Compare the2023 Fiat 500XVS 2023 Mazda CX-30

Both the 500X and the CX-30 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, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, front and rear parking sensors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

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-30’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 engines in the CX-30 have 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 150-amp alternator. The CX-30’s standard 100-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

The 500X’s 1.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 24 lbs.-ft. more torque (210 vs. 186) than the CX-30’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the 500X gets better fuel mileage than the CX-30 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder (24 city/30 hwy vs. 22 city/30 hwy).

In heavy traffic or at stoplights 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-30 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-30 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-30.

For better stopping power the 500X’s brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-30:

The 500X stops much shorter than the CX-30:

For better traction, the 500X AWD’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CX-30 (225/55R18 vs. 215/65R16).

The 500X AWD’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CX-30 2.5 S’ standard 65 series tires. The 500X Sport’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the CX-30 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Turbo/Premium’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 500X AWD has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the CX-30 2.5 S. The 500X Sport’s optional 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the CX-30 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Turbo/Premium.

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-30 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-30’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-30’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The 500X is 5.8 inches shorter than the CX-30, making the 500X easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The 500X has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The CX-30 has no towing capacity.

The power windows standard on both the 500X and the CX-30 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-30 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the 500X 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 500X’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.