-generation Toyota suite
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2026 MAZDA CX-90 vs Toyota Highlander Technology
Screens are a Mazda strength this year: the 2026 Mazda CX-90 Select opens with a 10.25-inch center display, and every other trim, PHEV included, gets a 12.3-inch display, with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and head-up display standard from Premium Sport up. Alexa Built-in is newly standard across the 2026 lineup, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are on board.
The Highlander starts with an 8-inch touchscreen on XLE and XSE and saves its 12.3-inch display for Limited and Platinum, where a 12.3-inch digital cluster also appears. Toyota's Audio Multimedia system is quick and its app ecosystem deep, but mid-trim shoppers get more standard screen in the Mazda.
2026 Mazda CX-90
- 12.3-inch center display on all but the base Select
- 12.3-inch digital cluster and head-up display from Premium Sport
- Alexa Built-in standard for 2026
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- 360-degree View Monitor available
2026 Toyota Highlander
- 8-inch touchscreen on XLE and XSE
- 12.3-inch display standard on Limited and Platinum
- 12.3-inch digital cluster on upper grades
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Available panoramic camera views
2026 MAZDA CX-90 vs Toyota Highlander Interior
The 2026 Mazda CX-90 uses its 122.8-inch wheelbase where families feel it: the third row offers 30.4 inches of legroom versus the Highlander's 28.0, and most six-cylinder trims seat eight with second-row captain's chairs optional. Upper trims dress the cabin in Nappa leather and real wood in a way few rivals match at the price.
The Highlander seats seven with standard captain's chairs, with an eight-passenger bench optional on select grades, and it claws back ground on cargo: 16.0 cubic feet behind the third row, 48.4 behind the second, and 84.3 maximum against 14.9, 40.0, and 74.2 in the Mazda. Luggage-haulers should look at the Toyota; people-haulers and long-trip families will appreciate the roomier third row and richer cabin in the Mazda.
2026 Mazda CX-90
- 30.4 inches of third-row legroom
- Seats up to 8; captain's chairs optional
- Nappa leather and genuine wood on upper trims
- Ventilated front and second-row seating available
- 14.9 / 40.0 / 74.2 cu ft cargo (six-cylinder models)
2026 Toyota Highlander
- 28.0 inches of third-row legroom
- Seats 7 standard; 8-passenger bench on select grades
- 16.0 / 48.4 / 84.3 cu ft cargo
- Heated and ventilated front seats available
- Bigger cargo hold despite the shorter body
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2026 MAZDA CX-90 vs Toyota Highlander Trims and Design
The 2026 Mazda CX-90 lineup spans six inline-6 trims from 3.3 Turbo Select to Turbo S Premium Plus, plus three PHEV trims, and its long-hood, rear-drive proportions read more like a European flagship than a family bus. Mazda backs it with a 3-year/36,000-mile basic and 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Toyota simplified the 2026 Highlander to XLE, XSE, Limited, and Platinum, with the hybrid on XLE, Limited, and Platinum, all wearing familiar, cleanly conservative styling at 194.9 inches long, 6.7 inches shorter than the Mazda. Toyota matches the warranty terms and adds two years of no-cost maintenance, plus a 10-year/150,000-mile hybrid battery warranty. If you want the three-row that feels special every morning, the 2026 Mazda CX-90 is the one to drive first.
2026 Mazda CX-90
- Six inline-6 trims plus three PHEV trims
- Rear-biased, long-hood proportions
- 201.6 inches long on a 122.8-inch wheelbase
- 3-yr/36k basic, 5-yr/60k powertrain warranty
- New Turbo S Premium Sport trim for 2026
2026 Toyota Highlander
- Simplified 2026 walk: XLE, XSE, Limited, Platinum
- Hybrid available on XLE, Limited, Platinum
- 194.9 inches long on a 112.2-inch wheelbase
- ToyotaCare 2-yr/25k no-cost maintenance
- 10-yr/150k hybrid battery warranty
Why buy from Jenkins Mazda of Ocala?
Jenkins Mazda of Ocala carries the 2026 Mazda CX-90 in six-cylinder and plug-in configurations to explore, so you can compare seating layouts and trims in person instead of on a spec sheet. Bring your Highlander questions; we will answer them straight.
You can arrange financing, get a trade appraisal, and schedule Mazda service in the same visit, which keeps your ownership experience as polished as the SUV.
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