Compare the2022 Mazda CX-30VS 2022 Lexus NX

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-30. But it costs extra on the NX.

Both the CX-30 and the NX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee 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, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

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-30 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 77 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The NX has not been tested, yet.

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-30’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-30 has more powerful engines than the NX:

On the EPA test cycle the CX-30 gets better mileage than the NX running its gasoline engine:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Mazda CX-30 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended with the 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder engine for maximum performance). The NX 350 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The CX-30 stops much shorter than the NX:

The CX-30 has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the NX; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

The CX-30 Premium handles at .84 G’s, while the NX 350 AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The CX-30 Premium executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the NX 450h AWD (27.4 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the CX-30’s turning circle is 3.2 feet tighter than the NX’s (34.8 feet vs. 38 feet).

For greater off-road capability the CX-30 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the NX (8 vs. 7.7 inches), allowing the CX-30 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Mazda CX-30 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 950 pounds less than the Lexus NX.

The CX-30 is 10.5 inches shorter than the NX, making the CX-30 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The CX-30 has .7 inches more front legroom, .2 inches more rear legroom and .7 inches more rear hip room than the NX.

The CX-30’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’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Insurance will cost less for the CX-30 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the CX-30 will cost $770 less than the NX over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Mazda CX-30 will be $6397 to $7528 less than for the Lexus NX.

Consumer Reports® chose the Mazda CX-30 as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.