Compare the2022 Fiat 500XVS 2021 Mazda CX-3

The Fiat 500X has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps 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.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the 500X. But it costs extra on the CX-3.

The 500X offers optional ParkSense to help warn the driver about vehicles, pedestrians or other obstacles behind or, optionally, in front of the vehicle. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a front parking aid.

Both the 500X and the CX-3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The 500X comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes free 24-hour roadside assistance. The CX-3’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The engine in the 500X has a single overhead cam for simplicity. The engine in the CX-3 has dual overhead cams, which add to the number of moving parts and the complexity of the cylinder heads.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the 500X has a standard 150-amp alternator. The CX-3’s 100-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

The 500X’s 1.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 29 more horsepower (177 vs. 148) and 64 lbs.-ft. more torque (210 vs. 146) than the CX-3’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the 500X’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The CX-3 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The 500X 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-3 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Fiat 500X, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the CX-3.

The 500X has a true all-wheel drive system, which uses a four wheel traction control system to redirect engine power to the axle and wheel that still has traction to keep the 500X moving if even only one wheel still has traction. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a true all-wheel drive system; it could get stuck while one or more wheels still have traction.

For better stopping power the 500X’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-3:

The 500X stops much shorter than the CX-3:

For better traction, the 500X AWD’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CX-3 (225/55R18 vs. 215/60R16).

The 500X Sport’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 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 500X AWD has standard 17-inch wheels. Only 16-inch wheels are available on the CX-3. The 500X Sport offers optional 19-inch wheels.

For superior ride and handling, the Fiat 500X 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-3 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The 500X 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.

The 500X has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the 500X flat and controlled during cornering. The CX-3’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For greater off-road capability the 500X has a 1.8 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the CX-3 (7.9 vs. 6.1 inches), allowing the 500X to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The 500X has 4.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CX-3 (91.7 vs. 87.6).

The 500X has .7 inches more front headroom, 1 inch more front hip room, .8 inches more front shoulder room, .6 inches more rear headroom, 3.2 inches more rear hip room and 2.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-3.

The 500X has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The CX-3 has no towing capacity.

The 500X 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 500X has a standard 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 climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior, with the optional automatic climate control feature. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The power windows standard on both the 500X and the CX-3 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the 500X 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 500X’s front and rear power windows all open fully with one touch of the switches and its front windows also automatically close, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The CX-3’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

The Keyless Enter-’n’-Go standard on the 500X allows you to unlock the driver’s door, 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 500X’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 500X (except Pop) 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 500X (except Pop)’s optional dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The CX-3 doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Insurance will cost less for the 500X owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the 500X with a number “5” insurance rate while the CX-3 is rated higher at a number “8” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the 500X is less expensive to operate than the CX-3 because it costs $146 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost less on the 500X than the CX-3, including $82 less for a muffler, $15 less for front brake pads, $61 less for a starter, $129 less for front struts, $53 less for a timing belt/chain and $30 less for a power steering pump.