2023 Mazda CX-5 vs 2022 Lexus RX

The 2022 Lexus RX was available in several trims, including the base 350, F Sport, and L for its gas powertrain, with a hybrid model known as the RX 450h. The RX 350 and F Sport seated five, while the L trim offered a three-row, 7-passenger configuration. The RX's design, refreshed in 2020, remained modern and sporty, featuring aggressive styling that stood out among competitors like the Audi Q5 and BMW X5. The exterior boasted sharp character lines and angular features, creating a satisfying yet eye-catching design. The F Sport trim added a performance-oriented look with 20-inch wheels, black-housing mirrors, and unique front fascia.

Inside, the RX maintained a luxury appeal across all trims, with the F Sport adding sporty elements like model-specific badging and Scored Aluminum trim. The cabin offered nearly a dozen color combinations, with non-F Sport models featuring a mix of NuLuxe or semi-aniline leather seats and various trim pairings. Despite the high-quality materials, the center stack felt dated due to an abundance of buttons. Comfort was a mixed bag, with the NuLuxe seats in the F Sport being less cushioned and lumbar support lacking height adjustment. The limited-edition Black Line trim added exclusive black-colored features and contrast gray stitching for a premium look.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5, despite its age, remained a strong contender in the compact crossover SUV segment. It offered high-quality materials and a stylish design that felt more like a luxury SUV. The available turbocharged engine provided impressive power, and the CX-5 boasted a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS. Mazda planned to replace the CX-5 with the redesigned CX-50, but the CX-5 continued to offer quality, refinement, and sophistication across all trims.

The CX-5's engine options included a standard 187-hp four-cylinder and a 256-hp turbocharged four-cylinder. The latter, available in the 2.5 Turbo and 2.5 Turbo Signature trims, provided a significant power boost. The CX-5's updates for 2022 included increased structural rigidity, improved suspension dampening, and reduced interior noise, making it feel more like an entry-level luxury vehicle. The turbocharged engine delivered a pleasant acceleration experience, and the CX-5's driving dynamics were enhanced by the structural and suspension modifications, providing a firm, connected ride quality.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, while the hybrid RX 450h combined the V6 with two electric motors for a total of 308 hp. All RX models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with FWD standard on the RX 350 and AWD available. The hybrid RX offered AWD as the only option. Despite the F Sport designation, the RX's performance was underwhelming, with the engine note resembling a turbocharged four-cylinder rather than a V6. Acceleration was sluggish, and the driving experience lacked confidence.

The F Sport trim included front and rear performance dampers, an adaptive variable suspension, and a Sport+ drive mode. However, the differences between Normal and Sport/Sport+ modes were minimal. The RX excelled in driving comfort and cabin quietness, absorbing rough patches and providing a serene ride. The RX 350's fuel efficiency was 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined, with slight variations for AWD and three-row models. The RX 450h hybrid achieved 30 mpg combined, with 31 mpg city and 28 mpg highway.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 offered a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 187 hp and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The turbocharged 2.5-liter engine delivered 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel, or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on regular gas. The turbocharged engine provided a rewarding driving experience, with torque arriving at 2,000 rpm on regular gas and 2,500 rpm on premium fuel. The CX-5's updates for 2022 improved its structural rigidity, suspension dampening, and interior noise, making it feel more refined and solid.

The CX-5's driving dynamics were enhanced by these updates, providing a firm, connected ride quality. The turbocharged engine delivered quick acceleration, and the six-speed automatic transmission offered snappy shifting. The CX-5's fuel efficiency was 26 mpg combined for the standard engine and 24 mpg combined for the turbocharged engine. The CX-5 excelled on twisting, turning roads, with reduced body roll and improved handling.

The 2022 Lexus RX's two-row model offered 99.8 cubic feet of passenger volume, comfortably seating four adults, with a snug fit for five. Front headroom was 39.4 inches, and rear headroom was 39.1 inches. Front legroom measured 44.1 inches, while rear legroom was 38.0 inches. The three-row L models had limited cargo space, with 7.45 cubic feet behind the third row, 23.03 cubic feet with the third row down, and 58.48 cubic feet with both back rows down. The rear seats did not fold completely flat, and the cargo area's load-in height was high due to the large bumper. The RX featured thoughtful interior elements like a smartphone slot, adjustable-height cup holder, and a flat-bottomed cargo net.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5's front seats were modified for improved comfort and support, with height-adjustable driver and front passenger seats available in all but the base trim. Higher trims offered power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated seats, dual-zone climate control, and Nappa leather upholstery. However, the CX-5's technology, storage space, rear-seat room, and cargo space were lacking. The cargo area provided 30.9 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 59.3 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down, less than many rivals but more than some entry-luxury models.

The 2022 Lexus RX came with an 8-inch touchscreen display, with a 12.3-inch version available. The touchscreens were moved closer to the driver in 2020, but their positioning remained ergonomically unfriendly. The screen's lip created access issues, and the touchpad was hypersensitive and unintuitive. The RX offered a range of tech features, including six USB ports, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, wireless charging, Amazon Alexa compatibility, a WiFi hotspot, premium audio systems, navigation, and heated and ventilated seats. The Lexus App allowed for remote engine start, vehicle settings, and service scheduling.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5's Mazda Connect infotainment system featured a 10.25-inch display with sophisticated graphics but was frustrating to use. The physical controls on the center console were awkward and required memorization. The control knob often required multiple twists and pushes to execute commands, making it more distracting than a touchscreen. Mazda Connect offered Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a three-year trial subscription to Mazda Connected Services, SiriusXM, and a 10-speaker Bose audio system. The test vehicle included a front-facing camera and a surround-view camera system for easier parking.

The 2022 Lexus RX came standard with the Lexus Safety System 2.0+, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, road-sign recognition, lane-keeping assist, a pre-collision system, and intelligent high beams. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a head-up display, and Lexus Enform Safety Connect. The RX was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS with optional triple-beam LED headlights and received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5's i-Activsense tech included most driver assistance features as standard, with exclusive features like a surround-view camera system, parking sensors, rear low-speed automatic emergency braking, and Traffic Jam Assist available on higher trims. The i-Activsense tech operated smoothly and accurately, with an Active Driving Display showing operational status and alerts. The CX-5 received five-star ratings from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.