Compare the2025 Mazda CX-90VS 2024 Lexus GX

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.

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 84.9 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mazda CX-90 higher (6 out of 10) than the Lexus GX (5). This means the CX-90 produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the GX every 15,000 miles.

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. 265/55R20).

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 Overtrail’s standard 70 series tires. The CX-90 Premium/Turbo S’ tires have a lower 45 series profile than the GX’s optional 50 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 Overtrail.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-90’s wheelbase is 10.6 inches longer than on the GX (122.8 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the CX-90 is 1.1 inches wider in the front and 1.1 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the GX.

The CX-90 Premium Plus handles at .85 G’s, while the GX Overtrail+ pulls only .71 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The CX-90 Premium Plus executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the GX Overtrail+ (27.2 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.5 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the CX-90’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the GX’s (38.1 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

The Mazda CX-90 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 to 900 pounds less than the Lexus GX.

The CX-90 is 7.2 inches shorter in height than the GX, making the CX-90 much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

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.

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

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

The GX’s optional cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The CX-90 Turbo S’ standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

The CX-90 Premium Plus/Turbo S 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.