Compare the2026 Lexus GXVS 2026 Mazda CX-90

The Lexus GX offers an optional Panoramic View Monitor and it also offers an optional rear camera washer to make backing always safe, regardless of road dirt or grime, while the Mazda CX-90 doesn’t offer a camera washer, requiring manual cleaning.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the GX has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Alert with Rear Cross-Traffic Braking, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Only the CX-90 Premium Plus/Turbo S offers Rear Cross Traffic Braking.

Both the GX and the CX-90 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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Lexus GX is safer than the Mazda CX-90:

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

The GX comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The CX-90’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the GX 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Mazda covers the CX-90. 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-90 ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The GX’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the CX-90’s (6 vs. 5 years).

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the GX’s reliability 36 points higher than the Mazda CX-90 and 50 points higher than the Mazda CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid.

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.

The GX’s 3.4 turbo V6 produces 69 more horsepower (349 vs. 280) and 147 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 332) than the CX-90’s standard 3.3 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid. The GX’s 3.4 turbo V6 produces 26 more horsepower (349 vs. 323) and 110 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 369) than the CX-90 PHEV’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The GX’s 3.4 turbo V6 produces 9 more horsepower (349 vs. 340) and 110 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 369) than the CX-90 Turbo S’ standard 3.3 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Lexus GX is faster than the CX-90 Turbo S:

The GX has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-90’s standard fuel tank (21.1 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The GX has 1.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-90 Turbo S’ standard fuel tank (21.1 vs. 19.6 gallons).

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Lexus GX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the CX-90.

For better stopping power the GX’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-90:

The GX’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-90 are solid, not vented.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GX offers optional 22-inch wheels. The CX-90’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

The Lexus GX’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Mazda CX-90 only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The GX has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the CX-90; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The GX Overtrail has active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The CX-90 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The GX 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-90’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For greater off-road capability the GX 550 Premium has a greater minimum ground clearance than the CX-90 (8.7 vs. 8 inches), allowing the GX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The GX 550 Overtrail’s minimum ground clearance is 1.7 inches higher than on the CX-90 PHEV Premium/Turbo S (9.8 vs. 8.1 inches).

The GX is 3.7 inches shorter than the CX-90, making the GX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the GX 550 Overtrail+ is quieter than the CX-90 Premium Plus:

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the GX’s middle and third row seats recline. The CX-90’s third row seats don’t recline.

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

Pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the GX’s optional third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The CX-90 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the GX. The CX-90 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The GX’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The CX-90’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The GX’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the CX-90’s (9063 vs. 3500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Mazda CX-90 is only 5000 pounds. The GX offers up to a 9096 lbs. towing capacity.

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.

The GX’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-90 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

If the windows are left open on the GX the driver can close all of them at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Lexus service department.) The driver of the CX-90 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The GX’s standard Smart Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Advanced Keyless Entry and Start standard on the CX-90 doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The GX offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The CX-90 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The Lexus GX 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-90 Premium/Turbo S.

The GX Luxury/Overland+ has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the CX-90.

The Lexus GX has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Homelink® is only available on the CX-90 Premium.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Lexus GX, based on reliability, safety and performance.