2024 Mazda CX-90 vs 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid was redesigned and tested in Santa Barbara, California. The RX 350h and RX 500h F Sport Performance models were the focus, showcasing subtle differences from the standard RX 350. The RX 350h Luxury model, with its Iridium silver finish and 21-inch alloy wheels, maintained a sleek, understated hybrid appearance. In contrast, the RX 500h F Sport Performance stood out with its Copper paint, blacked-out grille, and aggressive styling, emphasizing its performance-oriented nature. Despite its popularity, the RX's design remained somewhat unbalanced, with a blunt nose and a visually shortened rear end. Inside, the RX adopted a minimalistic approach, featuring a new infotainment system and contemporary textures. The RX 350h Luxury boasted Macadamia leather and Ash Bamboo trim, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance offered a darker, sportier interior with optional Rioja Red upholstery.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 elevated Mazda's design and material quality, rivaling luxury brands. Its exterior design, inspired by smaller Mazda models, was expanded to create an imposing SUV with a big grille and tasteful chrome trim. Inside, the CX-90 offered a luxurious experience, especially in top trims, with brown suede upholstery and wood inlays. The CX-90 was available in various trims, each benefiting from Mazda's stylish design language. The CX-90 Turbo was offered in multiple trims, with the GT-P and Signature featuring a more powerful mild-hybrid engine. The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version was available in GS, GS-L, and GT trims. The CX-90's interior was praised for its comfort and elegance, with a focus on high-quality materials and a spacious layout.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a more efficient powertrain with the RX 350h, featuring a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque. It achieved an estimated 6.5 L/100 km in combined driving. The RX 500h F Sport Performance offered a turbocharged 2.4-litre engine with 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, reaching 100 km/h in about 6 seconds. Despite its power, it consumed 8.6 L/100 km. The RX 500h's adaptive damping suspension and Dynamic Rear Steering enhanced its athleticism, while the RX 350h provided a quieter, more fuel-efficient ride.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 introduced two new powertrains, including a plug-in hybrid option. The upgraded 3.3-litre inline-6 turbo engine in the GT-P and Signature trims delivered 340 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. All models featured AWD and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The CX-90 offered three driving modes: Normal, Sport, and Off-Road. The PHEV model combined a 2.5-litre engine with a 17.8-kWh battery, producing 323 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, with an all-electric range of 42 km. The CX-90 excelled in handling, with a double-wishbone front suspension and agile steering, providing a dynamic driving experience.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered comfort with ten-way power-adjustable front seats, premium leather, and three-zone climate control. The RX 500h F Sport Performance had eight-way adjustable seats with larger bolsters. The hybrids' battery placement under the rear seat provided good leg support but limited headroom. Cargo space was 838 litres behind the rear seat and 1,308 litres with seats folded, an improvement over the previous model.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 provided various seating configurations, with the Turbo Signature trim offering a six-seat layout. Cargo space varied, with up to 2,129 litres available. The CX-90 improved over the CX-9 but still lagged behind competitors in capacity. Clever storage solutions and high-quality materials enhanced the interior experience, making it comfortable despite its size limitations.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid featured a new infotainment system, requiring subscription services for full functionality. The Lexus Interface offered cloud-based navigation and a digital voice assistant. However, the system had limitations, such as single-screen viewing and reflective displays. The available head-up display had usability issues with polarized sunglasses.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 focused on reducing distractions with a rotary control knob instead of a touchscreen. While the intention was sound, the system's complexity led to distractions. Personalization software used facial recognition to adjust settings, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available. The rotary controller worked with these systems, but touchscreens were more intuitive.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid included Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, featuring motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and adaptive cruise control. Proactive Driving Assist and Traffic Jam Assist were also available. Some features had usability issues, such as the front cross-traffic alert and curve-speed reduction.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 came standard with i-Activsense, offering blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and more. The CX-90 Signature included cruising and traffic support, providing lane-centring and adaptive cruise control. While crash-test ratings were unavailable, the CX-90 was expected to perform well, given the CX-9's accolades.