2020 Chevy Trax
Starting at
$21,300
2020 Mazda CX-3
Starting at
$20,640
| 48.4 | Max Cargo Space (cu.ft.) | 42.7 |
| 3 | Trims | 1 |
| 148 | Max Torque (lb-ft) | 146 |
Compact SUVs are great vehicle options, primarily because they have good gas mileage while being incredibly spacious. But because they are so great, they are very popular. And because they are very popular, there are many options to search through. And while having a lot of choices is great, it does create a challenge when it comes down to decision time. The decision is a lot easier, though, when you focus on comparing two popular models like the 2020 Chevy Trax vs 2020 Mazda CX-3. These two models are very similar in price range, specs, and style. However, there are some key differences between the two that we will explore with a closer examination. And these differences will show that the Chevy vehicle is superior. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the details of the 2020 Chevy Trax and the 2020 Mazda CX-3.
Performance
The most important thing to consider when comparing two vehicles is the way that they drive. This could mean anything from the power that they put out to the features that keep you safe while driving. That said, a quick peek at the Trax, and the CX-3 shows that the Chevy competitor has a better mixture of these things, creating a better driving experience. Let's take a look.
The Chevy Trax Experience
All trims of the Trax carry a 1.4 turbo ECOTEC 4-cylinder engine under the hood. This engine has multiport fuel injection (MFI) and produces up to 138 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque. This is plenty of power for a small SUV, although it is not enough to tow anything; neither of these vehicles can. That said, this engine comes equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission as well, providing a smooth drive.
In terms of safety, the Trax is packed with options. Depending on the trim, the Trax gets forward collision alert, side blind zone alert, lane departure warning, rear park assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. All trims come with ten airbags, and rear park assist and forward collision alert are both standard in the Premium trim. But one of the best safety features is the Teen Driver system, which allows parents to control stereo volume, maximum speed, and other variables in the vehicle to ensure their new driver is being safe. With all of these features, there is no denying this vehicle's safety, and its power is just as great.
Driving the Mazda CX-3
The Mazda runs on a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine and a 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission. It generates 148 hp and 146 lb-ft of torque. This means that while horsepower is slightly better for this vehicle, torque is slightly worse. This creates a wash.
Safety in the CX-3 is about the same as the Trax, with blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, airbags, and a rearview camera, minus the rear cross-traffic alert. Both the Trax and the CX-3 seem to do well in the safety area. The Trax is much more customizable with its safety options, though. Plus, the Trax has the Chevy-exclusive Teen Driver system. That said, with a similar engine and the Trax's better safety features, the Trax comes out on top in terms of performance.
Exterior
When it comes to vehicles, having a customizable exterior is important. Having options allows each driver to get an individualized vehicle that they are proud to be driving. So let's take a look at some of the customization options that the Trax and the CX-3 have to offer.
Outside the Chevy Trax
Starting with the Trax, the LS and LT trims come with 16” all-season blackwall tires, 16” painted-aluminum wheels, and a 16” spare wheel. The Premier trim, instead, comes with 18” all-season blackwall tires, and 18” aluminum wheels, giving it a height boost. All trims come with a solar-absorbing windshield, front and rear intermittent wipers, and beltline moldings. Some options are only available for certain trims, so most customization add-on options will depend upon which model you choose. That said, the options for the wheels and tires alone are quite extensive.
But there’s more to a car than just rims, so let’s look at ways you can sport up the Chevy Trax. First of all, you can add a carrier mount for bicycles and similar items. You can also add on roof rack cross rails for an additional price, front and rear splash guards for free, and front and rear black bowtie emblems for just a little bit more. This will replace the normally gold-colored bowtie emblems to give your Trax a blackout appeal. Overall, with these options, the Trax can have a unique look to fit anyone's wants.
The CX-3's Exterior
Disappointingly, the 2020 Mazda CX-3 only comes in one trim, which is the Sport trim. This trim comes in either all-wheel drive (AWD) and front-wheel drive (FWD) options. The car’s wheels are 16” aluminum alloy with all-season tires. And there aren’t many available add-on options.
The exterior customization options for the CX-3 are existent, though. For example, you can get a front and rear bumper trim package and roof rack side rails for a bit more money. Further, the carrier mount isn’t an option for the CX-3. Between the two, it looks like the Trax wins on exterior options. Sure, the base CX-3 is cheaper than the top-end Premium Trax, but the Trax has a lot more standard-per-trim items rather than making everything an expensive add-on. In all, the Trax's exterior is more customizable.
Interior
When looking to purchase a new vehicle, it is crucial to consider the interior. Not only should a car have ample cargo space, but it should also have the latest technology and comfort features. You will be spending the most time with your car inside of it, which means that it should fit all of your needs. So let's see how each the Trax and the CX-3 stack up.
Inside the 2020 Chevy Trax
For starters, and possibly most importantly, the Trax provides 48.4 cu.ft. of max cargo volume. This is quite a bit of space to fit luggage, camping gear, and much more. That said, there is more to this interior than its ample space; it also has tons of fantastic features to keep the driver and passengers both comfortable and entertained.
All Trax trims come with a 6-speaker audio system, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, a 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat, cargo area lighting, the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system with a color touchscreen, a LATCH system (lower anchors and tethers for children), and much more. The Premium trim comes with even more interior assets, such as a leather-wrapped steering wheel and heated driver and passenger front seats. This is enough to keep everyone in the vehicle happy, but there is even more.
The MyChevrolet app allows you to start your vehicle with your phone. Not only that, but you can control all of your car’s technology gadgets right in the palm of your hand. The Trax also offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support. This means that smartphone users will have a seamless integration between their phone applications and the Trax. It is convenient, and it is useful. With all of these features, and considering the Trax's cargo space, the interior of this choice is inarguably great. But how does the CX-3 compare?
The CX-3's Space and Features
To begin with, the CX-3 is not very spacious, especially compared to the Trax. Coming in with only 42.7 cu.ft., it does not have nearly as much space as its competitor. However, it does have some good features such as cloth-trimmed sport seats, an infotainment system, and a 60/40 split fold-down rear seatback. Like most competitive models, the CX-3 has a lot in common with the Trax.
The CX-3 also has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, as well as voice command and a multifunction commander control. It also has a keyless remote entry, like the Trax. Additionally, it has an auxiliary input and a USB input, which is handy for those who haven’t upgraded their phones, or who still use iPods. Overall, the two competing models balance out when it comes to the technology aspects. Neither vehicle really has anything deal-breaking to offer that the other one doesn’t already have. Technology is not the tiebreaker in this case. However, space is. With the Trax offering a bit more cargo space, it does have the better interior.
