2025 Lexus RX vs 2025 Mazda CX-90

$49,125 · Crossover

$38,045 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Deciding between premium luxury comfort and sharp value in a three-row crossover can be tough, especially when specs seem closely matched. The 2025 Lexus RX, starting at $49,125, leans into established luxury and reliability, offering 275 horsepower and 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space, though it mandates premium fuel for its 25 MPG combined rating. Conversely, the 2025 Mazda CX-90 undercuts the Lexus by a significant $11,080, with an MSRP of $38,045, while boasting slightly better raw output at 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. While both achieve a 25 MPG combined efficiency, the Mazda uses regular unleaded fuel and provides standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD), unlike the standard Front Wheel Drive (FWD) setup in the base RX. The Mazda is also slightly larger overall at 200.8 inches long, contrasting with the Lexus's 192.5-inch length, making this a clear choice between brand cachet and aggressive pricing/standard capability.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Lexus RX

The Lexus RX's slightly better highway MPG of 29 MPG offers marginally lower running costs for high-mileage commuters.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Lexus RX

The Lexus RX provides nearly double the usable cargo area at 29.6 cu ft compared to the CX-90's 14.9 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Mazda CX-90

The Mazda CX-90 wins here by offering superior torque (332 lb-ft vs. 317 lb-ft) and standard AWD.

💰 Best Value

2025 Mazda CX-90

The Mazda CX-90 saves buyers $11,080 upfront and uses cheaper regular unleaded fuel.

Choose the Lexus RX if...

You prioritize outright cargo capacity, as the RX offers 29.6 cu ft versus the CX-90's 14.9 cu ft.
You prefer the established prestige and expected refinement associated with the Lexus brand name.
Your driving primarily consists of highway miles where the RX's 29 MPG highway rating can slightly reduce fuel stops.

Choose the Mazda CX-90 if...

Saving money is critical; the CX-90 undercuts the RX by $11,080 MSRP.
You need standard All-Wheel Drive capability for varied weather conditions, which is standard on the CX-90.
You value slightly more power, as the CX-90 produces 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque compared to the RX's 275 hp and 317 lb-ft.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Lexus RX	Mazda CX-90
Length	192.5"	200.8"
Width	75.6"	78.5"
Height	67.3"	68.2"
Wheelbase	112.2"	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	✓	✓
Dual Rear 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	2.4 L	3.3 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 6
Base Engine Type	gas	mild hybrid
Horsepower	275 hp @ 6000 rpm	280 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque	317 lb-ft @ 1700 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	premium unleaded (recommended)	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	22/29 MPG	24/28 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	25 MPG	25 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	391.6/516.2 mi.	444.0/518.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.8 gal.	18.5 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Lexus	Mazda
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Power 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	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	—
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	—	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	—	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Lexus	Mazda
Infotainment Display	9.8 in	10.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	12	8
Subwoofer Count	1	—
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 Dual Mirrors	✓	—
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Lexus	Mazda
Front Head Room	39.5 in.	39.7 in.
Front Leg Room	41.1 in.	41.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	58.1 in.	59.2 in.
Front Hip Room	56.7 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	✓	—
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	Power	—
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	—
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	—
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	4-way

Rearseats

Feature	Lexus	Mazda
Rear Head Room	38.6 in.	39.3 in.
Rear Leg Room	37.4 in.	39.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	56.5 in.	58.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	55.9 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
Painted Alloy Wheels	✓	—
Polished Alloy Wheels	✓	—
Wheel Size	19 x 8.0 in	19 x 8.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	✓	265/55R19
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Material	—	Alloy

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 RX and 2025 Mazda CX-90.

Does the price difference reflect a major difference in fuel consumption?

Not significantly in terms of efficiency rating; both vehicles achieve a 25 MPG combined rating. However, the Lexus RX recommends premium unleaded fuel, whereas the Mazda CX-90 runs efficiently on regular unleaded, creating a noticeable difference in long-term running costs.

How much bigger is the Mazda CX-90 physically?

The CX-90 is notably larger in every exterior dimension, measuring 200.8 inches long compared to the RX's 192.5 inches, and 78.5 inches wide versus the RX's 75.6 inches. Despite being physically larger overall, its listed cargo capacity is surprisingly smaller.

Which vehicle offers better standard drivetrains for tough weather?

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 includes All-Wheel Drive as standard equipment, while the base 2025 Lexus RX comes standard with Front Wheel Drive, making the CX-90 better equipped out of the box for snow or slippery roads.

Is the 275 hp in the Lexus RX really sufficient given the Mazda has more power?

The RX's 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque are generally ample for daily driving, but the CX-90’s 280 horsepower and superior 332 lb-ft of torque give it a slight performance edge, especially when moving quickly or hauling weight.

Why is the cargo capacity so different if the cars are similar crossovers?

The Lexus RX offers 29.6 cu ft of cargo space behind the second row, which is substantially more than the CX-90's 14.9 cu ft in the same configuration. This suggests the RX's packaging prioritizes second-row passenger space or cargo volume over the overall footprint differences.

What is the upfront cost difference for buyers?

There is a massive upfront cost discrepancy; the 2025 Mazda CX-90 starts at $38,045, while the 2025 Lexus RX begins at $49,125, meaning the Mazda saves the buyer exactly $11,080 right from the dealership.