This Japanese three-row crossover has something that the Toyota Grand Highlander lacks

In the three-row crossover segment, buyers are spoiled for choice, with models like the Toyota Grand Highlander and Mazda CX-90 offering space, technology and efficiency that seemed impossible a decade ago. Both vehicles target families who want SUV functionality without stepping into a big truck-based platform, and both succeed in very different ways. The Grand Highlander leans heavily on Toyota’s well-deserved reputation for hybrid efficiency, reliability and value, making it an easy recommendation for prudent long-term ownership. However, the Mazda CX-90 approaches the segment from a more progressive and driver-focused angle, combining premium aspirations with advanced electrification.

While design, interior quality and driving dynamics all help the CX-90 stand out, there is one benefit that fundamentally changes the way the car fits into everyday life. That’s Mazda’s decision to offer a true plug-in hybrid powertrain, and not just a conventional hybrid. For many owners, this one choice changes commuting costs, fueling habits and even how often the engine needs to be run at all. In a segment where small differences matter, the CX-90’s plug-in capability creates a meaningful and practical lead over the Toyota Grand Highlander.

A plug-in hybrid option that allows the CX-90 to run on electricity alone

Mazda’s plug-in hybrid CX-90 can function as a true electric car for short trips, something the Toyota Grand Highlander simply cannot do. With a usable battery pack and external charging option, the CX-90 allows drivers to run daily errands or commute without burning a drop of gasoline. This immediately changes the ownership experience from an efficient SUV to something much more akin to an electric car with a spare engine.

The Grand Highlander’s hybrid system, while impressive, is always dependent on gasoline to some extent. The electric motors support the engine instead of replacing it for meaningful distances. In contrast, the CX-90 PHEV gives owners direct control over when and how they use electricity, making the vehicle more adaptable to modern driving habits.

True EV-only commuting that the Grand Highlander simply can’t match

For many households, daily driving consists of short journeys that fall well within the electric range of the Mazda CX-90. Deliveries to school, shopping and commuting can often be completed entirely on battery power if the vehicle is charged overnight. This means quieter driving, no tailpipe emissions during those journeys and a noticeably smoother experience in stop-and-go traffic.

The Toyota Grand Highlander, even in hybrid form, cannot replicate this ownership pattern. The engine will cycle on and off frequently, especially when accelerating or at higher speeds. Over time, CX-90 PHEV owners will realize that they are using gas much less often than expected, while Grand Highlander drivers will continue to visit the pump regularly.

More flexibility in the powertrain thanks to Mazda’s PHEV strategy

Mazda’s plug-in hybrid approach gives the CX-90 a wider operating range than the Toyota Grand Highlander. Drivers can choose electric-only driving, hybrid driving or a mixed mode that prioritizes performance when needed. This flexibility makes the CX-90 equally at home in city commuting, highway cruising and long-distance driving.

The Grand Highlander’s powertrain choices are more limited in how they behave on a day-to-day basis. Although Toyota offers several hybrid configurations, none allow the driver to meaningfully separate gas mileage from short-distance driving. Mazda’s PHEV strategy essentially sees one car replace two roles: as an EV during the week and as a long-distance SUV at the weekend.

Lower fuel costs and fewer gas station stops thanks to plug-in options

One of the most tangible benefits of the CX-90’s plug-in system is that fuel economy decreases over time. With regular charging, many owners can go weeks between fill-ups, especially if most of the driving is local. Electricity is generally cheaper per kilometer than petrol, which in practice increases operating costs even further.

The Grand Highlander hybrid is efficient, but it can’t eliminate fuel consumption in the same way. Even a modest daily drive will still add up at the pump. The CX-90 PHEV’s ability to shift energy consumption from gasoline to electricity can translate into significant savings and increased convenience over several years of ownership.

Future-proof electrification that gives the CX-90 an edge

As emissions regulations tighten and charging infrastructure continues to expand, plug-in hybrids occupy a strategic middle ground. The CX-90 is already geared for a future where partial electrification is increasingly encouraged or incentivized. Owners are getting introduced to EV-style driving without fully committing to a battery-electric vehicle.

The Toyota Grand Highlander, while efficient today, feels more rooted in the past by comparison. The hybrid system is optimized for fuel savings, not for drivers’ transition to electrification. In the long term, Mazda’s decision to offer a plug-in hybrid gives the CX-90 a clearer path forward as consumer expectations and regulatory pressures continue to evolve.

Sources: Mazda US & Car and Driver