2023 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2022 Mazda CX-5

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 featured new LED headlights and taillights, offering more distinctive illumination. It also had updated bumpers, a revised grille, a redesigned rear liftgate, and new alloy wheel designs. The top-of-the-line Signature trim received body-color lower exterior trim, enhancing Mazda’s premium brand aspirations. Inside, the CX-5 retained its luxurious feel with premium Nappa leather upholstery, real wood trim, and polished metallic accents. The new seats provided improved comfort, and the trim levels were restructured into the CX-5 2.5 S and CX-5 2.5 Turbo, with the latter offering a turbocharged engine.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox, while not as flashy as some competitors, remained an attractive crossover with a restrained bodywork and a chunky front end. The gold Bowtie emblem varied in appeal depending on the paint color, with new options like Radiant Red Tintcoat, Blue Glow Metallic, and Harvest Brown Metallic. The Equinox was available in four trims: LS, LT, RS, and Premier, all offering either FWD or AWD. The Premier trim featured handsome two-tone leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Despite a somewhat dated interior with a small touchscreen and plastic buttons, the Equinox was practical and easy to use, with a well-sorted suspension and tight steering.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 2.5 S came with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a revised six-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. It achieved an EPA-rated 26 mpg in combined driving. The CX-5 2.5 Turbo offered a turbocharged engine with 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium gas, or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on regular gas, with an EPA rating of 24 mpg in combined driving. The CX-5 featured Mazda Intelligent Drive Select (Mi-Drive) with Normal, Sport, and Off-Road settings, improved structural rigidity, and reworked suspension tuning for a quieter and smoother ride. The driving dynamics were enhanced, providing a sporty and composed experience.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox was powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 175 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. Despite the additional five horsepower for 2023, the Equinox’s acceleration was modest, especially above 30 mph. The six-speed automatic transmission, while reliable, held gears longer than newer transmissions, contributing to engine noise. The Equinox offered AWD, which had to be manually engaged. The new electronically assisted brake-by-wire system provided smooth braking, and the suspension handled bumps well. The Equinox’s steering was tight and accurate, making it enjoyable to drive in most situations.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 addressed previous complaints with new, more comfortable seats and a sportier driving position. The height-adjustable front passenger seat was a welcome addition, and the 2.5 Turbo trim included dual-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The back seat remained snug but offered heated outboard cushions and air conditioning vents. The control layout, particularly the Mazda Connect infotainment system, was frustrating due to the lack of a touchscreen and natural voice recognition. Cargo space was adequate, with 30.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 59.3 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox offered 29.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 63.9 cubic feet with the seats folded down. Passenger space was ample, with good headroom and legroom for taller occupants. The interior featured higher-quality plastic components, plenty of cup holders, a decently sized center console bin, and good door pockets. The Premier trim included a nearly silent power liftgate, adding to the vehicle’s practicality.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 retained its Mazda Connect infotainment system with a 10.25-inch display, which was not touch-sensitive. The system lacked natural voice recognition, requiring the use of center console and steering wheel controls. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text-messaging support, E911 automatic emergency notification, and a three-year trial subscription to Mazda Connected Services. The 2.5 S Premium trim and above included a 10-speaker Bose premium sound system and SiriusXM satellite radio.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox featured a 7-inch touchscreen in the LS, LT, and RS trims, and an 8-inch touchscreen in the Premier trim. The system was simple, clear, and easy to use, with good voice recognition and customizable icons for quick access. All trims included wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. The Premier trim came with a wireless charging pad, and the upgraded driver-information display offered useful features like music, navigation, and trip computer information.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 came with a comprehensive i-Activsense package, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added adaptive headlights, a surround-view camera system, parking sensors, automatic rear braking, and a driver monitoring system. The CX-5 received a “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox included standard ADAS features like automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assistance, lane-departure assistance, and automatic high beams. However, it lacked level two autonomous driving technology. The Equinox received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but scored poorly in the IIHS moderate overlap front crash test and marginally in the side-impact crash test.