2025 Lexus RX vs 2026 Mazda CX-90

$49,125 · Crossover

$38,800 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Lexus RX embodies refined composure, offering a serene driving environment paired with a solid 275 hp and an MSRP starting at $49,125. It prioritizes luxurious insulation and familiar luxury cues. In stark contrast, the 2026 Mazda CX-90 bursts onto the scene as the dynamic underdog, starting aggressively low at $38,800 while boasting slightly more power with 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. Although both achieve 25 combined MPG, the Mazda offers standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD) capability against the Lexus's Front-Wheel Drive (FWD). While the Lexus is slightly more compact at 192.5 inches long, the CX-90 provides more physical presence at 200.8 inches, though the RX holds a significant advantage in sheer utility with 29.6 cu ft versus the Mazda's 14.9 cu ft cargo capacity.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Lexus RX

The Lexus RX provides a more focused FWD platform and a slightly superior highway fuel economy rating of 29 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Lexus RX

The Lexus RX offers nearly double the utility with 29.6 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the CX-90's 14.9 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Mazda CX-90

The Mazda CX-90 wins enthusiast favor by offering superior torque (332 lb-ft) and standard AWD for better traction control.

💰 Best Value

2026 Mazda CX-90

The Mazda CX-90 delivers better performance specs for $10,325 less than the Lexus RX.

Choose the Lexus RX if...

You prioritize maximum cargo space, benefiting from 29.6 cu ft versus 14.9 cu ft in the competitor.
You prefer a slightly more fuel-efficient highway cruising experience (29 MPG vs 28 MPG).
You seek the established reliability and quiet ride quality associated with the Lexus badge.

Choose the Mazda CX-90 if...

Budget is a primary concern, as the $38,800 starting MSRP undercuts the RX by $10,325.
You desire slightly more immediate grunt, thanks to 332 lb-ft of torque and 280 hp.
All-Wheel Drive capability and a longer wheelbase (200.8 inches) are necessary for your driving conditions.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Lexus RX	Mazda CX-90
Length	192.5"	200.8"
Width	75.6"	78.5"
Height	67.3"	68.3"
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	23/28 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	25 MPG	25 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	391.6/516.2 mi.	425.5/518.0 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 2026 Mazda CX-90.

How significant is the drivetrain difference between the two crossovers?

The 2025 Lexus RX comes standard with Front Wheel Drive, prioritizing efficiency. Conversely, the 2026 Mazda CX-90 includes standard All-Wheel Drive, providing better grip in inclement weather conditions right out of the box.

Which vehicle is better for hauling luggage for a long trip?

The Lexus RX is vastly superior for cargo hauling; it offers 29.6 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats. The Mazda CX-90 is significantly tighter with only 14.9 cubic feet available in the same configuration.

Does the higher MSRP of the Lexus translate to better fuel economy?

Not substantially; both vehicles share an identical 25 combined MPG rating. However, the Lexus manages slightly better on the highway at 29 MPG compared to the Mazda's 28 MPG.

If driving engagement is key, which crossover should I test drive first?

Enthusiasts should lean toward the CX-90; it produces more peak torque at 332 lb-ft and benefits from the grip of its standard AWD system compared to the RX's 275 hp FWD setup.

How do the base pricing structures compare for these vehicles?

There is a substantial $10,325 price gap at the entry point. The Mazda CX-90 starts at a much more accessible $38,800, while the Lexus RX begins at $49,125.

Are premium fuels required for either vehicle to achieve their rated performance?

Yes, the 2025 Lexus RX recommends premium unleaded fuel for optimal performance. The 2026 Mazda CX-90 is more economical, requiring only regular unleaded gasoline.