Mazda CX-5 vs. Lexus NX 350
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Mazda CX-5 and Lexus NX 350 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 Mazda CX-5 and the Lexus NX 350.
When we compare the Mazda CX-5's and the Lexus NX 350's specifications and ratings, 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. The Lexus NX 350 has the advantage in the area of base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Mazda CX-5's and the Lexus NX 350's specifications and ratings, the Mazda CX-5 is a better car than the Lexus NX 350.
Pricing: A used 2024 Mazda CX-5 ranges from $28,687 to $40,393 while a used 2024 Lexus NX 350 is priced between $42,994 to $56,762. For a new model, the Mazda CX-5's price is between $30,611 and $40,595, with the Lexus NX 350 priced between $46,140 and $58,183.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Mazda CX-5 loses 36.2 percent of its value and the Lexus NX 350 loses 39 percent of its value. This means the Mazda CX-5 retains 2.8 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Lexus NX 350.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Mazda CX-5’s base engine makes 187 horsepower, and the Lexus NX 350 base engine makes 275 horsepower.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Mazda CX-5 and Lexus NX 350 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 Mazda CX-5 and the Lexus NX 350 have the same Top Safety Pick award.
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
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$46,140 - $58,183
Starting MSRP:
$43,215
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
$50,139
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
$22,400 - $79,100
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:
1,361
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
14,160
# Good or Great Deals:
106
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$48,559
Price Range:
$42,994 - $56,762
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
$57,314
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
$27,806 - $84,530
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
209
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
14,902
# Good or Great Deals:
37
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%
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%
Mazda CX-5 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.2 / 10
Reliability:
7.2 / 10
Retained Value:
8.3 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
Lexus NX 350 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
8.1 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
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%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Lexus NX 350
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:
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
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.1
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
3.1
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
0.8 - 26.1
Mazda 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 / 67Lexus NX 350 Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 29Ranking
3 out of / 68Ranking
8 out of / 27Ranking
15 out of / 59Ranking
17 out of / 29Ranking
19 out of / 29Ranking
20 out of / 29Ranking
20 out of / 29Ranking
21 out of / 29Ranking
22 out of / 29Ranking
26 out of / 29Ranking
43 out of / 68Ranking
43 out of / 68Ranking
46 out of / 68Ranking
47 out of / 68Ranking
49 out of / 68Ranking
53 out of / 68Ranking
60 out of / 68Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
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
Lexus NX 350 Trim Levels
Base, F SPORT Handling, Luxury, Premium
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
6 years / 70000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
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
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
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
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
275 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
317 foot-lbs @ 1700 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.068 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
2000 lbs
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
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
21 / 28 / 24
Range (city/hwy):
305 / 406 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
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
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Satellite radio:
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
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
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Satellite radio:
Standard
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
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:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Available
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:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
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
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
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
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4035 lbs
Width:
73.4 inches
Height:
65.8 inches
Length:
183.5 inches
Wheelbase:
105.9 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.7 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P225/65R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/60R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Jet Black Mica
Blue
Deep Crystal Blue Mica / Eternal Blue Mica
Gray
Machine Gray Metallic / Platinum Quartz Metallic
Red
Soul Red Crystal Metallic
White
Rhodium White Metallic
Green
Not available
Orange
Not available
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Caviar
Blue
Grecian Water
Gray
Cloudburst Gray
Red
Redline
White
Eminent White Pearl
Green
Nori Green Pearl
Orange
Cadmium Orange
Silver
Atomic Silver
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Brown
Not available
Red
Not available
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
