2021 Mazda CX-9 vs 2021 Toyota Highlander

2021 Mazda CX-9

#8 in Large SUVs

2021 Toyota Highlander

#3 in Large SUVs

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Carbon Edition AWD

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
CX-9 Carbon Edition AWD	20	26	$40,848	$43,180
CX-9 Carbon Edition FWD	22	28	$39,049	$41,280
CX-9 Grand Touring AWD	20	26	$41,659	$44,040
CX-9 Grand Touring FWD	22	28	$39,863	$42,140
CX-9 Signature AWD	20	26	$44,273	$46,805
CX-9 Sport AWD	20	26	$34,116	$36,060
CX-9 Sport FWD	22	28	$32,319	$34,160
CX-9 Touring AWD	20	26	$35,808	$37,850
CX-9 Touring FWD	22	28	$34,012	$35,950

Select style

Hybrid LE AWD

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Highlander Hybrid LE AWD	35	35	$36,979	$40,335
Highlander Hybrid LE FWD	36	35	$35,513	$38,735
Highlander Hybrid Limited AWD	35	34	$43,493	$47,440
Highlander Hybrid Limited FWD	36	35	$41,705	$45,490
Highlander Hybrid Platinum AWD	35	34	$46,428	$50,640
Highlander Hybrid Platinum FWD	36	35	$44,640	$48,690
Highlander Hybrid XLE AWD	35	34	$39,546	$43,135
Highlander Hybrid XLE FWD	36	35	$38,080	$41,535
Highlander L AWD	20	27	$33,493	$36,685
Highlander L FWD	21	29	$32,032	$35,085
Highlander LE AWD	20	27	$35,502	$38,885
Highlander LE FWD	21	29	$34,041	$37,285
Highlander Limited AWD	20	27	$41,989	$45,990
Highlander Limited FWD	21	29	$40,209	$44,040
Highlander Platinum AWD	20	27	$44,911	$49,190
Highlander Platinum FWD	21	29	$43,131	$47,240
Highlander XLE AWD	20	27	$38,058	$41,685
Highlander XLE FWD	21	29	$36,597	$40,085
Highlander XSE AWD	20	27	$39,834	$43,630
Highlander XSE FWD	21	29	$38,054	$41,680

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$40,848

$36,979

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$43,180

$40,335

Monthly Payment Estimate

$720 / month

$672 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

6.5

Read Our Full Review

7.2

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2021 Mazda CX-9 crossover SUV rewards drivers with good road manners, but takes a penalty in third-row space.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander learned new tricks to keep us entertained on the road, when we’re not asleep in the back anyway.

TCC Likes

Very attractive
Well-done interior
Good safety gear

Better style
New sporty XSE look
Still practical…

TCC Dislikes

Distracting infotainment controller
Cramped third-row and cargo space
Limited lineup

Infotainment is still a headache
Exterior is a little busy
Pricey top models

Fuel Economy

City

20 mpg

35 mpg

Highway

26 mpg

35 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Small SUV 4WD

Standard SUV 4WD

Interior Dimensions

Second Hip Room (in)

57.4

Passenger Volume (ft³)

135.8

141.3

Front Shoulder Room (in)

57.9

Third Leg Room (in)

29.7

27.7

Second Head Room (in)

38.5

39.4

Third Hip Room (in)

40.1

45.6

Second Shoulder Room (in)

58.1

58.7

Passenger Capacity

Front Leg Room (in)

Third Head Room (in)

35.4

36.1

Front Hip Room (in)

56.7

57.2

Third Shoulder Room (in)

53.1

Second Leg Room (in)

39.4

Front Head Room (in)

40.1

41.2

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Rear (in)

65.2

65.4

Wheelbase (in)

115.3

112.2

Liftover Height (in)

31.7

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

77.5

Track Width, Front (in)

65.3

Length, Overall (in)

199.4

194.9

Height, Overall (in)

67.6

68.1

Min Ground Clearance (in)

Cargo Area Dimensions

Cargo Box Width @ Wheelhousings (in)

40.2

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 2 (in)

50.5

Cargo Volume to Seat 2 (ft³)

38.2

48.4

Cargo Area Width @ Beltline (in)

58.6

Cargo Box (Area) Height (in)

30.3

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 1 (in)

84.9

Cargo Volume to Seat 1 (ft³)

71.2

84.3

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 3 (in)

21.5

Cargo Volume to Seat 3 (ft³)

14.4

Brakes

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

12.8

13.3

Brake Type

4-Wheel Disc

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

12.6

13.3

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

19.5

17.1

Steering

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

38.8

37.4

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Tires

Front Tire Size

P255/50VR20

P235/65VR18

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P255/50VR20

P235/65VR18

Rear Tire Order Code

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

3500

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

3500

Maximum Trailering Capacity (lbs)

3500

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

350

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

350

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

4409

4465

Wheels

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

20 X 8.5

18 X 8

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

20 X 8.5

18 X 8

Electrical

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

150

Engine

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

310 @ 2000

175 @ 4400

Engine Order Code

Displacement

2.5 L/152

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

227 @ 5000

243 @ 6000

Engine Type

Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4

Gas/Electric I-4

Fuel System

Gasoline Direct Injection

Port/Direct Injection

Mileage

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Transmission

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

4.41

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.45

Trans Type

Drivetrain

All Wheel

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.71

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.99

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

1.99

Trans Order Code

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/OD

CVT w/OD

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.60

First Gear Ratio (:1)

3.49

Summary

Vehicle Name

Mazda CX-9

Toyota Highlander

Body Style

i-ACTIV AWD Sport Utility

Sport Utility

Suspension

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Front

Strut

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

7.8

5.1

Crash Test Ratings

Overall Rating

Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger

Overall Side Crash Rating

Side Barrier Rating

Side Barrier Rating Driver

Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat

Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Rear Seat

Rollover Rating

2021 Mazda CX-9

2021 CX-9 selection adequate
Lease: From $289 for 36 months
Rebates: $750 loyalty bonus available
Finance: From 0% APR for 60 months

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2021 Toyota Highlander

2021 Highlander is in stock
Lease: From $359/mo.
Finance: 1.9% + cash
Rebate: Get $2,000 off

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