2023 head-to-head · Small SUV
2023 Mazda CX-5 vs Toyota Highlander
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
The 2023 Mazda CX-5 is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, it costs about $1,788 a year to fuel (26 MPG), versus $1,860 for the 2023 Toyota Highlander (25 MPG). That's roughly $72 a year, or about $358 over five years.
Your numbers
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Fuel cost over 10 years
- Mazda CX-5
- Toyota Highlander
Side by side
| Mazda CX-5 | Toyota Highlander | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,788 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,860 |
| 26 MPG | Combined efficiency | 25 MPG |
| 24 MPG | City | 22 MPG |
| 30 MPG | Highway | 29 MPG |
| 337 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 359 g/mi |
| 5/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 5/10 |
| 5/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 5/10 |
| Gas | Powertrain | Gas |
| Regular gasoline | Fuel | Regular gasoline |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | Engine / motor | 2.4L 4-cyl turbo |
| 6-speed automatic | Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| 4WD | Drivetrain | FWD |
✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.
Mazda CX-5 vs Toyota Highlander across model years
- Mazda CX-5
- Toyota Highlander
Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.
How they differ
Among 118 2023 small SUVs, the Mazda CX-5 ranks 60th and the Toyota Highlander 66th for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2023 Mazda CX-5 or the 2023 Toyota Highlander?
Measured by cost to drive, the Mazda CX-5. The Mazda CX-5 is rated 26 MPG combined and the Toyota Highlander 25 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2023 Mazda CX-5 vs. the Toyota Highlander per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,788 for the Mazda CX-5 and $1,860 for the Toyota Highlander.
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