Mazda CX-5 vs Chevrolet Trax

The 2026 Chevrolet Trax emerged as a more stylish and appealing option compared to its predecessor, which was known for being a basic crossover. With its second-generation model, the Trax adopted car-like proportions while maintaining SUV styling elements, resulting in a vehicle that exuded personality. The design featured Blazer-like headlights, a wide grille, and a tall front end, giving it a tough SUV appearance. The sides were defined by chunky wheel arches and a pronounced rib in the doors, while the laid-back windshield and upward arc of the rear side windows added a sleek touch. The Trax lineup included various trim levels, each with distinct wheel designs and styling cues, such as black-painted wheels and unique grille accents. Inside, the Trax offered a basic yet thoughtfully designed interior, with large air vents and contrasting trim that elevated its entry-level status.

The 2026 Mazda CX-5, on the other hand, continued to impress with its striking design, thanks to the evolved Kodo design language. The CX-5 boasted a sculpted and purposeful appearance, with a Signature Wing grille seamlessly flowing into new LED headlights. The rear featured angular lighting that tied it to Mazda's larger models. While the exterior design was largely praised, the wheel options were considered underwhelming, with the base and Select trims sporting small 17-inch wheels. Inside, the CX-5 maintained its reputation for high-quality interiors, featuring a clean dashboard design, a prominent central touchscreen, and a driver-focused cockpit. The materials used were a step above the competition, with soft-touch surfaces and premium leather seating on higher trims. However, some hard plastic elements detracted from the overall upscale feel.

The 2026 Chevrolet Trax was powered by a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, the Trax offered a confident driving experience. Despite its small engine size, the Trax delivered impressive acceleration and maintained power at higher speeds, thanks to its turbocharged setup. The conventional automatic transmission contributed to its drivability, providing smoother shifts compared to a CVT. While performance wasn't the primary focus, the Trax handled twisty roads with stability and car-like agility, although it exhibited some body roll and limited grip. The suspension effectively absorbed bumps, ensuring a comfortable ride, while active noise cancellation enhanced refinement.

In contrast, the 2026 Mazda CX-5 featured a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, generating 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. Despite these figures being on par with some competitors, the CX-5's increased weight, due to its larger body and standard i-Activ AWD system, made the engine feel underpowered. The six-speed automatic transmission, while smooth, lacked the responsiveness of eight-speed units found in rivals. The absence of the previously available turbocharged engine was notable, leaving the CX-5 with a slower 0-60 time compared to competitors. However, the CX-5 excelled in handling, with direct steering, well-managed body roll, and a chassis that provided a sense of agility. Ride quality was comfortable, and improved insulation reduced road and wind noise, although its fuel efficiency lagged behind competitors.

The 2026 Chevrolet Trax offered competitive interior space for its class, with headroom comparable to the Hyundai Kona and Subaru Crosstrek. It provided an additional 2.2 inches of rear-seat legroom compared to the Subaru, and a four-inch advantage over the Hyundai Venue and Nissan Kicks. Cargo space was also commendable, with 25.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 54.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Trax's tall seating position facilitated easy ingress and egress, while forward visibility was impressive. However, the front seats' inboard position limited center console storage, although large door pockets and cup holders compensated for this.

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 benefited from dimensional growth, resulting in a more spacious interior. The 4.5-inch wheelbase stretch improved rear knee clearance by 2.3 inches, addressing previous criticisms. Rear headroom was a standout feature, surpassing competitors like the RAV4 and Tucson. Cargo space also saw improvements, with 38 cubic feet behind the second row and 70 cubic feet with the seats folded. Larger door openings and an available hands-free power liftgate added convenience. However, towing capacity decreased to 1,500 pounds, trailing behind rivals like the Tucson and Sportage.

The 2026 Chevrolet Trax came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a four-speaker audio system as standard on the base LS model. Higher trims featured an 11-inch touchscreen, an all-digital 8-inch instrument cluster, and a six-speaker sound system. The digital cluster provided clear information, while the touchscreen had a sensible layout. However, the driver-oriented screen angle made it challenging for the front passenger to use, and the volume knob's placement was awkward for both driver and passenger.

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 received a significant infotainment upgrade, with a 12.9-inch touchscreen on most trims and a 15.6-inch unit on the Premium Plus. The system featured Google built-in, offering native Google Maps, Google Gemini AI voice assistant, and access to the Google Play Store. A year's free data trial was included, with a subscription required afterward. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, with wireless connectivity on higher trims. The 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster was standard, but its execution was lacking, with key information buried in the main infotainment screen. The absence of a physical volume knob was a drawback, although steering wheel buttons provided an alternative. Higher trims added features like a Bose audio system, a 360-degree View Monitor, and rear USB-C ports.

The 2026 Chevrolet Trax offered standard driver-assist features, including automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and forward collision warning. Higher trims had options for adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert. The Teen Driver monitoring system was a notable inclusion, but full safety ratings were not yet available. The IIHS gave the Trax a "Poor" rating in the moderate overlap front crash test, although it received a "Good" rating in the small overlap front test.

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 boasted a comprehensive standard safety suite, with features like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitors. The Premium Plus trim added advanced systems like an adaptive front-lighting system and a 360-degree View Monitor. While crash test results were pending, the outgoing CX-5 had a strong safety record, and expectations were high for the new model.