Toyota Grand Highlander vs Mazda CX-70

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was a substantial addition to Toyota's lineup, positioned between the Highlander and Sequoia. Built on the TNGA-K platform, it shared its underpinnings with the Highlander, RAV4, Sienna, and Camry, distinguishing itself from the body-on-frame Sequoia. Its design was more conservative and blocky, reminiscent of the Ford Explorer and Kia Telluride, with a trapezoidal grille and narrow headlights that echoed the rugged 4Runner. Inside, the Grand Highlander offered three trims: XLE, Limited, and Platinum, with Softex synthetic leather on the XLE and real leather on higher trims. The interior was spacious, with thoughtful features like a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat, heated front seats, and a large center console. The Grand Highlander excelled as a road-trip vehicle, boasting 13 cupholders, seven USB-C ports, and a reputation for mechanical reliability.

The 2025 Mazda CX-70, on the other hand, presented a sporty appearance with redesigned front and rear fasciae, a different grille insert, and dark accents. It looked slightly smaller than the CX-90, despite sharing its platform. Inside, the CX-70 offered a red leather treatment unique to this model, with quality materials and appealing textures. The SUV was available in three configurations: 3.3 Turbo, 3.3 Turbo S, and PHEV, with prices ranging from $41,910 to $58,905. The CX-70's interior was upscale, with heated front seats, a triple-zone automatic climate control system, and leather upholstery. The Premium Plus trim added heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. While the CX-70 didn't match luxury models in sophistication, it offered a compelling package for its price.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander offered three engine options. The base 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine produced 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid option delivered 245 combined net horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. The top-tier Hybrid Max powertrain, a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid, generated 362 combined net horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. Both gas and hybrid engines were available with FWD and AWD, while the Hybrid Max was AWD-only. The Hybrid Max boasted a 0-60 mph time of 6.3 seconds. The Grand Highlander was known for its solid brakes and adequate acceleration, though its steering feel was somewhat numb. It offered three drive modes: Sport, Eco, and Normal, with additional modes for AWD-equipped models.

The 2025 Mazda CX-70 featured a turbocharged 3.3-liter inline six-cylinder engine in the Turbo and Turbo S models. The Turbo produced 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, while the Turbo S delivered 340 hp and 369 lb-ft, requiring premium fuel. The CX-70 PHEV combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a 68-kilowatt electric motor, producing 323 hp and 369 lb-ft. It offered 26 miles of electric-only range and 25 mpg in hybrid mode. All CX-70 models had an eight-speed automatic transmission and AWD. The Turbo and Turbo S models had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, while the PHEV could tow 3,500 lbs. The CX-70's handling was athletic, with responsive steering and sizable brakes, though the ride could be brittle on imperfect pavement.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was notably larger than its rivals, measuring 201.4 inches in length with a 116.1-inch wheelbase. It offered 97.5 cubic feet of cargo space, with 57.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 20.6 cubic feet with all seats up. The interior was spacious and comfortable, with ample head, leg, and shoulder room in every row. The Grand Highlander provided a viable alternative to minivans for those seeking space without compromising on style.

The 2025 Mazda CX-70 accommodated up to five people, with heated front seats and a triple-zone automatic climate control system as standard. The Premium Plus trim added heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. The CX-70's front seats were supportive, though adjustable side bolsters would have been beneficial. Cargo space was generous, with 39.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 75.3 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. The CX-70 offered various cargo-enhancing accessories, including an organizer and roof-rail crossbars.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering dual-device Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. An intelligent assistant was available via a connected-services subscription, along with cloud-based navigation and live agent assistance. The Limited and Platinum trims featured an 11-speaker JBL stereo, and streaming audio integration was available. Toyota's tech offerings had improved significantly, though subscription options required careful consideration.

The 2025 Mazda CX-70 featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. Mazda Connect offered touch-sensing capability for wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a control knob and volume toggle on the center console. Alexa Built-in provided a conversational digital voice assistant, enhancing the system's usability. Most CX-70 models had a 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround-sound system, delivering excellent sound quality. The CX-70 also offered an Active Driving Display and a camera-based digital rearview mirror.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 as standard. This suite included automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert with steering assist, lane-tracing assist, road-sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control was also standard, with four following-distance settings.

The 2025 Mazda CX-70 came with i-ActiveSense, a comprehensive suite of ADAS features. The Premium trim added semi-autonomous steering-assistance features, including active blind-spot assist and emergency lane-keeping assist. The CX-70 also featured Cruising & Traffic Support with Unresponsive Driver Support, providing hands-on semi-autonomous driving assistance. The NHTSA awarded the CX-70 five stars overall, and the IIHS named it a Top Safety Pick+.