Compare the2025 Mazda CX-50VS 2025 Lexus NX

The Mazda CX-50 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-50 has standard Secondary Collision Reduction System, which automatically apply 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-50. But it costs extra on the NX.

Both the CX-50 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-50 is safer than the NX:

The Mazda CX-50 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-50’s warranty.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mazda CX-50 turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the NX 350 AWD 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder:

On the EPA test cycle the CX-50 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-50 (except Turbo/Hybrid)’s fuel efficiency. The NX doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Both the CX-50 Turbo/Hybrid 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-50 Turbo/Hybrids 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-50 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-50’s standard fuel tank has 1.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the NX (15.9 vs. 14.5 gallons).

The CX-50 stops much shorter than the NX:

For better traction, the CX-50 Premium Plus/Turbo’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the NX (245/45R20 vs. 235/60R18).

The CX-50 Premium Plus/Turbo’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the NX’s optional 50 series tires.

The CX-50 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-50’s wheelbase is 4.9 inches longer than on the NX (110.8 inches vs. 105.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the CX-50 is 1.9 inches wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the NX.

The CX-50 handles at .87 G’s, while the NX 350 AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.6 seconds quicker than the NX 450h+ AWD (26.8 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the CX-50 Hybrid’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the NX’s (35.4 feet vs. 38 feet). The CX-50’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the NX’s (36 feet vs. 38 feet).

For greater off-road capability the CX-50 2.5 S Premium Plus has a greater minimum ground clearance than the NX (8.6 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the CX-50 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The CX-50 has .8 inches more front headroom, .7 inches more front legroom, .1 inches more rear headroom and 3.7 inches more rear legroom than the NX.

The CX-50 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the NX with its rear seat up (31.4 vs. 22.7 cubic feet). The CX-50 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the NX with its rear seat folded (56.3 vs. 46.9 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the CX-50 easier. The CX-50’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28.4 inches, while the NX’s liftover is 30.8 inches.

The CX-50’s cargo area is larger than the NX’s in every dimension:

The CX-50’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the NX’s (2000 vs. 0 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Lexus NX is only 2000 pounds. The CX-50 offers up to a 3500 lbs. towing capacity.

Consumer Reports rated the CX-50’s headlight performance “Very 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-50 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 Mazda CX-50 outsold the Lexus NX by 9% during 2024.