2026 Mazda CX-5 vs 2026 Lexus TX

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 was a visual standout in its segment, thanks to its evolved Kodo design language, which Mazda referred to as "Wearable Gear." This design gave the CX-5 a sculpted and purposeful appearance, with a Signature Wing grille that seamlessly flowed into new LED headlights. The rear featured angular lighting that tied the CX-5 into Mazda's larger models, and a new "MAZDA" script badge replaced the traditional logo, giving the vehicle an upscale look. However, the wheel designs were a letdown, with the base 17-inch wheels appearing small on the larger body, and even the 19-inch options lacking the intricate detailing of previous Mazda models.

Inside, the CX-5 continued Mazda's tradition of high-quality interiors, featuring a clean dashboard design, a prominent central touchscreen, and a driver-focused cockpit. The materials used were a step up from the competition, with soft-touch surfaces and a two-tone interior option on upper trims that exuded a premium feel. Leather seating on the GT trim was supple and well-bolstered, contributing to an upscale ambiance. However, the presence of hard plastic in certain areas slightly undercut the otherwise refined interior. The dimensional improvements were evident, with a stretched wheelbase and increased overall length and width, resulting in a more spacious and comfortable cabin.

The 2026 Lexus TX offered a variety of packages depending on the powertrain, with the TX 350 featuring the Luxury package by default and options for Ultra Luxury, Executive, and F Sport 3 packages. The TX 500h hybrid started with the F Sport Performance 2 package and could be optioned with the F Sport 3 package. The exterior design retained a large grille reminiscent of the older "spindle grille" shape, complemented by sharp bi-LED headlights and rear LED lighting spanning the vehicle's width. The interior offered three colour options, ambient lighting, and suede trim over the glovebox, but overall material quality fell short of luxury car standards.

The TX's interior featured redesigned door handles that reacted to pressure rather than engaging a mechanical lever, which some found unnecessary. The third row was spacious, with a recline function and ample headroom, while the second row offered captain's chairs with a removable centre console. However, folding the second row flat was complicated, requiring several levers to be flipped in a specific order. The front seats were roomy but lacked thigh support, and the climate controls were primarily on the screen, with physical dials for temperature adjustments. Cargo space was impressive, with 572 litres available with all seats in place, expanding to 2,747 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2026 Mazda CX-5's performance was a mixed bag. It featured a carryover SkyActiv-G 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, producing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. While these numbers were adequate on paper, the engine felt underpowered in practice, especially given the vehicle's increased weight of 1,747 kilograms. The lack of a turbocharged engine option was a disappointment, as the previous generation's turbocharged 2.5-litre engine provided a significant performance edge. The six-speed automatic transmission was smooth but lacked the responsiveness of the eight-speed units offered by competitors.

Handling remained a strong point for the CX-5, with direct steering, well-managed body roll, and excellent chassis composure. However, the lack of power hindered the enjoyment of its agile road manners. Ride quality was firm yet comfortable, with improved insulation for reduced road and wind noise. Fuel economy figures were among the highest in the segment, with Natural Resources Canada rating the CX-5 at 9.9 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 7.9 on the highway, and 9.0 combined.

The Lexus TX 350 came with a 275-horsepower 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, while the TX 500h hybrid boosted output to 366 hp. The gas model featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, while the hybrid used a six-speed automatic. The TX 350 had electronically controlled full-time all-wheel drive, while the TX 500h used Lexus's Direct4 AWD system. The TX offered Normal, Eco, and Sport drive modes, with Sport mode providing increased throttle sensitivity. The 500h model included adaptive suspension and rear steering for improved handling.

The 2026 Mazda CX-5's dimensional growth translated into a more spacious interior. The wheelbase stretch resulted in increased rear knee clearance, addressing a common criticism of the previous model. Rear headroom was a standout feature, offering the best figure in the class. Cargo space improved, with 954 litres available behind the second row and 1,882 litres with the rear seats folded. However, towing capacity decreased to 680 kilograms, putting it behind some competitors.

The Lexus TX offered a spacious interior with three-zone automatic climate control, heated and cooled front seats, and heated second-row seats. The third row was remarkably spacious, with a recline function and ample headroom. The second row featured captain's chairs with a removable centre console, but folding the second row flat was complicated. The front seats were roomy but lacked thigh support. Cargo space was impressive, with 572 litres available with all seats in place, expanding to 2,747 litres with the rear seats folded. The TX could tow up to 2,268 kilograms when properly equipped.

The 2026 Mazda CX-5's infotainment system was a significant upgrade, featuring a 12.9-inch touchscreen on all trims, with a 15.6-inch unit available on the GT trim. Google built-in was standard, offering native Google Maps, a voice assistant, and access to the Google Play Store. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, with wireless connectivity on higher trims. The 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster was a nice inclusion, but its execution left something to be desired. The loss of a physical volume knob was a step backward, and the climate control interface was suboptimal.

The Lexus TX featured a 14-inch colour touchscreen that was easy to use but had some quirks. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, but connectivity issues were noted. A subscription was required for in-dash navigation and other features. The back-up camera was clear, and the available Advanced Park system could handle parking duties. The TX offered seven USB ports and wireless charging, with an available 120-volt outlet in the second row.

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 came with a comprehensive standard safety suite, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, blind spot monitors, and more. The GT trim added an adaptive front-lighting system, and the Premium Package included additional safety features. Crash test results were not available at the time of writing, but the outgoing model had a strong safety track record.

The Lexus TX featured Safety System+ 3.0 as standard, including forward collision warning, lane tracing assist, and more. The adaptive cruise control worked well once set up, but the steering wheel controls were confusing. The TX received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a mix of "Good" and "Acceptable" ratings from the IIHS.