Compare the2024 Lexus RZVS 2023 Mazda MX-30

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the RZ are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The MX-30 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The RZ has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The MX-30 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.

The RZ 450e has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The MX-30 doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

Both the RZ and the MX-30 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, front wheel drive, 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.

The Lexus RZ weighs 622 to 964 pounds more than the Mazda MX-30. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The Lexus RZ achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The MX-30 has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

The RZ comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The MX-30’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the RZ 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Mazda covers the MX-30. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the MX-30 ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The RZ’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the MX-30’s (6 vs. 5 years).

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in initial quality. With 32 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in long-term dependability. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Mazda is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus first in overall reliability. Mazda is ranked 7th.

The RZ 300e’s standard electric motor produces 58 more horsepower (201 vs. 143) than the MX-30’s electric motor. The RZ 450e’s optional electric motors produces 165 more horsepower (308 vs. 143) and 121 lbs.-ft. more torque (321 vs. 200) than the MX-30’s electric motor.

As tested in Car and Driver the RZ 450e electric motors is faster than the Mazda MX-30:

On the EPA test cycle the RZ gets better mileage than the MX-30:

The RZ can travel longer on a full charge than the MX-30 on a full charge:

The RZ’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the MX-30 are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the RZ has larger tires than the MX-30 (F:235/60R18 & R:255/55R18 vs. 215/55R18).

The RZ’s optional 235/50R20 front and 255/45R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series front and 45 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the MX-30’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RZ offers optional 20-inch wheels. The MX-30’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

For superior ride and handling, the Lexus RZ 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 Mazda MX-30 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The RZ has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the RZ flat and controlled during cornering. The MX-30’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The RZ has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The MX-30 doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the RZ’s wheelbase is 7.8 inches longer than on the MX-30 (112.2 inches vs. 104.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the RZ is 1.9 inches wider in the front and 2.3 inches wider in the rear than on the MX-30.

For greater off-road capability the RZ has a 2.5 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the MX-30 (7.9 vs. 5.4 inches), allowing the RZ to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The RZ uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The MX-30 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The RZ has .1 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front legroom, 1.3 inches more front shoulder room, 1.7 inches more rear headroom, 7.4 inches more rear legroom, 3.3 inches more rear hip room and 1.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the MX-30.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the RZ’s rear seats recline. The MX-30’s rear seats don’t recline.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the RZ’s power liftgate can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The MX-30 doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Mazda. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 41% lower rating, Mazda is ranked 11th.

On a hot day the RZ’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Lexus service department.) The driver of the MX-30 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Both the RZ and the MX-30 have standard heated front seats. The RZ Luxury also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the MX-30.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the RZ keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The MX-30 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The RZ has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the MX-30 Premium Plus.

The RZ’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The MX-30 doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the RZ and the MX-30 offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the RZ has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The MX-30 doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Lexus RZ has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The MX-30 doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The RZ’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The MX-30 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Lexus RZ, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Lexus RZ outsold the Mazda MX-30 by almost 54 to one during 2023.