2023 Mazda CX-5 vs 2024 Lexus GX

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 its G37 sedan and coupe. The CX-5 was available in eight versions, with prices ranging from $26,700 to $39,650, offering a range of options for consumers.

In contrast, the 2024 Lexus GX underwent a significant redesign, moving away from the softer, rounded corners of its predecessor to embrace a more geometric styling. The new GX featured a less pronounced spindle grille, standard triple-beam LED headlights, and a more aggressive front fascia. The interior was minimalist and sophisticated, with fewer physical buttons but retaining essential controls. The GX offered six trim levels, with the Premium+ expected to be the best-seller. The Luxury and Overtrail trims highlighted the SUV's best features, with the Overtrail models focusing on off-roading capabilities. The GX's interior blended luxury appointments with utilitarian materials, and it was equipped with a large 14-inch touchscreen display and physical controls for off-road features.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options: a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque, and a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering up to 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque with premium fuel. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The turbocharged engine provided a thrilling driving experience, with torque arriving at 2,000 rpm on regular gas and 2,500 rpm with premium fuel. 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 of expectations during testing, achieving 21.4 mpg in combined driving.

The 2024 Lexus GX, on the other hand, replaced its previous V8 engine with a twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 engine, producing 349 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. The GX was built on the GA-F truck platform, providing a stiffer chassis for improved stability both on-road and off-road. It featured a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard full-time four-wheel drive with a locking Torsen limited-slip center differential. The Overtrail trims added a locking rear differential and the Electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (E-KDSS) for enhanced off-road performance. During testing, the GX demonstrated impressive acceleration and effective braking, with its controlled and relaxed behavior on-road being a pleasant surprise.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5's interior was updated for improved comfort and support, with height-adjustable front seats and various upholstery upgrades available. The Signature trim featured luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. However, the CX-5's interior space was limited, with cramped rear seats and a cargo area offering 30.9 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 59.3 cubic feet with the back seat folded down. The infotainment system lacked a conversational voice recognition system, and the control knob required memorization and focus to operate.

In contrast, the 2024 Lexus GX's interior was more spacious and comfortable, with 41.2 inches of legroom in the front seats and 36.7 inches in the second row. The third row, available in Premium and Luxury models, was tight for adults. The GX offered impressive cargo space, with 10.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 40.2 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a total of 76.9 cubic feet. The Overtrail models provided even more cargo space, with 45.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 90.5 cubic feet in total.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5's Mazda Connect infotainment system featured a 10.25-inch display with sophisticated graphics but was frustrating to use due to its lack of a helpful voice recognition system and awkward physical controls. The system required memorization and focus to operate, making it less intuitive than touchscreens. However, it offered features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Bose premium audio system in upper trims. The test vehicle also included a front-facing camera and a surround-view camera system.

The 2024 Lexus GX featured a 14-inch touchscreen integrated into the dash, with USB-C ports and a wireless charging pad for front-seat passengers. The Lexus Interface infotainment system offered Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto, and an intelligent voice assistant. Drive Connect and Remote Connect services were available with initial three-year trial subscriptions. The GX came with a 10-speaker audio system, with the Luxury and Overtrail+ trims offering a 21-speaker Mark Levinson stereo. While the Lexus Interface was easy to use, some features were locked behind subscription plans after the trial period.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 excelled in safety, with the i-Activsense suite of driver assistance technologies offered as standard equipment. The 2.5 Turbo Signature trim included additional features like a surround-view camera system and Traffic Jam Assist. The CX-5 received five-star ratings from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS. However, it lacked a warning message for driving without headlights at night, which was a concern.

The 2024 Lexus GX received a significant upgrade in safety features with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, offering pre-collision detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-tracing assist, and road-sign recognition as standard. The GX's proactive driving assist feature provided additional safety measures. While the 2024 GX had not yet been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA, its modern architecture and advanced safety features inspired confidence in its safety offerings.