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Lexus LBX vs Mazda CX-30 comparison

Compare performance (136 HP vs 186 HP), boot space and price (28,300 £ vs 25,700 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Lexus LBX or Mazda CX-30?

Lexus LBX vs Mazda CX-30: Key differences

Lexus LBX

5 (2 Reviews)
rate
  • visibly more efficient
  • slightly lighter
details

Mazda CX-30

4.5 (9 Reviews)
rate
  • somewhat cheaper
  • clearly more power
  • a bit quicker 0–100 km/h
  • clearly more trunk space
details

All details on performance, efficiency, range and trunk space can be found in the technical comparison below – including user reviews for both models.

By Achim Sedelmaier

LBX

Overview: Lexus LBX VS Mazda CX-30 — small SUVs with very different priorities

Lexus LBX VS Mazda CX-30 is a matchup between a compact, premium hybrid that prioritises quiet comfort and a driver‑focused compact SUV that trades some efficiency and back‑seat space for punchier performance and sharper handling. The Lexus LBX arrives with a clear emphasis on material quality, low urban running costs and a serene cabin, while the Mazda CX‑30 aims to feel more involving behind the wheel and a touch more practical for spirited cruising. Pricing and specification leave the LBX feeling like a boutique, higher‑cost choice; the CX‑30 presents stronger value for buyers who want dynamics and equipment without the luxury premium. Read on to see which traits matter most to your daily life and where those trade‑offs bite in everyday use.

CX-30

Cabin feel and perceived quality

The Lexus LBX leans into Lexus DNA: soft surfaces, thoughtful switchgear and an interior that reads like a smaller version of a larger luxury model, which immediately elevates the everyday experience. The Mazda CX‑30 surprises by matching that sense of quality with clean, purposeful design—its cabin feels pared back and driver‑oriented rather than overtly plush. In practice the LBX feels warmer and more pampering for short trips and errands, whereas the CX‑30 rewards those who appreciate tactile controls, a clear driver focus and a minimal distraction layout. Both cabins are well built, but the LBX sells comfort and refinement while the CX‑30 sells clarity and engagement.

LBX

Comfort and long‑distance behaviour

On long runs the Mazda CX‑30 is very composed at motorway speeds, with low wind noise and steering that stays planted, so it suits miles of cruising or sporty country roads when you want involvement. The Lexus LBX is impressively calm in steady traffic and excels at smoothing day‑to‑day vibrations, making it a more relaxing companion for long commutes where solitude matters. However, the LBX’s hybrid transmission can become loudly intrusive under hard acceleration, whereas the CX‑30’s engines ask for revs but deliver predictable responses without the same kind of droning. If you prioritise serene, relaxed cruising and city efficiency the LBX nudges ahead; if you spend long distances enjoying steering feel and confidence at higher speeds, the CX‑30 will likely please more.

CX-30

City friendliness and everyday usability

The Lexus LBX is inherently city‑friendly: compact dimensions, quiet electric starts, easy visibility from an elevated seat and thoughtful parking aids make urban life simpler and less stressful. The Mazda CX‑30 is compact too, but its thicker rear pillars and firmer suspension make negotiating tight, uneven streets feel more involved and occasionally harsher for passengers. In daily use, Lexus’s simpler physical controls and a consistently quiet low‑speed character feel more forgiving and civilised, while Mazda’s sharper chassis and clear driver interface reward those who accept a firmer ride for the sake of steering precision. For buyers who live mostly in town and value comfort, the LBX is the more urbane companion; for those who want crisp responses and don’t mind a bit of ride firmness, the CX‑30 fits better.

LBX

Practicality, rear space and cargo usability

Practicality is a real trade‑off: both the Lexus LBX and Mazda CX‑30 are compact crossovers, but neither delivers generous rear legroom or a cavernous boot, so families expecting adult‑friendly rear seats will be disappointed by either. The LBX presents a more premium packaging but at the cost of a less flexible loadbay and a boot that shrinks noticeably with certain equipment choices, while the CX‑30 often feels slightly more straightforward to load but is hampered by a high lip and a shorter usable floor. In day‑to‑day terms, the LBX is fine for shopping, strollers and occasional luggage and feels posh doing it, whereas the CX‑30 is marginally more utilitarian but still demands careful packing for longer trips. Both require buyers to accept compactness as a primary compromise rather than a flaw unique to one model.

CX-30

Buyer fit: who should choose which before we get into numbers

Choose the Lexus LBX if you want a small SUV that feels and sounds premium, prioritises low urban consumption and offers a composed, button‑centric interface for relaxed daily driving; it suits city commuters, downsizers and anyone who values refinement over outright grunt. Opt for the Mazda CX‑30 if you favour engaging steering, stronger on‑demand performance, a succinct driver cockpit and clearer value on the equipment list—it's a better pick for drivers who spend time on motorways and country roads and want a car that entertains. Both cars ask you to accept limited rear space, so families with frequent adult passengers should look elsewhere, but the choice here is primarily about comfort versus dynamism. Next up: a technical breakdown that maps these real‑world impressions to the specific powertrains, efficiency and boot differences that underline those trade‑offs.

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

LBX

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are key factors when choosing a car – and this is often where the real differences emerge.

Mazda CX-30 is somewhat cheaper – starting at 25,700 £ , while the Lexus LBX costs 28,300 £ . That’s a price difference of around 2,572 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the Lexus LBX uses 4.5 L/100km and is visibly more efficient than the Mazda CX-30 with 5.7 L/100km. The difference is about 1.2 L/100km.

CX-30

Engine and Performance:

Under the bonnet, it becomes clear which model is tuned for sportiness and which one takes the lead when you hit the accelerator.

When it comes to engine power, the Mazda CX-30 offers clearly more power – delivering 186 HP compared to 136 HP. That’s roughly 50 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Mazda CX-30 is a bit quicker – completing the sprint in 8.3 s, while the Lexus LBX takes 9.2 s. That’s about 0.9 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Mazda CX-30 delivers clearly more torque with 240 Nm compared to 185 Nm. That’s about 55 Nm more.

LBX

Space and Everyday Use:

Whether family car or daily driver – which one offers more room, flexibility and comfort?

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, Lexus LBX is slightly lighter – 1,280 kg compared to 1,455 kg. The difference is around 175 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Mazda CX-30 offers clearly more boot space – 430 L compared to 332 L. That’s a difference of about 98 L.

When it comes to payload, the Mazda CX-30 carries very slightly more – 496 kg compared to 475 kg. That’s a difference of about 21 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Mazda CX-30 is decisively ahead in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £25,700
CX-30

Mazda CX-30

  • Engine Type Petrol MHEV
  • Transmission Manuel, Automatic
  • Drive Type Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP 140 - 186 HP
  • Consumption L/100km 5.7 - 6.6 L/100km
Lexus LBX
Mazda CX-30

Costs and Consumption

View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance

View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body

View detailed analysis

Lexus LBX

The Lexus LBX is a compact premium crossover that brings Lexus styling and craftsmanship to city driving, pairing a cozy interior with thoughtful tech and upscale materials. It focuses on a quiet, refined ride and fuel-efficient everyday usability while carrying the brand’s familiar emphasis on comfort and safety.

details

Mazda CX-30

The Mazda CX-30 blends Mazda’s upscale styling with a compact crossover body, offering a refined interior and engaging driving dynamics. It’s a practical choice for buyers who want a premium feel and agile handling in a city-friendly package.

details
Lexus LBX
Mazda CX-30

Costs and Consumption

Price
28,300 - 40,000 £
Price
25,700 - 37,200 £
Consumption L/100km
4.5 - 4.8 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
5.7 - 6.6 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
-
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
102 - 110 g/km
co2
129 - 148 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
SUV
Body Type
SUV
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,280 - 1,365 kg
Curb weight
1,455 - 1,587 kg
Trunk capacity
255 - 332 L
Trunk capacity
422 - 430 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,825 mm
Width
1,795 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
455 - 475 kg
Payload
458 - 496 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Full Hybrid
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission Detail
CVT
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Automatic Gearbox
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
136 HP
Power HP
140 - 186 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
9.2 - 9.6 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
8.3 - 10.3 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
185 Nm
Torque
238 - 240 Nm
Number of Cylinders
3
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
100 kW
Power kW
103 - 137 kW
Engine capacity
1,490 cm3
Engine capacity
1,998 - 2,488 cm3

General

Model Year
2025
Model Year
2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
C
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, E
Brand
Lexus
Brand
Mazda
DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.