Toyota Highlander vs Mazda CX-90: fuel economy and fuel cost
In model year 2026 the Toyota Highlander is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $1,860 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (Highlander Hybrid LTD/PLAT, 35 MPG combined), against $2,620 for the Mazda CX-90 (CX-90, 25 MPG combined). That is $760 a year, or $3,800 over five years.
One of the two is offered only with a hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrain in this model year; the other has gasoline configurations. Costs assume 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel and electricity prices for both vehicles, using the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Each figure is rounded to $10 and every difference is calculated from the rounded values.
- Hybrid
- Standard SUVs
Toyota Highlander
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Highlander Hybrid LTD/PLAT
$12.40 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
3 configurations in MY2026
- Hybrid
- Standard SUVs
Mazda CX-90
Lowest fuel cost configuration
CX-90
Plug-in versions (electric or plug-in hybrid) are not used for this headline; see the powertrain table below.
$17.47 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
3 configurations in MY2026
What the fuel costs
Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration
- Toyota Highlander$1,860 a year · $12.40 per 100 mi
- Mazda CX-90$2,620 a year · $17.47 per 100 mi
Difference per year
$760
Toyota Highlander costs less to fuel
Over 5 years
$3,800
$760 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
Head to head, MY2026
| Measure | Toyota Highlander | Mazda CX-90 |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest-cost configuration | Highlander Hybrid LTD/PLAT | CX-90 |
| Powertrain | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Combined rating | 35 MPG (better) | 25 MPG |
| City rating | 35 MPG (better) | 23 MPG |
| Highway rating | 34 MPG (better) | 28 MPG |
| Annual fuel cost | $1,860/yr (better) | $2,620/yr |
| Cost per 100 miles | $12.40 (better) | $17.47 |
| Annual cost range, all configurations | $1,860–$2,750 | $2,290–$3,190 |
| Configurations in MY2026 | 3 | 3 |
| EPA class | Standard SUVs | Standard SUVs |
Best configuration by powertrain
| Powertrain | Toyota Highlander | Mazda CX-90 |
|---|---|---|
| Gas | 24 MPG · $2,750/yr Highlander | Not offered in MY2026 |
| Hybrid | 35 MPG · $1,860/yr Highlander Hybrid LTD/PLAT | 25 MPG · $2,620/yr CX-90 |
| Plug-in hybrid | Not offered in MY2026 | 26 MPG gas-only · $2,290/yr CX-90 |
Each cell shows the combined rating and the annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration with that powertrain.
Where each one comes out ahead
Generated from the numbers above, comparing the lowest fuel cost configurations. No subjective judgements.
Toyota Highlander
- Lower annual fuel cost: $1,860 vs $2,620
- Higher combined rating: 35 MPG vs 25 MPG
- Higher city rating: 35 MPG vs 23 MPG
- Higher highway rating: 34 MPG vs 28 MPG
- Offers gas configurations in MY2026; the Mazda CX-90 does not
Mazda CX-90
- Offers plug-in hybrid configurations in MY2026; the Toyota Highlander does not
Year by year
| Model year | Toyota Highlander | Mazda CX-90 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combined | Per year | Combined | Per year | |
| 2026 | 24–35 MPG | $1,860–$2,750 | 25–26 MPG | $2,290–$3,190 |
| 2025 | 24–35 MPG | $1,860–$2,750 | 25 MPG | $2,380–$3,240 |
| 2024 | 24–36 MPG | $1,820–$2,750 | 25 MPG | $2,380–$3,240 |
Earlier model years are costed with today's fuel prices, so the table shows how each model's efficiency changed, not what fuel cost at the time. Ranges cover every configuration of that model year.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to fuel, the Toyota Highlander or the Mazda CX-90?
The Toyota Highlander is cheaper: about $1,860 a year against $2,620 for the Mazda CX-90, a difference of $760 a year. That compares the lowest-cost configuration of each in model year 2026 at 15,000 miles a year with the same fuel prices.
How much would the Toyota Highlander save over five years?
About $3,800 ($760 a year for five years), assuming 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel prices. Your total depends on how much you drive and on local prices; see fuel cost by state.
Which has the better fuel economy rating, the Toyota Highlander or the Mazda CX-90?
The Toyota Highlander is rated 35 MPG combined against 25 MPG for the Mazda CX-90. City: 35 MPG vs 23 MPG. Highway: 34 MPG vs 28 MPG. These are the EPA ratings of each model's lowest-cost configuration.
How is the annual fuel cost calculated?
Distance of 15,000 miles a year at the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Gasoline is priced at $4.36/gal (EIA U.S. average for regular, Sep 2026) and electricity at 18.3¢/kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, Jul 2026); premium and diesel configurations use their own EIA prices. Each result is rounded to $10, and differences are calculated from the rounded figures.
Are the Toyota Highlander and the Mazda CX-90 in the same class?
Yes. The EPA classes both as Standard SUVs.
Explore these cars
- Toyota Highlander: ratings, trims and every model year
- Mazda CX-90: ratings, trims and every model year
- 2026 Toyota Highlander: all configurations
- 2026 Mazda CX-90: all configurations
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