Compare the2026 Mazda CX-5 VS 2026 Lexus UX

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Mazda CX-5 achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Lexus UX has not been tested.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-5. But it costs extra on the UX.

The CX-5 Premium Plus has a standard 360° Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The UX only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the CX-5 has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert with Smart Braking Support - Rear Crossing, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Parking Support Brake costs extra on the UX.

Both the CX-5 and the UX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert 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-5 is much safer than the UX:

	CX-5	UX
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Forces L/R	90/112 pounds	360/315 pounds
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Forces L/R	90/112 pounds	360/315 pounds
Leg Forces L/R	472/382 pounds	584/607 pounds
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	POOR

The Mazda CX-5 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2026 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, a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test, and a “Good” score in the revised vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention test. The UX is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2026.

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-5’s warranty.

The CX-5’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 34 lbs.-ft. more torque (186 vs. 152) than the UX’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

Both the CX-5 and UX have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The CX-5 has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The CX-5 has 4.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the UX (15.3 vs. 10.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the CX-5’s brake rotors are larger than those on the UX:

	CX-5	UX
Front Rotors	12.9 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	11.8 inches	11.1 inches

The CX-5 stops much shorter than the UX:

	CX-5	UX
70 to 0 MPH	173 feet	185 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	130 feet	137 feet	Consumer Reports

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CX-5 Preferred/Premium has standard 19-inch wheels. The UX’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

The CX-5 has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the UX; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-5’s wheelbase is 6.8 inches longer than on the UX (110.7 inches vs. 103.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the CX-5 is 2.2 inches wider in the front and 3 inches wider in the rear than on the UX.

The CX-5 S Premium Plus handles at .83 G’s, while the UX 300h F Sport Handling pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the CX-5 S/Select has a 1.7 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the UX (8 vs. 6.3 inches), allowing the CX-5 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The CX-5 Preferred/Premium’s minimum ground clearance is 1.9 inches higher than on the UX (8.2 vs. 6.3 inches).

The CX-5 has 16.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the UX (106.5 vs. 90.4).

The CX-5 has 2.5 inches more front headroom, 1.4 inches more front hip room, 2.6 inches more front shoulder room, 3.9 inches more rear headroom, 6.8 inches more rear legroom, .1 inches more rear hip room and 2.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the UX.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the CX-5’s rear seats recline. The UX’s rear seats don’t recline.

The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the UX (33.7 vs. 17.1 cubic feet).

The CX-5 has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The UX has no towing capacity.

The CX-5 has a higher standard payload capacity than the UX (1058 vs. 890 lbs.).

The CX-5’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The UX’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The UX F Sport’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The CX-5 Premium Plus’ standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

Both the CX-5 and the UX offer available heated front seats. The CX-5 Premium also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the UX.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Mazda CX-5 and the Lexus UX, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Mazda CX-5 outsold the Lexus UX by over 16 to one during 2025.