Head-to-head
2026 Mazda CX-90 vs 2026 Toyota 4Runner
The Mazda CX-90 wins clearly, 96.4 to 87, on tech & comfort, safety, price. The Toyota 4Runner is ahead on space & cargo and fuel & range.
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2026 Mazda CX-90
The 2026 Mazda CX-90 is sold in the U.S. as a plug-in hybrid and hybrid large SUV with 3 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the CX-90 4WD, is…
vs
A2026 Toyota 4Runner
The 2026 Toyota 4Runner is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas large SUV with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the 4Runner Hybrid 4WD, i…
Verdict · default weights
2026 Mazda CX-90
Clear winThe Mazda CX-90 wins clearly, 96.4 to 87, on tech & comfort, safety, price. The Toyota 4Runner is ahead on space & cargo and fuel & range.
Tech & comfort 2026 Mazda CX-90 leads by 43.1
Safety 2026 Mazda CX-90 leads by 8.1
Price 2026 Mazda CX-90 leads by 5
| Category · weight | 2026 Toyota 4Runneroverall 87 | 2026 Mazda CX-90overall 96.4 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricew 4 | 95 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
Base MSRP of the trim (or the model's lowest trim). Lower is better. | |||||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 96.2 | 94.7 | |||||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | |||||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 86.1 | 94.2 | |||||||||||||||
NHTSA 5-Star rating, WhichTrim Safety Signal (open recalls by severity), owner complaints, standard driver-assist features (from the press kit, or from what the manufacturer filed with NHTSA where there is none). Open park-outside / do-not-drive advisories cost 25 points. | |||||||||||||||||
| Space & cargow 2 | 92.5 | 88.6 | |||||||||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | |||||||||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 98.5 | 98.2 | |||||||||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | |||||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 56.9 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
Standard (1) and optional (0.5) infotainment, convenience, climate and interior features from the manufacturer's press kit. | |||||||||||||||||
| Warrantynot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Overall | 87 | 96.4 | |||||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 6 of 7 categories compared
Toyota 4Runner: base trim SR5 2WD · Mazda CX-90: base trim 3.3 Turbo Select AWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Change what matters to you →Scores are 0–100 per category from the data on this page. The weights are yours to set.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2026 Mazda CX-90 wins
- It lists 21 standard driver-assist features against 14.
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (29 points against 16.5 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½).
- It carries 5 NHTSA overall stars against 4.
Where the 2026 Toyota 4Runner answers
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (8 against 15 filed with NHTSA).
- It opens up to 90.2 cu ft of cargo against 74.2.
Ranked by how far apart the two score on each measure, so a price gap and a horsepower gap are compared on the same scale. Every figure is on this page.
Specifications side by side
55 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Toyota 4RunnerSR5 2WD | Mazda CX-903.3 Turbo Select AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $41,370 | $39,300 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | twin turbo | twin turbo |
| Cylinder count | 4 | 6 |
| Engine displacement | 2,393 cc | 3,283 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | 2.4-liter 4-cylinder Turbocharged DOHC D-4ST | e-SKYACTIV G 3.3L Inline 6 Turbocharged |
| Fuel injection system | D-4ST | Electrically Controlled Fuel Injection |
| Valve configuration | DOHC 16-Valve | — |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 278 hp | 280 hp |
| Torque | 317 lb-ft | 332 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | 20 mpg | 23 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | 22 mpg | 25 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | 26 mpg | 28 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 3.583 | 3.692 |
| Transmission speeds | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission type | 8-speed AT | manual |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 8.1 in | 8 in |
| Overall height | 72.6 in | 68.3 in |
| Overall length | 195 in | 201 in |
| Overall width | 77.9 in | 78.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 112 in | 123 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | 90.2 cu-ft | 74.2 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 48.4 cu-ft | 40 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 3rd row | — | 14.9 cu-ft |
| Total interior volume | — | 142 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 5 | 8 |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 39.7 in | 39.7 in |
| Second-row headroom | 37.8 in | 39.3 in |
| Third-row headroom | 35.3 in | 36.9 in |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 41.8 in | 41.7 in |
| Second-row legroom | 34.8 in | 39.4 in |
| Third-row legroom | 31.8 in | 30.4 in |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 4,455 lbs | 4,846 lbs |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 4,455 lbs | 4,846 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | 6,005 lbs | 6,854 lbs |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | Independent double-wishbone with stabilizer bar and twin-tube shock absorbers | Double-Wishbone |
| Rear suspension type | Multi-link with coil springs and outboard-mounted twin-tube shock absorbers | Multi-Link |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Electronic Power Steering (EPS); power-assisted rack-and-pinion | Rack and Pinion |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 19.7 ft | 38.1 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 340 mm | 328 mm |
| Front brake type | rotor | ventilated disc |
| Parking brake type | epb | Electric parking brake |
| Rear brake diameter | 335 mm | 350 mm |
| Rear brake type | rotor | ventilated disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 18 in | 19 in |
| Wheel material | forged alloy | alloy |
| Wheel width | — | 8.5 in |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | 245/70R18 | 265/55 R19 M+S |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 19 gal | 18.5 gal |
| Minimum recommended octane | 87 | 87 |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | Toyota | Mazda Connected Services |
| Connected services trial (premium tier) | 12 months | — |
| Connected services trial (standard tier) | 120 months | — |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 58 in | 59.2 in |
| Second-row shoulder room | 57.8 in | 58.1 in |
| Third-row shoulder room | — | 53.3 in |
Green marks the better value where the direction is unambiguous (more room, more power, lower price). Blank rows are specs the press kit does not publish.
Equipment, feature by feature
112 features · differences first, then sharedSafety33 differ · 34 listed
| Feature | Toyota 4RunnerSR5 2WD | Mazda CX-903.3 Turbo Select AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go | — | std |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | — | std |
| Lane Departure Warning System | — | std |
| Lane-keep Assist | — | std |
| Nine airbags - Advanced Airbag System with driver and front passenger dual stage airbags, driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, front passenger seat cushion airbag, and front and rear side curtain airbags | std | — |
| Nine airbags - Advanced Airbag System with driver and front passenger dual stage airbags, driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, front passenger seat cushion airbag, and front and rear side curtain airbags | std | — |
| Nine airbags - Advanced Airbag System with driver and front passenger dual stage airbags, driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, front passenger seat cushion airbag, and front and rear side curtain airbags | std | — |
| Rear View Monitor (dynamic guide lines) | std | — |
| Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Traction Control (TCS) and Trailer Stability Control | — | std |
| Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) w/ Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) | — | std |
| Auto-hold Function | — | std |
| Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) and Trailer Merge Warning | std | — |
| Blind Spot Monitoring with Vehicle Exit Warning | — | std |
| Child-protector rear door locks and power window lockout control | std | — |
| Driver and front passenger seatbelt pretensioners with force limiters | std | — |
| Driver Attention Alert | — | std |
| Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Traction Control (TCS) and Trailer Stability Control | — | std |
| Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Traction Control (TCS) and Trailer Stability Control | — | std |
| Front Cross-Traffic Alert (FCTA) | std | — |
| High Beam Control (HBC) | — | std |
| Hill Descent Control | — | std |
| LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) includes lower anchors on outboard second-row seats and tether anchors on all second-row seats | std | — |
| LATCH system - rear seat (2nd row) child safety seat lower anchors & upper tethers | — | std |
| LATCH system - rear seat (3rd row) child safety anchor top upper tethers | — | std |
| Nine airbags - Advanced Airbag System with driver and front passenger dual stage airbags, driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, front passenger seat cushion airbag, and front and rear side curtain airbags | std | — |
| Rear Seat Alert | — | std |
| Rear View Monitor (static guide lines) | — | std |
| Roll Stability Control | — | std |
| Smart Brake Support (Automatic Emergency Braking) | — | std |
| Toyota Safety Sense™ 3.0: — Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA), Automatic High Beams (AHB), Road Sign Assist (RSA), Proactive Drive Assist (PDA) | std | — |
| Traffic Jam Assist (TJA) | std | — |
| Engine immobilizer anti-theft system | — | std |
| Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) | std | — |
| Hill Launch Assist | std | std |
Infotainment11 differ · 11 listed
| Feature | Toyota 4RunnerSR5 2WD | Mazda CX-903.3 Turbo Select AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi Connect — includes AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot. Subscription required after trial. 4G network dependent. | std | — |
| 8-in. Audio Multimedia Display with 8-speaker audio system, wireless Apple CarPlay® & Android Auto™ compatibility, SiriusXM® 3-month trial. | std | — |
| Leather-trimmed manual tilt/telescopic steering wheel with audio and Bluetooth® hands-free phone and voice-command controls | std | — |
| 10.25" Full Color Center Display | — | std |
| 8-speaker sound system | — | std |
| Alexa Built-In | — | std |
| Android Auto™ integration (wired) | — | std |
| Apple CarPlay™ integration (wired) | — | std |
| Mazda Connect 4G LTE Wi-Fi powered by AT&T | — | std |
| Paddle Shifters | — | std |
| USB Inputs - Center Console Type C x 4 (Front x 2 and Rear x 2) | — | std |
Convenience5 differ · 6 listed
| Feature | Toyota 4RunnerSR5 2WD | Mazda CX-903.3 Turbo Select AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Power door locks with shift-linked automatic lock/unlock feature | std | — |
| Power rear liftgate window with auto up/down and jam protection | std | — |
| Power Rear Liftgate with programmable height adjustment | — | std |
| Power Windows with one-touch auto up/down feature (4) | — | std |
| 12V power outlet | — | std |
| Mazda Advanced Keyless Entry & Start System | std | std |
Climate2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Toyota 4RunnerSR5 2WD | Mazda CX-903.3 Turbo Select AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Air conditioning - automatic climate control operation with three zones | — | std |
| 3rd Row AC vents | — | std |
Seating13 differ · 13 listed
| Feature | Toyota 4RunnerSR5 2WD | Mazda CX-903.3 Turbo Select AWD |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd-row bench seats with 60/40 split fold-down reclining | — | std |
| 8-way power adjustable driver's seat w/ power lumbar support and 2-position memory | — | std |
| 6-way manually adjustable driver and front passenger seats | std | — |
| 3rd row seats - 3 seats (60/40 split fold-down) | — | std |
| 4-way manual front passenger seat | — | std |
| 6-way manually adjustable driver and front passenger seats | std | — |
| 8-way power adjustable driver's seat w/ power lumbar support (without memory) | — | std |
| Fabric-trimmed 50/50 split, fold-flat third-row seat | opt | — |
| Fabric-trimmed front seats; 6-way manually adjustable driver and front passenger seats with 2-way driver lumbar support | std | — |
| Fabric-trimmed front seats; 6-way manually adjustable driver and front passenger seats with 2-way driver lumbar support | std | — |
| Fabric-trimmed heated front seats; 6-way manually adjustable driver and front passenger seats with 2-way driver lumbar support | std | — |
| Max Seating Capacity | — | std |
| Seat Material - Leatherette | — | std |
Interior9 differ · 11 listed
| Feature | Toyota 4RunnerSR5 2WD | Mazda CX-903.3 Turbo Select AWD |
|---|---|---|
| 12 cup and bottle holders | std | — |
| 7-inch TFT LCD meter display | — | std |
| Digital gauge cluster with 7-in. color Multi-Information Display (MID) | std | — |
| Interior Mid Panel - Hard Black | — | std |
| Leather-trimmed manual tilt/telescopic steering wheel with audio and Bluetooth® hands-free phone and voice-command controls | std | — |
| Sun visors - dual covered vanity mirrors w/ illumination | — | std |
| Floor mats - carpeted front, 2nd-row and 3rd-row | — | std |
| Storage - overhead console with sunglasses holder | — | std |
| Trip computer - Odometer, Trip meter A & B | — | std |
| Steering wheel - leather-wrapped w/ bright ring decoration | std | std |
| Rearview mirror - manual day/night | std | std |
Exterior23 differ · 23 listed
| Feature | Toyota 4RunnerSR5 2WD | Mazda CX-903.3 Turbo Select AWD |
|---|---|---|
| 17-in. dark-gray painted alloy wheels | std | — |
| 19X8.5J inch aluminum alloy wheels with Silver Metallic Finish | — | std |
| 265/55 R19 tires w/ Alloy - Silver | — | std |
| Badging - AWD | — | std |
| Badging - Inline6 - Chrome | — | std |
| Black door handles | std | — |
| Black roof rails | std | — |
| Fixed running boards | opt | — |
| Front Grill Mesh - Honeycomb - with Black Finish | — | std |
| Headlights - LED with Auto-Leveling | — | std |
| LED Daytime Running Lamp | — | std |
| LED fog lights | std | — |
| LED headlights with Daytime Running Lights (DRL), auto on/off feature and manual leveling adjustment | std | — |
| LED taillights | — | std |
| Rear window defogger with timer | — | std |
| Roof Rails - aluminum with satin chrome finish | — | std |
| Side mirrors - driver and passenger heated | — | std |
| Signature Wing - Chrome | — | std |
| Wheel arch Molding - Black | — | std |
| Windshield Wipers - Rain-Sensing, Variable-Intermittent | — | std |
| Privacy glass - rear side windows and rear liftgate glass | — | std |
| Rear Roof Spoiler - Body Color | — | std |
| Spare Tire Type - Temporary | — | std |
Powertrain7 differ · 7 listed
| Feature | Toyota 4RunnerSR5 2WD | Mazda CX-903.3 Turbo Select AWD |
|---|---|---|
| i-ACTIV All-Wheel Drive | — | std |
| e-SKYACTIV® G 3.3L Inline 6 Turbocharged engine | — | std |
| Electric Parking Brake (EPB) | — | std |
| M Hybrid Boost (48V Mild Hybrid) | — | std |
| Mazda intelligent Drive Select (Mi-Drive): Sports/Off Road | — | std |
| Off-Road Traction Assist | — | std |
| Transmission, SKYACTIV®-Drive 8-Speed AT with manual-shift mode | — | std |
Chassis3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Toyota 4RunnerSR5 2WD | Mazda CX-903.3 Turbo Select AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Front Double Wishbone Suspension | — | std |
| Independent rear multi-link suspension with stabilizer bar | — | std |
| Kinematic Posture Control (KPC) | — | std |
Cargo2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Toyota 4RunnerSR5 2WD | Mazda CX-903.3 Turbo Select AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Storage - cargo area storage boxes and under floor storage | — | std |
| Towing Capacity up to 3,500 lbs. | — | std |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPToyota 4Runner
Safety Signal 94 A
NHTSA overall ★★★★☆
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★☆ / ★★★★★ / ★★★☆☆
Recalls 2
Owner complaints 8 · 0 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Power Train (3), Unspecified (3), Electrical System (3)
Top recalls
- minor Equipment 26V571000 · 135 vehicles
- minor Equipment 26V282000 · 94 vehicles
Mazda CX-90
Safety Signal 100 A
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★★ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls 0
Owner complaints 15 · 0 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Electrical System (9), Unspecified (3), Steering (3)
Top recalls
No recalls on file.
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Toyota 4RunnerSR5 2WD | Mazda CX-903.3 Turbo Select AWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $41,370 (base trim) | $39,300 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $41,370 – $68,200 16 trims | $39,300 – $58,700 9 trims |
| Powertrains | HEV, GAS | PHEV, HEV |
| EPA configuration compared | 4Runner Hybrid 4WD | CX-90 4WD |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 23 | 26 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2,900 | $3,150 |
| EV range | — | — |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi (make terms) | — |
| Powertrain warranty | 5 yr / 60,000 mi (make terms) | — |
| Roadside assistance | 2 yr | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2026 Toyota 4Runner or the 2026 Mazda CX-90?
The Mazda CX-90 wins clearly, 96.4 to 87, on tech & comfort, safety, price. The Toyota 4Runner is ahead on space & cargo and fuel & range. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Mazda CX-90 scores 96.4 and the 2026 Toyota 4Runner 87. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which is cheaper, the 2026 Toyota 4Runner or the 2026 Mazda CX-90?
The 2026 Mazda CX-90 starts lower — $39,300 against $41,370, a gap of $2,070 at the trims compared here. Both are manufacturer MSRPs before destination, options and dealer charges.
Which has the better safety record, the 2026 Toyota 4Runner or the 2026 Mazda CX-90?
2026 Toyota 4Runner: 4 NHTSA stars, grade A, 2 recalls. 2026 Mazda CX-90: 5 NHTSA stars, grade A, 0 recalls. Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.
What are the biggest differences between the 2026 Toyota 4Runner and the 2026 Mazda CX-90?
Where the 2026 Mazda CX-90 wins: it lists 21 standard driver-assist features against 14, lists more comfort and tech equipment (29 points against 16.5 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½), and carries 5 NHTSA overall stars against 4. Where the 2026 Toyota 4Runner answers: it has drawn fewer owner complaints (8 against 15 filed with NHTSA) and opens up to 90.2 cu ft of cargo against 74.2.