2024 Mazda CX-30 vs Chevy Trax

Compact crossover, subcompact crossover, compact SUV, or small SUV, call them what you want, but the American buying public loves these small, versatile people movers. 

The appeal of the crossover is that they often share many traits of small cars, most notably affordability and good fuel economy. Perhaps one of the biggest advantages of crossovers is the handy added cargo space and roominess they offer to haul your family and their gear, plus the ability to tackle some off-road gravel tracks on your getaway weekends.

In our article, we take a look at two strong contenders in this segment: The Mazda CX-30 from the Japanese automaker Mazda and from our local soil, the Chevy Trax.

Read on as we take a closer look at what these compact crossovers have to offer prospective buyers.

2024 Mazda CX-30

The 2024 Mazda CX-30 is based on the brand's Mazda3 model, and as such, this five-seater Japanese compact crossover borrows the Mazda3's standout road manners and quality finishes. For 2024, Mazda has added new trim levels, some interior upgrades, plus more exterior colors. 

A total of eight levels are available for 2024:

• 2.5 S

• 2.3 S Select

• 2.5 S Preferred 

• 2.5 S Carbon Edition

• 2.5 S Premium

• 2.5 Carbon Turbo

• 2.5 Turbo Premium

• 2.5 Turbo Turbo Premium Plus

2024 Chevy Trax

The subcompact crossover 2024 Chevy Trax went on sale in the second quarter of 2023. This second-generation five-seater model offers more standard features than the previous generation and is new inside and out.

The key changes are the longer wheelbase, which frees up more rear legroom, along with the useful bump in cargo capacity. 

The 2024 Chevy Trax is offered in five trim levels:

• LS

• 1RS

• LT 

• 2RS

• Activ

Powertrain

The Mazda CX-30 is fitted with a Skyactiv-G,four-cylinder, 2.5-liter, double overhead cam (DOHC) gasoline engine producing  191 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm and 186 pound-feet of torque @ 4,000 rpm.

A  turbocharged 2.5-liter Skyactiv-G four-cylinder version on higher trim levels produces 250 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm and 320 pound-feet of torque @ 2,500 rpm. The CX-30 makes use of an automatic transmission with Mazda's i-Activ AWD drivetrain.

All 2024 Chevy Trax trims are powered by a 1.2-liter, turbocharged three-cylinder engine that produces 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. This power unit is joined to a six-speed automatic transmission, taking power to the front wheels only. Buyers do not have the option of all-wheel drive.

Exterior

The coupe-like body of the 2024 Mazda CX-30 wears Mazda's Kodo design language that features a sweeping S-curve along the flanks of the vehicle to effectively create a sense of movement even whilst parked.

Standout exterior features on the CX-30 include:

• Automatic on/off LED headlights and tail lights

• LED daytime running lights 

• Alloy wheels 

• Variable-intermittent windshield wipers

The Chevy Trax shows off its modern design with a front fascia fitted with slim design LED headlights with intelliBeam automatic headlamp control and automatic on and off, as well as LED Daytime Running Lamps.

A large front grille with a honeycomb insert is seen, with the Chev badge taking pride of place on the familiar Chevrolet horizontal bar that splits the front grille.

The Trax wears squared-off wheel arches with black trim body-color door handles and all-around deep tinted window glass. The base LS features 17-inch steel wheels, whilst other trim levels sport alloy wheels ranging in size from 17 inches to 19 inches.

Other key exterior highlights are:

• Black side windows surround moldings

• Extra wide side and lower body-side moldings in black

• Rear intermittent wiper

• Rear spoiler

• Front recovery hook

Interior

The interior of the 2024 Mazda CX-30 boasts an uncluttered and quality interior that features an infotainment display standing proud in the center of the dashboard center controlled by a center console located rotary knob. Climate control buttons separate the upper and lower dashboard panels.

The Mazda audio systems differ on the trim levels, with lower models getting the standard 6-speaker audio system with Mazda Harmonic Acoustics and an available enhanced eight-speaker audio system with Mazda Harmonic Acoustics. 

Seats are cloth-trimmed in lower trims, while leather upholstery is available in the Premium trim and upper-level models. Top trims see niceties such as a power-operated rear liftgate, plus numerous other luxury features that will not make the Mazda CX-30 seem out of place in high-end luxury auto brand territory. 

The CX-30 offers a useful cargo space of 20.2 cubic feet with all seats occupied. 

The all-new Chevy Trax shows its completely redesigned interior with an infotainment screen that faces the driver and neatly placed climate controls. Luxuries such as a sunroof, remote start, heated front seats and steering wheel are available on selected trims. 

Key standard interior features are:

• 8 inch diagonal HD color touchscreen

• 3.5 inch diagonal Driver Information Center

• 4-speaker audio system

• 6-way manual driver seat

The now longer wheelbase offers more rear legroom and increased cargo space of 25.6 cubic feet, expanding to 54.1 cubic feet with rear seats folded down. 

Safety and Driver Assistance Technology 

Buyers of the 2024 Mazda CX-30 can rest easy knowing their safety is assured; the CX-30 was awarded a 2023 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK award and, in 2022, a five-star National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) overall safety rating.

Key standard safety equipment include:

• 4-wheel disc brakes with a four-channel anti-lock braking with brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution

• Dual front airbags

• Front and rear seat-mounted side-impact airbags

• Side impact air curtains

• Driver's and front passenger's knee airbag

• 3-point safety belts for all seating positions

• Front and rear safety-belt pretensioners with force limiters

All Mazda CX-30 trims are fitted out with an impressive arsenal of Mazda i-Activsense safety technology features, inclusive:

• Radar cruise control with stop-and-go 

• High beam control

• Smart brake support 

• Lane departure warning with lane keep assist

• Standard driver attention alert system 

• Convenient rearview monitor 

The Chevy Trax range is equipped with the Chevy Safety Assist suite that  includes:

• Front automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection 

• Lane keep assist

• Lane departure warning

• Automatic high-beams. 

Other available trim-dependent features include rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and rear parking sensors.

Get Your Mazda CX-30 Seacoast Mazda

Visit the Seacoast Mazda dealership in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to learn more about the 2024 Mazda CX-30 crossover range. 

Make a booking with our passionate sales team to test drive the CX-30 and experience Mazda's commitment to driving enjoyment. 

View Mazda CX-30 Inventory