2016 Mazda CX-9 vs 2016 Toyota Highlander
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
Highlander
8/10
A boring, bulletproof family hauler that will outlive your mortgage — as long as you buy the right engine.
Milo scores the 2016 Toyota Highlander 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 Highlander |
| Known failure points | 5 | 8 |
| NHTSA complaints | 99 | 109 |
| Safety recalls | 0 | 3 |
| Service bulletins | 12 | 12 |
| Reliability | 58 | 88 |
| Cheap to own | 45 | 82 |
| Fun factor | 72 | 32 |
| Holds value | 60 | 78 |
| Enthusiast cred | 48 | 25 |
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 Highlander
AWD rear driveshaft carrier bearing / U-joint clunk on AWD models
$600–$1,40080k–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 Highlander
2016 Highlander XLE V6 AWD with the tow package (5,000 lb rating) in a boring color, one owner, dealer-serviced, 80-110k miles. That's the unicorn — enough options to not feel cheap, none of the Limited's expensive-to-fix LED headlights, and the V6/AWD combo holds value best.
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.