2022 Mazda CX-5 vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2021 Lexus GX 460’s styling was a testament to its long tenure on the market. Retaining the same basic body shell from a decade ago, it had undergone several updates over the years. The GX adopted Lexus’ trademark spindle grille in 2014, which was further updated in 2020 with a new textured insert and triple-beam LED headlights. The 2021 model didn’t see any styling changes, but silver 18-inch wheels became standard on the Premium trim level, with 19-inch wheels also available. Despite not being originally designed around the spindle grille, the GX’s styling remained coherent and distinctive, appealing to SUV shoppers with its tough, aggressive look. However, the interior did not meet modern luxury SUV standards, with wood trim that felt like molded plastic and an abundance of actual plastic. Standard leather upholstery was a plus, with semi-aniline leather available on the Luxury trim.

In contrast, the 2022 Mazda CX-5 featured new LED headlights and taillights with more distinctive illumination, revised bumpers, a redesigned rear liftgate, and fresh alloy wheel designs. The top-of-the-line Signature trim received body-color lower exterior trim, emphasizing Mazda’s premium brand aspirations. The interior remained unchanged stylistically, but the new seats provided improved comfort and support. The Signature trim boasted premium Nappa leather upholstery, real wood trim, and polished metallic accents, enhancing the luxurious feel. Mazda also restructured the trim levels, offering the CX-5 2.5 S and 2.5 Turbo, with the latter featuring a turbocharged engine. The 2.5 Turbo test vehicle included optional Soul Red paint, a navigation system, a rear bumper guard, and a package with roof rails and crossbars, totaling $39,445.

The 2021 Lexus GX kept it simple with a single powertrain option: a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The GX 460’s performance was reminiscent of an older generation of SUVs. The V8 engine provided ample power for acceleration, with a 0-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds. However, the vehicle’s 5,130-pound weight was noticeable at higher speeds, requiring careful planning for merging and overtaking. Stopping the GX also required advanced planning due to its weight. The ride quality was typical of a body-on-frame vehicle, with low grip and significant body roll in corners. Despite lacking the adaptive suspension of the Luxury trim, the GX excelled in off-road capability with a Torsen center differential, standard 4WD system with low range, and several driver aids. The optional Off-Road Package added features like a transmission cooler, fuel-tank protector, multi-view camera system, Crawl Control, and Multi-Terrain Select. The GX 460 had a maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds and a respectable 8.1 inches of ground clearance.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 2.5 S featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, competitive for a base engine. The six-speed automatic transmission was revised for more responsive performance, and all CX-5s came standard with all-wheel drive. The EPA rated the fuel economy at 26 mpg combined. The CX-5 2.5 Turbo offered a turbocharged engine with 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque on premium gas, or 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet on regular gas. The EPA rated the 2.5 Turbo at 24 mpg combined, though real-world testing showed 21.1 mpg. The 2.5 Turbo trims and higher 2.5 S trims included Mazda Intelligent Drive Select (Mi-Drive) with Normal, Sport, and Off-Road settings. The 2022 CX-5 featured increased structural rigidity and reworked suspension tuning, resulting in a quieter, smoother, and sportier ride. The improved driving dynamics, reduced noise, and enhanced cabin quietude contributed to Mazda’s premium brand transformation.

The 2021 Lexus GX’s interior ergonomics reflected its age, with an upright dashboard and high center console limiting legroom. The steering wheel’s odd angle and tall seating position felt bus-like. The Premium model’s new heated wood-trimmed steering wheel had heating elements that didn’t cover the entire wheel. The dashboard shape and boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility, though forward visibility was limited by the tall hood. Storage space was limited, with small center-console storage bins, cupholders, and in-door bottle holders. The GX came standard with three rows of seating for seven, with a power-folding third row available on higher trims. However, the third row was best suited for children, and accessing it was challenging. The GX had 64.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third rows folded, significantly less than the Land Rover Discovery’s 73.0 cubic feet. With the third row up, cargo space was minimal.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 addressed previous complaints about its ride and handling with new seats that provided better comfort and support. The driving position was sportier, with a more natural relationship to the steering wheel and controls. All trims except the base included a height-adjustable front passenger seat. The 2.5 Turbo test vehicle featured leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The back seat remained snug but included heated outboard cushions and air conditioning vents for added comfort. The control layout was a source of frustration, with the Mazda Connect infotainment system lacking a touchscreen display and natural voice recognition. Storage space was adequate, with a small center armrest bin and wireless smartphone charging in a tray forward of the transmission shifter. The CX-5 offered 30.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 59.3 cubic feet with the back seat folded, comparing favorably to entry-level luxury SUVs but less impressive against mainstream compact crossovers.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, with standard Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity, but no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto compatibility. The standard infotainment system had outdated graphics and limited functions. The touchscreen’s graphics looked dated, and the system didn’t offer much functionality. Below the main screen was a display for time and temperature, using a seven-segment format like a digital clock. However, Lexus included analog controls for nearly everything, providing a refreshing alternative to screen-centric interfaces in other luxury SUVs.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 retained the Mazda Connect infotainment system with a 10.25-inch display, but it was not touch-sensitive. Mazda believed touch interfaces caused driver distraction and did not include natural voice recognition. Instead, users had to operate the system using controls on the center console and steering wheel. While users could acclimate to Mazda’s approach, the lack of a touchscreen and advanced voice recognition was a drawback. The CX-5 included standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text-messaging support, E911 automatic emergency notification, and Mazda Connected Services with a three-year trial subscription. The 2.5 S Premium trim and higher included a 10-speaker Bose premium sound system and SiriusXM satellite radio.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 had not been rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The GX 460 came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. However, the GX 460 lacked some safety features available in other Lexus and non-luxury Toyota models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 did not skimp on safety, with a robust structural design and the standard i-Activsense package of driving assistance and collision avoidance systems. This package included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added adaptive headlights, a surround-view camera system, front and rear parking sensors, automatic rear braking, a driver monitoring system, and Traffic Jam Assist. The CX-5’s i-Activsense system operated mostly in the background, providing a user-friendly experience. The CX-5’s head-up display showed blind-spot warnings, enhancing safety. The IIHS awarded the 2022 Mazda CX-5 a “Top Safety Pick+” rating, a distinction few rivals could match.