It pretty much comes down to whether you actually need to use the 3rd row for anyone older than pre-teens. If so, then the Grand Highlander is really the only choice.
Nice review! My gripe with it is that the fuel consumption figures you quoted for the Mazda are only after the battery is completely depleted. When it still has battery capacity the fuel consumption is significantly better (most people will start their day with a full battery since it can charge on a regular plug completely full overnight).
I'm a bit of a Mazda fan so I'd take the CX-90, probably in I6 form since that's my favorite engine type (even though I'm not against the idea of a PHEV) Grand Highlander looks great but if fuel economy, functionality and space is top of mind I'd probably go to the Sienna Hybrid van. Granted with the current NA market in love with SUVs I suspect the Grand Highlander will sell like hot cakes.
Great review. Since these are 3 row SUV’s I wish somebody would at least review them with at least 6 adults on board and maybe some cargo. It would be interesting to see how they perform.
Great review Jay, have you had a chance to drive hybrid max? If so how do you compare this with phev, also cabin noise difference between cx 90 and GH. Is the cx 90 bit harsh on tbe road compared to GH?
@Modern.Motoring Great review Jay, have you had a chance to drive hybrid max? If so how do you compare this with phev, also cabin noise difference between cx 90 and GH. Is the cx 90 bit harsh on tbe road compared to GH?
Thanks for the kind words! Toyota only put the Limited Hybrid on the media fleet so far; not sure if the Hybrid Max will be added in the coming months. The 90 was quieter for cabin noise, thanks in part to the ECVT absence that the GH has.
Are you a long term owner? Get the highlander. The 2.5 hybrid is proven and robust. Short term owner? Get whatever is important to you. The cx90 is too new to know long term, however, the lay out is complicated and if failures occurs it will be much more extensive/expensive than the highlander.
@thaphenom9446 there is very little actually new about the highlander. From the 2.5 hybrid powertrain and mg1 mg2 transmission, to electric motor awd system, to it being built on toyotas TNGA platform. All proven systems ,used across multiple vehicles, put into a somewhat new body. The 2.4 hybrid max is a bit newer but that is not the vehicle in this. Everything in the cx90 is new.
Unless you really need a Wale of a car space wise than CX90 is just a better designed and build vehicle . Grand Highlander is almost a mini van alternative if you really need that much of space , of course you will pay for it in driving dullness and handling performance so even lot of HP that may make it quick is not enough to address the fact that too much is Not good... Mazda traditionally is all about balance not about utility as priority what actually is a very easy and lazy strategy , just make it huge and it will sell.
