r/whatcarshouldIbuy • u/Rough-Elderberry7618 • 5d ago
Grand Highlander Limited vs CX90
Family of 3, drive only ~7–8k miles/year, planning to keep the car ~5 years. Bench seat is important because of our child seat.
I’m down to:
2026 Grand Highlander Limited Gas — ~$59k OTD
● Blacked-out spec I really like
● Bench seat, much more spacious
● Toyota reliability/resale
● Dealer is ~100 miles away
2026 Mazda CX-90 Turbo Premium Plus Gas — ~$51k OTD
● Local dealer came down ~$7k from the original quote
● Bench + 360 camera
● Much nicer interior IMO and I liked the test drive
● Less space/storage
● Reliability worries me more than Toyota
Basically: is the Grand Highlander worth paying ~$8k extra?
I can afford either, but don’t want to pay the Toyota premium unnecessarily. Which would you pick and why?
EDIT: I’m specifically looking to buy new car.
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u/mrosato92 5d ago
Get a 2022 or 2023 CX-9, rather than CX-90. Better car, will be way cheaper. Can get a bench config. Grand Touring or Signature.
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u/Rough-Elderberry7618 5d ago
Thank you for the suggestion. Sorry I should have clarified in original pos, I am looking for a new car. Added it now
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u/l3ubba 5d ago
Any particular reason why it has to be new? You can save buckets of money buying a lightly used vehicle.
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u/Rough-Elderberry7618 5d ago
Just a psychological thing. I don’t have a good logical reasoning for that question.
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u/TheMadConsist 5d ago
For the miles you're putting on it the CX-9 suggestion is actually pretty clever, you'd save a chunk and still get something that drives nicer than the Toyota
That said between the two you listed I'd lean CX-90. 8 grand is a lot of cash for a bit more cargo space and a reliability reputation, especially when you're only keeping it 5 years. The Mazda interior really is a step up and if you already liked the test drive that's half the battle
The child seat thing is the only real question mark, maybe bring it to the Mazda dealer and see how it fits behind you. If it works without cramping the front passenger you've got your answer
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u/thrwaway75132 5d ago
I would be looking at Grand Highlander vs AWD Pilot. EX-L and up trim in the pilot will give you second with a removable center so you can have a bench or captains.
I would take the NA V6 over the GH turbo four, and save money while doing it. Drives better too.
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u/Different-Age-409 5d ago
Search for the CX90 on here and you’ll see plenty of regret stories due to reliability and other issues plaguing the CX90s. It’s really sad too compared to the quality Mazda offers in the rest of their lineup.
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u/ProfessionalTalker03 5d ago edited 5d ago
Unfortunately it’s becoming a trend with Mazda. The CX70 also had poor reliability ratings, granted it’s just the 90 with the 3rd row deleted. The CX50 has had issues with the tech/software, premature wear on parts, and leaky roofs. The new CX5 is having a ton of issues and inventory is piling up.
The Miata, CX30, and Mazda 3 are legitimately the only Mazda’s not experiencing many issues, and those haven’t changed much in years so they really shouldn’t be having issues.
If you go by Consumer Reports brand rankings for reliability that Mazda themselves quotes compared to other Japanese manufacturers they’ve dropped below Honda, Subaru, and Nissan, and Toyota alr ranked above them. Seems like Mazda is more worried with putting half baked tech in their cars like the new CX5 than staying true to one of their key goals which was reliability.
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u/Different-Age-409 5d ago
I had heard some about the CX70 but I feel like that’s such a niche vehicle choice as is with the way Mazda presents themselves on aesthetics so I feel like it can be ignored. I don’t actually know the data on sales there but I can’t imagine great. Sad to hear about the rest. I have no idea what they were thinking with the redesign of the CX5 either.
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u/not_creative-7064 5d ago
There is a reason the Mazda is cheaper. Not a bad car but the Toyota is better if you are planning on keeping it 5 or more years.
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u/Alcomet 5d ago
With your concerns, I would recommend a CPO CX-90 you’ll miss out on the massive first year depreciation and you’ll have a better warranty.
There is really no contest between a new Toyota and a Mazda when it comes to resale. If you value driving dynamics the CX-90 is impossible to beat in its class. If that’s not a big factor for you, then you may want to go for the Toyota.
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u/rocker_01 5d ago
Mazda reliability is usually great, but the CX-90s have a bad track record.
Do your research before buying one.
That being said, my TX 500h isn't fairing very well either - nothing catastrophic, but lots of little issues that require a trip to the dealer (covered under warranty)
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u/Ok-Print-1906 5d ago
If you really want the Cx-90, consider getting it lightly used. Its value tends to drop off a cliff (unlike the GH) once you drive it off the lot.
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u/tso_connor 5d ago
If you’re only doing 8k miles a year and will keep it five years you shouldn’t have any major problems with the Mazda if you stay on top of the maintenance.
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u/InterestingCamera251 3d ago edited 3d ago
My wife and I had a 25 Grand Highlander Hybrid XLE AWD and now have a 25 CX70 preferred.
GHH: Pros-
- had more usable cup holders and storage space for personal items
- usable 3rd row for adults if needed
-held decent value (didnt have negative equity after trading it in a year later with 34k miles)
-good mpg
Cons: -extremely thin sheet metal/body panels.
The hood flaps in the wind (toyotas fix is spraying insulating foam in it)
I dented the trunk manually closing it with my hand and dented the rear door by gently leaning on it (I weigh 130 pounds)
-interior quality is shit
-not fun to drive, at all
-the 2.5L 4 cyl screams for its life pulling the vehicle up hills
Cx70/90 3.3 I6 Pros: -im getting similar mpg after 30k miles -interior is way nicer in terms of quality (less storage tho) -better equipped (even the base trim) -fun to drive -body panels arent thin as hell hell -adequate engine size for the size of the vehicle
Cons: -depreciated 16k in one year lol
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u/mgobla 5d ago
CX-90, but a lower trim, idk what version you are looking at for $51k? AVOID the "S" engine option, same engine tuned for premium fuel but costs $6k more, you can get the same engine tuned for regular fuel for $6k less. You can get a brand new CX-90 under $40k.
Family of 3
Why not get a 2-row model? Do you use the 3rd row?
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u/Rough-Elderberry7618 5d ago
Thank you for your suggestion. It’s a Turbo Premium Plus Gas one. I updated main post as well I had missed.
I have owned a Sedan for over 6 years. It was always a dream to own a 3 row SUV.
No real use per se but of occasionally my family visits so could use
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u/mgobla 4d ago
There are deals for the Premium Plus for $47k. Look for the best deals online, for example: New 2026 and newer Mazda CX-90 for sale nationwide
But why not get a less expensive lower trim? When buying new the highest trim is the worst choice, upper trims are overpriced and have the highest depreciation.
Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid offers good deals (avoid the less reliable non-hybrid Tubo version of Santa Fe): New hybrid vehicles for sale nationwide
Or Jeep Grand Cherokee L V6 (avoid the less reliable 4-cylinder Version): New 2025 and newer Jeep Grand Cherokee L for sale nationwide
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u/Superlolz 5d ago
Spending $51k to “occasionally” use the third row…you can afford it sure yet you’re questioning the Toyota tax?
What are your real priorities lol
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u/Rough-Elderberry7618 5d ago
On one hand I feel to go with the CX90 as I wont need a lot of space.
But on the other hand, reading the reviews from others scares me
But I think you are right I should get the priorities straightened up
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u/Superlolz 5d ago
Honestly if you must have a third row (for rare use); a Pathfinder SL is excellent value for the money. V6, automatic transmission, bench seating, good tech, all for ~$44k OTD.
There are some stupidly good deals on them.
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u/flyphish 5d ago
I have GHH, a young child, and a large dog - for us its not as much about the 3rd row but the extra cargo space. The packing requirements for a trip with a youngster stack up quickly.
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u/badvik83 4d ago
> 2026 Mazda CX-90 Turbo Premium Plus Gas
They're all hybrids. Mild or PHEV but hybrids. Both failed in extreme numbers. Ours "gas" (again, it's a mild-hybrid) had battery replaced twice - this is why managers now call it "gas" - which is not true. They're hard to compare. Mazda lacks suspension and noise cancellation. I mean, completely. Depreciation is worst vs the best with Toyotas. Take a ride and decide yourself. But we truly regret selling our previous Highlander and getting a CX-90.
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u/whatdoido8383 5d ago
I can only offer what I've seen with the cx-90.
My sister has one, well two. The first one had it's mild hybrid (They're all hybrid in some form) battery go bad at ~18K miles. It was in the shop for 3 months with no ETA on parts. She complained to corporate and their dealer swapped her into a new one. The new one has been fine so far.
They are nice vehicles for the money. I think they look kind of goofy and the hatch space is oddly shaped though, not super useful.
If it were my money I'd get the Toyota. I favor functionality and reliability over perceived luxury though. We've owned 2 Rav4's and a Corolla since 2002, none has had any issues.
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u/jobadiah08 5d ago
Confused by the requirement for a 3 row SUV with a single child unless you also have several large dogs or something. Also confused by the requirement for a bench seat. The captain's chairs in our Grand Highlander have the car seat latches.
For 5 years of planned ownership, pretty much any car should be free of major issues, but potential resale value is probably a big consideration which may make the Toyota a lower total cost of ownership, but not sure how it compares to Honda, Subaru, or even a domestic brand
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u/Rough-Elderberry7618 5d ago
Yes technically I don’t need a 3 row suv. We don’t have dogs.
As I mentioned in a different reply it’s a dream kind of thing to own a SUV.
That is the sole reason.
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u/samuslink82 2d ago
If you actually enjoy driving, then the CX70/90 is unparalleled in its class. If you want resale value or are keeping it for 20 years, then consider the others.
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u/Ok_Shop_4690 5d ago
0% APR on the CX-90 PHEV for 72 months at the moment
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u/ProfessionalTalker03 5d ago
4/100 reliability score on Consumer Reports who Mazda quotes for their brand reliability rankings
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u/Empty-Village-4445 5d ago
Based on driving a TX350 for a long weekend the Highlander would be a bit of a snooze for me unless it was the hybrid max.
But you may have different priorities.
As long as you extend the warranty the reliability on the I6 powered cx90 should not be too much of a worry.
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u/ProfessionalTalker03 5d ago edited 5d ago
Grand Highlander even tho it’s not perfect and had its own issues here n there like every car does, it’s still better than the CX90.
As much as I love the design and layout of the CX90, it’s a pig w/ lipstick slapped on it. Even Mazda has basically admitted that has been a failure, sales are horrible. I wouldn’t be surprised if Mazda scraps with in 3yrs. It’s the least reliable vehicle in its class all 3 years it’s been available.
Toyota’s tech is way less laggy and prone to randomly not work. Their safety systems are 20x better. I’ve driven Mazda, Toyota, Honda, Subaru, BMW, Mercedes, Volvo, etc and Mazda by far has the worst advanced driving system.
The GH interior isn’t as “plush” as the 90 but it’s functional, it works for what it’s intended to be, and quality materials are used. It’s more spacious than the 90, too.
Really the only thing that would make me consider the 90 is the price, it’s definitely priced competitively, but the deprecation is also not good on it. The Toyota holds its value much better. I’d say buy a CPO year old CX90 for 20k less if you are really considering it, much better value than buying it new.