2023 Mazda CX-5 vs 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander

The 2023 Mazda CX-5, despite its age, continued to be a strong contender in the compact crossover SUV market. It was praised for its stylish design and high-quality materials, which gave it a luxurious feel. The available turbocharged engine provided impressive power, and the model boasted a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS. However, the CX-5 had its drawbacks, including a small back seat, limited cargo space, and a frustrating infotainment system. Mazda's decision to transition the CX-5 to the CX-50 was part of a broader marketing strategy, similar to Infiniti's renaming of the G37. The CX-5 was available in eight versions, with prices ranging from $26,700 to $41,655, depending on the trim and options.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was a new addition to Toyota's lineup, offering a larger and more spacious alternative to the standard Highlander. Built on the TNGA-K platform, it shared its underpinnings with several other Toyota models. The Grand Highlander was notably larger than its competitors, with a length of 201.4 inches and a wheelbase of 116.1 inches. It offered a comfortable and well-built interior, with ample head, leg, and shoulder room in all three rows. The Grand Highlander was available in three trims: XLE, Limited, and Platinum, with various upholstery options. It was designed for road trips, with a focus on comfort and quality materials.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options. The base model featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. It had an EPA fuel economy rating of 26 mpg in combined driving. The more powerful 2.5 Turbo variant delivered 256 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel, or 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft on regular gas. This engine also came with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD, with an EPA rating of 24 mpg combined. The CX-5's updates in 2022 improved its structural rigidity, suspension, and transmission, enhancing its driving dynamics and making it feel more like an entry-level luxury vehicle.

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 combined a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine with hybrid technology, producing 362 combined net horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. The Grand Highlander was available with front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, except for the Hybrid Max, which was AWD only. The Hybrid Max offered impressive acceleration, with a 0-60 mph time of 6.3 seconds. The Grand Highlander featured three drive modes: Sport, Eco, and Normal, with additional off-road modes for AWD models.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 received updates in 2022, including improved front seats for better comfort and support. It offered a range of features, such as power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated seats, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The Signature trim included Nappa leather upholstery. However, the CX-5's interior space was limited, with small storage areas, a cramped back seat, and a cargo capacity of 30.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 59.3 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was larger than its competitors, with a length of 201.4 inches and a wheelbase of 116.1 inches. It offered a spacious interior with 97.5 cubic feet of total cargo capacity, 57.9 cubic feet behind the second row, and 20.6 cubic feet with all three rows up. The Grand Highlander provided ample head, leg, and shoulder room in every row, making it comfortable for passengers, including those in the third row.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 featured the Mazda Connect infotainment system with a 10.25-inch display. While visually appealing, the system was criticized for its lack of a helpful voice recognition system and awkward physical controls. The control knob required twists and pushes to execute commands, making it distracting to use while driving. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a three-year trial of Mazda Connected Services. Upper trims offered a 10-speaker Bose audio system and a surround-view camera system.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering a significant improvement over Toyota's previous interface. An intelligent assistant, activated by saying "Hey Toyota," was available through a connected-services subscription. The system included dual-device Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Limited and Platinum trims featured an 11-speaker JBL stereo. Streaming audio integration and Sirius XM satellite radio were available, with a three-month trial subscription.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 offered a comprehensive suite of driver assistance technologies under the i-Activsense banner. Standard features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The 2.5 Turbo Signature trim added a surround-view camera system, parking sensors, and Traffic Jam Assist. The CX-5 received five-star ratings from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. However, it came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 as standard, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert with steering assist, lane-tracing assist, road-sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring. The adaptive cruise control offered four following-distance settings.