2026 Lexus NX vs 2026 Mazda CX-90

$44,175 · Crossover

$38,800 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2026 Lexus NX dazzles with its sophisticated efficiency, boasting a phenomenal 40 combined MPG, making its 240 hp engine sip fuel compared to the robust 2026 Mazda CX-90. The Mazda counters with raw power, offering 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, coupled with standard All-Wheel Drive, promising a more spirited on-road engagement. Despite the power gap, the NX maintains a premium feel at its $44,175 MSRP, whereas the CX-90 undercuts it significantly at $38,800. Commuters will adore the NX's 42 MPG city rating and its compact 183.5-inch length for tight urban navigation. However, the larger CX-90, with its 200.8-inch length, prioritizes muscle over mileage, sacrificing 15 MPG for a more engaging drive and better standard torque distribution.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Lexus NX

The Lexus NX is the clear commuter champion, achieving an excellent 40 combined MPG versus the CX-90's 25 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Mazda CX-90

The larger Mazda CX-90 offers a longer body (200.8 inches) and standard AWD, appealing to families needing more size and stability.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Mazda CX-90

The CX-90 delivers superior driving excitement with 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, eclipsing the NX's 240 hp.

💰 Best Value

2026 Mazda CX-90

The Mazda CX-90 provides significantly more power (280 hp) and standard AWD for $5,375 less than the Lexus NX.

Choose the Lexus NX if...

Fuel economy is paramount, given its 40 combined MPG rating.
You prefer driving a slightly smaller vehicle, with a length of 183.5 inches.
You want the premium badge experience, even if it means accepting FWD and slightly less power (240 hp).

Choose the Mazda CX-90 if...

Maximum output is required, evidenced by its 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque.
Standard All-Wheel Drive and an 8-speed automatic transmission are mandatory features.
You are seeking the best performance for the dollar, starting at only $38,800.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Lexus NX	Mazda CX-90
Length	183.5"	200.8"
Width	73.4"	78.5"
Height	66.1"	68.3"
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	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	23/28 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	40 MPG	25 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	609.0/551.0 mi.	425.5/518.0 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.
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-90.

How significant is the fuel economy difference between the two crossovers?

The difference is substantial; the 2026 Lexus NX achieves 40 combined MPG, whereas the 2026 Mazda CX-90 trails at only 25 combined MPG. This means the Lexus will save hundreds annually on premium unleaded fuel costs.

Which vehicle offers better outright performance metrics?

The Mazda CX-90 is the stronger performer, generating 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque compared to the Lexus NX's 240 hp. Furthermore, the Mazda uses a conventional 8-speed automatic transmission while the Lexus relies on a CVT.

Is the Lexus NX or the Mazda CX-90 better for maximizing cargo space?

Despite being shorter in overall length, the Lexus NX offers superior accessible storage with 22.7 cubic feet of cargo capacity. The larger CX-90 only provides 14.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats.

Why is the base MSRP difference over $5,000?

The Mazda CX-90 starts at $38,800 while the Lexus NX begins at $44,175, reflecting the Lexus's brand positioning and its highly efficient powertrain. The Mazda offers better performance for less money upfront.

Does the drive type affect daily driving suitability?

Yes; the Lexus NX comes standard with Front Wheel Drive, while the Mazda CX-90 features standard All-Wheel Drive, which can be beneficial in varied weather conditions.

Which vehicle requires more expensive fuel?

The 2026 Lexus NX recommends premium unleaded fuel for its 240 hp engine, whereas the more powerful 2026 Mazda CX-90 can run on regular unleaded fuel.