Mazda CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid vs Toyota Highlander: cost to own

Verdict, over 6 years

The Mazda CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid costs about $11,040 less

That's $153 a month. Closest matching trims: same fuel and drive where possible.

CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid GS✓ $1,295/moTrue cost

Highlander XLE AWD$1,448/moTrue cost

2026 Mazda CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid

Closest matching trim: CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid GS

Sticker (MSRP)$49,999

+$7,546→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$57,545

+ running costs→↓− $20,195 resale

True cost$1,295/moA month to own, after resale

2026 Toyota Highlander

Closest matching trim: Highlander XLE AWD

Sticker (MSRP)$51,535

+$10,183→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$61,718

+ running costs→↓− $28,198 resale

True cost$1,448/moA month to own, after resale

Line by line


Price
Sticker (MSRP)	✓ $49,999	$51,535	CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid by $1,536
Freight and fees, before tax	$3,138	✓ $3,083	Highlander by $55
Sales tax (HST)	✓ $6,908	$7,100	CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid by $192
EV rebate	−$2,500	—	—
Drive-away price	✓ $57,545	$61,718	CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid by $4,173
Running costs, 6 years
Fuel or charging	✓ $8,752	$16,573	CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid by $7,821
Insurance (estimate)	✓ $14,781	$20,258	CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid by $5,477
Maintenance (estimate)	$9,385	✓ $9,273	Highlander by $112
Loan rate	6.5%	6.5%	—
Loan interest	✓ $11,051	$11,929	CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid by $878
Lost return on your money	✓ $11,838	$12,643	CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid by $805
Resale after 6 yrs	−$20,195	✓ −$28,198	Highlander by $8,003
Total
True cost	✓ $93,247	$104,287	CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid by $11,040
True cost a month	✓ $1,295/mo	$1,448/mo	CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid by $153
You pay each month	✓ $1,342/mo	$1,595/mo	CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid by $253
Practical
Fuel type	Plug-in hybrid	Gas	—
Seats	8	8	—
Carry-ons, 2 people	8+	8+	—
Towing, lb	3,500	✓ 5,000	—
Cargo behind row 2, litres	1,133	Not published	—
Length	5.10 m	4.95 m	—
Ground clearance	20 cm	20 cm	—
Resale % after 6 yrs	40%	✓ 55%	—
US crash test	5★	5★	—

Price

Sticker (MSRP)

CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid GS ✓ $49,999Highlander XLE AWD $51,535Cheaper by CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid by $1,536

Freight and fees, before tax

CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid GS $3,138Highlander XLE AWD ✓ $3,083Cheaper by Highlander by $55

Sales tax (HST)

CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid GS ✓ $6,908Highlander XLE AWD $7,100Cheaper by CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid by $192

EV rebate

CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid GS −$2,500Highlander XLE AWD —Cheaper by —

Drive-away price

CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid GS ✓ $57,545Highlander XLE AWD $61,718Cheaper by CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid by $4,173

Running costs, 6 years

Fuel or charging

CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid GS ✓ $8,752Highlander XLE AWD $16,573Cheaper by CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid by $7,821

Insurance (estimate)

CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid GS ✓ $14,781Highlander XLE AWD $20,258Cheaper by CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid by $5,477

Maintenance (estimate)

CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid GS $9,385Highlander XLE AWD ✓ $9,273Cheaper by Highlander by $112

Loan rate

CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid GS 6.5%Highlander XLE AWD 6.5%Cheaper by —

Loan interest

CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid GS ✓ $11,051Highlander XLE AWD $11,929Cheaper by CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid by $878

Lost return on your money

CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid GS ✓ $11,838Highlander XLE AWD $12,643Cheaper by CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid by $805

Resale after 6 yrs

CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid GS −$20,195Highlander XLE AWD ✓ −$28,198Cheaper by Highlander by $8,003

Total

True cost

CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid GS ✓ $93,247Highlander XLE AWD $104,287Cheaper by CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid by $11,040

True cost a month

CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid GS ✓ $1,295/moHighlander XLE AWD $1,448/moCheaper by CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid by $153

You pay each month

CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid GS ✓ $1,342/moHighlander XLE AWD $1,595/moCheaper by CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid by $253

Practical

Fuel type

CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid GS Plug-in hybridHighlander XLE AWD GasCheaper by —

Seats

CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid GS 8Highlander XLE AWD 8Cheaper by —

Carry-ons, 2 people

CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid GS 8+Highlander XLE AWD 8+Cheaper by —

Towing, lb

CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid GS 3,500Highlander XLE AWD ✓ 5,000Cheaper by —

Cargo behind row 2, litres

CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid GS 1,133Highlander XLE AWD Not publishedCheaper by —

Length

CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid GS 5.10 mHighlander XLE AWD 4.95 mCheaper by —

Ground clearance

CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid GS 20 cmHighlander XLE AWD 20 cmCheaper by —

Resale % after 6 yrs

CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid GS 40%Highlander XLE AWD ✓ 55%Cheaper by —

US crash test

CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid GS 5★Highlander XLE AWD 5★Cheaper by —

✓ marks the better figure. Resale is from used prices: the CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid typical for its type and brand, the Highlander from its own. These trims differ in fuel (plug-in hybrid vs gas), which drives part of the gap. Their stickers differ by $1,536.