Mazda CX-5 vs Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 was a visual standout in its segment, thanks to its evolved Kodo design language, which Mazda referred to as "Wearable Gear." This design gave the CX-5 a sculpted and purposeful appearance, with a Signature Wing grille that seamlessly flowed into new LED headlights. The rear featured angular lighting that tied the CX-5 to Mazda's larger models, and a new "MAZDA" script badge replaced the traditional logo, giving the vehicle an upscale look. However, the wheel designs were underwhelming, with the base 17-inch wheels appearing small on the larger body, and even the 19-inch options lacking intricate detailing. Inside, the CX-5 continued Mazda's tradition of high-quality interiors, with a clean dashboard design, a prominent central touchscreen, and a driver-focused cockpit. The materials were generally a step above the competition, though some hard plastics detracted from the otherwise upscale feel.

In contrast, the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid pursued a conservative and familiar design, drawing inspiration from the previous-generation RAV4. This resulted in a vehicle that looked like a larger RAV4, with seating for up to eight and ample cargo space. The interior emphasized function over form, with a layer of luxury in the Platinum trim. Glossy hard plastics and unlined storage surfaces were present, but the controls were logically laid out. The climate system was simple to use, with large temperature-adjustment knobs, though the infotainment interface had a tiny volume knob and lacked a tuning knob. The Grand Highlander Hybrid Max Platinum trim featured a Storm Cloud paint, a flat grayish blue, and offered a mix of leather and artificial suede upholstery, adding to its upscale appearance.

The 2026 Mazda CX-5's performance was hampered by its sole powertrain option, a carryover SkyActiv-G 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, the engine felt underpowered for the vehicle's 3,856-pound weight, resulting in a sluggish 0-60 time of 9.6 seconds. The transmission struggled with responsiveness and efficiency, often hunting for gears on inclines. The absence of the previous generation's turbocharged engine was notable, though Mazda announced a hybrid variant for 2027. Despite these drawbacks, the CX-5 excelled in handling, with direct steering, well-managed body roll, and a sense of agility. Ride quality was firm yet comfortable, and improved insulation reduced road and wind noise. However, its fuel economy of 24 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 26 combined mpg was among the lowest in its segment.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max focused on performance with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and electronic full-time AWD, producing 362 net horsepower. This setup allowed the Grand Highlander to accelerate quickly, with a traditional six-speed automatic transmission avoiding the droning common in CVTs. While the Hybrid Max sacrificed some fuel economy, achieving 27 mpg combined, it offered a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds. During testing, it averaged 23.3 mpg on a mountainous route and was expected to achieve 24-25 mpg in typical driving conditions. The Hybrid Max's acceleration was smooth, with electric motors negating turbo lag, and the ride quality was soft and isolating. However, handling was secure only up to a point, with early tire scrub and squeal when pushed hard. Outward visibility was excellent, aided by front, rear, and top-down cameras.

The 2026 Mazda CX-5's dimensional growth translated into a more spacious interior, with a 4.5-inch wheelbase stretch improving rear knee clearance by 2.3 inches to 33.7 inches. A 6'1" test driver found ample room in any seat, and rear headroom was a standout feature at 40.2 inches without the sunroof. Cargo space improved to 38 cubic feet behind the second row and 70 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, though it trailed some competitors. Practical touches included a standard rearview camera, roof rails, and a hands-free power liftgate on higher trims. However, towing capacity decreased to 1,500 pounds, lagging behind rivals.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid offered comfortable seating in all three rows, with nearly 100 cubic feet of maximum cargo space. The Platinum trim featured a Portobello interior with leather and artificial suede upholstery, heated and ventilated front and second-row seats, and supportive cushions. The second-row captain's chairs provided a pass-through to the third row, which was reasonably comfortable for adults and tall teens. Cargo space was generous, with 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 97.5 cubic feet with the second row down. However, unlined storage locations and limited underfloor storage detracted from the overall experience.

The 2026 Mazda CX-5's infotainment system received a significant upgrade, with a 12.9-inch touchscreen on most trims and a 15.6-inch unit on the Premium Plus. The system featured Google built-in, offering native Google Maps, a voice assistant, and access to the Google Play Store. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, with wireless connectivity on higher trims. A 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster was standard, though it lacked some expected information. The removal of a physical volume knob was a drawback, and the climate control interface was not intuitive. Higher trims added features like a Bose audio system, SiriusXM, and a 360-degree View Monitor.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system across all trims, with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and access to music accounts. Toyota Connected Services offered features like a Wi-Fi hotspot and a digital voice assistant. The system was user-friendly, though it lacked the ability to display multiple main-menu screens simultaneously. The Platinum trim included a head-up display, digital rear-view mirror, and a JBL premium audio system.

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 boasted a comprehensive standard safety suite, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitors, and more. The Premium Plus trim added features like an adaptive front-lighting system and a 360-degree View Monitor. While crash test results were pending, the outgoing model had earned high safety ratings, and expectations were high for the new model.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a range of standard safety features and driver-assistance technologies. Proactive Driving Assist was included, though it was found to be irritating in some situations. The Grand Highlander received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA but fell short of a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS due to headlight performance and frontal-impact protection.