Compare the2023 Mazda CX-50VS 2022 Lexus UX

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-50. But it costs extra on the UX.

The CX-50 Turbo Premium Plus has a standard 360° Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The UX only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the CX-50 and the UX 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

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-50’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 overall reliability. Lexus is ranked third.

The CX-50’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 18 more horsepower (187 vs. 169) and 35 lbs.-ft. more torque (186 vs. 151) than the UX 200’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The CX-50’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 6 more horsepower (187 vs. 181) than the UX 250h’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The CX-50’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 75 more horsepower (256 vs. 181) than the UX 250h’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the CX-50 (except Turbo)’s fuel efficiency. The UX doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Both the CX-50 and UX have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stop lights and heavy traffic. The CX-50 has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The CX-50 has 5.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the UX Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (15.8 vs. 10.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The CX-50 has 3.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the UX’s standard fuel tank (15.8 vs. 12.4 gallons).

For better stopping power the CX-50’s brake rotors are larger than those on the UX:

For better traction, the CX-50 Premium Plus/Turbo’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the UX (245/45R20 vs. 225/50R18).

The CX-50 Premium Plus/Turbo’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the UX’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CX-50 Premium Plus/Turbo has standard 20-inch wheels. The UX’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

The CX-50 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 UX; 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.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-50’s wheelbase is 6.9 inches longer than on the UX (110.8 inches vs. 103.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the CX-50 is 4.1 inches wider in the front and 4.3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the UX.

The CX-50 has 9.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the UX (100.3 vs. 90.4).

The CX-50 has 1.9 inches more front headroom, .9 inches more front shoulder room, 2.3 inches more rear headroom, 6.7 inches more rear legroom and .7 inches more rear shoulder room than the UX.

The CX-50 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the UX (31.4 vs. 17.1 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the CX-50 Select/Preferred/Premium/Turbo’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The UX doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The CX-50 has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The UX has no towing capacity.

The CX-50 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The UX uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The CX-50’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 UX’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Both the CX-50 and the UX offer available heated front seats. The CX-50 Turbo Premium Plus also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the UX.