Compare the2022 Chevrolet TraxVS 2021 Mazda CX-3

The Chevrolet Trax has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The CX-3 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Compared to metal, the Trax’s plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Mazda CX-3 has a metal gas tank.

Both the Trax and the CX-3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Chevrolet Trax is safer than the Mazda CX-3:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Chevrolet Trax is safer than the Mazda CX-3:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Trax’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the CX-3’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 Trax’s warranty.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Trax has a standard 130-amp alternator. The CX-3’s 100-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Trax third among small suvs in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The CX-3 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 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 10th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 26 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 23rd, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet 12th in reliability, above the industry average. With 6 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 14th.

The Trax’s 1.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 7 more horsepower (155 vs. 148) and 31 lbs.-ft. more torque (177 vs. 146) than the CX-3’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

The Trax has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-3 AWD’s standard fuel tank (14 vs. 11.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Trax has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-3 FWD’s standard fuel tank (14 vs. 12.7 gallons).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Chevrolet Trax higher (7 out of 10) than the Mazda CX-3 (3 to 7). This means the Trax produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the CX-3 every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the Trax’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-3:

The Trax stops much shorter than the CX-3:

The Trax LT’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CX-3’s 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Trax LT offers optional 18-inch wheels. The CX-3’s largest wheels are only 16-inches.

The Trax has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The CX-3’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

For greater off-road capability the Trax has a greater minimum ground clearance than the CX-3 (6.2 vs. 6.1 inches), allowing the Trax to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Trax has 5.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CX-3 (92.8 vs. 87.6).

The Trax has 1.2 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more front shoulder room, 1.6 inches more rear headroom, .7 inches more rear legroom, 1.7 inches more rear hip room and 2.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-3.

The Trax has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the CX-3 with its rear seat up (18.7 vs. 17.8 cubic feet). The Trax has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the CX-3 with its rear seat folded (48.4 vs. 42.7 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Trax easier. The Trax’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28.8 inches, while the CX-3’s liftover is 30.6 inches.

The Trax has a maintenance free battery for long life without checking the battery’s water level. The CX-3 doesn’t have a maintenance free battery, so the water level in the battery’s cells must be checked often to prevent damage.

The Trax offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The power windows standard on both the Trax and the CX-3 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Trax is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The CX-3 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Trax’s front and rear power windows all lower with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The CX-3’s passenger windows don’t open automatically.

Keyless Access optional on the Trax LT allows you to unlock the doors, cargo door and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before loading groceries, getting in the vehicle in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The Mazda CX-3’s Pushbutton Start doesn’t unlock the doors or the cargo door.

The Trax’s power window, power lock and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The CX-3’s power window (except driver window) switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Trax LT’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. The CX-3 doesn’t offer heated side mirrors.

The Trax LT offers optional heated front seats, which keep the driver and front passenger extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated seats aren’t available in the CX-3.

The Trax LT has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Trax is less expensive to operate than the CX-3 because typical repairs cost much less on the Trax than the CX-3, including $3 less for front brake pads, $60 less for a starter, $256 less for fuel injection and $4 less for front struts.

The Car Book by Jack Gillis recommends the Chevrolet Trax, based on economy, maintenance, safety and complaint levels.

The Chevrolet Trax outsold the Mazda CX-3 by over 10 to one during the 2021 model year.