Compare the2024 Mazda CX-5VS 2024 Lexus NX

The CX-5 has standard Whiplash-Reducing Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The NX doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

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

Both the CX-5 and the NX 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, available around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Mazda CX-5 is safer than the NX:

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.

The CX-5 has more powerful engines than the NX:

As tested in Motor Trend the Mazda CX-5 turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Lexus NX:

On the EPA test cycle the CX-5 gets better mileage than the NX running its gasoline engine:

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

Both the CX-5 and the NX have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All CX-5s have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The NX 350h/450h+ doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Mazda CX-5 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 on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The CX-5 stops shorter than the NX:

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 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-5 handles at .82 G’s, while the NX 350 AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The CX-5 Carbon Turbo executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the NX 450h AWD (27.7 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the CX-5’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the NX’s (36 feet vs. 38 feet).

For greater off-road capability the CX-5 Carbon/Premium/Turbo has a greater minimum ground clearance than the NX (7.9 vs. 7.7 inches), allowing the CX-5 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The CX-5 is 3.4 inches shorter than the NX, making the CX-5 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the CX-5 is quieter than the NX 350 AWD:

The CX-5 has 1.4 inches more front headroom, .8 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom, 3.5 inches more rear legroom, 2.8 inches more rear hip room and .8 inches more rear shoulder room than the NX.

The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the NX with its rear seat up (30 vs. 22.7 cubic feet). The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the NX with its rear seat folded (59.3 vs. 46.9 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the CX-5 easier. The CX-5’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 29.4 inches, while the NX’s liftover is 30.8 inches.

The CX-5’s cargo area is larger than the NX’s in every dimension:

The CX-5’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the NX’s (2000 vs. 0 pounds).

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 NX’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 NX’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

Insurance will cost less for the CX-5 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the CX-5 will cost $900 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-5 will be $5434 to $7622 less than for the Lexus NX.

The Mazda CX-5 outsold the Lexus NX by over two to one during 2023.