Compare the2022 Mazda CX-30VS 2021 Lexus NX Series

The Mazda CX-30 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The NX Series doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

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 Series.

Both the CX-30 and the NX Series have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver 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.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mazda CX-30 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-30 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-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’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 15 more horsepower (250 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 Motor Trend the Mazda CX-30 4 cyl. is faster than the NX 300h :

On the EPA test cycle the CX-30 gets better mileage than the NX Series:

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 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-30 higher (5 to 7 out of 10) than the Lexus NX Series (3 to 7). This means the CX-30 produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the NX Series every 15,000 miles.

The CX-30 stops shorter than the NX Series:

The CX-30 Premium handles at .84 G’s, while the NX 300 F Sport AWD pulls only .76 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The CX-30 Premium executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the NX 300h AWD (27.4 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 27.8 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the CX-30’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the NX Series’ (34.8 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

For greater off-road capability the CX-30 has a 1.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the NX 300h (8 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the CX-30 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The CX-30’s minimum ground clearance is 1.1 inches higher than on the NX 300 (8 vs. 6.9 inches).

The Mazda CX-30 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 550 to 700 pounds less than the Lexus NX Series.

The CX-30 is 9.7 inches shorter than the NX Series, making the CX-30 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The CX-30 has 22.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the NX Series (94.1 vs. 71.6).

The CX-30 has .2 inches more rear headroom and .2 inches more rear legroom than the NX Series.

The CX-30 has a much larger cargo volume than the NX Series with its rear seat up (20.2 vs. 17.7 cubic feet).

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

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mazda CX-30 offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The NX Series doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

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