Mazda CX-30 Turbo vs Lexus UX Comparison / $40k Upscale Shootout!

[@gcrits]

Hi Tyler! how DARE you call my new CX30 a potato with body cladding! my CX30 is the sexiest car in its class, no, in ANY class, no it's the sexiest car of all time. (Keep up the great reviews!)

[@tiptapkey]

That's right. OF ALL TIME!

[@Steven-en6uu]

I recently bought a condo on the eighteenth floor of that Lexus grill.

[@iBike2Live]

You, sir, just MADE MY DAY. Thank you! 😅

[@AD-lf9ck]

Thanks for doing this comparison. Been waiting for this for a while. Your the only one who did this comparison.

[@EazybakeEvan]

you finally got your hands on a Turbo for a vid! i wish you had the red interior cx30 tho, but ty.

[@stevenc18]

Totally agree!! I’m actually swapping my is300 f sport for the cx-30 turbo

[@donovanbingham]

Nice reviews. Agree with most of it. Not the part about being a potato for sure. My girlfriend just bought a CX-30 Turbo that has every available option. We drove it on a trip to visit family about two hours away. I drove on that trip. And I was so impressed. She asked me to shop around for her. A subcompact SUV. She had a Mazda Miata that kept getting rear ended at low speeds (stop signs, stop lights, barely moving traffic) by commercial pick ups and trucks. That was that. So I looked at Subaru, Mazda, and that's really it. I didn't check out this Lexus or other vehicles with CVT's. I've had such negative experiences with that transmission that I'd never get another or recommend it. So that also ruled out the Subaru. So it's between the Turbo and non. I told her it's like driving two different cars. She laughed. Well at the dealership it was the non first. Nice ride and comfortable. But the Turbo was a different creature. She loved it. (despite the I'll never buy a more expensive Turbo comments). Well she got the color combo she wanted and the salesman had to literally drive to the port to get it. He came back with a White/black exterior with white leather interior and black leather accents including the dash. This car had the feel and substance of a more expensive one. Also the simplicity of the interior controls won her over. But does everything including HUD and 360 vision. Lastly I was impressed with the dealership. They had five models on the floor. And as Mazda doesn't have a premium label all the effort, quality, and materials goes into the models. She also get a substantial amount on the trade in plus a loyalty bonus and lastly zero percent financing. This was a wonderful experience for a woman who usually shuns car dealerships.

[@Ravenankh]

You can’t forget about the Lexus dealer experience. I took my wife’s UX in yesterday for a simple (

[@tommy13965]

The Mazda dealership near me offers lifetime free wash I think Lexus only washes the car if it’s in for service only.

[@souls3029]

Do you plan on being in the dealership that often to justify the price tag

[@ricardokim544]

Be careful about lexus services center, changing my new lexus part for old parts.

[@aarongee1168]

Nope, Lexus washes your car anytime you drop by. I used to have one and I took advantage of that lol

[@TechJunky777]

My Lexus dealer has a chef that feeds you breakfast or lunch (no extra cost) depending on what time your service appointment is.

[@bitbat9]

Mazda needs to reduce the cladding by 50%

[@ograpeo9011]

It’s a crossover

[@joflewbyu2377]

I like the protective cladding. Actually prefer it over painted cladding that can chip and get more appearance damage.

[@diamondknight4815]

I too like it. It protects the paint soooo it's a good idea

[@donovanbingham]

100 % disagree. My girlfriend just bought a CX-30 Turbo and max equiped. I liked it the moment I layed eyes on it. And the cladding was a strong part of the appeal.

[@iBike2Live]

Hear, Hear! 😅

[@todanrg3]

To me, the Mazda looks 1000 times better. That front on the Toyota is UGLY!

[@seb5945]

I'd like to see TLX review. Especially the Type-S.

[@Realistick]

Noted!

[@seb5945]

Sweet, thank you! @@Realistick

[@Mirror1973]

Both are good, it is just a matter of personal taste, do you like minimalist refined design? Go with the Mazda, or do you like flashy, sport bolder design? Go with the Lexus. 😊

[@AR-wh2vp]

I have been a CX30 owner in the past. Great car. The downside is the piano black and gauge cluster plastic cover. The scratches are horrible. I willl not buy another CX30 until they change the material.

[@Realistick]

I think the lower trims use much more matte finish but you can also buy a protective film for most of the reflective surfaces!

[@cooldadyo]

Scratch resistant spray in your friend

[@Ari_G73]

I appreciate you not doubling down again on the mazda transmission 'seeking' like in your other mazda reviews. It was the only thing you ever said about mazdas that I disagreed with and found so confusing.

[@Realistick]

It’s because it’s not a big issue to begin with and doesn’t really affect turbo models, more prevalent with naturally aspirated cx-30s.

[@sammyt3514]

Don't see the point of Mazda using that much more cladding on the CX-30 than they do on the larger CX-5, which definitely makes the latter look more elegant, unless the point is to drive sales to the more expensive CX-5! Other than that, the CX-30 is a compelling package, but I'd get either the base 2.0L naturally aspirated engine (which is still available in Canada) or the Turbo just to avoid the cylinder deactivation feature that has become standard on the 2.5L engine starting in 2023 (which would've been my pick without that feature).

[@verilyverily1442]

Nailed it

[@tommy13965]

The ux is basically a Corolla cross in a tux suit

[@snakevergil]

The UX was out way before the Toyota cross?

[@100M2B]

The UX is the closest thing to a Lexus hatchback and I'd really love to own one, but the look is too ugly for my taste. Hopefully, it would become less ugly like the new RX has become.

[@TheMastaRob]

Lexus repair costs arent high though, they share many parts with Toyota and the engines are not that complicated? My understanding, been looking to get one. Cannot get the Mazda 2.5 turbo model in the UK, else I'd probably take it instead, sucks!! Only the 2.0 e-skyactive-x, which doesnt really have a turbo.

[@Mgoblagulkablong]

UX is way overpriced also its a bad joke how the Lexus still gets the old drivetrain, when Corolla Cross and Prius already get the newer version

[@TechJunky777]

What I don’t understand is… If the pumped in sound was laughed at in general then why did they carry it over to the new 2025 model??? 🤔

[@luckystar0131]

I am also not a big fan of those MASSIVE cladding on Cx-30, but if it's one of the factors that keeps the price more affordable, I don't mind it 😅

[@JP-nl6lb]

Thank you for the many insights Realistick! I am the same height but am the thicker thighs and a former 02 PonyP.E. Stang owner in screaming yellow. With my next daily commuter being more of a responsible pick, where can I find your "lightly salted" playlist? Take care!

[@dystopia-usa]

The UX looks weird & off-putting towards the rear-end & more like an over-stylized station-wagon than a crossover. Lexus should replace it with the newer, smaller & much sharper LBX crossover here in the USA, but I doubt they will since most Americans have some sort of irrational aversion towards smaller vehicles. I went with the Mazda CX-30 instead in early 2022 & couldn't be happier (though I did have to do a few aftermarket cosmetic mods to it). Going on 20 months now with zero problems/issues to report - easily the best small crossover in the USA at anywhere near its price point (IMO).

[@raidenb4512]

I’m French and tried the LBX, and I can tell you guys… you are missing something. The build quality is even better than the UX and the ride very smooth, you don’t feel the 3 cylinder.

[@stephenheath1402]

It is funny how a non-partial detailed comparison, clearly interested in idiosyncrasies and nuance, evokes ire that should be reserved for actual bias or simplicity of thought.

[@nintense1]

Lexus quietly is the best in the industry, unfortunately their SUVs driving dynamic is lacking. I checked the NX couple years ago as alternative to the CX5 Turbo, and the Mazda is better in every way, other then gas mileage. Love the Lexus sedans and GX/LX, not so much their CUVs.

[@ricardokim544]

Mazda cx 30 made in Mexico. Lexus ux hybrid made in japan.

[@gsnt4597]

Assemble! The engine is made in Japan

[@VanquishedAgain]

Mazda. All day every day

[@howcanimiss]

I see the cx-30 having more potential to look good with a Safari/rally mod

[@srs2802]

I was checking for a luxury SUV in the range of 40k-50k USD, my two options were the Audi Q3 and Mazda CX-30 (not as luxurious as the Audi). I bought the Audi at the end, it was a better value for the price: 45k-ish for a base trim with some ADAS as options. Import taxes in my country make the Mazda expensive (it was 48k USD for the non-turbo highest trim)

[@cooldadyo]

See you in two years when they age and see the value the keep 😂

[@TInyK12]

Mazda will hold more value when you sell. It will also cost much less in maintenance and repairs. .

[@AD-lf9ck]

The real expenses start after about 30k miles with Germans😅

[@gwpeoples]

I just don't know what the point of spending

[@ricardokim544]

Lexus ux hybrid model car is great for less gas.

[@andriybocharov2681]

Compare mazda and lexus are same that compare opel and mercedes benz

[@Eldaino999]

I think my biggest problem with these comparisons is that it feeds into the idea that Mazda is competing at a higher level when in my opinion they're not. They're not going to sell me on a $40,000 vehicle that has a torsion beam rear, sorry 🤷‍♂️ to say nothing of the fact that there are a lot of vehicles from brand similar to Mazda, like Toyota and Honda, that have vehicles that are priced just as highly at the top end as entry level luxury cars; that doesn't mean those things are competing, no matter what Mazda's marketing says.

[@Realistick]

I hear you but let me phrase it like this. I could not imagine comparing any other subcompact suv to the UX. I made this because it’s an alternative to a Lexus for a little less money, not because I want to imply mazda is a luxury manufacturer now (I make plenty of videos comparing them to toyotas, subarus, and once honda). I point out that it can’t quite beat it at the luxury game in the end (though I’d argue the CX-90 is a real luxury suv). They cost cut in some areas to meet a pricepoint but so did lexus to a degree with the powertrain and size. Don’t want a torsion beam, go CX-5. Mazdas usually lose my comparisons because of their tradeoffs and quirks but for someone that wants something premium and can sacrifice a little practicality or ride quality on a horrible road, it’s perfect.

[@Insanity_Crow]

ASC sounds like Mario Kart 64 lmao. Leave that off unless youre coming back from Costco with a crate of Bananas.

[@anotheran]

Given both vehicles were the same price, I would say most ppl I know would get the ux based on that luxury feel. Most ppl aren’t car ppl

[@MrMoose-mf1oy]

I mean, Mazda sold 5x more CX30’s than UX’s in 2022 sooooo…

[@anotheran]

@@MrMoose-mf1oy probably not the cx30 turbo top trim which makes this comparison to the ux make sense

[@MrMoose-mf1oy]

@@anotheran I mean, it’s a possibility but the turbo versions probably still outsold the UX. Put it this way, if people weren’t buying the turbo models, there would be no reason for mazda to put it in the CX-30. Hence, why they added a turbo in the first place and are continuing to sell it going into the next season.

[@anotheran]

@@MrMoose-mf1oy the turbo engine is one that carries down from cx50 and Mazda3 turbo, so probably wasn't too much work for them. Hopefully mazda continues the turbo line as long as they can.

[@ricardokim544]

Lexus ux hybrid is great and beautiful but service very bad changes new car parts for old cars parts. Be careful.

[@dippitydoinit]

Mazda's design language is modeled after the egg.

[@worrywart1311]

Oh, googy.

[@connectionfailure86]

Mazda is not premium, it's closer to Toyota in terms of build quality, only the price reaches Lexus. But Lexus has a way better quality than Mazda.

[@ericschmitz357]

Why would you need to sit in the back seat of your own car? One of the two sounds like a motorboat...

[@patrickgagnon9662]

What about torque ...you never mention torque.

[@Realistick]

Mid range power derives from torque. Torque plus rpms (within a longer formula) will give you power output. I give the stats for torque if you want them but I can only tell you how the car and its powerband feels.

[@patrickgagnon9662]

When giving Horsepower , it is relevant to give torque ...Sir.@@Realistick

[@Realistick]

like a brick wall@@patrickgagnon9662

[@In-obscurity-n7j]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@gregnote771]

UX RUN FLAT tires... suck!

[@lazarushernandez5827]

I always tell my friends who lease these cars to just put on the regular tires you want and store those run flats. (because some of them require you return the car with the same type of tires).

[@ricardokim544]

Mazda is great car but too much gas

[@jwong60]

Lexus & their stupid trackpad. Why?

[@alengreen589]

the UX is way to expensive for the size and HP you get and the other one is ugly, thanks 😀