Compare the2026 Chevrolet EquinoxVS 2025 Mazda CX-50

The Chevrolet Equinox offers an optional Surround Vision and it also offers an optional rear camera washer to make backing always safe, regardless of road dirt or grime, while the Mazda CX-50 doesn’t offer a camera washer, requiring manual cleaning.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Equinox has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert with Rear Cross Traffic Braking, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Only the CX-50 Turbo Premium Plus offers Rear Cross Traffic Braking.

Both the Equinox and the CX-50 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The Equinox’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the CX-50’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are over 5 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Mazda dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Equinox’s warranty.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Equinox has a 130-amp alternator. The CX-50’s standard 100-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in initial quality. With 47 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is rated below average.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Equinox AWD is faster than the Mazda CX-50 4 cyl.:

On the EPA test cycle the Equinox gets better mileage than the CX-50:

Regardless of its engine, the Equinox’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Mazda only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the CX-50 Turbo/Hybrid.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Chevrolet Equinox uses regular unleaded gasoline. The CX-50 with the 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Equinox has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The CX-50 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Chevrolet Equinox higher (6 out of 10) than the Mazda CX-50 (4 to 6). This means the Equinox produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the CX-50 every 15,000 miles.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Chevrolet Equinox AWD, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the CX-50.

The Equinox stops shorter than the CX-50:

For better traction, the Equinox has larger tires than the CX-50 (235/65R17 vs. 225/65R17).

The Equinox has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The CX-50 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For superior ride and handling, the Chevrolet Equinox has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mazda CX-50 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

For greater off-road capability the Equinox LT/ACTIV has a greater minimum ground clearance than the CX-50 Hybrid Preferred (8.1 vs. 7.6 inches), allowing the Equinox to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Chevrolet Equinox may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 400 pounds less than the Mazda CX-50.

The front grille of the Equinox uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The CX-50 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Equinox uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The CX-50 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Equinox has 4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CX-50 (104.3 vs. 100.3).

The Equinox has .9 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more front hip room, 1.8 inches more front shoulder room, .6 inches more rear headroom, .1 inches more rear legroom and 2.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-50.

The Equinox has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the CX-50 with its rear seat folded (63.5 vs. 56.3 cubic feet).

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Equinox’s liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The CX-50 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The Equinox ACTIV/RS’ optional easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The CX-50 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Equinox’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The CX-50 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The power windows standard on both the Equinox and the CX-50 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Equinox is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The CX-50 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Equinox’s standard Keyless Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Advanced Keyless Entry and Start standard on the CX-50 doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The Equinox’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mazda only offers heated mirrors on the CX-50 Preferred/Premium/Turbo.

The Equinox has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the CX-50 Turbo/Hybrid Premium Plus.

Compared to traditional radio, the Chevrolet Equinox’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio is only offered on the CX-50 Premium/Turbo.

The Equinox is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The CX-50 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Chevrolet Equinox and the Mazda CX-50, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Chevrolet Equinox outsold the Mazda CX-50 by almost three to one during 2024.