2026 Lexus NX vs 2026 Mazda CX-70
Comparison Overview
Deciding between the efficient luxury of the 2026 Lexus NX and the robust utility of the 2026 Mazda CX-70 often comes down to your priorities. If you drive a lot, the NX’s spectacular 40 combined MPG is a huge differentiator against the CX-70’s 25 combined MPG. However, the Mazda immediately flexes its muscles with 280 hp compared to the Lexus’s 240 hp, suggesting a punchier drive. The price gap is narrow, with the CX-70 starting lower at $42,250 versus the NX’s $44,175 MSRP. When assessing pure practicality, the CX-70 crushes the NX in cargo space, offering 39.6 cu ft against the Lexus’s modest 22.7 cu ft. Ultimately, the trade-off is clear: efficiency and compact handling versus power and maximum interior volume.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Lexus NX
The 2026 Lexus NX wins for commuters due to its superior fuel economy, delivering 40 combined MPG.
2026 Mazda CX-70
The 2026 Mazda CX-70 is the clear family winner thanks to its significantly larger 39.6 cu ft of cargo capacity.
2026 Mazda CX-70
The 2026 Mazda CX-70 appeals more to enthusiasts with its higher 280 hp output and 332 lb-ft of torque.
2026 Mazda CX-70
The 2026 Mazda CX-70 provides a better balance of power and utility for a lower starting MSRP of $42,250.
Choose the Lexus NX if...
- You prioritize minimizing fuel stops, as the NX boasts 40 combined MPG versus 25 for the CX-70.
- You prefer the lower operating cost associated with the Lexus using regular unleaded (though it is recommended premium).
- You want a slightly smaller footprint, as the NX is 17.3 inches shorter in length than the CX-70.
Choose the Mazda CX-70 if...
- You absolutely need maximum storage, benefiting from the CX-70’s class-leading 39.6 cu ft of cargo space.
- You prefer responsive driving dynamics delivered by the 280 hp engine and standard All-Wheel Drive.
- You want the security of a standard All-Wheel Drive system paired with a traditional 8-speed automatic transmission.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Lexus NX | Mazda CX-70 |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 183.5" | 200.8" |
| Width | 73.4" | - |
| 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 | — | ✓ |
| 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 | hybrid | mild hybrid |
| Horsepower | 240 hp @ 6000 rpm | 280 hp @ 5000 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 24 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
| Torque | — | 332 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm |
Drive Train
| Feature | Lexus | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | continuously variable-speed 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) | 42/38 MPG | 24/28 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 40 MPG | 25 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 609.0/551.0 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wireless Charging Pad | — | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | — | ✓ |
| Heated Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | — | ✓ |
| Three Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Lexus | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 9.8 in | 12.3 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 | — |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Lexus | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 4 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reverse Tilt Passenger Mirror | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Moonroof Type | — | 1st Row Power Glass |
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 | 8-way |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | Multi-level |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | Multi-level |
| Seat Material: Leather | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Memory Settings | — | 2 |
| Driver Seat Ventilation | — | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Ventilation | — | ✓ |
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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Rear Seats (Multi-Level) | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Lexus | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Size | 18 x 7.5 in | 21 x 9.5 in. |
| Tire Size | 235/60R18 | 275/45R21 |
| Run Flat Tires | ✓ | — |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Lexus | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 6 yr./ 70000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Hybrid Component Warranty | 8 yr./ 100000 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 2026 Lexus NX and 2026 Mazda CX-70.
How big is the fuel efficiency gap between the 2026 Lexus NX and the 2026 Mazda CX-70?
The difference is substantial; the Lexus NX achieves an impressive 40 combined MPG, while the more powerful Mazda CX-70 achieves 25 combined MPG. This represents a 15 MPG advantage for the Lexus in fuel economy.
Which crossover offers better performance specs?
The 2026 Mazda CX-70 is the more powerful option, offering 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, significantly outpacing the Lexus NX’s 240 horsepower rating.
Is the Lexus NX or Mazda CX-70 better for carrying large amounts of luggage?
The Mazda CX-70 is significantly better for cargo, offering 39.6 cubic feet, whereas the Lexus NX only provides 22.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats.
What is the difference in drivetrain and transmission setup?
The standard Lexus NX uses Front Wheel Drive with a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission. In contrast, the Mazda CX-70 comes standard with All Wheel Drive paired with an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission.
Are these vehicles similarly priced?
They are close, but the Mazda CX-70 has a slightly lower starting MSRP at $42,250 compared to the Lexus NX's $44,175.
Does the fuel type create a major cost difference?
Yes, the Lexus NX recommends premium unleaded fuel, while the Mazda CX-70 uses regular unleaded, which may contribute to lower ongoing fueling costs for the Mazda despite its lower MPG.
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