Shoppers comparing compact SUVs in Ontario this year keep circling back to two names: the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox and the Mazda CX-5. Both are practical five-seaters, but how each one feels day to day, from the ride to the touchscreen to loading the back seat, varies more than a spec sheet suggests.

This comparison looks at where the two SUVs actually differ, and where the Equinox’s simpler approach pays off once you’re driving it every day.

2026 Equinox vs. Mazda CX-5: Key Specs Side by Side

Spec	2026 Chevrolet Equinox	2026 Mazda CX-5
Fuel economy, combined	8.7 L/100 km (FWD) / 8.9 L/100 km (AWD)	9.0 L/100 km
Instrument cluster	11-inch digital display	10.25-inch LCD display
Touchscreen	11.3-inch, standard on every trim	12.9-inch (15.6-inch with GT Premium Package)
Engine	1.5L turbo I4, 175 hp, up to 203 lb-ft (AWD)	2.5L I4, 187 hp, 186 lb-ft
Transmission	CVT (FWD) / 8-speed automatic (AWD)	6-speed automatic
Audio system	6-speaker, standard on every trim	8-speaker (GX/GS) / 12-speaker Bose (GT)
Cargo volume, seats up / seats down	844 L / 1,798 L	954 L / 1,882 L
Max towing	1,500 lbs (680 kg)	1,500 lbs (680 kg)
Ground clearance	205-208 mm, trim dependent	204-209 mm, trim dependent

The Equinox pulls ahead on fuel economy and gives every trim the same touchscreen and cluster, with no upsell required. The CX-5 counters with a larger base display and more outright cargo room, both covered in detail below.

Powertrain and Everyday Drivability

The Equinox runs a 1.5L turbo four-cylinder making 175 hp, paired with a CVT on FWD models or an 8-speed automatic on AWD models. Torque reaches 184 lb-ft on FWD and 203 lb-ft on AWD, arriving low in the rev range thanks to the turbo.

The CX-5’s 2.5L naturally aspirated four makes slightly more peak power at 187 hp, with 186 lb-ft through a 6-speed automatic. But the Equinox’s turbo delivers its torque earlier, and its FWD trims post better fuel economy at 8.7 L/100 km combined versus the CX-5’s 9.0 L/100 km, since Mazda pairs i-Activ AWD standard across every CX-5 trim with no FWD option.

That gives Equinox shoppers a choice the CX-5 doesn’t offer: a lighter, more efficient FWD LT for commuting, an AWD RS or LT for mixed conditions, or the ACTIV trim with 17-inch wheels and all-terrain tires for gravel roads and cottage routes.

Cabin Comfort and Everyday Access

Mazda designed the CX-5’s door openings to be wider for easier loading of car seats and passengers. It’s a real consideration for families, but the Equinox answers with details that matter once everyone’s inside.

Every Equinox trim, including the base LT, comes with a standard heated steering wheel. The CX-5’s entry GX trim skips it entirely, adding it only from the GS trim up. The Equinox also includes Active Noise Cancellation as standard equipment across its lineup, helping keep the cabin quiet on the highway.

Technology That Doesn’t Need a Learning Curve

Both SUVs run Google built-in for navigation and apps, so the comparison comes down to how each brand packages it. The CX-5’s 12.9-inch touchscreen is larger than the Equinox’s 11.3-inch display out of the box, and its 15.6-inch screen is the biggest Mazda has offered.

That bigger CX-5 screen, though, only comes with the GT Premium Package. The Equinox’s 11.3-inch display and 11-inch digital cluster are standard on LT, RS, and ACTIV alike, so the layout stays familiar no matter which trim you choose.

Audio follows the same pattern. The CX-5 GT’s 12-speaker Bose system sounds strong, but it’s reserved for the top trim. The Equinox’s 6-speaker setup is standard from the base LT, with no package or trim step required to get it.

Cargo Room for Everyday Loading

The CX-5 has an edge on raw cargo space, offering 954 L behind the rear seat and 1,882 L with the seats folded, ahead of the Equinox’s 844 L and 1,798 L.

The Equinox answers with easier access to that space. The RS and ACTIV trims include a hands-free, standard AutoSense power liftgate. The CX-5 saves hands-free operation for the GT trim’s Premium Package, an added cost above the top trim.

Standard Safety That Doesn’t Stop at the Base Trim

Both SUVs come with comprehensive standard safety suites, including forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and rear cross-traffic protection. Neither buyer is left without core coverage.

Where they differ is how far the extras reach. The Equinox offers HD Surround Vision as an option on every trim, LT through ACTIV. The CX-5 reserves its 360-degree View Monitor for the GT trim’s Premium Package only, so lower CX-5 trims can’t add it at all.

Who the 2026 Equinox Fits Best

Drivers who want lower fuel bills, a touchscreen and cluster that stay consistent from the base trim up, and cabin comforts like a heated steering wheel without stepping up a trim will find the Equinox does the job with less fuss.

Families loading car seats every day, commuters watching fuel costs, and anyone who wants ACTIV’s all-terrain tires for weekend gravel roads all land in the same place: the Equinox covers the daily-use details that add up over years of ownership.

Experience the 2026 Equinox’s Everyday Comfort

The 2026 Equinox pairs a fuel-efficient 1.5L turbo engine with a standardized cabin layout, so the touchscreen, cluster, and steering wheel comforts stay the same whether you choose LT, RS, or ACTIV.

Visit Premier Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC in Windsor to sit inside the 2026 Equinox, compare trims in person, and feel the ride and cabin comfort for yourself. Ask about the trim that fits your daily drive.