Compare the2023 Mazda CX-5VS 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The CX-5 has standard Whiplash-Reducing Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The CX-5 Turbo Signature has standard Smart Brake Support-Rear that use rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-5. But it costs extra on the Trailblazer.

The CX-5 Turbo Signature has a standard 360° Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Trailblazer only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

The CX-5 has a standard blind spot warning system that 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 Trailblazer’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the CX-5 has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert, helping the driver avoid collisions. Chevrolet charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Trailblazer.

The CX-5 Turbo Signature’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 Trailblazer doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the CX-5 and the Trailblazer 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, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems and rearview cameras.

The Mazda CX-5 weighs 439 to 853 pounds more than the Chevrolet Trailblazer. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mazda CX-5 is safer than the Chevrolet Trailblazer:

	CX-5	Trailblazer
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	82	185
Neck Injury Risk	23%	24%
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	156	401
Leg Forces (l/r)	449/262 lbs.	409/383 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 and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Mazda CX-5 is safer than the Chevrolet Trailblazer:

	CX-5	Trailblazer
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	81	91
Chest Movement	.5 inches	1.1 inches
Abdominal Force	126 lbs.	199 lbs.
Hip Force	189 lbs.	459 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	13 inches
Spine Acceleration	32 G’s	38 G’s
Hip Force	435 lbs.	591 lbs.

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

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the CX-5 the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 53 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Trailblazer has not been fully tested, yet.

Warranty

The CX-5’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Trailblazer’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Reliability

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the CX-5’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the Trailblazer’s camshafts. If the Trailblazer’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda fourth in overall reliability. Chevrolet is ranked 20th.

Engine

The CX-5’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 50 more horsepower (187 vs. 137) and 24 lbs.-ft. more torque (186 vs. 162) than the Trailblazer’s standard 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder. The CX-5’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 32 more horsepower (187 vs. 155) and 12 lbs.-ft. more torque (186 vs. 174) than the Trailblazer’s optional 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder. The CX-5’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 101 more horsepower (256 vs. 155) and 146 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 174) than the Trailblazer’s optional 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mazda CX-5 is faster than the Chevrolet Trailblazer 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder:

	CX-5 4 cyl.	CX-5 turbo 4 cyl.	Trailblazer
Zero to 60 MPH	8.3 sec	6.4 sec	9.3 sec
Quarter Mile	16.3 sec	14.9 sec	17 sec

Fuel Economy and Range

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the CX-5 (except Turbo)’s fuel efficiency. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The CX-5 has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Trailblazer (15.3 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the CX-5 Turbo’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Trailblazer:

	CX-5 Turbo	Trailblazer
Front Rotors	12.6 inches	11.81 inches
Rear Rotors	11.9 inches	10.39 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CX-5 Carbon Edition/Premium/Turbo has standard 19-inch wheels. The Trailblazer’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Mazda CX-5 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 Chevrolet Trailblazer has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The CX-5 has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the CX-5 flat and controlled during cornering. The Trailblazer’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The CX-5 has engine speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-5’s wheelbase is 2.3 inches longer than on the Trailblazer (106.2 inches vs. 103.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the CX-5 is 1.9 inches wider in the front and 1.5 inches wider in the rear than on the Trailblazer.

The CX-5 handles at .81 G’s, while the Trailblazer RS AWD pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The CX-5 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Trailblazer RS AWD (27.8 seconds @ .59 average G’s vs. 28.3 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the CX-5’s turning circle is .8 feet tighter than the Trailblazer’s (36 feet vs. 36.8 feet).

Passenger Space

The CX-5 has .1 inches more front legroom, 2.9 inches more front hip room, 1.7 inches more front shoulder room, .6 inches more rear headroom, .2 inches more rear legroom, 9.6 inches more rear hip room and 1 inch more rear shoulder room than the Trailblazer.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the CX-5’s rear seats recline. The Trailblazer’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Trailblazer with its rear seat up (30.8 vs. 25.3 cubic feet). The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Trailblazer with its rear seat folded (59.3 vs. 54.4 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the CX-5 easier. The CX-5’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 29.4 inches, while the Trailblazer’s liftover is 30.8 inches.

The CX-5’s cargo area is larger than the Trailblazer’s in every dimension:

	CX-5	Trailblazer
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	38”	32”/64.5”
Max Width	57”	54”
Min Width	41.3”	41”
Height	32.4”	28.2”

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the CX-5’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Towing

The CX-5’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Trailblazer’s (2000 vs. 1000 pounds).

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the CX-5 Preferred/Carbon Edition/Premium/Turbo, the memory seats make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer memory seats.

The CX-5 Premium Plus/Turbo 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 Trailblazer doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The CX-5’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 Trailblazer’s passenger windows don’t close automatically.

The CX-5’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 Trailblazer’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The CX-5’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Trailblazer’s standard halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the CX-5 Premium/Turbo has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Both the CX-5 and the Trailblazer offer available heated front seats. The CX-5 Premium Plus/Turbo also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Trailblazer.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the CX-5 Premium Plus/Turbo keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The CX-5 has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Trailblazer LS doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The CX-5 Select/Preferred/Carbon Edition/Premium/Turbo’s standard 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 Trailblazer doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the CX-5 and the Trailblazer offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the CX-5 Select/Preferred/Carbon Edition/Premium/Turbo has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The CX-5 Turbo Signature’s standard GPS navigation system has a real-time traffic update feature that plots alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service not available in all areas.) The Trailblazer’s available navigation system doesn’t offer real-time traffic updates.

Economic Advantages

The CX-5 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the CX-5 will retain 50.99% to 51.37% of its original price after five years, while the Trailblazer only retains 46.25% to 46.73%.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Mazda CX-5 and the Chevrolet Trailblazer, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Mazda CX-5 outsold the Chevrolet Trailblazer by over two to one during 2022.