HOW TO DECIDE BETWEEN MAZDA CX-90 and TOYOTA GRAND HIGHLANDER 

Couldn't agree more. I have owned Toyota, Mazda and Honda and Mazda just does it right....blows them away IMO.

generally I would agree. I always passed up the Toyota when I was buying a new car. But after the Grand and Crown, I am now a Toyota fan....also a Lexus fan. I always loved the look of the mazda. Classy yet sheik. But every time I test drove one, I found it to be noisy. One of the reasons I never bought a Toyota RAV is for that cabin noise. Mazda was the same for me but maybe now it's different. I was looking for an NX or RX hybrid Mazda equivalent. Sadly they don't really have a hybrid in those models yet. If Mazda made a mid size hybrid like with the CX-90 interior, I'd be 80% sold. Only thing that holds me back is resale value and possibly some reliability since Lexus has them beat.

​@@joelgarcia3907hell no. Toyota are wayyyy noisier

Cope.

Did you pay less than MSRP?

The engine shuts off? Huh? Please explain.

hybrid engine

… and in the repair shop! 🤣

But TOYOTA MADE IN JAPAN. not the US made

I currently own a Acura MDX 2011 with SH-AWD with 300HP. My Acura experience was amazing for my purchase at the time. I just recently test drove the Acura A-spec 2023 with 788 miles off a lease and the car is only a year old, poor quality of interior suede and leather mix on the seats ages horribly. The interior is ok but in comparison to my 2011 leather and real wood accents it looks like crap. The rims were also chipped with such little miles. Salesman got me into the MDX Advance, nothing advanced about it other than it was more money and just as underwhelming and unimpressive. When i got in, the interior was bland, lots of gimmicky features that are useless. I haul a family of 6 with luggage, so the car has to have great handling when off road and on the pavement. The SH-AWD makes a huge difference when driving in the snow or rain, my 2011 has a city driving if 16 MPG and 20.5 Highway but i have a hell of an engjne that has lots of low end torque. I assume the 2023 MDX which 4th generation of my car would have been amazing but instead no performance, overpriced, engine underwhelming and the safety features like the side-mirrors were actually smaller than those of my 2011 MDX but the car is actually 6 inches longer. The brake pedal was mushy and the comfort,normal or sports mode settings are nothing but a placebo button. The sports plus mode opens the throttle but that is it. In summary , i am no longer a fan of Acura. Specifically when you are spending $65k of my hard earned money. The one thing i found amazing about the safety features which would be awesome to have from the highlander platinum is the rear view camera mirror. That is extremely helpful when driving with 6 passengers and cargo and you have nice rear view. By pressing a button on the mirror, the rear mirror becomes a camera, that provides a clear view of what is behind you, just like when the car is empty and your ciew is bot obstructed. That should be standard in every SUV with 6 or more passengers. I am not going to lie, i am also looking at an used BMW X5, as for the highlander i am Looking at a 2022 model because of the 6cyl engine which naturally aspirated.

Many thanks!

Hope you won't be needing to pass anyone on a 2 lane road with 3 passengers.

Couldn’t agree more on the poor materials in Acura’s. I have a 2008 TL with 128k miles. All leather seats have badly cracked. As I remember the cracking started when the car was only 6/7 years old. Other interior materials also didn’t age well, which makes the car looks like a 30 year old. The car also has been slowly leaking engine oil for at least 5 years and one major mechanical failure when it was only 85k miles. My 2009 mazda CX9, also bought new , leather and interior still looks excellent after 15 years with 150K miles, and not a single mechanical issue.

Must not have seen the GH Plat in portobello.

I heard that many cx9/90 have sensitive wheel bearing, it could be damaged at daily driving

@@graceli1878 sure

@@graceli1878People hear a lot of stuff don’t they?

That’s funny. No it doesn’t. If you want a BMW get a 3 year old X5.

@@gordonschiff3621 hell not... endless money pit. Absolutely not

Tell the UAW that.

USA makes shitty cars, lazy factory works with no pride in craftsmanship. Tesla made in usa Crap... quality build

"1st and most important and game changer is MADE IN JAPAN (not American low quality made)" -- And yet the latest Highlander and Grand Highlander have much higher reliability ratings than the CX-90 (which already had repeated recalls). So much for bullshit stereotypes. BTW, between the two, I would like take the CX-90, but I am not delusional about the automatic reliability superiority of Japanese built.

You choose the wrong car. All toyotas lack charisma and driving enjoyment. Cx90 turbo spp blows it out

@@mbenton6, I LOVE my RX450H+ and the TX will just be a larger version of that with the V6 mated to the PHEV Powertrain.... How could I go wrong? The CX does look nice and I did enjoy the drive of my Mazda6... but the overall quality wasn't as good as Toyota. I like the idea of an inline 6 Turbo, but Fuel economy is more important to me than fast for my every day driver.

@mbenton6 you seem a little salty, your cx90 must still be in the shop for those transmission issues.

Which has a V6? Do you mean inline 6? And is the turbo 4 really “buzzy”?

@@ALMX5DP yes, i edited the comment, good catch. 6 cylinder* yes, all 4 bangers are buzzy when they’re pulling heavier vehicles

@@JokerG16 David’s review of the GH seemed to suggest it was quite smooth. He did note it was a little louder than the outgoing V6 but I do not remember him making any mention of it being buzzy or similar.

You Should have bought The cx90

I have a 2020 Rav. Bumpy Ride, loud and sounds like the window is cracked with all the cabin noise. I have to talk on speaker on my cell phone because the car play doesn’t work. It’s losing power while riding down the highway. The auto start sounds like the engine is about to give out when you drive off from a red light and the driver seat cover is broken. It’s an absolute mess. It has 40k miles on it, I’m old and work from home so not much use these days. I’m about to trade it for another brand.

Well the Gran Highlander is a new vehicle, actually a whole new platform for Toyota, so I wouldn’t say is been tested, now the difference in between the Highlander and G Highlander are night and day and they share a lot of components. Can’t speak for the Mazda.

Nah....Mazda is just about as reliable as this point so think this is a moot point. The Grand Highlander is basically a brand new vehicle as well.

I know of someone who owns MDX, and when they wish they had wauted for the GH. The specs that come with the GH is incredible. Digital key, more space, over the air updates, and many more that cx90 doesn't come with. I got myself a GH limited hybrid AWD and I love it.s quiet, roomier, more space and it feels like luxury. I will highly recommend the Grand highlander.

@@yawk1683 did you pay less than MSRP? How easy was it to get?

@gosman949 I paid msrp, nothing more nothing less. Some few additions like the panoramic moonroof/view monitor, etc got me to approximately 55k.

It drives nothing like the cx90

I don’t think numbers are important. It’ll be up to each prospective consumer whether the vehicle sufficiently fills their specific wants or needs.

@@ALMX5DP So HP is presented as it is only slightly higher in CX90 but torque is much better in Mazda even on regular fuel

19's don't help the ride quality on CX-90. It rides to stiff for everyday driver compared to others in segment.

@@jd467 I test drive bought and they did make ride softer if that it what you like , also check air pressure some times delaers do not adjust tire pressure from the delivery truck and it is set to 50psi ! It happned to me test driving one , after dropping to 34psi it was much much more compliant and better riding ....

Get a minivan

@@mbenton6 i hate minivans

@@danielmelendez9943 GH is a minivan

@@mbenton6 i leaning more towards BMW X5

@@danielmelendez9943 I bought a cx90 turbo S PP. Best and most exciting $65,000 I will ever spend on a new vehicle that is dynamic. I will send you some pics of my car

How does it do on gas? Thanks. Is the Max worth it?

@golferpro1241 26-27 MPG with mostly city driving around Chicago. It's by far the most fun to drive, and I enjoy the additional sport trim, exposed exhaust, gold accents, and ultrasuede seats, so for me, it's worth it. If you don't care about the extras or a much faster and smoother ride, then MAX isn't necessary.

GH is underpowered, just as the heavy Sienna is. The 3.5 2GR is greatly missed. I drove a TX yesterday and with a load, it’s a dog. The 4 banger just isn’t enough. Toyota punted rather than keep the 3.5. They say 362 HP but it was weaker and slower than my 2018 Sienna 3.5.

​@letsgobrandon5800 I've been driving my hybrid MAX for 5 months now and I guarantee I'd spank your Siena by a longshot. 0-60 in 5.8 seconds isn't underpowered, especially weighing 5000 lbs. It's the 400 lb ft of torque that provides the power. The TX Is slower unless you get the F sport.

The GH has the best MPG. Unfortunately, it has no soul. #teammazda

he's been talking about it

@@JokerG16 I haven't seen any recent videos about it

He's left us high and dry

Ask for a 6 cylinder. My wife's sedan has a turbo 4... I'm not interested in an SUV with the same engine.

I got myself the same GH hybrid limited AWD. I'm not sure of the drone sound but if it's similar to what I hear it my 2016 prius then no. The GH is silent. I don't hear anything until engine kicks but when it's on the hybrid, it sounds silent to me.

By drone sound I meant the sound of the hybrid system when you put the car n reverse or start driving then a different sound like a loud whistle.

@ikbaltanwar7293 I'm certain that dies not exist in the GH hybrid limited. It's either silent or sound of the engine when it kicks in. You can test drive to find out.

Yep and that terrific Korean longevity! Not!

Cool, but Japanese is the way.

Mazda does also, 360 camera.

I do not agree with you at all. GH is nothing more than a minivan

@@mbenton6so is the CX90.

@@jml9550 actually its not. Mazda doesn't have a floaty ride. Mazda has a sports tuned suspension similar to BMW and Mercedes

I think we are missing the point here...if you want something that handles sort of like a sports car, why don't you get a sports car. These two vehicles are meant to move as many people as you could as comfortably as they can...and in those regards the Mazda doesn't hold a candle to the GH. It's bigger on each and every dimension you could possibly imagine. I've been seated both at the dealership and to me it's ridiculous to think about these two being in the same category space wise.

Well put. Both are great SUVs. Depends on the priorities.

Cannot be flat. Rear wheel drive bias as opposed to the front shell bias of the Toyota. Engineers can only do so much, they cannot escape physics.

@@JackSmith-qi7drthat tunnel is also on the cx9 and other mazda vehicles. It shouldn’t have anything to do with rear wheel drive bias. It is something to do with the structural reinforcement of the chassis.

Mazda is the most underrated carmaker in the world. Get ready for the Cx70, next Gen Miata, new rotary RX9 and I6 sedan in next few years ! All made in Japan.

I bought the GH less than 3 weeks ago - the Tx, equipped equally as the GH will cost roughly 17-20K more

​@waltereichnerlynch2574 I choose the cx90. It looks good in and out and drives like a BMW or Mecedes. Don't like floaty vehicles

Does not fall under the Toyota corporate umbrella. They share info on electric vehicles, that is the extent. Same as sharing info with BMW.

@@davidhitchings5678 Toyota owns 20 percent of Subaru. Owns 0% of BMW.

Do timing needs replacement?

Timing chains usually never needs service since they get constant oil lubrication.

4000 lbs. Try again.

@@joelc9329 4455-4710 according to Toyota.

Nothing about this car is sporty... nothing

​@@mbenton6lol

Timing chain, very reliable. Can outlast engins

agreed

Its the timing chain a maintenance item like timing belt?

Car Care Nut is such a Toyota apologist. What he says is only relevant if the engine proves to be unreliable.

@@sheldonduffy9442 If you check his videos he praised many different brands over time including Honda and others, between them Mazda for their 4 cylinder. In my experience there is not such a thing as a totally bulletproof engine (particularly considering that this is the first attempt of Mazda for such an engine) and an engine that is not build with maintenance and repair in mind is really scary. If you want to be the lab rat you are welcome, I will pass in this particularly when there is a reliable engine choice available (the plug in hybrid)

Hi, the review was already posted a while back…

@@AutomotivePressDid you go to Hawaii for the drive event? I saw that one. But I thought you said you just had the GH for a week, so I figured you'd have more to say.

Can you even get them though??

You can. I got myself a GH limied in hybrid and I love it. More space and my kids love it.

It's cheap looking with hard plastics and bland interior

It's unlikely to need such work.... Maybe after 200,000 Miles.....Maybe. I can see it being a slightly more realistic concern if it was a timing belt.

@@markallen2984yeah interesting that someone would say an engine has an “issue” simply because of the location of a particular component, especially one that should be able to go a couple hundred thousand miles before needing service. Or was OP referring to an actual issue with the timing assembly perhaps? I haven’t heard of any yet so just curious.

I doubt most people will have an issue with a timing chain.

@@markallen2984a Mazda going 200000 .? Not sure about that . Love the car but their history is a gamble as there are lemons in between the good ones . My son in laws , they can’t find the tranny solenoid problem . It’s a gamble driving . Hope that chain never stretches .

Go to the car care nut and listen to his review before you get so critical. It’s really quite enlightening

No body cares about that shi**. I still bought my Cz90 turbo S PP. That video is trash

Quite a biased review, is really only relevant if the vehicle has a multitude of issues that involve dropping the engine. Now, when maintenance and repairs ARE needed the CX90 will likely cost more. However, he says things like the CX90 handles “bad” which is totally untrue. He also complains about the doors sounding cheap when shut, also not true. I could go on…however, it is pretty obvious that the Car Care Nut has a real Toyota bias.

Why need to pull the engine out? Which part needs to repair?? Timing chain?? Does it need a replacement?

No im talking about general repairs. Watch “the car care nut” on RU-vid, he’s a Toyota/lexus certified mechanic. He did a thorough review of this car and said there is not much room in the engine bay if you ever have to bring it in for major repairs, like the timing chain etc. also the cx90 is a brand new model, you never want to buy the first year of a new model. I think it’s best to let Mazda work out the bugs on this model before considering buying.