Compare the2025 Mazda CX-70VS 2025 Lexus NX

The Mazda CX-70 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The NX doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The CX-70 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 NX 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.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-70. But it costs extra on the NX.

Both the CX-70 and the NX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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, driver alert monitors and available around view 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-70 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-70’s warranty.

The CX-70 has more powerful engines than the NX:

As tested in Motor Trend the CX-70 PHEV 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Lexus NX:

On the EPA test cycle the CX-70 running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the NX running its gasoline engine:

Both the CX-70 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-70s 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-70 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended on CX-70 PHEV for maximum performance). The NX 350 AWD requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The CX-70’s standard fuel tank has 4 gallons more fuel capacity than the NX (18.5 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The CX-70 Turbo S’ standard fuel tank has 5.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the NX (19.6 vs. 14.5 gallons).

For better stopping power the CX-70 Turbo S/PHEV’s brake rotors are larger than those on the NX:

The CX-70 stops shorter than the NX:

For better traction, the CX-70 has larger standard tires than the NX (265/55R19 vs. 235/60R18). The CX-70 Premium’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the NX (275/45R21 vs. 235/60R18).

The CX-70’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 NX’s standard 60 series tires. The CX-70 Premium’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the NX’s optional 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CX-70 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the NX. The CX-70 Premium’s 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the NX.

The CX-70 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.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-70’s wheelbase is 16.9 inches longer than on the NX (122.8 inches vs. 105.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the CX-70 is 3.9 inches wider in the front and 3.2 inches wider in the rear than on the NX.

The CX-70 PHEV Premium Plus 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-70 PHEV Premium Plus executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.5 seconds quicker than the NX 450h+ AWD (26.9 seconds @ .66 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the CX-70 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the NX 350 F Sport Handling AWD (8 vs. 7.7 inches), allowing the CX-70 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The CX-70 has 1.4 inches more front headroom, .7 inches more front legroom, 2.9 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom, 3.3 inches more rear legroom, 3 inches more rear hip room and 4.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the NX.

The CX-70 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the NX with its rear seat up (39.6 vs. 22.7 cubic feet). The CX-70 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the NX with its rear seat folded (75.3 vs. 46.9 cubic feet).

The CX-70’s cargo area is larger than the NX’s in almost every dimension:

The CX-70’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the NX’s (3500 vs. 0 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Lexus NX is only 2000 pounds. The CX-70 offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

The engine in the CX-70 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the NX. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The power windows standard on both the CX-70 and the NX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the CX-70 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The NX prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The NX’s optional cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The CX-70 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.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the CX-70 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The NX doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mazda CX-70 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the NX.

The CX-70 Premium Plus has a 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The NX doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.