Compare the2024 Lexus TXVS 2023 Mazda CX-9

For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Lexus TX have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Mazda CX-9 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the TX are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The CX-9 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Lexus TX has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The CX-9 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The TX has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The CX-9 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the TX AWD’s standard Downhill Assist allows you to creep down safely. The CX-9 doesn’t offer Downhill Assist.

Both the TX and CX-9 have rear cross-traffic warning, but the TX Premium/Luxury has Parking Support Brake (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The CX-9’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the TX and the CX-9 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The TX comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The CX-9’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the TX 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Mazda covers the CX-9. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the CX-9 ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The TX’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the CX-9’s (6 vs. 5 years).

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in initial quality. With 32 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in long-term dependability. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Mazda is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus first in overall reliability. Mazda is ranked 7th.

The TX 350’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 25 more horsepower (275 vs. 250) than the CX-9’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The TX 500h’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 116 more horsepower (366 vs. 250) and 86 lbs.-ft. more torque (406 vs. 320) than the CX-9’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The TX 550h+’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid produces 154 more horsepower (404 vs. 250) than the CX-9’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the TX 500h 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Mazda CX-9:

	TX	CX-9
Zero to 60 MPH	5.7 sec	7.3 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	16.2 sec	20.6 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	6.3 sec	8.1 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	2.7 sec	3.6 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	4 sec	5 sec
Quarter Mile	14.5 sec	15.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	95 MPH	88 MPH

On the EPA test cycle the TX running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the CX-9:

			MPG
TX
	FWD	2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/27 hwy
	AWD	2.4 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	27 city/28 hwy
CX-9
	AWD	2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/26 hwy

The TX 550h+ CVT can travel with zero emissions for 33 miles. The CX-9 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the TX 500h/550h+’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The CX-9 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the TX’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The CX-9 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Lexus TX higher (7 out of 10) than the Mazda CX-9 (5). This means the TX produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the CX-9 every 15,000 miles.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Lexus TX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the CX-9.

The TX 550h+ has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The CX-9 doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better stopping power the TX’s brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-9:

	TX 350 4dr Sport Utility	TX 500h/550h+	CX-9
Front Rotors	13.3 inches	15.7 inches	12.6 inches
Rear Rotors	13.3 inches	13.3 inches	12.8 inches

The TX’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the CX-9 are solid, not vented.

The TX stops shorter than the CX-9:

	TX	CX-9
70 to 0 MPH	174 feet	183 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	121 feet	130 feet	Motor Trend

The TX’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 CX-9 Touring’s standard 60 series tires. The TX’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the CX-9 Touring Plus/Carbon Edition/Grand Touring/Signature’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the TX has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the CX-9 Touring. The TX’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the CX-9 Touring Plus/Carbon Edition/Grand Touring/Signature.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the TX is 2 inches wider in the front and 2.5 inches wider in the rear than the track on the CX-9.

The TX 500h F Sport Performance Luxury 4dr Sport Utility handles at .85 G’s, while the CX-9 Signature pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the TX’s turning circle is .8 feet tighter than the CX-9’s (38 feet vs. 38.8 feet).

The TX F Sport uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The CX-9 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The TX has 17.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CX-9 (153 vs. 135.1).

The TX has 2.1 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more front legroom, 2.1 inches more front shoulder room, 1.6 inches more rear headroom, .1 inches more rear legroom, .9 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.8 inches more third row headroom, 3.8 inches more third row legroom, 5.6 inches more third row hip room and 4.3 inches more third row shoulder room than the CX-9.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the TX’s middle and third row seats recline. The CX-9’s third row seats don’t recline.

The TX’s cargo area provides more volume than the CX-9.

	TX	CX-9
Behind Third Seat	20.2 cubic feet	14.4 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	57.4 cubic feet	38.2 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	97 cubic feet	71.2 cubic feet

Pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the TX Premium/Luxury’s third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The CX-9 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the TX. The CX-9 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The TX’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the CX-9’s (5000 vs. 3500 pounds).

The TX uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The CX-9 uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Mazda. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 41% lower rating, Mazda is ranked 11th.

The TX Premium/Luxury’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The CX-9 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The TX’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The CX-9 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The power windows standard on both the TX and the CX-9 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the TX is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The CX-9 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

If the windows are left open on the TX the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Lexus service department.) The driver of the CX-9 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The TX’s standard Smart Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Advanced Keyless Entry and Start standard on the CX-9 doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The TX’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The CX-9’s power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The TX Luxury/F Sport has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The CX-9 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

When the TX is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The CX-9’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The TX’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The CX-9 has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The TX Premium/Luxury has standard front air conditioned seats and the TX offers them optionally in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The CX-9 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

The TX 500h/550h+ offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The CX-9 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The TX Premium/Luxury/F Sport’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Park will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The CX-9 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The TX is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The CX-9 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.