Compare the2024 Mazda CX-90VS 2023 Lexus GX

The CX-90 Premium has a standard Secondary Collision Reduction System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The GX doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The CX-90 Premium Plus/Turbo S Premium has standard Rear Smart City Brake Support that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The GX doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the CX-90 and GX have rear cross-traffic warning, but the CX-90 Premium Plus/Turbo S Premium has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The GX’s Rear Cross-Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the CX-90 uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The GX uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the CX-90 and the GX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, 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, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The Mazda CX-90 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The GX has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

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-90’s warranty.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the CX-90’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the GX’s camshafts. If the GX’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

The CX-90 PHEV’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 22 more horsepower (323 vs. 301) and 40 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 329) than the GX’s 4.6 DOHC V8. The CX-90 Turbo S’ standard 3.3 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 39 more horsepower (340 vs. 301) and 40 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 329) than the GX’s 4.6 DOHC V8.

As tested in Car and Driver the CX-90 PHEV 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Lexus GX:

On the EPA test cycle the CX-90 running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the GX:

The CX-90 PHEV can travel with zero emissions for 26 miles. The GX can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the CX-90’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The GX doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the CX-90’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The GX doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Mazda CX-90 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended on CX-90 PHEV for maximum performance). The GX requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Mazda CX-90, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the GX.

For better stopping power the CX-90 Turbo S/PHEV’s brake rotors are larger than those on the GX:

The CX-90 stops much shorter than the GX:

For better traction, the CX-90 Premium/Turbo S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GX (275/45R21 vs. 265/60R18).

The CX-90’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the GX’s standard 60 series tires. The CX-90 Premium/Turbo S’ tires have a lower 45 series profile than the GX’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CX-90 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the GX. The CX-90 Premium/Turbo S’ 21-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the GX.

For superior ride and handling, the Mazda CX-90 has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Lexus GX has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-90’s wheelbase is 13 inches longer than on the GX (122.8 inches vs. 109.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the CX-90 is 4.7 inches wider in the front and 4.8 inches wider in the rear than on the GX.

The CX-90 Premium Plus handles at .85 G’s, while the GX pulls only .74 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The CX-90 Premium Plus executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the GX (27.2 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.3 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the CX-90’s turning circle is 3 feet tighter than the GX’s (38.1 feet vs. 41.1 feet).

The Mazda CX-90 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 400 pounds less than the Lexus GX.

Unibody construction lowers the CX-90’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The GX doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the CX-90 Premium Plus is quieter than the GX (42 vs. 43 dB).

The CX-90 offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the GX can only carry 7.

The CX-90 has 11.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the GX (141.6 vs. 129.7).

The CX-90 has 1.7 inches more front headroom, 3.8 inches more front shoulder room, 5.3 inches more rear legroom, .8 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.7 inches more third row headroom and 1.1 inches more third row legroom than the GX.

The CX-90’s cargo area provides more volume than the GX.

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the CX-90 easier. The CX-90’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 31 inches, while the GX’s liftover is 34.4 inches.

The CX-90’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The GX’s swing out door blocks loading from the passenger’s side.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the CX-90 has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or optionally by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The GX doesn’t offer a power cargo door.

The CX-90 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed 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 GX doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The CX-90’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The GX’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The CX-90’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 GX’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the CX-90 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The GX doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The CX-90’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The GX’s power mirror controls are on the dash where they are possibly hidden by the steering wheel and are awkward to manipulate.

The CX-90 Premium Plus has standard front air conditioned seats and the CX-90 Turbo S Premium Plus also has them in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The GX doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mazda CX-90 offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The GX doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.