2023 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2023 Mazda CX-5

The 2023 Mazda CX-5, despite its age, continued to be a strong contender in the compact crossover SUV market. It was praised for its stylish design and high-quality materials, which gave it the feel of a small luxury SUV. The available turbocharged engine provided impressive power, and the model boasted a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS. However, the CX-5 had its drawbacks, including a small back seat, limited cargo space, and a frustrating infotainment system. Mazda's decision to transition the CX-5 to the CX-50 was part of a broader marketing strategy, similar to Infiniti's renaming of the G37 to the Q50 and Q60. The CX-5 was available in eight versions, with prices ranging from $26,700 to $41,655, depending on the trim and options.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid, redesigned for the year, was introduced in Santa Barbara, California. The RX 350h and RX 500h F Sport Performance hybrid versions were the focus, with the RX 450h+ plug-in hybrid arriving later. The RX 350h Luxury model, with its Iridium silver finish and 21-inch wheels, looked identical to the standard RX 350, lacking any hybrid-specific badges. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, however, stood out with its Copper paint, blacked-out grille, and aggressive styling. The RX models maintained their blunt-nosed appearance, with a wheelbase stretch that reduced rear overhang, making the new RX look smaller despite being similar in size to the outgoing model. Inside, the RX featured a minimalistic design with fewer controls and an improved infotainment system. The RX 350h Luxury model had Macadamia semi-aniline leather and Ash Bamboo wood trim, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance featured black interiors with artificial suede and dark gray aluminum trim.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options. The base 2.5 S model came with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. It achieved an EPA rating of 26 mpg in combined driving. The 2.5 Turbo model, with its turbocharged engine, delivered 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel, or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on regular gas. This engine also used the six-speed automatic and AWD, with an EPA rating of 24 mpg combined. The turbocharged engine provided a thrilling driving experience, with torque arriving at 2,000 rpm on regular gas and 2,500 rpm on premium. The CX-5's structural and suspension updates improved its driving dynamics, making it feel more like an entry-level luxury vehicle. However, the turbocharged engine's fuel economy fell short during testing, averaging 21.4 mpg.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered two hybrid powertrains. The RX 350h, with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, produced 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque, achieving an estimated 36 mpg in combined driving. It accelerated to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, with a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine, delivered 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, reaching 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. It featured a six-speed automatic transmission and Direct4 AWD, with an estimated 27 mpg combined. The RX 500h's adaptive damping suspension and Dynamic Rear Steering system enhanced its performance, while the Active Sound Control added to the driving experience. However, the RX 500h's fuel economy fell short during testing, averaging 20.9 mpg. The RX 350h, on the other hand, averaged 32 mpg, offering better fuel efficiency and a more secure feel in curves.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 received updates to its front seats for improved comfort and support. The Signature trim featured Nappa leather upholstery and power-adjustable front seats. However, the CX-5's interior space was limited, with small storage areas, a cramped back seat, and a cargo capacity of 30.9 cubic feet behind the rear seat, expanding to 59.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The infotainment system lacked a touchscreen and voice recognition, making it less user-friendly compared to competitors.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered a comfortable and luxurious interior. The RX 350h Luxury trim featured ten-way power-adjustable front seats, premium leather, and three-zone automatic climate control. The RX 500h F Sport Performance had eight-way power-adjustable seats with larger bolsters and standard leather. The hybrids' battery packs were located under the rear seat, providing good leg support but limited headroom. The RX offered 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 46.2 cubic feet with the seats folded, an improvement over the previous model but still less than some rivals.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5's Mazda Connect infotainment system featured a 10.25-inch display with sophisticated graphics but was frustrating to use. It lacked a voice recognition system, and the physical controls on the center console were awkward. The system required memorization and focus, making it distracting while driving. Despite these issues, Mazda Connect offered features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a three-year trial of Mazda Connected Services. The test vehicle also had a front-facing camera and a surround-view camera system.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, requiring activation of connected services plans after trial subscriptions. The Lexus Interface included a cloud-based navigation system and an Intelligent Assistant digital voice assistant. The system worked well during testing, though it had some limitations, such as only displaying one screen menu at a time and lacking a tuning knob. The test vehicles also featured a head-up display with dual-function touch-sensing control pads on the steering wheel, which could be distracting, especially with polarized sunglasses.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 came with i-Activsense driver assistance technology, offering most features as standard. The 2.5 Turbo Signature trim included additional features like a surround-view camera system and Traffic Jam Assist. The i-Activsense tech operated smoothly, with an Active Driving Display showing alerts. The CX-5 received five-star ratings from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS. However, it lacked a warning for driving without headlights at night, a common issue with the model.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid featured Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, including new motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and intersection turn assistance. Proactive Driving Assist was also available, maintaining safe distances and recharging the battery through regenerative braking. The system had some irritations, such as the front cross-traffic alert and curve-speed reduction tech. The RX also offered Traffic Jam Assist and Advanced Park, though the latter was not tested.