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2017 Mazda CX-9 compared with the 2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Safety

© 1999 - 2024Advanta-STAR Automotive Research, all rights reserved. This vehicle comparison and all of the content in it are provided only by license from Advanta-STAR Automotive Research Corporation of America (“Advanta-STAR”). If you are not a legally licensed user of this vehicle comparison, it is against federal law to access it, copy it, forward it, or use it in any manner whatsoever. Any unauthorized use of this vehicle comparison is a violation of U.S. and international law and is punishable criminally and civilly. Removal of this watermark/notification without prior written license and approval received from Advanta-STAR is an agreement, understanding, and/or stipulation by the person(s), entities, agents, attorneys, and any other persons involved in the removal of this watermark/notification (including but not limited to Search Optics, LLC and any and all parent entities, sister entities, and subsidiary entities of Search Optics, LLC and/or any other entity, agent, attorney, and persons related in any manner to Search Optics, LLC) to: 1) an agreed upon amount of liquidated monetary damages of a minimum of $1,250,000.00 US Dollars in favor of Advanta-STAR; 2) the jurisdiction and enforcement of any legal claims associated with this matter asserted by Advanta-STAR in the United States Federal District Court in Portand, Oregon; and 3) service of process of any legal claims asserted by Advanta-STAR associated with this matter may be accomplished by First-Class Postage by the United States Postal Service or comparable service. GTAIT-KCTPD 18.218.212.102 2024-10-06

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

Fuel Economy and Range

© 1999 - 2024Advanta-STAR Automotive Research, all rights reserved. This vehicle comparison and all of the content in it are provided only by license from Advanta-STAR Automotive Research Corporation of America (“Advanta-STAR”). If you are not a legally licensed user of this vehicle comparison, it is against federal law to access it, copy it, forward it, or use it in any manner whatsoever. Any unauthorized use of this vehicle comparison is a violation of U.S. and international law and is punishable criminally and civilly. Removal of this watermark/notification without prior written license and approval received from Advanta-STAR is an agreement, understanding, and/or stipulation by the person(s), entities, agents, attorneys, and any other persons involved in the removal of this watermark/notification (including but not limited to Search Optics, LLC and any and all parent entities, sister entities, and subsidiary entities of Search Optics, LLC and/or any other entity, agent, attorney, and persons related in any manner to Search Optics, LLC) to: 1) an agreed upon amount of liquidated monetary damages of a minimum of $1,250,000.00 US Dollars in favor of Advanta-STAR; 2) the jurisdiction and enforcement of any legal claims associated with this matter asserted by Advanta-STAR in the United States Federal District Court in Portand, Oregon; and 3) service of process of any legal claims asserted by Advanta-STAR associated with this matter may be accomplished by First-Class Postage by the United States Postal Service or comparable service. GTAIT-KCTPD 18.218.212.102 2024-10-06

The CX-9 FWD's standard fuel tank has 1.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Highlander Hybrid (19 vs. 17.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The CX-9 AWD's standard fuel tank has 2.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Highlander Hybrid (19.5 vs. 17.2 gallons).

Brakes and Stopping

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The CX-9 stops shorter than the Highlander Hybrid:

 

CX-9

Highlander Hybrid

 

70 to 0 MPH

179 feet

187 feet

Car and Driver

60 to 0 MPH

123 feet

124 feet

Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

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For better traction, the CX-9 has larger tires than the Highlander Hybrid (255/60R18 vs. 245/55R19).

The CX-9 Grand Touring/Signature's tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Highlander Hybrid Limited/Platinum's 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CX-9 Grand Touring/Signature has standard 20-inch wheels. The Highlander Hybrid's largest wheels are only 19-inches.

Suspension and Handling

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The CX-9 has variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Highlander Hybrid doesn't offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-9's wheelbase is 5.5 inches longer than on the Highlander Hybrid (115.3 inches vs. 109.8 inches).

The CX-9 Signature AWD handles at .80 G's, while the Highlander Hybrid Limited pulls only .77 G's of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The CX-9 Signature AWD executes Motor Trend's “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.5 seconds quicker than the Highlander Hybrid Limited (26.7 seconds @ .65 average G's vs. 28.2 seconds @ .62 average G's).

For greater off-road capability the CX-9 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Highlander Hybrid (8.8 vs. 8 inches), allowing the CX-9 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

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The Mazda CX-9 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 650 to 750 pounds less than the Toyota Highlander Hybrid.

Passenger Space

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The CX-9 has 1 inch more rear legroom, .3 inches more rear hip room and 3 inches more third row legroom than the Highlander Hybrid.

Cargo Capacity

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

 

CX-9

Highlander Hybrid

Behind Third Seat

14.4 cubic feet

13.8 cubic feet

Ergonomics

© 1999 - 2024Advanta-STAR Automotive Research, all rights reserved. This vehicle comparison and all of the content in it are provided only by license from Advanta-STAR Automotive Research Corporation of America (“Advanta-STAR”). If you are not a legally licensed user of this vehicle comparison, it is against federal law to access it, copy it, forward it, or use it in any manner whatsoever. Any unauthorized use of this vehicle comparison is a violation of U.S. and international law and is punishable criminally and civilly. Removal of this watermark/notification without prior written license and approval received from Advanta-STAR is an agreement, understanding, and/or stipulation by the person(s), entities, agents, attorneys, and any other persons involved in the removal of this watermark/notification (including but not limited to Search Optics, LLC and any and all parent entities, sister entities, and subsidiary entities of Search Optics, LLC and/or any other entity, agent, attorney, and persons related in any manner to Search Optics, LLC) to: 1) an agreed upon amount of liquidated monetary damages of a minimum of $1,250,000.00 US Dollars in favor of Advanta-STAR; 2) the jurisdiction and enforcement of any legal claims associated with this matter asserted by Advanta-STAR in the United States Federal District Court in Portand, Oregon; and 3) service of process of any legal claims asserted by Advanta-STAR associated with this matter may be accomplished by First-Class Postage by the United States Postal Service or comparable service. GTAIT-KCTPD 18.218.212.102 2024-10-06

The CX-9 offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Highlander Hybrid doesn't offer a remote starting system.

The CX-9 Grand Touring/Signature has a standard heads-up display which projects speed and other key instrumentation readouts in front of the driver's line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Highlander Hybrid doesn't offer a heads-up display.

The CX-9's front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Highlander Hybrid's standard rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the CX-9 Grand Touring/Signature has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Highlander Hybrid doesn't offer cornering lights.

Model Availability

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The CX-9 is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Highlander Hybrid doesn't offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Recommendations

© 1999 - 2024Advanta-STAR Automotive Research, all rights reserved. This vehicle comparison and all of the content in it are provided only by license from Advanta-STAR Automotive Research Corporation of America (“Advanta-STAR”). If you are not a legally licensed user of this vehicle comparison, it is against federal law to access it, copy it, forward it, or use it in any manner whatsoever. Any unauthorized use of this vehicle comparison is a violation of U.S. and international law and is punishable criminally and civilly. Removal of this watermark/notification without prior written license and approval received from Advanta-STAR is an agreement, understanding, and/or stipulation by the person(s), entities, agents, attorneys, and any other persons involved in the removal of this watermark/notification (including but not limited to Search Optics, LLC and any and all parent entities, sister entities, and subsidiary entities of Search Optics, LLC and/or any other entity, agent, attorney, and persons related in any manner to Search Optics, LLC) to: 1) an agreed upon amount of liquidated monetary damages of a minimum of $1,250,000.00 US Dollars in favor of Advanta-STAR; 2) the jurisdiction and enforcement of any legal claims associated with this matter asserted by Advanta-STAR in the United States Federal District Court in Portand, Oregon; and 3) service of process of any legal claims asserted by Advanta-STAR associated with this matter may be accomplished by First-Class Postage by the United States Postal Service or comparable service. GTAIT-KCTPD 18.218.212.102 2024-10-06

The CX-9 was chosen as one of Car and Driver's “Top Five Trucks” in 2008. The Highlander Hybrid has never been a Car and Driver “Top Five Truck” pick.

Motor Trend selected the CX-9 as their 2008 Sport Utility of the Year. The Highlander Hybrid has never been chosen.

The CX-9 was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine's “All Stars” in 2008. The Highlander Hybrid has never been an “All Star.”

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the CX-9 as the 2008 North American Truck of the Year. The Highlander Hybrid has never been chosen.