2022 Mazda CX-5 vs 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid

It’s easy for a luxury brand to lose stature and cachet, but it’s hard for a mainstream brand to gain it. Nevertheless, Mazda is giving it the good old college try, having discussed its plan to become a premium brand for more than half a decade.

Unlike some automakers that rely solely on marketing to support their premium brand positioning, Mazda heavily invests in everything from design and engineering to dealership facilities, all to ensure there is substance behind its claim. Now, numerous updates to its most popular model elevate the 2022 Mazda CX-5 solidly into premium territory.

Don’t believe us? Drive one of the turbocharged versions of the 2022 CX-5 back to back with a similarly priced Audi Q3, Buick Envision, BMW X1, GMC Terrain, or Mercedes-Benz GLA, and you’ll see what we mean.

During the past three years, the RX 450h hybrid has accounted for an average of 15.4% of all Lexus RX sales in the U.S. Now, a redesigned 2023 Lexus RX is set to go on sale by the end of 2022, and the automaker will offer three hybrid models: the RX 350h, RX 450h+, and the RX 500h F Sport Performance. Based on time spent driving two of these three new 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid models, we expect them to at least double, if not triple, the previous-generation RX 450h’s share of sales. As long as the price is right, of course.

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