Compare the2025 Mazda CX-30VS 2025 Lexus NX

The Mazda CX-30 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-30 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-30. But it costs extra on the NX.

Both the CX-30 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.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the CX-30 is safer than the NX:

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-30 is safer than the NX:

The Mazda CX-30 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 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 NX is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

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-30’s warranty.

The CX-30 has more powerful engines than the NX:

As tested in Motor Trend the Mazda CX-30 turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Lexus NX:

On the EPA test cycle the CX-30 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-30 (except Turbo)’s fuel efficiency. The NX doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Mazda CX-30 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended with the 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder engine for maximum performance). The NX 350 AWD requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The CX-30 stops much shorter than the NX:

The CX-30 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-30 2.5 S Premium handles at .84 G’s, while the NX 350 AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The CX-30 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.4 seconds quicker than the NX 450h+ AWD (27 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the CX-30’s turning circle is 3.2 feet tighter than the NX’s (34.8 feet vs. 38 feet).

For greater off-road capability the CX-30 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the NX 350 F Sport Handling AWD (8 vs. 7.7 inches), allowing the CX-30 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Mazda CX-30 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 950 pounds less than the Lexus NX.

The CX-30 is 10.5 inches shorter than the NX, making the CX-30 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The CX-30 has .7 inches more front legroom, .2 inches more rear legroom and .7 inches more rear hip room than the NX.

Consumer Reports rated the CX-30’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the NX’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

The NX’s optional cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The CX-30 Premium’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.

Insurance will cost less for the CX-30 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the CX-30 will cost $235 to $2505 less than the NX over a five-year period.

The Mazda CX-30 outsold the Lexus NX by 29% during 2024.