Lexus NX 250 vs. Mazda CX-5
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Lexus NX 250 and Mazda CX-5 contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Lexus NX 250 and the Mazda CX-5.
In comparing the Lexus NX 250's and the Mazda CX-5's specifications and ratings, the Lexus NX 250 has the advantage in the area of base engine power. The Mazda CX-5 has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and resale value. Based on this comparison of the Lexus NX 250's and the Mazda CX-5's specifications and ratings, the Mazda CX-5 is a better car than the Lexus NX 250.
Pricing: A used 2024 Lexus NX 250 ranges from $38,466 to $44,993 while a used 2024 Mazda CX-5 is priced between $28,687 to $40,393. For a new model, the Lexus NX 250's price is between $41,114 and $46,615, with the Mazda CX-5 priced between $30,611 and $40,595.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Lexus NX 250 loses 39.1 percent of its value and the Mazda CX-5 loses 36.2 percent of its value. This means the Mazda CX-5 retains 2.9 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Lexus NX 250.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Lexus NX 250’s base engine makes 203 horsepower, and the Mazda CX-5 base engine makes 187 horsepower.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Lexus NX 250 and Mazda CX-5 are comparable in regards to front leg room.
Safety Ratings: The Mazda CX-5 has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings. When comparing IIHS evaluations, both the Lexus NX 250 and the Mazda CX-5 have the same Top Safety Pick award.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$41,114 - $46,615
Starting MSRP:
$39,455
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
$50,139
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
$22,400 - $79,100
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$30,611 - $40,595
Starting MSRP:
$29,300
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact SUVs)
$27,871
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact SUVs)
$23,860 - $30,300
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$41,610
Price Range:
$38,466 - $44,993
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
$57,314
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
$27,806 - $84,530
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
202
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
17,835
# Good or Great Deals:
20
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$34,021
Price Range:
$28,687 - $40,393
Category Avg Price:
(Compact SUVs)
$33,244
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact SUVs)
$29,649 - $36,546
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
1,524
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
14,453
# Good or Great Deals:
108
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
Depreciation %:
Resale Value $:
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
50.5%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
40.4% - 56.6%
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$10,943
Depreciation %:
37.3%
Resale Value $:
$18,357
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact SUVs)
42%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact SUVs)
29.1% - 47.3%
Lexus NX 250 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
8.1 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
Mazda CX-5 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.2 / 10
Reliability:
7.2 / 10
Retained Value:
8.3 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Lexus NX 250
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
12.3
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
10.7 - 13.3
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mazda CX-5
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
12.3
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact SUVs)
10.9
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact SUVs)
9.9 - 13.4
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
23.9%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.7
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
3.1
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
0.8 - 26.1
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.6
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
2.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
1.8 - 18.3
Lexus NX 250 Rankings
Ranking
3 out of / 29Ranking
4 out of / 68Ranking
4 out of / 27Ranking
8 out of / 59Ranking
20 out of / 29Ranking
21 out of / 29Ranking
21 out of / 29Ranking
22 out of / 29Ranking
23 out of / 29Ranking
27 out of / 29Ranking
28 out of / 29Ranking
44 out of / 68Ranking
47 out of / 68Ranking
48 out of / 68Ranking
50 out of / 68Ranking
54 out of / 68Ranking
61 out of / 68Ranking
64 out of / 68Mazda CX-5 Rankings
Ranking
3 out of / 19Ranking
4 out of / 7Ranking
4 out of / 6Ranking
5 out of / 19Ranking
8 out of / 19Ranking
9 out of / 20Ranking
9 out of / 19Ranking
9 out of / 19Ranking
9 out of / 19Ranking
9 out of / 14Ranking
10 out of / 19Ranking
12 out of / 19Ranking
14 out of / 19Ranking
14 out of / 19Ranking
14 out of / 19Ranking
15 out of / 19Ranking
17 out of / 67Ranking
18 out of / 19Ranking
19 out of / 67Ranking
20 out of / 67Ranking
20 out of / 59Ranking
28 out of / 67Ranking
32 out of / 67Ranking
34 out of / 67Ranking
35 out of / 67Ranking
35 out of / 67Ranking
36 out of / 67Ranking
39 out of / 67Ranking
43 out of / 67Ranking
47 out of / 67Ranking
50 out of / 67Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Lexus NX 250 Trim Levels
Base, Premium
Mazda CX-5 Trim Levels
2.5 Carbon Turbo, 2.5 S Carbon Edition, 2.5 S Preferred, 2.5 S Premium, 2.5 S Premium Plus, 2.5 S Select, 2.5 Turbo Premium, 2.5 Turbo Signature
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
6 years / 70000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
TOP SAFETY PICK
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
TOP SAFETY PICK
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
203 hp @ 6600 rpm
Torque:
184 foot-lbs @ 5000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.055 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
187 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
185 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.049 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
26 / 33 / 28
Range (city/hwy):
377 / 479 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
41 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.1 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54 inches
Cargo Space:
22.7 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
46.9 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
41 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
39 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.8 inches
Cargo Space:
30 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
59.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
133.6 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3660 lbs
Width:
73.4 inches
Height:
65.4 inches
Length:
183.5 inches
Wheelbase:
105.9 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.3 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3783 lbs
Width:
83.3 inches
Height:
66.1 inches
Length:
180.1 inches
Wheelbase:
106.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.6 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/60R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P225/65R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Caviar
Blue
Grecian Water
Gray
Cloudburst Gray
Green
Nori Green Pearl
Orange
Cadmium Orange
Red
Redline
Silver
Atomic Silver
White
Eminent White Pearl
Exterior Colors
Black
Jet Black Mica
Blue
Deep Crystal Blue Mica / Eternal Blue Mica
Gray
Machine Gray Metallic / Platinum Quartz Metallic
Green
Not available
Orange
Not available
Red
Soul Red Crystal Metallic
Silver
Not available
White
Rhodium White Metallic
Interior Colors
Black
Black w/ Stippled Black Trim / Black/Rich Cream w/ Stippled Black Trim
Brown
Palomino w/ Stippled Black Trim
Red
Rioja Red w/ Stippled Black Trim
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Brown
Not available
Red
Not available
