2025 Lexus NX vs 2025 Mazda CX-90

$40,965 · Crossover

$38,045 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Lexus NX presents a refined vision of the modern crossover, thrilling drivers with its hallmark Lexus quietude and a respectable 28 combined MPG from its 203 hp engine, offering a compact footprint at 183.5 inches long. Conversely, the 2025 Mazda CX-90 explodes onto the scene with muscle, boasting a potent 280 hp and staggering 332 lb-ft of torque, ready to tackle any road with its standard All-Wheel Drive system. While the CX-90 sacrifices efficiency, achieving 25 combined MPG, it offers substantially more power. The Lexus starts higher at $40,965 compared to the Mazda’s $38,045, creating a compelling dynamic between accessible luxury polish versus outright performance grunt, clearly separating their target drivers.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Lexus NX

The 2025 Lexus NX is the clear commuter winner due to its superior efficiency, delivering 28 combined MPG versus the CX-90’s 25 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Mazda CX-90

The larger 2025 Mazda CX-90, measuring 200.8 inches long, is generally better suited for families needing more passenger and overall bulk.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Mazda CX-90

Enthusiasts will favor the 2025 Mazda CX-90 for its massive performance advantage, producing 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2025 Mazda CX-90

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 offers significantly more horsepower (280 hp vs 203 hp) and torque for a lower starting MSRP of $38,045.

Choose the Lexus NX if...

You prioritize fuel economy, as the Lexus NX achieves 33 highway MPG.
You desire a more compact and easier-to-park vehicle, with a length of 183.5 inches.
You want the premium experience associated with the Lexus brand, despite its higher $40,965 starting price.

Choose the Mazda CX-90 if...

You need massive power, enjoying the benefit of 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque.
You require standard All-Wheel Drive capability right out of the box.
You are seeking the best power-to-price ratio, starting $2,920 cheaper than Car 1.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Lexus NX	Mazda CX-90
Length	183.5"	200.8"
Width	73.4"	78.5"
Height	66.1"	68.2"
Wheelbase	105.9"	122.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Lexus	Mazda
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	—
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Fog Lights	✓	—
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	—
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	—	✓
Brake Preparation System	—	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Lexus	Mazda
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	3.3 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 6
Base Engine Type	gas	mild hybrid
Horsepower	203 hp @ 6600 rpm	280 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque	184 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm	332 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
Number of Valves	16	24
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Lexus	Mazda
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Lexus	Mazda
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	26/33 MPG	24/28 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	28 MPG	25 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	377.0/478.5 mi.	444.0/518.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	14.5 gal.	18.5 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Lexus	Mazda
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	✓	—
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	—
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	—
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	—	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Lexus	Mazda
Infotainment Display	9.8 in	10.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	10	8
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	—
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	—
Android Auto (Wired)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	—	✓
Memory Card Slot	—	✓
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Lexus	Mazda
One-Touch Power Windows	4	4
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Reverse Tilt Passenger Mirror	✓	—
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Lexus	Mazda
Front Head Room	38.3 in.	39.7 in.
Front Leg Room	41.0 in.	41.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	56.3 in.	59.2 in.
Front Hip Room	56.3 in.	56.2 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	—
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	—
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	—
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	—
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	4-way

Rearseats

Feature	Lexus	Mazda
Rear Head Room	38.5 in.	39.3 in.
Rear Leg Room	36.1 in.	39.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	54.0 in.	58.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	52.5 in.	55.5 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Lexus	Mazda
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Size	18 x 7.5 in	19 x 8.5 in
Tire Size	235/60R18	265/55R19
Run Flat Tires	✓	—
Wheel Material	—	Alloy
Tire Type	—	All Season
Spare Tire Type	—	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	—	Inside Mounted

Suspension

Feature	Lexus	Mazda
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Stabilizer Bar	—	✓

Warranty

Feature	Lexus	Mazda
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	6 yr./ 70000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	6 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	4 yr./ unlimited mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	1 yr./ 10000 mi.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Lexus NX and 2025 Mazda CX-90.

How significant is the performance gap between the 2025 Lexus NX and the 2025 Mazda CX-90?

The gap is substantial; the Mazda CX-90 generates 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, which significantly overpowers the Lexus NX's 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. This 77 hp difference means the Mazda will offer much quicker acceleration.

Which crossover is better for long highway commutes based on fuel efficiency?

The 2025 Lexus NX is superior for long-distance commuting, rated at 33 MPG highway and 28 combined MPG using regular unleaded fuel. The Mazda CX-90 trails slightly with 28 MPG highway and 25 combined MPG.

Does the size difference affect interior space between these two models?

Yes, the Mazda CX-90 is considerably larger overall, being 200.8 inches long compared to the NX's 183.5 inches. However, surprisingly, the NX offers more dedicated cargo room at 22.7 cubic feet versus the CX-90's 14.9 cubic feet, suggesting the CX-90 dedicates more length to passenger volume.

What is the driving dynamics difference based on the standard drivetrain?

The Lexus NX comes standard with Front Wheel Drive, whereas the Mazda CX-90 includes All Wheel Drive standard. For drivers frequently encountering poor weather or prioritizing traction, the AWD Mazda offers a notable advantage.

How much more affordable is the 2025 Mazda CX-90 than the 2025 Lexus NX?

The Mazda CX-90 boasts a lower starting MSRP of $38,045 compared to the Lexus NX's $40,965. This difference of $2,920 allows buyers to access much higher performance metrics for less initial outlay.

Are both vehicles capable of using standard unleaded gasoline?

Yes, both the 2025 Lexus NX and the 2025 Mazda CX-90 specify regular unleaded fuel as their required type, helping keep running costs predictable for both.