Compare the2022 Mazda CX-5VS 2022 Lexus RX

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-5. But it costs extra on the RX.

Both the CX-5 and the RX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mazda CX-5 is safer than the Lexus RX:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Mazda CX-5 is safer than the Lexus RX:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the CX-5 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 76 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The RX is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2021.

There are over 2 times as many Mazda dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the CX-5’s warranty.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Lexus vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda first in reliability. Lexus is ranked third.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mazda CX-5 turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the RX 450h 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid:

On the EPA test cycle the CX-5 gets better mileage than the RX:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the CX-5 (except Turbo)’s fuel efficiency. The RX doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Mazda CX-5 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended with the 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder engine for maximum performance). The RX 450h requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The CX-5 handles at .81 G’s, while the RX 450h pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the CX-5’s turning circle is 2.8 feet tighter than the RX’s (36 feet vs. 38.8 feet).

The Mazda CX-5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 500 to 900 pounds less than the Lexus RX.

The CX-5 is 1 foot shorter than the RX, making the CX-5 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The CX-5 has .3 inches more front headroom and 1.6 inches more rear legroom than the RX.

The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the RX with its rear seat up (30.8 vs. 16 cubic feet). The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the RX with its rear seat folded (59.3 vs. 32.6 cubic feet).

The CX-5’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the RX’s (2000 vs. 0 pounds).

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The CX-5’s headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the RX’s headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Marginal.”

Insurance will cost less for the CX-5 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the CX-5 will cost $1030 to $5075 less than the RX over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the CX-5 is less expensive to operate than the RX because it costs $191 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the CX-5 than the RX, including $919 less for a water pump, $232 less for a muffler, $69 less for front brake pads, $361 less for a starter, $144 less for a fuel pump, $1638 less for a timing belt/chain and $1699 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Mazda CX-5 will be $9827 to $12285 less than for the Lexus RX.

The CX-5 was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 4 of the last 5 years. The RX has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

The Mazda CX-5 outsold the Lexus RX by 50% during the 2021 model year.