Compare the2023 Mazda CX-50VS 2023 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 use rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a 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 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 Blazer’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the CX-50 has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Braking on the Turbo Premium Plus automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Chevrolet charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Blazer and the Blazer’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert does not include automatic braking.

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.

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-50 the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 53 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Blazer has not been fully tested, yet.

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 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.

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:

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

The CX-50 stops shorter than the Blazer:

The CX-50’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (58.9% to 41.1%) than the Blazer’s (60.1% to 39.9%). This gives the CX-50 more stable handling and braking.

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 LT (8.3 vs. 7.5 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 inch higher than on the Blazer RS/Premier (8.6 vs. 7.6 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 6 inches shorter than the Blazer, making the CX-50 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the CX-50 2.5 Turbo is quieter than the Blazer RS 4x4 (37 vs. 38 dB).

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).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the CX-50 easier. The CX-50’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28.4 inches, while the Blazer’s liftover is 30.3 inches.

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.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Mazda CX-50 and the Chevrolet Blazer, based on reliability, safety and performance.