2024 Lexus GX vs 2025 Mazda CX-90

The 2024 Lexus GX presented a stark contrast to its predecessor, the 2023 GX 470, with its bold geometric styling. The new design featured a less pronounced spindle grille, flanked by standard triple-beam LED headlights, giving the front end a more aggressive and vertical stance. The hood's design, with its raised humps over the front wheels, aided drivers in maintaining positional awareness during off-road adventures. The side profile of the GX appeared as if carved from a solid block of metal, with minimal character lines and a low window beltline to enhance visibility. The rear design continued the horizontal theme, with standard running boards completing the look. The GX was available in six trim levels, with the Premium+ expected to be the best-seller, while the Luxury+ and Overtrail+ trims highlighted the SUV's luxury and off-road capabilities, respectively.

Inside, the GX combined luxury with utilitarian materials, featuring standard heated and ventilated front seats and a large 14-inch touchscreen display. The dashboard was flat and upright, with physical controls for off-road features and climate control. While not as luxurious as a Land Rover Defender or a Mercedes-Benz G-Class, the third-generation Lexus GX offered a premium feel, ready for a long life of hard use.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90, available in three variants, exuded a luxury SUV appearance with its lustrous paint, polished chrome trim, and intricate 21-inch wheels. The sculptural sheet metal created a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, while the short front overhang and long hood contributed to its athletic stance. Inside, the CX-90's interior was elegantly rendered with polished metallic trim and Nappa leather, though some materials reflected its competitive pricing. The cabin was upscale, but design-related complaints included a confusing electronic shifter and counterintuitive climate controls. Despite these issues, the CX-90 maintained a sophisticated look and feel compared to other midsize three-row crossover SUVs.

The 2024 Lexus GX transitioned from a V8 to a twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 engine, producing 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain, built on the GA-F truck platform, provided a stable and composed ride both on-road and off-road. The GX featured a 10-speed automatic transmission, full-time four-wheel drive, and a locking Torsen limited-slip center differential. The Overtrail trims added a locking rear differential and the Electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (E-KDSS) for enhanced off-road capability. During testing, the GX demonstrated impressive acceleration and braking, with a composed ride through twists and turns.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90's 3.3 Turbo model featured a turbocharged 3.3-liter inline-six engine, generating 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. The 3.3 Turbo S variant offered 319 hp and 369 lb-ft, with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The CX-90's drivetrain, however, lacked refinement, with unpredictable power delivery and transmission behavior. The AWD system, biased towards the rear wheels, offered Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing modes, with a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. Despite its drivetrain issues, the CX-90 provided impressive ride and handling, with a firm suspension tuned for dynamic driving.

The 2024 Lexus GX's interior was minimalist and sophisticated, with fewer physical buttons than its predecessor. It offered comfortable seating for six-foot-tall adults in the first and second rows, with 41.2 inches of legroom in the front and 36.7 inches in the second row. The third row, available in Premium and Luxury models, was tight for adults. The GX excelled in cargo space, with 10.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 40.2 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a total of 76.9 cubic feet. Overtrail models offered even more space, with 45.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 90.5 cubic feet in total.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90's interior, in 3.3 Turbo Premium Plus trim, featured Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a panoramic sunroof. However, the three-zone climate control system struggled to cool the cabin efficiently. The second-row captain's chairs were comfortable, but the long rear doors made loading children challenging. The third row was best suited for children, with limited seat-track travel. The CX-90's cargo space included 14.9 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 40 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 74.2 cubic feet, which was small for the segment.

The 2024 Lexus GX featured a 14-inch touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a Drive Connect subscription service offering an intelligent voice assistant. The GX Overtrail models included additional USB-C ports, and all models had a 120-volt AC outlet in the trunk. The Lexus Interface infotainment system was user-friendly, but subscription costs for certain features after the initial trial period were a consideration for long-term ownership.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90's dashboard featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. The infotainment screen was touch-sensitive only when using wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, with the native Mazda Connect platform requiring a knob and buttons for operation. The voice recognition system was lacking, but a new Google Built-in infotainment system was expected in future models. The test vehicle included a 12-speaker Bose audio system and a head-up display, with blind-spot monitoring alerts.

The 2024 Lexus GX received a significant upgrade in safety features with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, including pre-collision detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-tracing assist, and road-sign recognition. While crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not yet available, the modern GA-F architecture and advanced driver assistance systems provided confidence in its safety offerings.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings in NHTSA crash tests. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trim levels added steering assist, emergency lane-keeping assist, and a surround-view camera system. The CX-90's driver aids were effective, though the audible warning systems could be overwhelming.