2026 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2026 Mazda CX-50
Comparison Overview
Choosing between the redesigned 2026 Chevrolet Equinox and the rugged 2026 Mazda CX-50 often comes down to priorities: budget versus standard capability. The Equinox wins on upfront cost, starting at just $28,600 compared to the CX-50’s $29,900 MSRP. If fuel economy is paramount, the Equinox offers a slight edge with a combined 27 MPG versus the CX-50's 26 MPG, though the Mazda does offer better highway efficiency at 30 MPG. However, the Equinox is only FWD, while the Mazda includes standard AWD, providing better grip out of the box. Power figures are nearly identical, with the CX-50 netting slightly more horsepower at 187 hp versus the Equinox’s 175 hp. For utility, the CX-50 edges out the Chevy with 31.4 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Equinox's 29.8 cu ft, making this decision dependent on whether you prioritize the lower entry price or superior standard drivetrain.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Chevrolet Equinox
The 2026 Equinox is the better choice for daily commuters due to its lower starting price of $28,600 and slightly better overall fuel economy at 27 combined MPG.
2026 Mazda CX-50
Families needing slightly more space and year-round security will appreciate the CX-50's standard All-Wheel Drive and larger 31.4 cu ft cargo capacity.
2026 Mazda CX-50
The CX-50 offers a more engaging drive with a conventional 6-speed automatic transmission and slightly higher output of 187 horsepower.
2026 Chevrolet Equinox
The Equinox offers better initial value by undercutting the CX-50 on MSRP by $1,300, even if it is FWD.
Choose the Chevrolet Equinox if...
- You want the lowest possible entry price for a new crossover, starting at $28,600.
- Maximum efficiency is your primary goal, leaning on the Equinox's 27 combined MPG rating.
- You live in a climate that never sees harsh weather, making the standard FWD setup sufficient.
Choose the Mazda CX-50 if...
- You require All-Wheel Drive as standard equipment for varying road conditions.
- You prefer the responsiveness of a traditional 6-speed automatic transmission over a CVT.
- You need the maximum utility, leveraging the CX-50’s 31.4 cu ft of cargo space.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Chevrolet Equinox | Mazda CX-50 |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 183.2" | 185.8" |
| Width | 74.9" | 75.6" |
| Height | 65.6" | 63.5" |
| Wheelbase | 107.5" | 110.8" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Chevrolet | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | — |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 2 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | — |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | — | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Brake Assist | — | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Chevrolet | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 1.5 L | 2.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 175 hp @ 5600 rpm | 187 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque | 184 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm | 185 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cylinder Deactivation | — | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Chevrolet | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | continuously variable-speed automatic | 6-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | all wheel drive |
Fuel
| Feature | Chevrolet | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 26/28 MPG | 24/30 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 27 MPG | 26 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 384.8/414.4 mi. | 381.6/477.0 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 14.8 gal. | 15.9 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Chevrolet | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | ✓ | — |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Single Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cargo Floor Mats | ✓ | — |
| Wireless Charging Pad | — | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | — | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Chevrolet | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 11.3 in | 10.3 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 8 |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auxiliary Audio Input | ✓ | — |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | — |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | — |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | — |
| Android Auto (Wired) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Chevrolet | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 4 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Chevrolet | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.0 in. | 39.1 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 40.9 in. | 41.7 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.7 in. | 55.9 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 54.2 in. | 53.6 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 6-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 4-way | 4-way |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Seat Material: Leatherette | — | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Chevrolet | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.2 in. | 38.6 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 39.9 in. | 39.8 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 55.8 in. | 53.6 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 51.7 in. | 52.1 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Chevrolet | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Diameter | 17 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 235/65R17 | P225/65R17 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Inside Mounted |
| Wheel Size | — | 17 x 7.0 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Chevrolet | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | — |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
| Front Suspension Type | — | Independent |
| Stabilizer Bar | — | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Chevrolet | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 6 yr./ 100000 mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 1 yr./ unlimited mi. | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox and 2026 Mazda CX-50.
Is the 2026 Equinox more fuel-efficient than the 2026 CX-50?
Yes, the Equinox holds a slight advantage, achieving 27 combined MPG compared to the CX-50’s 26 combined MPG. However, note that the CX-50 uses its AWD system, while the Equinox is FWD, which typically accounts for this difference.
Which crossover offers better cargo room for hauling gear?
The 2026 Mazda CX-50 is the winner in cargo capacity, providing 31.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats. The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox offers slightly less space at 29.8 cubic feet.
Does the difference in horsepower matter significantly between these two models?
The difference is minimal; the CX-50 produces 187 hp while the Equinox has 175 hp. For standard daily driving, both vehicles offer comparable acceleration since their torque figures (185 lb-ft vs 184 lb-ft) are nearly identical.
Why is the CX-50's transmission different from the Equinox's?
The CX-50 utilizes a 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission, often favored for a more traditional and engaging feel. Conversely, the Equinox uses a continuously variable-speed automatic (CVT) aimed at maximizing fuel efficiency.
If I live where it snows, should I pick the Equinox or the CX-50?
The CX-50 is the better choice for snow because it comes standard with All-Wheel Drive (AWD). The standard Equinox is front-wheel drive (FWD), which generally offers less traction in low-grip conditions.
What is the price difference between the base models?
The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox has a lower starting MSRP of $28,600, undercutting the 2026 Mazda CX-50, which begins at $29,900.
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