2025 Mazda CX-90 vs 2025 Toyota Highlander
The three-row SUV segment continues to grow in both competition and innovation, and the 2025 Mazda CX-90 firmly positions itself as a leader among premium challengers. When stacked up against the 2025 Toyota Highlander, the Mazda CX-90 stands out by delivering a unique blend of elegant design, advanced safety, and dynamic performance, all engineered for families and individuals who refuse to compromise. The CX-90 leverages high-quality materials, groundbreaking driver-assist features, and an attention to both driver engagement and passenger comfort that make it a compelling alternative within Mesa, AZ markets. Both models cater to similar audiences, promising versatility, but the Mazda CX-90 goes a step further by blending athletic driving characteristics with unmatched refinement and thoughtful innovation. CardinaleWay Mazda Mesa spotlights the superiority of the 2025 Mazda CX-90, showcasing its advantages for buyers in Mesa, AZ, and nearby areas searching for a vehicle that enriches daily drives and weekend adventures alike. This comprehensive comparison analyzes core aspects of both SUVs to help shoppers decide which model best aligns with their needs.
| Feature | 2025 Mazda CX-90 | 2025 Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Rear-Biased All-Wheel Drive | Yes | Available |
| Inline 6 Cylinder Turbo Engine | Yes | No |
| Plug-in Hybrid Powertrain Availability | Yes | Yes |
| Kinematic Posture Control | Yes | No |
| Mi-Drive with Sport, Off-Road, and Towing modes | Yes | No |
| 360° View Monitor with See-Through View | Available | Available |
| Nappa Leather Upholstery Available | Yes | No |
| 2nd-Row Captain’s Chairs with Center Walkthrough | Available | Available |
| i-Activsense® Advanced Safety Suite | Yes | Yes |
| Up to 340 Horsepower Available (Turbo S) | Yes | No |
Exterior - Mazda Dealer serving Mesa, AZ
A glance at the 2025 Mazda CX-90 reveals a commitment to sculpted, expressive exterior design, turning heads in ways that few mainstream rivals can match. Building on Mazda’s KODO design philosophy, the CX-90 presents taut sheet metal, a proud front fascia, and character lines that shift fluidly in changing light, a dynamic look that’s equally at home in suburban driveways or upscale destinations throughout Mesa, AZ, and neighboring areas. Distinctive LED lighting, available 21-inch machine-cut alloy wheels, and a wide array of color choices boost the visual impact. The long hood, short overhangs, and stance reflect the premium, rear-biased platform beneath, setting the Mazda apart from the more traditional and utilitarian lines of the 2025 Toyota Highlander. Though the Highlander has adopted several modern, bold touches, its overall silhouette leans toward conventionality, with a simpler grille and less sculpted sides. The CX-90’s design additionally incorporates practical considerations such as hands-free rear power liftgates and roof racks for increased capacity and functionality, perfect for journeys out of Apache Junction or routine trips near Scottsdale. Mazda’s designers have balanced practical SUV features with an unmistakably upscale persona, setting a differentiator that owners continually notice and appreciate.
Interior - 2025 Mazda CX-90 in Mesa, AZ
The interior of the 2025 Mazda CX-90 sets new benchmarks for sophistication, comfort, and technology within its class, establishing a realm where premium artistry meets ergonomic function. With multiple passenger configurations, including 6-, 7-, and 8-passenger layouts, the CX-90 offers excellent space, deeply contoured seats, and, on higher trims, available Nappa leather upholstery. Rich tactile finishes and elegant color palettes accentuate a serene and inviting cabin atmosphere, defying expectations for a non-luxury badge. Thoughtful details such as multi-zone climate controls, available captain’s chairs with a dedicated center walkthrough, and a strategic abundance of USB-C outlets in all rows underscore the Mazda’s focus on convenience and connectivity. The available panoramic moonroof suffuses the interior with natural light, further uplifting the driving environment. Meanwhile, cutting-edge amenities, like a larger Active Driving Display, wireless Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™, and a premium Bose® sound system on select trims, position the CX-90 as one of the most high-tech cabins available at CardinaleWay Mazda Mesa. While the 2025 Toyota Highlander also prioritizes passenger space and offers conveniences such as an optional panoramic roof and wireless device integration, it falls just short of the refined material choices and personalized comfort features that define the Mazda, particularly in its use of SofTex® rather than true leather or Nappa leather. For families and commuters across Mesa, AZ, the CX-90 interior is more than a place to sit; it’s a destination in itself.
Mazda CX-90 vs Toyota Highlander Mechanical Specs
Innovative mechanical engineering is central to the 2025 Mazda CX-90’s acclaim. Crafted on an all-new platform focused on rear-wheel-drive architecture, the vehicle ensures inherently dynamic handling characteristics, a trait that becomes a daily advantage on Arizona highways and winding roads. Standard i-Activ AWD® on all trims means every drive, whether in Mesa, AZ, or excursions beyond, is supported by a robust system keenly attuned to road conditions, shifting power intelligently for confident traction. Mazda’s unique Kinematic Posture Control enhances cornering stability and limits body roll, improving passenger comfort and handling. The CX-90 further integrates the M Hybrid Boost mild hybrid system (on Turbo models), using a small electric motor for instantaneous torque delivery and improved fuel efficiency; plug-in hybrid models build on this for those seeking EV capability and flexibility. Multi-mode Mi-Drive technology enables seamless selection among Sport, Off-Road, and Towing modes, effortlessly customizing the vehicle’s performance to suit any task or environment. In contrast, the Toyota Highlander utilizes a front-wheel-drive base with available all-wheel drive, but lacks some of the advanced mechanical refinements found in the Mazda. While Toyota’s Multi-Terrain Select offers moderate off-road versatility, it doesn’t match the combined effect of the CX-90’s dynamic platform, AWD system, and chassis innovations. The result: Mazda’s SUV delivers a more engaging, stable, and adaptable driving experience at CardinaleWay Mazda Mesa.
Powertrain - Mazda Dealership in Mesa, AZ
The 2025 Mazda CX-90 introduces a significant leap ahead with its powertrain lineup, anchored by an available Inline 6 6-cylinder turbo engine that produces up to 340 horsepower in Turbo S variants, an output that dwarfs the Highlander’s highest 265-horsepower four-cylinder turbo. Even the standard engine options deliver strong acceleration and a refined, linear power curve synonymous with luxury. Both mild-hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) choices are on offer, granting CX-90 buyers the freedom to balance performance with efficiency or even enjoy a short electric-only commute. An 8-speed automatic transmission pairs with the engines to maximize torque delivery and smoothness. The Highlander, while efficient and reliable, offers only a turbocharged four-cylinder or a hybrid four-cylinder configuration, lacking a six-cylinder option that many driving enthusiasts still value for smooth performance and towing strength. Both models reach up to 5,000 pounds of towing capacity when properly equipped, but Mazda’s Mi-Drive Towing mode adds further confidence and stability while trailering. This compelling blend of muscle, efficiency, and advanced drivetrain technologies further validates why loyal CardinaleWay Mazda Mesa customers continually choose the CX-90 for every sort of journey in and around Mesa, AZ.
Safety - Mazda CX-90 vs Toyota Highlander
For families and safety-conscious buyers throughout Mesa, AZ, cutting-edge protective technologies and driver aids are not optional; they are fundamental expectations. The 2025 Mazda CX-90 rises to this challenge with a robust suite of i-Activsense® safety features, including standard Smart Brake Support, Blind Spot Assist, Road Keep Assist, and Traffic Sign Recognition, while higher trims add Cruising & Traffic Support for semi-automated driving during congestion. The CX-90 stands proud as a 2024 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ recipient and boasts a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, affirming real-world confidence. Mazda’s available 360° View Monitor with See-Through View and advanced Driver Monitoring technologies help drivers stay alert and aware of the vehicle’s surroundings. Meanwhile, the 2025 Toyota Highlander offers its Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5+ suite with features like Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Departure Alert, but lacks some of the more advanced functions and visualization that the Mazda provides. Both vehicles offer structural safety, multiple airbags, and LATCH anchors for all second-row seating positions. However, CX-90’s fusion of active and passive safety systems, and its premium ratings, ensure extra peace of mind, reinforcing why CardinaleWay Mazda Mesa in Mesa, AZ, makes this vehicle a clear choice for customer safety and satisfaction.
Request more 2025 Mazda CX-90 vs 2025 Toyota Highlander in Mesa, AZ information
Reviewing every important category, the 2025 Mazda CX-90 emerges as the clear leader in the 2025 Mazda CX-90 vs 2025 Toyota Highlander matchup. Mazda’s newest flagship SUV synthesizes the best in design, technology, and performance, underpinned by a dynamic platform that brings driving joy to everyday tasks. Luxurious interior touches, advanced mechanical features, and a comprehensive approach to safety mean CX-90 buyers enjoy genuine upgrades over much of the competition. From intricate details such as authentic Nappa leather to the confidence inspired by i-Activsense® safety innovations, the Mazda CX-90 stands apart, especially for those seeking a premium SUV from CardinaleWay Mazda Mesa. Whether your journey keeps you in the heart of Mesa, AZ, or extends to Scottsdale and Apache Junction, the Mazda CX-90 expertly accommodates with style and strength, making it an unbeatable choice for discerning SUV shoppers this model year.