Compare the2023 Mazda CX-5VS 2022 Lexus UX

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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

The CX-5 Turbo Signature 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-5 and the UX 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 and available 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 UX:

	CX-5	UX
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	82	116
Neck Injury Risk	23%	33%
Neck Stress	274 lbs.	371 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	160/307 lbs.	376/433 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	156	290
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.7 inches
Neck Compression	86 lbs.	94 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	449/262 lbs.	345/566 lbs.

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 UX:

	CX-5	UX
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.8 inches
Abdominal Force	126 lbs.	149 lbs.
Hip Force	189 lbs.	323 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	524 lbs.	633 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	32 G’s	44 G’s
Hip Force	435 lbs.	919 lbs.

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 2022, a rating granted to only 93 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The UX is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2022.

Warranty

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.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the CX-5’s reliability 20 points higher than the UX.

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.

Engine

The CX-5’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-5’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-5’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.

As tested in Car and Driver the Mazda CX-5 4 cyl. is faster than the UX 200 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder:

	CX-5	UX
Zero to 60 MPH	7.9 sec	8.5 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	8.4 sec	8.8 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	3.8 sec	4.4 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	5.5 sec	5.6 sec
Quarter Mile	16.2 sec	16.6 sec
Top Speed	124 MPH	118 MPH

As tested in Motor Trend the Mazda CX-5 (250 HP engine) is faster than the UX 250h 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid:

	CX-5	UX
Zero to 60 MPH	6.4 sec	8.3 sec
Quarter Mile	14.9 sec	16.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	93.6 MPH	87.3 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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 UX doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The CX-5 has 4.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the UX Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (15.3 vs. 10.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The CX-5 has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the UX’s standard fuel tank (15.3 vs. 12.4 gallons).

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the CX-5 Turbo’s brake rotors are larger than those on the UX:

	CX-5 Turbo	UX
Front Rotors	12.6 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	11.9 inches	11.1 inches

The CX-5 stops shorter than the UX:

	CX-5	UX
70 to 0 MPH	167 feet	171 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	123 feet	129 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

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

The CX-5 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.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-5’s wheelbase is 2.3 inches longer than on the UX (106.2 inches vs. 103.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the CX-5 is 1.8 inches wider in the front and 1.8 inches wider in the rear than on the UX.

The CX-5 handles at .82 G’s, while the UX 200 Luxury pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The CX-5 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the UX 200 (27.8 seconds @ .59 average G’s vs. 28.2 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

Passenger Space

The CX-5 has 13.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the UX (103.6 vs. 90.4).

The CX-5 has 2.5 inches more front headroom, 1.4 inches more front hip room, 2.1 inches more front shoulder room, 2.7 inches more rear headroom, 6.5 inches more rear legroom, 3 inches more rear hip room and 1.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the UX.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the CX-5’s rear seats recline. The UX’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the UX (30.8 vs. 17.1 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the CX-5’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The UX doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Towing

The CX-5 has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The UX has no towing capacity.

Ergonomics

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 UX’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Consumer Reports rated the CX-5’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the UX’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

Both the CX-5 and the UX 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 UX.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the CX-5 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the CX-5 will cost $745 less than the UX over a five-year period.

Recommendations

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.

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

The Mazda CX-5 outsold the Lexus UX by over 9 to one during the 2021 model year.