2021 Lexus RX vs 2020 Mazda CX-5

Mazda's approach to premium was more than just a marketing claim. The 2020 Mazda CX-5 showcased captivating style, compelling substance, and continual product improvement. This model year saw more standard equipment, revised instrumentation, and control markings to enhance the cabin's appearance. Modifications were made to reduce noise, vibration, and harshness, and the turbocharged engine received an increase in torque output. The all-wheel-drive versions gained a new off-road traction assistance feature. Prices ranged from $25,190 to $37,155, with the test vehicle in Signature trim costing $38,680.

The CX-5's design, rooted in Mazda's "Kodo" styling themes, remained appealing, distinctive, and upscale. The interior, especially in Signature trim, featured premium Nappa leather upholstery, real wood, and a black headliner, giving it a luxurious feel. However, the Caturra Brown leather was almost indistinguishable from the black cabin, reducing the contrast that often makes a vehicle seem premium.

The 2021 Lexus RX embodied the modern design aesthetic of Lexus with its large grille, angular headlamps, shapely body, and floating roof. The interior featured sumptuous seating, perforated leather upholstery, and a somewhat bland center console. Lexus offered the RX in five variants: RX, RX F Sport, RXL, RX Hybrid, and RXL Hybrid. The RX F Sport was the most performance-focused, while the RXL and RXL Hybrid had extended bodies and a third row of seating.

Changes made to the RX's body for the 2020 model year remained for 2021, including elongated headlights and a redesigned front end. Standard features included 18-inch aluminum wheels, LED lights, rear privacy glass, and an integrated rear spoiler. Available upgrades included 20-inch wheels, triple-beam LED headlights, and a windshield wiper de-icer. The F Sport Appearance package added unique wheels, black outer mirrors, and various F Sport-specific interior and exterior enhancements.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 came standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive optional. The Grand Touring Reserve and Signature trims featured a turbocharged version of the engine, generating 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel, or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on regular fuel. The turbocharged engine, paired with AWD, provided a healthy amount of power for a compact crossover SUV, though it was less efficient, averaging 24 mpg combined.

The CX-5 Signature was engaging to drive, thanks to its G-Vectoring Control Plus technology, which stabilized the SUV during cornering. However, the SUV's high center of gravity caused excessive body motions when driven aggressively. Despite this, the steering and brakes were responsive, making the CX-5 enjoyable in typical driving situations.

The 2021 Lexus RX, RXL, and RX F-Sport were powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The RX Hybrid and RXL Hybrid combined a 3.5-liter V6 with three electric motors, producing 308 hp. The RX 350 with front-wheel drive was the most fuel-efficient, earning 23 mpg combined. The RX Hybrid managed up to 31 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.

The RX's suspension and handling adjustments made it more dynamic, with AWD providing a planted feel in corners. The F Sport Handling package added adaptive variable suspension and other performance enhancements. The RX was a comfortable cruiser, with the F Sport model offering a bit more spirit. The RX's top speed was limited to 124 mph, with a 0-60 mph time of 7.7 seconds for FWD and 7.9 seconds for AWD.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5's interior was more cramped compared to competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. However, Mazda focused on an upscale cabin and generous standard equipment to offset this. The CX-5 featured classy gauges, elegant metallic accents, and various comfort upgrades across trims. The Signature trim added Nappa leather, genuine wood trim, and more. Cargo space was 30.9 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 59.6 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2021 Lexus RX was highly functional, seating five in the two-row models and six or seven in the three-row RXL variants. Front and second-row seating was spacious, but the third row was tight. Cargo space in the RX was 18.4 cubic feet behind the second row and 56.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The three-row RXL offered 7.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 23 cubic feet behind the second row, and 58.5 cubic feet with both rows folded. A power liftgate was standard, with a hands-free option available.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 featured the Mazda Connect infotainment system, which included a 7-inch touchscreen in Sport trim and an 8-inch touchscreen in higher trims. The system offered Bluetooth, HD Radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 10-speaker Bose premium sound system in Grand Touring trim. Signature trim added navigation, a surround-view camera, and SiriusXM data services. The system could be frustrating to use, with awkwardly placed controls and limited voice-recognition capabilities.

The 2021 Lexus RX came standard with dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, voice recognition, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio, HD Radio, a WiFi hot spot, six USB ports, and a nine-speaker sound system. Upgrades included a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless charging, navigation, and a 15-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound system. The touchpad controller was less refined than competitors, and the RX lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 excelled in safety, with standard advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) under the i-Activsense banner. This included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and lane-keep assist. The CX-5 earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2021 Lexus RX received a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included a rearview camera, 10 airbags, enhanced vehicle stability control, blind-spot monitoring, and Lexus Safety System+ 2.0. This suite included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and road sign assist. The RX lacked the latest hands-off piloting technology found in some competitors.