2025 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2024 Mazda CX-90

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 presented a bold step towards luxury, challenging traditional high-end brands like BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Mazda's design and material quality surpassed its Japanese competitors, aligning more closely with luxury brands such as Acura and Lexus. The CX-90's exterior was an elegant expansion of Mazda's design language, featuring a prominent grille and large wheels that commanded attention. Inside, the top-tier trims offered a luxurious experience with brown suede upholstery, wood inlays, and matte finishes, rivaling even the BMW X5 in aesthetic appeal.

In contrast, the 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid, particularly the RX 500h F Sport Black Line, was a $90,000 SUV that, despite its price, lacked visual excitement. Its Incognito paint and orange brake calipers added some flair, but the overall design remained unremarkable. The RX's appearance depended heavily on the chosen version and colour combination. However, the interior offered a contemporary feel with quality materials and ambient lighting, though some ergonomic choices, like the climate system's loud fan, detracted from the luxury experience.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 introduced two new powertrains, including a plug-in hybrid option. The upgraded 3.3-litre inline-6 turbo engine delivered 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, providing a thrilling driving experience. All models featured standard all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The CX-90's handling was impressive, with a double-wishbone front suspension and agile cornering capabilities, reminiscent of Mazda's sporty MX-5.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid offered three models, with the RX 500h standing out for its 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque from a turbocharged 2.4-litre engine. It featured a sport-tuned adaptive damping suspension and Direct4 AWD system. Despite its power, the RX 500h's fuel efficiency was disappointing, averaging 13.5 L/100 km. The driving experience was less engaging, with limited road feedback and occasional drivetrain hesitation, making it more about straight-line speed than dynamic capability.

The Mazda CX-90 provided various seating configurations, accommodating up to eight passengers. Cargo space was generous, with up to 2,129 litres available. Clever storage solutions and comfortable seating, combined with high-quality materials, made the CX-90 a pleasant environment, though it fell short in third-row legroom compared to some competitors.

The Lexus RX Hybrid focused on comfort and practicality, offering ample rear-seat space and a panoramic sunroof. However, the front seats were less comfortable on long drives. Cargo capacity reached 1,308 litres with the rear seats folded, but the design of the cargo area could hinder loading larger items. Interior storage was practical, though some areas lacked refinement.

Mazda's CX-90 emphasized safety by minimizing distractions, using a rotary control knob instead of a touchscreen. While the system aimed to reduce driver distraction, it often proved cumbersome. However, personalization features like facial recognition for driver settings were a highlight. Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto provided familiar interfaces for users.

The Lexus RX Hybrid boasted high-tech features, including a digital key and a 14-inch touchscreen. The Lexus Interface system was user-friendly, with a conversational digital assistant and cloud-based navigation. However, the steering wheel controls were frustratingly complex. The Mark Levinson audio system offered excellent sound quality, but some infotainment glitches were noted.

The Mazda CX-90 came equipped with i-Activsense, a comprehensive suite of ADAS features, including blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. While crash test ratings were not yet available, expectations were high based on previous models' performance.

Lexus RX Hybrid's Safety Connect offered extensive safety features, including LSS+ 3.0 with forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control. The RX received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA, though the IIHS rated it poorly in some tests. The surround-view camera was a valuable addition, enhancing safety during manoeuvres.