Do you need a fuel-efficient daily driver in El Monte? Or do you want a luxurious SUV that leaves you feeling pampered after driving through LA traffic? Choosing a Mazda or Lexus comes down to your lifestyle and driving needs. Compare the 2025 Lexus RX vs. Mazda CX-50 with a breakdown of price, performance, fuel economy, and luxury in our detailed review.
Performance and Powertrain Analysis
SUVs aren’t just for spontaneous adventures through the San Gabriel Mountains. You can enjoy the ride with flawless acceleration that makes it easy to coast down the highways of LA. Take a look at the exciting powertrains of Lexus vs. Mazda SUVs.
Best Engine Options and Power Delivery
Choose the new Lexus RX if you want thrilling power you can utilize while navigating the winding roads of the Hollywood Hills. Its 2.4-liter turbocharged in-line four-cylinder engine delivers 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. If that’s not enough, pick the F SPORT Performance trim. Its electrified powertrain helps the Lexus RX reach an impressive 366 net combined horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque.
The 2025 Mazda CX-50 doesn’t deliver as much power as the Lexus SUV. The Mazda features a SKYACTIV-G 2.5 16-valve four-cylinder engine that generates 187 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque. The twin-scroll turbo engine can amp up to 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque.
Transmission and Drivetrain
The 2025 Lexus RX offers the most speed with an eight-speed automatic transmission, perfect for handling stop-and-go LA traffic. Front-wheel drive is standard with all-wheel drive (AWD) capability, letting you choose your level of traction and stability to meet your driving needs. An i-ACTIV AWD and six-speed transmission come standard on the Mazda CX-50.
Fuel Economy and Efficiency Comparison
A fuel-efficient SUV can improve your driving experience, whether it’s your daily driver to Pasadena or you need to pick someone up at LAX. The CX-50 can achieve an EPA-estimated 25 mpg in the city or 31 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive, while the RX gets 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.
If you want the best gas savings and a lower carbon footprint, choose a hybrid SUV. The Lexus RX hybrid outshines the Mazda hybrid SUV. Choose the RX 450h+ for a maximum EPA-estimated 83 MPGe on a full charge, and there are plenty of public charging stations throughout LA County, so you can recharge the battery while you shop. In hybrid mode, this trim gets an EPA-estimated 35 MPGe combined. The Mazda CX-50 hybrid trims get an EPA-estimated 38 MPGe combined.
Interior Space and Practicality
If you spend a lot of time in your vehicle as an LA resident, why not enjoy the ride in a luxurious SUV? See which SUV comes out on top with this Lexus RX vs. Mazda CX-50 interior breakdown.
Passenger Comfort and Seating
Both 2025 SUVs offer a five-passenger seating capacity, making them great for small families in El Monte or carpooling to work. But you’ll appreciate owning a Lexus RX on chilly mornings because it offers heated front seats on all trims. The Mazda CX-50 offers heated seats but only on higher trims. Still, both SUVs have available heated and ventilated rear seats on higher trims, so your passengers can cool off after a breathtaking hike through Chino Hills State Park.
Front and Rear Seat Legroom Dimensions
Ample legroom is great for long rides on the 10 or down the 605, so you and your passengers don’t feel cramped while stuck in LA traffic. Both SUVs offer lots of legroom. The Lexus RX provides 41.1 inches in the front row and 37.4 inches in the second row. The Mazda CX-50 offers 41.7 inches of front legroom and 39.8 inches in the back.
Seating Configuration Options
Make your SUV’s interior work for you, whether you need to fold one seat flat or the whole back row. These family-friendly SUVs let you load strollers and car seats for a family day at Disneyland. The Lexus RX features unique 40/20/40 rear-split seats to accommodate larger objects through the center. The Mazda SUV offers a 60/40 split with a remote fold-down feature.
Cargo Capacity and Storage Solutions
Both SUVs can accommodate your storage needs, whether you want to pack a picnic for Whittier Narrows Park or a cooler and some beach chairs for a day trip to Santa Monica. The Mazda CX-50 offers 31.4 cubic feet of cargo volume with the rear seats up and a maximum of 56.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The Lexus RX offers 29.6 cubic feet with the seats up and 46.2 cubic feet with the seats down.
Towing Capacity Comparison
Want to spend a day on the water at Big Bear Lake? Choose the 2025 Lexus RX for its 3,500-pound towing capacity across all trims with additional equipment installed. This towing capacity allows you to hitch a small fishing boat and trailer or a pop-up camper for camping in the Angeles National Forest. The Mazda CX-50 offers a standard 2,000-pound towing capacity, with a 3,500-pound capacity only on TURBO trims.
Pricing and Trim Levels
The 2025 Lexus RX features 13 trim levels, varying in gas or hybrid powertrains, and sport or luxurious designs. The starting MSRP pricing for the Lexus RX is as follows:
- RX 350 $49,757
- RX 350h $51,157
- RX 350 Premium $51,836
- RX 350h Premium $53,203
- RX 350 F SPORT Design $54,116
- RX 350 Premium+ $55,918
- RX 350h F SPORT Design $55,234
- RX 350h Premium+ $56,660
- RX 350 F SPORT Handling $56,981
- RX 350 Luxury $60,782
- RX 350h Luxury $61,738
- RX 500h F SPORT Performance $64,357
- R 450h+ Luxury $69,596
The 2025 Mazda CX-50 offers ten trim levels varying in gas or hybrid powertrains, with the following starting MSRP prices:
- 2.5 S SELECT: $30,500
- 2.5 S PREFERRED: $31,850
- 2.5 S PREMIUM: $34,200
- 2.5 S PREMIUM PLUS: $37,700
- 2.5 TURBO MERIDIAN EDITION: $41,000
- 2.5 TURBO PREMIUM: $41,500
- 2.5 TURBO PREMIUM PLUS: $43,500
- HYBRID PREFERRED: $33,970
- HYBRID PREMIUM: $37,400
- HYBRID PREMIUM PLUS: $40,050
Lexus or Mazda: Final Verdict and Recommendations
Both the Lexus RX and Mazda CX-50 are compact crossover SUVs, meaning they offer easy maneuverability in crowded parking lots while accommodating lots of passengers and cargo for fun road trips to Venice Beach. But when it comes to interior luxury, performance, and fuel economy, one outperforms the other. Test drive the 2025 Lexus RX to experience its luxurious features. You’ll enjoy an elevated driving experience in El Monte. Contact our Longo Lexus team today.
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