2024 Chevrolet Trax vs 2024 Mazda CX-50

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax experienced a significant redesign that shifted it far from its previous model's unremarkable look. Chevy designers embraced the ethos of "longer, lower, wider," creating a vehicle that was 11 inches longer, nearly six inches longer in wheelbase, four inches lower, and two inches wider than its predecessor. The 2024 Trax adopted some bold styling cues from the midsize Chevy Blazer, including a massive grille that dominated the front fascia and a distinctive step between the rear body sides and windows. These changes bestowed the Trax with a commanding presence, making it stand out from competitors like the boxy Hyundai Venue and Nissan Kicks.

In terms of trim, the Trax catered to a variety of tastes with its LS, 1RS, LT, 2RS, and Activ models. Base Trax LS models showcased 17-inch steel wheels, while higher trims offered 18-inch and even 19-inch aluminum wheels. The Activ and RS trims added unique styling flavors: Activ had a rugged, all-terrain vibe with faux skid plate trims, whereas RS exuded sportiness with blacked-out trim elements. Although the RS's piano-black plastic trim on the lower part of the steering wheel might not have been the best choice, overall, the Trax's interior design avoided dullness with features like a freestanding touchscreen and large round air vents.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50, in contrast, aimed to establish itself as a more rugged alternative to the Mazda CX-5. Significantly larger, at 1.4 inches lower, three inches wider, and 5.7 inches longer than the CX-5, the CX-50 flaunted square wheel arches and faux air vents below the lights, contributing to its sturdy demeanor. The new CX-50 was introduced in 2023, maintaining fresh looks compared to the 2017 CX-5, which retained its original design.

Mazda offered no fewer than eight trim levels for the CX-50: from the 2.5 S Select to the 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus. Lower trims rolled on 17-inch wheels, whereas higher trims boasted 20-inch wheels. Our test vehicle, a 2.5 Turbo Meridian Edition, enhanced the rugged image with features like all-terrain tires, a black hood graphic, and robust rocker-panel trim. The CX-50's interior did not disappoint, with an intuitively placed infotainment screen and high-quality materials that made it feel premium. The limited use of piano-black plastic ensured the interior aged gracefully. Yet, despite Mazda's ambition to upscale its brand, elements like half-leatherette seats and manually adjustable front seats on base models were reminders of its mainstream heritage.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax offered a single engine option, albeit a smaller one than its predecessor. The new model incorporated a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. While these figures were lower compared to the previous model's 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine (155 hp and 177 lb-ft), Chevy estimated the new Trax could reach 60 mph approximately one second faster than before. Despite the drop in power, the three-cylinder engine provided a satisfying driving experience, with minimal turbo lag and strong response during highway overtakes and from a stop. The engine's torque curve was relatively flat, further enhancing its driveability.

The six-speed automatic transmission carried over but was now only available with front-wheel drive (FWD). The choice to make the Trax FWD-only aimed to differentiate it from the Trailblazer, which offered all-wheel drive (AWD) for those seeking it. Chevy focused on making the Trax more car-like in handling, thanks to a wider track that improved its planted feel and minimized the top-heavy nature typical of taller SUVs. The Trax's nimble and predictable handling was akin to that of small hatchbacks, although limited grip and noticeable body roll were reminders of its econobox roots. Active noise cancellation and a decent ride quality, albeit a bit rough, rounded off the driving experience.

Mazda, on the other hand, equipped all 2024 CX-50 models with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, available in naturally aspirated and turbocharged variants. The base engine produced 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, while the turbocharged version offered a more potent 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque on 93-octane gasoline (227 hp and 310 lb-ft on 87-octane fuel). A six-speed automatic transmission and AWD were standard across all trims, with Normal, Sport, and Off-road driving modes available. Turbo models included a Towing mode, increasing towing capacity from 2,000 pounds to 3,500 pounds.

The CX-50's driving dynamics were distinct from the CX-5's sporty "Zoom Zoom" feel. It served well as a daily driver but lacked the engaging dynamics that would entice drivers to take the scenic route. Particularly, the all-terrain tires on our Meridian Edition reduced grip and increased noise levels, making it less agile. The added roof platform was a useful feature but contributed to wind noise at higher speeds. Outside of these specific elements, the CX-50 remained well-mannered.

The interior space of the 2024 Chevrolet Trax saw mixed changes. While the vehicle was larger in overall dimensions, this didn't uniformly enhance cabin space. The 2024 Trax provided three more inches of rear-seat legroom and a slight increase in front-seat legroom, but first-row headroom remained unchanged and second-row headroom decreased by 0.7 inches. The reconfiguration also resulted in reduced shoulder room in both rows, echoing the snug nature found in other GM subcompact crossovers like the Trailblazer and Buick Encore GX.

In terms of cargo capacity, the Trax improved by around 12%, offering 25.6 cubic feet of space with the rear seats up and 54.1 cubic feet when they were folded down. This was slightly better than the Nissan Kicks but significantly more than the Hyundai Venue.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 featured passenger space comparable to its sibling, the CX-5, with minor adjustments. Slightly less headroom but slightly more legroom in both rows characterized the CX-50. Despite these tweaks, rivals like the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage, and Subaru Forester offered more headroom. The CX-50, however, did have more rear-seat legroom than the Toyota RAV4 by about two inches.

Cargo capacity in the CX-50 was listed at 31.4 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 56.3 cubic feet with them folded, which was somewhat less than the CX-5. However, the CX-50 did provide marginally more cargo space with the second row up. While both Mazda models trailed the competition in cargo space, they had more than the Subaru Forester with rear seats up.

The Mazda's cargo area was more accessible thanks to an available power liftgate. However, the cargo space wasn't particularly friendly for dirty or bulky items, and the roof platform, although useful, might be challenging for shorter individuals to utilize. The overall interior was thoughtfully designed, with space-efficient but substantial elements like the shifter and Mazda's rotary infotainment controller on the center console.

For 2024, the Chevrolet Trax experienced a significant upgrade in infotainment technology. The base LS and 1RS trims came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen, while higher trims, including LT, 2RS, and Activ, featured an 11-inch touchscreen paired with an 8-inch digital instrument cluster. New to the Trax was the availability of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, alongside wireless phone charging. Wi-Fi connectivity also continued within the range.

The new infotainment system was user-friendly with crisp graphics and a logical menu layout. However, its design favored the driver, tilting the screen and positioning controls like the volume knob in hard-to-reach spots for passengers. Despite these quirks, the digital instrument cluster provided excellent visibility and easily readable information transferred from the main touchscreen.

In contrast, the 2024 Mazda CX-50's tech offerings included a 10.25-inch infotainment screen that relied on a rotary controller and buttons rather than touch input. Wireless Apple CarPlay was standard, while Android Auto required a cable. Higher trims added features like wireless phone charging, SiriusXM, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system.

Mazda's non-touchscreen setup required a learning curve but became natural once acclimated, offering the benefit of physical feedback for easier control without diverting attention from driving. However, the system felt dated with simple graphics and limited functions, catering to buyers seeking straightforward tech without overwhelming complexity.

Chevrolet did not have crash-test ratings from either the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) available for the 2024 Trax at the time of publication. However, the Trax included a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assist features such as 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 came with the Teen Driver system, designed to monitor and regulate the driving habits of younger drivers.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 had more concrete safety credentials as it was named a 2023 Top Safety Pick by the IIHS. The CX-50 earned top "Good" scores in all IIHS crash tests, a "Good" score for optional headlights, and the highest "Superior" score in the front-crash prevention vehicle-to-pedestrian daytime test. However, it received a "Basic" score in the nighttime test and "Average" for standard headlights. NHTSA ratings were incomplete at the time of publication, with only a five-star frontal crash-test and four-star rollover crash-test rating available.

Mazda equipped the CX-50 with a robust set of safety features, including standard automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. Optional features included rear automatic braking, traffic-jam assist, and a 360-degree camera system.