Compare the2025 Mazda CX-70VS 2025 Lexus RX

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-70. But it costs extra on the RX.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the CX-70’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The RX doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the CX-70 and the RX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the CX-70 is much safer than the RX:

The Mazda CX-70 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The RX is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

There are over 2 times as many Mazda dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the CX-70’s warranty.

The CX-70 has more powerful engines than the RX:

As tested in Motor Trend the CX-70 PHEV 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the RX 350 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder:

On the EPA test cycle the CX-70 running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the RX running its gasoline engine:

Both the CX-70 and the RX have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All CX-70s have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The RX 350h/500h doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Mazda CX-70 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended on CX-70 PHEV for maximum performance). The RX 350 requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The CX-70’s standard fuel tank has 4 gallons more fuel capacity than the RX 450+’s standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The CX-70’s standard fuel tank has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the RX 350h/500h’s standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 17.2 gallons). The CX-70 Turbo S’ standard fuel tank has 1.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the RX 350’s standard fuel tank (19.6 vs. 17.8 gallons).

The CX-70 stops much shorter than the RX:

For better traction, the CX-70 has larger standard tires than the RX (265/55R19 vs. 235/60R19). The CX-70 Premium’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the RX (275/45R21 vs. 235/60R19).

The CX-70’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the RX’s standard 60 series tires. The CX-70 Premium’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the RX’s optional 50 series tires.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-70’s wheelbase is 10.6 inches longer than on the RX (122.8 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the CX-70 is 1.9 inches wider in the front and .7 inches wider in the rear than on the RX.

The CX-70 Turbo S Premium handles at .86 G’s, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The CX-70 PHEV Premium Plus executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.7 seconds quicker than the RX 350h (26.9 seconds @ .66 average G’s vs. 28.6 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

The CX-70 has .2 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more front legroom, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear headroom, 2 inches more rear legroom and 1.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the RX.

The CX-70 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the RX with its rear seat up (39.6 vs. 29.6 cubic feet). The CX-70 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the RX with its rear seat folded (75.3 vs. 46.2 cubic feet).

The CX-70’s cargo area is larger than the RX’s in almost every dimension:

The CX-70’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the RX’s (3500 vs. 0 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Lexus RX is only 3500 pounds. The CX-70 offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

The engine in the CX-70 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the RX. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the CX-70 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The RX doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mazda CX-70 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the RX.