2024 Mazda CX-90 vs 2023 Lexus GX

The 2023 Lexus GX, with its massive spindle grille and 8.1 inches of ground clearance, certainly had a commanding presence. Its front end, featuring large headlights, looked ready to dominate the road. The GX Black Line Special Edition, limited to 3,000 units, returned for 2023 with new paint options, including Eminent White Pearl and the exclusive Nori Green Pearl. Despite its luxury badge, the GX's short wheelbase and minimal overhangs suggested it was built for off-road adventures. The interior, however, was a mix of luxury and disappointment, with an abundance of plastic materials. Yet, it still offered heated and cooled front seats, a power-retracting steering wheel, and impressive leather upholstery.

In contrast, the 2024 Mazda CX-90 took the elegant design language of smaller Mazda SUVs and supersized it. Stretching over 200 inches, the CX-90 was an imposing SUV with a big grille, wide-set front end, and large wheels. The interior of top-shelf models could rival luxury brands, featuring brown suede upholstery, wood inlays, and matte black plastic bits. The CX-90 offered 11 different trim levels, including a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and the powerful Turbo S. The PHEV model and the Turbo S Premium Plus trim were particularly impressive, showcasing Mazda's commitment to luxury and performance.

The 2023 Lexus GX was defined by its V8 engine, which delivered 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque through a six-speed automatic transmission. While not the most powerful on paper, the naturally aspirated 4.6-liter V8 provided a satisfying roar and linear power delivery. The GX had a 6,500-pound towing capacity but lagged in fuel economy, with EPA estimates of 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined. Its weight made it roll through corners, but the predictable and controllable roll, along with strong brakes, made it manageable. The GX's Torsen torque-sensing limited-slip differential and standard four-wheel drive system enhanced its off-road capabilities.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 introduced two new powertrains, including a plug-in hybrid option and a turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine. The Turbo S trim, with its upgraded 3.3-liter I6, delivered 340 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque using premium fuel. All CX-90 models came with all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The CX-90 offered three driving modes: Normal, Sport, and Off-Road. The Turbo S trim provided an exceptional exhaust note and impressive handling, while the PHEV model offered 323 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, with an all-electric driving range of 26 miles. Both models excelled in cornering, thanks to the double-wishbone front suspension and agile handling.

The 2023 Lexus GX offered plenty of cubby space, with a deep center console bin, a handy space for a phone, and conveniently placed cupholders. However, it lacked modern USB-C ports, sticking with older USB-A ports. The physical controls, including hard buttons, were a blessing for those who preferred tactile feedback. The second row was comfortable, with captain's chairs or a three-across bench seat option. The third row, however, was too tight for regular use. The GX's cargo space was limited, with only 11.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 64.7 cubic feet with both rows folded.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 offered various seating configurations, with the lowest-level trims seating eight passengers and mid-level trims featuring captain's chairs. The Turbo S trim had a two-seat configuration in the third row, providing slightly more cargo space. Models with the two-seater third row offered 75.2 cubic feet of cargo space, while those with the three-across back seat had 74.2 cubic feet. The CX-90's interior featured plenty of cubbies and clever storage options, including a large center console, spacious door pockets, and well-placed cupholders. The materials and upholstery were luxurious, and the panoramic sunroof added to the comfort.

The 2023 Lexus GX's infotainment system, revamped in 2022, already felt dated. The 10.3-inch touchscreen was an improvement, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integrations. However, the graphics and responsiveness lagged behind newer Lexus models. The GX included three years of Lexus Enform Remote and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium stereo. Off-road technology was a highlight, with a real 4WD system, downhill assist, hill-start assist, traction control, and stability control. The Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) and Off-Road Package further enhanced its off-road capabilities.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 focused on eliminating distractions with its Mazda Connect infotainment software, which used hard buttons and a rotary control knob instead of a touchscreen. While the intention was to reduce distraction, the system's quirks often led to frustration. However, the CX-90's personalization software, using facial recognition, automatically adjusted settings for different drivers. The CX-90 also offered standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with touchscreen controls for these systems. The overall technology experience was mixed, with some features working well and others falling short.

The 2023 Lexus GX had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it included several advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). These included automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, parking assist, and automatic high beams. Despite its older design, the GX's safety features were up-to-date.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 came standard with i-Activsense, Mazda's suite of ADAS. This included blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, smart brake support, rear cross-traffic alert, and a safe-exit warning. The CX-90 also featured lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist. The top-spec Turbo S Premium Plus trim added cruising and traffic support, blending lane-centering with adaptive cruise control. While the CX-90 had not been crash-tested, it was expected to perform well, given the high safety ratings of the previous CX-9.