2024 Lexus RX vs 2023 Mazda CX-50

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 showcased a design that was both familiar and fresh. Its styling was characterized by a blunt nose, long hood, and a rakish windshield, with the cabin positioned towards the rear wheels, embodying the subtle seductiveness typical of Mazda's vehicles over the past decade. However, the CX-50 introduced a rugged aesthetic with its blistered and boxed fender swells, bold lower body cladding, and faux skid plates. The oversized air intake and vent designs added a performance edge without being visually offensive. When combined with the standard black grille, mirror caps, and optional 20-inch alloy wheels, the CX-50's exterior elements created an appealing look. The introduction of the CX-50 Meridian Edition later in the model year added exclusive features like all-terrain tires and a roof-mounted load platform, enhancing its adventurous appeal.

Inside, the CX-50 continued Mazda's tradition of driver-focused design with a mix of quality materials and polished metallic trim. The interior featured black leather with caramel-coloured accent stitching, round analog and digital gauges, and a smattering of controls. Vertical air vents flanked the instrument cluster, though the lone off-centre vent on the dashboard seemed like an afterthought. Despite this, the CX-50's interior was well-received for its aesthetics and functionality, offering a terracotta upholstery option on higher trims. Overall, the CX-50 was a visually striking compact crossover, both inside and out.

In contrast, the 2024 Lexus RX presented a more polarizing design following its recent redesign. The front end was dominated by an oversized trapezoidal grille, flanked by large air inlets, which appeared awkward, especially in lighter colours. The hood's large bump added to the bulky appearance, diverging from the sleek RX models of the past. The body panels bulged out to envelop the rear fenders, and a swooping chrome accent strip suggested a floating-roof design, which seemed slightly out of place. However, the rear end received a more cohesive treatment, with a tidy design that connected the taillights with a single light strip.

Inside, the RX offered a more conventional layout with faux suede inserts in higher-priced packages, lending a softer and more inviting personality. The available 14-inch infotainment touchscreen was positioned high on the dash, with neatly organized climate controls below. The wide centre console featured a simulated woodgrain that felt and looked like plastic, contrasting with the genuine wood inlays on the steering wheel. Despite these inconsistencies, the cabin was covered in premium leather and well-grained plastics, providing a sturdy construction underneath.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 offered two engine options, with most buyers likely opting for the more affordable and fuel-efficient GT model. This version featured a 187 hp Skyactiv 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 186 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Fuel consumption for this engine was rated at 9.7 L/100 km in the city, 7.9 on the highway, and 8.9 combined. For those seeking stronger acceleration and increased towing capacity, the CX-50 GT Turbo trim was available. It boasted a turbocharged version of the standard engine, delivering between 227 hp and 256 hp, depending on the fuel type. Torque varied from 310 lb-ft at 2,000 rpm on 87-octane gas to 320 lb-ft at 2,500 rpm on 93-octane fuel. The turbo engine provided smooth acceleration across a broad power curve, with no noticeable turbo lag. The CX-50's Mi-Drive system offered Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing modes, working with G-Vectoring Control technology to ensure natural vehicle behaviour. The CX-50's ride quality was slightly firmer than the CX-5, and it demonstrated a hint of torque steer during tight turns. Despite this, the CX-50 felt more like a modern station wagon than an SUV, with a ground clearance nearly matching that of the Subaru Forester and Outback. The CX-50 was capable of handling off-road situations, though it lacked a downhill assist control system. The Meridian Edition's all-terrain tires provided added bite, but it couldn't match the Subaru Wilderness models on challenging terrain. The CX-50 Turbo's towing capacity was tested with a dual-axle trailer, and while it managed well on flat highways, it could struggle on mountain grades.

The 2024 Lexus RX offered four distinct models, starting with the base RX 350, powered by a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine producing 275 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive was standard on all models in Canada. The RX 350h hybrid version featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine making 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque, routed through a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The RX 500h F Sport Performance combined a turbo 2.4-litre inline-four with a hybrid powertrain, producing 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, with a six-speed automatic transmission. The plug-in hybrid RX 450h+ added a larger 18.1-kWh battery pack, increasing power output to 304 hp and offering up to 60 km of electric range. The RX 350 and RX 350h felt underpowered compared to other luxury SUVs, with the hybrid's CVT exacerbating the sensation. The RX 450h+ was more responsive, reaching 96 km/h in 6.2 seconds, but still lacked the potency of some rivals. The RX's suspension was tuned for comfort, smoothing over road imperfections but resulting in noticeable body roll and residual rebounds. The F Sport Handling trim offered sharper performance, but the RX's primary focus was on comfort.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 GT Turbo was well-equipped for winter with power-adjustable heated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, heated side mirrors, and heated windshield wipers. Ventilated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control provided comfort in warmer weather. The driver's seat and front passenger's seat were comfortable for long journeys, though additional side bolstering would have been beneficial. The back seat offered ample room for adults, with rear air vents and charging ports available on nearly all trims. The rear doors opened to nearly a 90-degree angle, facilitating easy entry and exit. Storage space was adequate, though Mazda missed opportunities for additional bins. The available smartphone charger was conveniently located under the centre armrest. The power rear liftgate revealed 889 litres of cargo space, with a long load floor but narrow width between the wheel wells. Maximum cargo space was 1,595 litres, slightly less than the CX-5 due to the CX-50's lower roofline.

The 2024 Lexus RX provided ample room for larger occupants in the front seats, with standard heating and ventilation. A massage function was not available, but the seats were comfortable for long trips. A rubberized wireless charging pad, paired with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, kept phones secure. The centre console featured a deep storage bin, double-hinged armrest lid, and cupholders accommodating wider bottles. The rear seats offered spaciousness for average-sized adults, with good outward visibility and standard rear climate controls and USB ports. The power liftgate provided access to 838 litres of cargo space, which was on the smaller side for the class. The load floor was slightly taller than competitors, requiring more effort for loading. Folding the second-row seatbacks expanded capacity to 1,308 litres, with one-touch power-folding buttons for convenience.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 featured a Mazda Connect infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and Mazda Connected Services. In Canada, a 10.25-inch display was standard. Historically, Mazda Connect lacked touchscreen control, relying on centre console buttons, steering wheel controls, and voice recognition. However, the 2023 CX-50 introduced touchscreen control for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The available 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround-sound system provided a satisfying audio experience. An Active Driving Display, or head-up display, projected data within the driver's line of sight, including blind-spot warnings.

The 2024 Lexus RX's infotainment system improved with a touchscreen interface, available in 9.8-inch and 14-inch sizes. The system featured logical menus, sharp graphics, and quick responses. Natural speech commands allowed for easy adjustments, though it wasn't as feature-rich as some competitors. The steering wheel had multi-function pads for phone, music, and cruise control. A cloud-based navigation system was standard, though prone to connectivity issues and available as a subscription service. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were reliable alternatives. The available 21-speaker Mark Levinson surround sound system delivered powerful audio quality.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 was rated a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, falling short of the Top Safety Pick+ due to headlight configurations and night-time pedestrian collision avoidance. The NHTSA had not rated the CX-50. Mazda provided a comprehensive standard package of driving assistance systems, with upgrades available on higher trims. Standard features included active blind-spot monitoring, while exclusive features included Traffic Jam Assist, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. The driving assistance systems generally worked well, though the adaptive cruise control occasionally failed to recognize slower vehicles cutting in.

The 2024 Lexus RX earned five stars in overall and side collision protection from the NHTSA, with four stars in frontal and rollover tests. The IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick, with "Good" ratings in most crashworthiness evaluations. The RX came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, and more. Available features included a head-up display, digital rearview mirror, and semi-automated parking system. Some features were conservatively tuned, resulting in unnecessary warnings, but they could be adjusted or disabled.