Here's what you're actually buying: a spacious, dependable family hauler with a third row that fits humans, a removable middle seat that's genuinely clever, and a proven V6 that'll run to 200,000 miles without drama. The tradeoff is fuel economy, no hybrid option means high-teens MPG while Toyota sells Highlander Hybrids as fast as they can build them, and at $4/gallon that's real money over ownership. Interior materials on lower trims feel a step behind the CX-90 and Grand Highlander, and the styling won't turn heads. Buy it if you need maximum space and proven reliability and don't mind feeding the tank. Skip it if fuel economy or luxury feel matter more, the Grand Highlander Hybrid and CX-90 both answer those needs better.
Mazda built a $50k SUV that drives like it costs $70k, sharp handling, a silky inline-6, and an interior that embarrasses the Highlander, but shipped it before the transmission learned its lines. The 8-speed shudders and hesitates at low speeds across enough reports to call it systematic, not a lemon-lottery issue, and early PHEVs needed steering racks and 12V batteries replaced under warranty. If you prize driving feel over appliance-smooth operation and can live with first-year quirks (2026s show real improvement), the CX-90 delivers shocking value; if you need bulletproof out-of-the-gate execution, wait a year or stick with the boring-but-reliable competition.