Compare the2022 Mazda CX-5VS 2021 Lexus NX Series

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

Both the CX-5 and the NX Series 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 NX Series:

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 NX Series:

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

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.

The CX-5’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 21 more horsepower (256 vs. 235) and 62 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 258) than the NX 300’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Mazda CX-5 4 cyl. is faster than the NX 300h :

As tested in Motor Trend the Mazda CX-5 (250 HP engine) is faster than the NX 300 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

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

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 NX Series 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 NX 300 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mazda CX-5 higher (5 to 7 out of 10) than the Lexus NX Series (3 to 7). This means the CX-5 produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the NX Series every 15,000 miles.

The CX-5 stops much shorter than the NX Series:

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CX-5 Carbon Edition/Premium/Turbo has standard 19-inch wheels. The NX Series’ largest wheels are only 18-inches.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-5’s wheelbase is 1.5 inches longer than on the NX Series (106.2 inches vs. 104.7 inches).

The CX-5 handles at .82 G’s, while the NX 300 F Sport AWD pulls only .76 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the CX-5’s turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the NX Series’ (36 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

For greater off-road capability the CX-5 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the NX 300h (7.6 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the CX-5 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The CX-5 Turbo’s minimum ground clearance is 1 inch higher than on the NX 300 (7.9 vs. 6.9 inches).

The Mazda CX-5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 300 pounds less than the Lexus NX Series.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the CX-5 is quieter than the NX 300 F Sport AWD (66 vs. 69 dB).

The CX-5 has 32 cubic feet more passenger volume than the NX Series (103.6 vs. 71.6).

The CX-5 has 1.5 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front hip room, .9 inches more rear headroom, 3.5 inches more rear legroom and 1.4 inches more rear hip room than the NX Series.

The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the NX Series with its rear seat up (30.8 vs. 17.7 cubic feet). The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the NX Series with its rear seat folded (59.3 vs. 54.6 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the CX-5 easier. The CX-5’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 29.4 inches, while the NX Series’ liftover is 31.2 inches.

The CX-5’s cargo area is larger than the NX Series’ in almost every dimension:

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

The CX-5 Premium Plus/Turbo has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The NX Series doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The CX-5’s power window, power lock and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The NX Series’ power lock and cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The CX-5’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The NX Series’ standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Both the CX-5 and the NX Series offer available heated front seats. The CX-5 Premium Plus/Turbo also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the NX Series.

Insurance will cost less for the CX-5 owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the CX-5 with a number “1” insurance rate while the NX Series is rated higher at a number “5” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the CX-5 is less expensive to operate than the NX Series because it costs $727 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the CX-5 than the NX Series, including $297 less for a water pump, $373 less for a muffler, $196 less for a starter, $238 less for fuel injection, $174 less for a fuel pump, $17 less for front struts, $935 less for a timing belt/chain and $39 less for a power steering pump.

Both are recommended, but Consumer Reports® chose the Mazda CX-5 as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its June 2018 issue and the Mazda CX-5 won out over the Lexus NX 300.

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

The Mazda CX-5 outsold the Lexus NX Series by almost three to one during the 2021 model year.