Compare the2023 Chevrolet EquinoxVS 2022 Mazda CX-30

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Recommendations

Safety

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In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Equinox are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The CX-30 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Both the Equinox and the CX-30 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors 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 Equinox is safer than the Mazda CX-30:

	Equinox	CX-30
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	17%	26.7%
Neck Stress	190 lbs.	216 lbs.
Neck Compression	10 lbs.	18 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	26%	33.5%
Neck Stress	153 lbs.	172 lbs.
Neck Compression	51 lbs.	85 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	264/236 lbs.	380/386 lbs.

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 Equinox is safer than the Mazda CX-30:

	Equinox	CX-30
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Abdominal Force	195 lbs.	209 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	55 G’s	60 G’s

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

Warranty

The Equinox’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the CX-30’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.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Equinox first among compact suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The CX-30 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 15th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 above average in long-term dependability. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Mazda is rated lower.

Engine

The Equinox’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 17 lbs.-ft. more torque (203 vs. 186) than the CX-30’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Equinox gets better mileage than the CX-30:

			MPG
Equinox
	FWD	1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	26 city/31 hwy
	AWD	1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/30 hwy
CX-30
	AWD	2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/30 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Equinox’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-30 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Chevrolet Equinox uses regular unleaded gasoline. The CX-30 with the 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Equinox FWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-30 (14.9 vs. 12.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Equinox AWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-30 (15.6 vs. 12.7 gallons).

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-30 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Chevrolet Equinox higher (7 out of 10) than the Mazda CX-30 (5 to 7). This means the Equinox produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the CX-30 every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Equinox’s brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-30:

	Equinox	CX-30
Front Rotors	11.8 inches	11.6 inches
Rear Rotors	11.3 inches	10.4 inches
Opt Rear Rotors		10.9 inches

The Equinox stops much shorter than the CX-30:

	Equinox	CX-30
70 to 0 MPH	161 feet	177 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	119 feet	125 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	141 feet	147 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Equinox has larger standard tires than the CX-30 (225/65R17 vs. 215/65R16). The Equinox’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CX-30 (235/50R19 vs. 215/65R16).

The Equinox’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CX-30 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Turbo/Premium’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Equinox LS/LT has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the CX-30 2.5 S. The Equinox’s optional 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the CX-30 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Turbo/Premium.

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-30 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Suspension and Handling

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-30 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Equinox’s wheelbase is 2.9 inches longer than on the CX-30 (107.3 inches vs. 104.4 inches).

The Equinox Premier AWD handles at .86 G’s, while the CX-30 Premium pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

Chassis

The front grille of the Equinox offers available electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The CX-30 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-30 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The Equinox has 9.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CX-30 (103.2 vs. 94.1).

The Equinox has 1.9 inches more front headroom, 1.6 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear headroom, 3.6 inches more rear legroom and 1.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-30.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Equinox’s rear seats recline. The CX-30’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Equinox has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the CX-30 with its rear seat up (29.9 vs. 20.2 cubic feet). The Equinox has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the CX-30 with its rear seat folded (63.9 vs. 45.2 cubic feet).

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the Equinox LT/RS/Premier’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The CX-30 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Equinox Premier’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The CX-30 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Towing

The Equinox has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The CX-30 has no towing capacity.

The Equinox can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Equinox can be unhitched and driven around locally. The CX-30 can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Equinox uses the StabiliTrak® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The CX-30 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

The Equinox Premier’s standard 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-30 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-30 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The power windows standard on both the Equinox and the CX-30 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-30 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

On a hot day the Equinox’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the CX-30 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Equinox’s available exterior PIN entry system. The CX-30 doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Equinox has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the CX-30 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

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-30 Carbon/Turbo.

Both the Equinox and the CX-30 offer available heated front seats. The Equinox Premier also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the CX-30.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Equinox Premier keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The CX-30 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Equinox (except LS) offers an optional 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-30 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Equinox Premier’s optional Automatic Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The CX-30 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Model Availability

The Equinox is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The CX-30 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Recommendations

The Chevrolet Equinox outsold the Mazda CX-30 by almost four to one during the 2021 model year.