The MAZDA CX-9 Vs. Toyota Highlander

The market for three-row SUVs has never been hotter, and many prospective shoppers find themselves conflicted between the MAZDA CX-9 and the competing Toyota Highlander. Both of these midsize SUVs offer three interior rows with seating for up to eight passengers and stunning interior amenities, but for most shoppers at our Mazda dealerships in NC, the choice for the Mazda CX-9 is clear.

The MAZDA CX-9 Designed to Stand Apart

With just one glance, the Mazda CX-9 tells a poetic tale of elegance in design, form perfectly mated with function, and an exquisite motorsport experience emblematic of the Mazda brand. Its low and wide stance is proudly led by the shield-style grille bearing the signature Mazda logo, and its aerodynamic contouring draws the eye tantalizingly along a muscular body that is a favorite among shoppers at Mazda of Raleigh.

The Toyota Highlander, by contrast, features a much more pedestrian style that, even with its numerous aesthetic packages, can’t outshine the classical design language that characterizes the Mazda CX-9.

The MAZDA CX-9 Powers Ahead

One of the most notable distinguishing features between the Mazda CX-9 and the Toyota Highlander is their powertrains. The Mazda CX-9 lineup is characterized by a single inline-four engine rated for 290 horsepower. When paired with a performance-inspired chassis, this SUV is capable of devouring curves and straightaways with equal responsiveness and finesse.

The Toyota Highlander, on the other hand, is marked by a gas-guzzling V6 that barely approaches the Mazda’s efficiency and delivers unremarkable handling.

The MAZDA CX-9 Exudes Interior Luxury

The Mazda CX-9 interior exudes sophistication and high-performance finesse from its crisp and streamlined 10.3-inch touchscreen display above the center console to the premium rotary dial beneath the leather-wrapped shifter.

The Toyota Highlander features options for a 12.3-inch screen, but it further crowds an already cluttered dashboard control array. It boasts slightly more legroom across its rear two rows, but its standard trims simply don’t have the premium feel and finish of the Mazda CX-9.

Test Drive the MAZDA CX-9 Today

If you’re still having trouble deciding, the best course of action is to test drive the Mazda CX-9 for yourself. Call or visit Medlin Mazda to experience this remarkable sports utility vehicle today.