The Highlander Limited's optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The CX-9 doesn't offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the Highlander and the CX-9 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and with its optional front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Highlander its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2016, a rating granted to only 73 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The CX-9 has not been tested, yet.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Highlander for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mazda doesn't pay scheduled maintenance for the CX-9.

There are over 69 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Mazda dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Highlander's warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates' 2015 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota 9th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 19 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 23rd, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates' 2015 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota third in reliability, above the industry average. With 29 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 15th.

The Highlander's optional 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 20 more horsepower (270 vs. 250) than the CX-9's 2.5 turbo 4 cyl.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota Highlander uses regular unleaded gasoline. The CX-9 requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

For better stopping power the Highlander's front brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-9:

The Highlander is 8.3 inches shorter than the CX-9, making the Highlander easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Highlander has standard seating for 8 passengers; the CX-9 can only carry 7.

The Highlander has 9.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CX-9 (144.9 vs. 135.1).

The Highlander has 1.4 inches more front headroom, 3.2 inches more front legroom, .5 inches more front hip room, 1.4 inches more front shoulder room, 1.4 inches more rear headroom, 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room, .5 inches more third row headroom, 5.5 inches more third row hip room and 1.9 inches more third row shoulder room than the CX-9.

The Highlander's cargo area provides more volume than the CX-9.

The Highlander's optional rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The CX-9's rear cargo window doesn't open.

Maximum trailer towing in the Mazda CX-9 is limited to 3500 pounds. The Highlander offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

The Highlander has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. The CX-9 only offers an automatic headlight on/off feature as an extra cost option.

The Highlander's standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mazda charges extra for heated mirrors on the CX-9.

Standard air conditioned seats in the Highlander Limited/Platinum keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The CX-9 doesn't offer air conditioned seats.

On extremely cold Winter days, the Highlander Platinum's standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The CX-9 doesn't offer a heated steering wheel.

The Toyota Highlander has won recognition from these important consumer publications: