2024 Chevrolet Trax vs 2025 Mazda CX-5

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax underwent a significant transformation, shedding its previous image for a more modern and stylish appearance. The redesign embraced a "longer, lower, wider" philosophy, resulting in a vehicle that was 11 inches longer, four inches lower, and two inches wider than its predecessor. This new design borrowed elements from the midsize Chevy Blazer, such as a prominent grille and distinctive rear styling, giving the Trax a commanding presence. The base Trax LS featured 17-inch steel wheels, while higher trims offered 18-inch and 19-inch aluminum options. The interior, though primarily plastic, incorporated interesting design features like a freestanding touchscreen and large air vents, adding a touch of sophistication to the entry-level model.

In contrast, the 2025 Mazda CX-5 maintained its reputation as one of the most attractive vehicles in the small SUV class, with its graceful curves and timeless design. Despite not having undergone a redesign since 2017, the CX-5 continued to impress with its elegant appearance, often mistaken for a luxury SUV. Inside, the CX-5 offered a refined interior with high-quality materials and a layout that balanced traditional analog controls with modern usability. While it lacked the large infotainment screens of some rivals, the CX-5's focus on physical buttons and knobs made it user-friendly. Soft-touch materials adorned most surfaces, enhancing the overall sense of quality and comfort.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax featured a single engine option, a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. Although less powerful than its predecessor, the new engine offered improved acceleration, with Chevy estimating a quicker 0-60 mph time by about a second. The engine's flat torque curve provided strong response, making highway overtakes smooth and turbo lag minimal. The Trax retained its six-speed automatic transmission and was available only with front-wheel drive, differentiating it from the all-wheel-drive Trailblazer. The Trax's handling was tuned for a car-like feel, with a wider track contributing to a more planted driving experience. While not a hot hatch, the Trax offered nimble handling and exceeded expectations in terms of refinement, thanks to active noise cancellation.

The 2025 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine choices: a base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged version producing 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive was standard across the range. The base engine provided adequate power, while the turbocharged model delivered quicker acceleration, reaching 0-60 mph in about six seconds. The CX-5 excelled in handling, offering sporty driving dynamics with minimal body roll and a firm yet comfortable ride. Its quiet cabin further enhanced the driving experience, making it a standout choice for those seeking both performance and comfort.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax, despite its larger overall size, did not significantly increase interior space. It offered three more inches of rear-seat legroom and a slight increase in front-seat legroom, but headroom remained unchanged in the front and decreased in the rear. Shoulder room also decreased, resulting in a snugger fit. The Trax's passenger space was comparable to rivals like the Nissan Kicks and Hyundai Venue, with the Trax offering the most rear-seat legroom. Cargo space increased by about 12%, providing 25.6 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 54.1 cubic feet with them folded.

The 2025 Mazda CX-5, while refined in design, fell short in practicality compared to some competitors. It offered sufficient headroom for adults in the back seats, but rivals like the Toyota RAV4 and Kia Sportage provided more space. The CX-5 excelled in rear legroom, surpassing the RAV4, but the Honda CR-V and Sportage offered more room overall. Cargo capacity was 30.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 58.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. While not the largest in its class, the CX-5's cargo area was wide and flat, accommodating larger items. The interior featured moderately sized storage options and a wireless charging pad in midlevel trims.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax saw significant upgrades in infotainment technology. It featured an 8-inch touchscreen on LS and 1RS trims, while LT, 2RS, and Activ models boasted an 11-inch touchscreen and an 8-inch digital instrument cluster. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with wireless phone charging, were available for the first time. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with crisp graphics and a logical menu layout. However, the screen's tilt toward the driver made it less accessible for passengers. The Trax also offered multiple USB ports and optional wireless charging.

The 2025 Mazda CX-5 came equipped with a 10.25-inch infotainment display mounted atop the dash. While smaller than some competitors, its placement in the driver's sightline minimized distraction. The system was controlled via a dial on the center console, offering intuitive operation. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, with wireless connectivity in midrange trims. The CX-5 featured analog gauges, but higher trims included a head-up display for added convenience. The audio system ranged from a basic four-speaker setup to a premium 10-speaker Bose system in the top trim.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax's crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were unavailable at the time of publication. However, it offered a range of driver-assist features, including automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, forward collision warning, automatic high beams, and a following distance indicator. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear park assist. The Trax also featured the Teen Driver system, which monitored driving behavior and provided a "report card" to parents.

The 2025 Mazda CX-5 received high safety ratings, earning five stars from the NHTSA in all evaluations except for rollover protection, where it received four stars. The 2024 model was awarded the IIHS' highest score of "Good" in all tests and received a Top Safety Pick rating. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims added features like adaptive headlights, a head-up display, a surround-view camera system, and traffic jam assist.