Mazda CX-5 vs Toyota RAV4: Going Above and Beyond Compact SUV Expectations

While the Toyota RAV4 has been a fixture in the compact SUV market for many years, the newer Mazda CX-5 is quickly gaining momentum as one of the top choices for buyers who want something small, fun, and versatile. Choosing between these two crossovers may seem like a difficult task, but that’s why we’ve laid out everything you need to know about each of them.

It’s A Power Thing

If you like that punch of power when you press down on the accelerator, you’ll want to drive the CX-5. It has two engines, and both have lots of power. The base is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 187 horsepower, but the upgrade is a fun 2.5-liter turbo four-cylinder with 256 horsepower and wait for it…a whopping 320 pound-feet of torque. That’s a lot for a small SUV.

The RAV4 comes with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that develops 203 horsepower and gets 184 pound-feet of torque. It still gives the compact RAV4 plenty of power and provides a smooth and efficient ride.

How Comfortable Do You Want Your Ride?

When you take a seat in the Mazda CX-5, one of the first things you’ll notice is how comfortable the seats are. The front seats have plenty of support, and the rear seats offer a reclining function, so your back seat passengers can get comfortable for the long haul. Synthetic leather upholstery comes standard with Nappa leather available.

The RAV4’s front seats have plenty of head and legroom, but you might find they don’t have as much support. Cloth upholstery comes standard, and you can get synthetic leather if you want to upgrade.

Technology Is Front and Center

Both the Mazda CX-5 and the Toyota RAV4 come loaded with tech features. The RAV4 has an 8-inch touchscreen in the dashboard that comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A Wi-Fi hotspot and six-speaker stereo also come standard. If you want to upgrade, a 10.5-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital driver information display are available.

The Mazda CX-5 is a little different because it doesn’t have a touchscreen. Instead, there’s a 10.2-inch display screen that you control using a knob down on the center console. The infotainment system comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and three years of complimentary Mazda Connected Services.

Safety Comes Standard

Whether you choose the Mazda CX-5 or the Toyota RAV4 you’ll have a long list of standard safety systems looking out for you. Every CX-5 has forward collision warning, automatic braking, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. Highway driving is safer with standard systems such as adaptive cruise control and the lane departure mitigation system that can sense when you’re drifting out of your lane and help you make corrections to prevent it.

The Toyota RAV4 comes with a similar list of safety systems. The Safety Sense 2.5 suite has all the safety tech that the Mazda CX-5 has and also adds a traffic sign reader and automatic high-beam headlights.