2024 Chevrolet Trax vs 2024 Mazda CX-90

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax underwent a radical transformation that made it almost unrecognizable from its older versions. Drawing inspiration from some of Chevy's more successful design eras, the new Trax became longer, lower, and wider compared to its predecessor. Specifically, it was 11 inches longer, nearly 6 inches extended in wheelbase, 4 inches lower, and 2 inches wider. With elements like a dramatic, Blazer-inspired grille and a distinctive design that included a pronounced step between the rear body sides and windows, the car boasted an impressive presence despite its smaller size. It came in various trims including LS, Activ, and RS which offered a range of stylings from rugged to sporty, supported by options for wheels ranging from 17-inch steel rims to 19-inch aluminum alloys. The interior promised practicality with standard cloth upholstery in the LS model or Evotex in higher trims, along with features like a freestanding touchscreen and air vents enhancing the overall aesthetic.

Meanwhile, the 2024 Mazda CX-90 embodied a more luxurious ethos, pushing Mazda closer to the premium segment dominated by automakers like BMW and Mercedes-Benz. This SUV stretched over 200 inches, declared its presence with a large, eye-catching grille, wide-front end, and wheels that ranged from 19 to 21 inches fitted with tasteful chrome accents. The CX-90 was supremely elegant without leaning into ostentatiousness. Inside, top-of-the-line models offered a cabin clad in brown suede, wood inlays, and matte black plastic, all of which provided a posh environment that rivaled high-end brands without the exorbitant price tags.

Chevy’s 2024 Trax sported a new engine—a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder that replaced the previous 1.4-liter four-cylinder. Although the power was down to 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque from 155 hp and 177 lb-ft, the vehicle felt more sprightly and managed to shave about a second off its 0-60 mph time. A front-wheel-drive only setup and a carried-over six-speed automatic transmission gave the Trax a planted, nimble feel. This setup mimicked car-like handling rather than the sometimes top-heavy nature of crossovers. Overall, its handling felt consistent, and its ride quality, though firm, was a fair tradeoff for such performance.

On the other hand, the 2024 Mazda CX-90 dramatically revamped its powertrain lineup, introducing a hybrid PHEV option alongside two iterations of a turbocharged 3.3-liter inline-six. Our first-hand experience with the CX-90 Turbo S—packing 340 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque—was a thrilling one. This model came standard with all-wheel drive (AWD) and an eight-speed automatic transmission, which showed some quirks but overall contributed to a strong driving experience. With three driving modes—Normal, Sport, and Off-Road—the CX-90 adjusted its behavior significantly according to the chosen mode, providing a satisfying roar in Sport mode. The PHEV option combined a 2.5-liter engine with a 17.8-kWh battery and was rated at 323 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. It offered an estimated 26 miles of all-electric range and mixed performance, sustaining Mazda’s driver-centric reputation with excellent agility and handling.

In terms of interior space, the 2024 Chevrolet Trax saw mixed results. The expansion of the car's dimensions offered a slight increase in rear-seat legroom and slight front-seat legroom enhancement but did not improve headroom. In fact, rear headroom decreased by 0.7 inch, and shoulder room reduced as well. Still, the Trax provided a more car-like driving experience positioning seats lower and enhancing outward visibility. Cargo capacity increased, boasting 25.6 cubic feet with seats in place and 54.1 cubic feet with seats folded, placing it competitively within its segment.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90, made available in several seating configurations, offered more versatility. Lower trims had an eight-passenger layout, while higher trims offered a six-passenger configuration with captain's chairs. While the cargo space in CX-90 reached up to 75.2 cubic feet in the two-seater third-row models, the more common three-seater variants offered a respectable 74.2 cubic feet. This was more than the outgoing CX-9 but still somewhat behind competitors like the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander. Cleverly designed storage spaces and premium materials ensured comfort even if the space wasn't class-leading.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax saw a significant upgrade in infotainment, with an optional 11-inch touchscreen displaying crisp graphics and a straightforward layout. The inclusion of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, previously unavailable, alongside wireless phone charging, brought the Trax up to par with modern expectations. While the manual climate control positioning leaned more towards driver convenience, the increased USB ports and a digital instrument cluster added practical benefits.

Mazda pursued a more conservative approach with the 2024 CX-90, focusing on minimizing driver distraction through the Mazda Connect system, which used a rotary knob and buttons instead of a touchscreen. Although aimed at increasing safety, this system often resulted in frustration due to its complexity. However, personalization features like facial recognition for seat settings provided a sophisticated touch. The CX-90 offered standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless in higher trims, acknowledging driver preferences for user-friendly interfaces.

Safety features in the 2024 Chevrolet Trax included standard driver assistance technology like automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, forward collision warning, and automatic high beams. Optional features enhanced this suite with adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Chevy's Teen Driver system added another layer of safety, especially for younger drivers.

Mazda’s 2024 CX-90 excelled in safety, standardizing its i-Activsense ADAS suite across all trims. This included features like blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, smart brake support, and various other collision-prevention technologies. Even though crash-test ratings weren’t available, the strong safety record of its predecessor suggested high reliability.