2026 Mazda CX-90 vs. Toyota Highlander: Which 3-Row SUV Is Right for You?

Remixed courtesy of Kevauto under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
Original location: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2020_Toyota_Highlander_XLE_AWD,_rear.jpg - Downloaded on 10/23/2026

Three-row SUVs are great for larger families, but they don't have to be cumbersome monstrosities on four wheels taking up excessive driveway or garage space and a nightmare when it comes to navigating crowded inner-city parking spaces.

Plenty of great choices exist for buyers wanting more seating for larger families, allied with usable cargo space and reasonable off-road credentials for adventurous holiday travels, just like these two quality Japanese offerings.

Where do the Mazda CX-90 and the Toyota Highlander fit in the automotive world?

Mazda’s largest SUV, the CX-90, is classed as a mid-size crossover SUV with seating for up to eight passengers in its three-row seating layout and is a relatively new nameplate debuting a short while back as a 2025 model year.

Toyota’s Highlander, also a midsize, three-row SUV with seating for seven or eight passengers, has been a staple of Toyota's US lineup since 2001, with the current fourth-generation model introduced some time back in 2020.

Mazda CX-90 vs Toyota Highlander: Which SUV is bigger?

So, now for buyers needing extra seating but not wanting the sheer size of a full-sized SUV, the more compact dimensions of these two competitors are just the ticket.

The CX-90 boasts Mazda’s latest Rear Wheel Drive-biased platform with a usefully long wheelbase of 122.8 inches. The body work measures 201.6 inches in length, up to 68.7 inches high, and 77.6 inches wide, which lends the CX-90 appreciable interior space for passengers and their cargo. 

Ground clearance of up to 8.1 inches allows drivers to venture off-road to a fair degree without fear of damaging their Mazda.

The Toyota Highlander has always been built on a unibody platform and shared its car-like architecture with models like Toyota’s Camry rather than a heavy-duty truck frame.

The Highlander rides on a shorter wheelbase of 112.2 inches and is 194.9 inches long, 68.1 inches high, and 76 inches wide, not counting the wing mirrors.

The Toyota’s ground clearance slightly trails that of the Mazda at 8.0 inches.

Which SUV has the better interior: Mazda CX-90 vs Toyota Highlander?

Mazda’s interiors are typically a class above their competitors, displaying high standards of materials and craftsmanship, making it the right choice for buyers seeking a more premium, luxurious and comfortable drive.

Buyers can order the CX-90 with two front bucket seats, plus a bench-type second row and third row, to seat up to eight passengers, or configure it with two captain's chairs in place of the second-row bench to accommodate seven passengers in spacious luxury.

The CX-90’s dedicated passenger space measures 141.6 cubic feet and is loaded with plenty of standard luxury and comfort features including:

• Durable high-quality leatherette or leather seating
• Leather-covered steering wheel and shift lever 
• Three-zone climate control
• Heated seats 
• Retractable window shades
• LED interior illumination

Toyota’s Highlander excels with a spacious cabin offering 141.8 cubic feet of volume and seating seven or eight passengers, depending on configuration.

The standard layout seats eight in front bucket seats with power-adjustable options and available heating and ventilation, along with a 60/40 split-folding, sliding, and reclining second-row bench seat and a 60/40 split-folding third-row bench seat for quick flattening to open up extra cargo space.

Like the Mazda, buyers of the Toyota can configure their SUV with two second-row captain's chairs that allow easier walk-through access to the third row.

Standout interior features of the Toyota include:

• Three-zone automatic climate control with vents for rear passengers
• Eight- or ten-way power driver's seat
• Hands-free power liftgate

Cargo space comparison: Mazda CX-90 vs Toyota Highlander

14.9 cubic feet of primary cargo space is available behind the third row bench seat that expands to 40.0 cubic feet when the 60/40 split fold-down third-row seat is dropped down.

Maximum cargo loading can be achieved by folding down the Easy tilt and slide 60/40 split reclining second-row bench seats to open up to 74.2 cubic feet of usable cargo volume. 

Buyers will appreciate the CX-90’s plethora of useful storage areas that include:

• Glove compartment
• Front center console armrest with storage area and two USB type-A inputs
• Cargo area with storage boxes and under-floor storage

The Toyota Highlander's cargo area measures 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.9 cubic feet behind the second row, and up to 97.5 cubic feet when both rear rows are folded down

Buyers of the Toyota can look forward to the convenience of in-cabin storage features like:

• Center Console with removable utility tray that creates a level writing or organizing surface and deep storage underneath
• Soft-touch dashboard split-level shelf for items like phones, iPads, or small laptops.
• Cargo tie-down hooks to secure luggage 

Powertrain comparison: Mazda CX-90 vs Toyota Highlander

The latest CX-90 is powered by a turbocharged 3.3-liter inline-six engine and a small electric motor offering 48V Mild Hybrid (M-Boost) technology.

Total output is 280 horsepower and torque of 332 pound-feet for the lower trim levels, and 340 horsepower and torque of 369 pound-feet in the CX-90 S trim levels.

Standard across the range is an e-SKYACTIV-Drive 8-speed automatic transmission plus a rear-biased i-Activ AWD all-wheel-drive system.

The Toyota Highlander is available with a turbocharged gas engine or a hybrid powertrain.

The standard 2.4-liter turbocharged inline- four gasoline engine makes 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, while the hybrid option comprises a 2.5-liter normally aspirated four-cylinder engine paired with three electric motors for a combined output of 243 horsepower.

An electronically controlled eight-speed automatic transmission is found in the gas-powered models and an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (eCVT) for hybrid models while AWD is standard 

Can the Mazda CX-90 tow more than the Toyota Highlander?

Both models are rated for up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped and depending on engine fitment across their respective trim levels, great for small watercraft or campers.

Lower-powered models from both manufacturers offer a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. 

Purchase the 2026 Mazda CX-90 at Seacoast Mazda

Get to discover more and experience the luxury, style and performance of the Mazda CX-90 at Seacoast Mazda, located in Portsmouth, NH.

Book a test drive with Seacoast Mazda’s dedicated sales team and enjoy an excellent buying experience along with outstanding after-sales service.

View Mazda CX-90 Inventory