2016 Mazda CX-9 vs 2016 Toyota 4Runner
Two midsize SUVs, compared on what actually matters when you're buying used:
what breaks, when it breaks, and what it costs you.
2016 Mazda
CX-9
6/10
The best-driving 3-row crossover of its era, undone by a coolant-into-cylinder-head issue that shows up right around the time the warranty runs out.
VS
2016 Toyota
4Runner
8/10
Ancient underneath, indestructible in spirit — the last real truck-SUV you can still buy used without a lottery ticket.
Milo scores the 2016 Toyota 4Runner higher — 8/10 against 6/10.
By the numbers
Green is the better number — higher on every score, lower on failures, complaints and recalls.
| Mazda CX-9 |
Toyota 4Runner |
| Known failure points | 5 | 7 |
| NHTSA complaints | 99 | 78 |
| Safety recalls | 0 | 8 |
| Service bulletins | 12 | 12 |
| Reliability | 58 | 88 |
| Cheap to own | 45 | 72 |
| Fun factor | 72 | 62 |
| Holds value | 60 | 90 |
| Enthusiast cred | 48 | 85 |
The most expensive thing that goes wrong
2016 Mazda CX-9
Cracked cylinder head / coolant intrusion on the 2.5T (coolant smell in cabin, coolant loss with no visible external leak, eventual overheating)
$3,500–$7,00060k–100k mi
2016 Toyota 4Runner
Clear coat / paint peeling on horizontal panels (hood, roof) — a known Toyota paint batch issue on certain colors like Magnetic Gray and Nautical Blue
$800–$3,00080k–120k mi
If you buy one, buy this one
✅ 2016 Mazda CX-9
2016 Grand Touring or Signature AWD with the 2.5T engine and a documented cooling-system inspection/head gasket service history — the AWD system and turbo torque make this the sweet spot, and Signature adds Nappa leather/rosewood trim that feels genuinely upscale.
✅ 2016 Toyota 4Runner
2016 TRD Off-Road or TRD Off-Road Premium, 4WD, with the locking rear diff, in a clean-clear-coat color (avoid Magnetic Gray/Nautical Blue for paint risk), full service records, and confirmed-completed Takata airbag recall.
Narrowed it down? Get the full report
This comparison is model-level.
Milo's report goes car-level — the one you're actually looking at:
- A line-by-line negotiation script
- The pre-purchase inspection checklist
- VIN-specific open recalls
- What it's really worth right now
- Your next 15,000 miles, forecast
- Hidden features & money-savers
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Scores and findings blend documented NHTSA recalls and complaints with
patterns synthesized from owner communities. Always inspect the specific vehicle and
verify open recalls by VIN before buying.