Compare the2026 Lexus NXVS 2025 Mazda CX-5

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Lexus NX have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Mazda CX-5 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The Lexus NX has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The CX-5 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Lexus NX achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, outperforming the Mazda CX-5 which scored “Poor” - the lowest rating - in these critical safety features.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the NX’s standard Downhill Assist Control allows you to creep down safely. The CX-5 doesn’t offer Downhill Assist Control.

The Lexus NX’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Mazda CX-5 does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the NX and CX-5 have rear cross-traffic warning, but the NX has Parking Support Brake (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The CX-5’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Compared to metal, the NX’s plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Mazda CX-5 has a metal gas tank.

Both the NX and the CX-5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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 available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Lexus NX is safer than the Mazda CX-5:

	NX	CX-5
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	43	81
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.5 inches
Abdominal Force	96 lbs.	126 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	134	208
Spine Acceleration	47 G’s	65 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	380	449

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Lexus NX achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2025 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated moderate overlap front crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The CX-5 has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

Warranty

The NX comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The CX-5’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

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

The NX’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the CX-5’s (6 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates rated the NX second among compact premium suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The CX-5 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 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 first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 59 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 26th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked third.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus second in overall reliability. Mazda is ranked 6th.

Engine

The NX has more powerful engines than the CX-5:

	Horsepower
NX 350h AWD 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid	240 HP
NX 350 AWD 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder	275 HP
NX 450h+ Premium AWD 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid	304 HP
CX-5 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder	187 HP
CX-5 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder	256 HP

As tested in Motor Trend the NX 350h AWD is faster than the Mazda CX-5 4 cyl.:

	NX	CX-5
Zero to 60 MPH	7 sec	8.7 sec
Quarter Mile	15.4 sec	16.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	89 MPH	78.3 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the NX running on electricity gets better mileage than the CX-5:

			MPGe
NX
	AWD	450h+ Premium AWD Electric Motors	93 city/75 hwy
CX-5
			MPG
	AWD	Carbon/Premium Plus 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	26 city/30 hwy
		S/Select/Preferred 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	23 city/29 hwy
		2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/27 hwy

On the EPA test cycle the NX running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the CX-5:

			MPG
NX
	FWD	2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	42 city/38 hwy
	AWD	350h AWD 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	41 city/37 hwy
		450h+ Premium AWD 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	38 city/33 hwy
CX-5
	AWD	Carbon/Premium Plus 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	26 city/30 hwy
		S/Select/Preferred 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	23 city/29 hwy
		2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/27 hwy

The NX 450h can travel with zero emissions for 37 miles. The CX-5 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the NX 350h/450h’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The CX-5 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

Regardless of its engine, the NX’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip (not available 350h/450h+). The CX-5 Turbo doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Lexus NX 350 AWD, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the CX-5.

The NX offers an available continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The CX-5 doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the NX’s brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-5:

	NX	CX-5	CX-5 Turbo
Front Rotors	12.9 inches	11.7 inches	12.6 inches
Rear Rotors	12.5 inches	11.9 inches	11.9 inches

The NX’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the CX-5 are solid, not vented.

The NX stops much shorter than the CX-5:

	NX	CX-5
70 to 0 MPH	175 feet	184 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	123 feet	136 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	138 feet	144 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the NX has larger tires than the CX-5 (235/60R18 vs. 225/65R17).

The NX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CX-5’s standard 65 series tires. The NX’s optional tires have a lower 50 series profile than the CX-5 Carbon/Premium/Turbo’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the NX has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the CX-5. The NX’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels on the CX-5 Carbon/Premium/Turbo.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the NX can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The CX-5 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

The NX has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The CX-5’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The NX offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The CX-5’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the NX is .4 inches wider in the front and 1.2 inches wider in the rear than on the CX-5.

The NX 350 AWD handles at .81 G’s, while the CX-5 Turbo Signature pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The NX 350 AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the CX-5 (27.2 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.5 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the NX 350 F Sport Handling AWD has a greater minimum ground clearance than the CX-5 (7.7 vs. 7.6 inches), allowing the NX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The NX’s minimum ground clearance is .2 inch higher than on the CX-5 Carbon/Premium/Turbo (8.1 vs. 7.9 inches).

Cargo Capacity

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the NX. The CX-5 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the NX Premium/Luxury/F Sport’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The CX-5 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Towing

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the NX uses the Vehicle Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The CX-5 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

The NX uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The CX-5 uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Mazda. J.D. Power ranks Lexus second in service department satisfaction. With a 24% lower rating, Mazda is ranked 10th.

Ergonomics

The NX’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The CX-5 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The NX’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The CX-5 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

On a hot day the NX’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 CX-5 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The NX’s standard Smart Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Pushbutton Start standard on the CX-5 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle. Pushbutton Start is not available on the CX-5 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Premium.

The NX’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The CX-5’s power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The NX Luxury/450+ F Sport has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The CX-5 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The NX’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mazda only offers heated mirrors on the CX-5 Premium/Turbo.

When the NX is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The CX-5’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The NX’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The CX-5 offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Lexus NX has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the CX-5 Premium Plus/Turbo Premium/Signature.

The NX has a 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. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the CX-5 Select/Preferred/Carbon Edition/Premium/Turbo.

Both the NX and the CX-5 offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the NX has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The CX-5 doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Compared to traditional radio, the Lexus NX’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio is only offered on the CX-5 Carbon/Premium/Turbo.

The NX Luxury/F Sport’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Park will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The CX-5 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Model Availability

The NX is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The CX-5 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Economic Advantages

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Lexus NX retains 61.59% of its original value after 5 years, more than the 57.6% resale value of the 2025 Mazda CX-5 after five years, which can save the Lexus’ owner.

Recommendations

Both are recommended, but Consumer Reports® chose the Lexus NX as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

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