Compare the2023 Mazda CX-50VS 2022 Chevrolet Blazer

The Mazda CX-50 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 Blazer doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The CX-50 Turbo Premium Plus has standard Smart Brake Support-Reverse that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Blazer doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-50. But it costs extra on the Blazer.

The CX-50 has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Blazer’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the CX-50 has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the Blazer.

The CX-50’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Blazer doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the CX-50 and the Blazer have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee 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, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and available around view monitors.

The CX-50’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Blazer’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda first in overall reliability. Chevrolet is ranked 17th.

The CX-50’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 50 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 270) than the Blazer’s optional 3.6 DOHC V6.

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

Both the CX-50 and Blazer have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stop lights and heavy traffic. The CX-50 has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

For better stopping power the CX-50’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Blazer:

For better maneuverability, the CX-50’s turning circle is 2.7 feet tighter than the Blazer’s (36 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

For greater off-road capability the CX-50 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Blazer (8.3 vs. 7.4 inches), allowing the CX-50 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The CX-50 Premium/Turbo’s minimum ground clearance is 1.2 inches higher than on the Blazer (8.6 vs. 7.4 inches).

The Mazda CX-50 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 400 pounds less than the Chevrolet Blazer.

The CX-50 is 5.6 inches shorter than the Blazer, making the CX-50 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The CX-50 has .7 inches more front legroom and .2 inches more rear legroom than the Blazer.

The CX-50 has a larger cargo volume than the Blazer with its rear seat up (31.4 vs. 30.5 cubic feet).

The CX-50’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Blazer’s (2000 vs. 1500 pounds).

The CX-50 Premium Plus/Turbo Premium has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Blazer doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The CX-50’s front and rear power windows all open or close 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 Blazer’s passenger windows don’t close automatically.

The CX-50 has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Blazer doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The CX-50’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Blazer’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the CX-50 Turbo has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Blazer doesn’t offer cornering lights.