Are you ready to witness a clash of automotive giants? The 2023-2024 Mazda CX-5 goes head-to-head with the Toyota RAV4 in an epic battle for SUV supremacy. This comparison leaves no stone unturned, providing you with a detailed analysis to make an informed decision.
The Mazda CX-5 offers a lavish interior experience, particularly in its higher-trim models equipped with supple leather upholstery. Its interior fit and finish set it apart in the compact SUV realm. In contrast, the Toyota RAV4 features more utilitarian hard plastics and straightforward interior styling, delivering a common experience for its segment.
The Mazda CX-5 presents two engine choices. The base 187-horsepower 2.5-liter inline-four and an upgraded 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-four boasting 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque. Both engines feature silky-smooth six-speed automatic transmissions.
The Toyota RAV4 takes the lead with one of the most capacious cargo areas in its class, offering 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and nearly 70 cubic feet when you fold the rear seats down. It facilitates effortless loading with its low bumper and floor.
The Mazda CX-5 stands out as one of the most enjoyable compact SUVs to drive. It seamlessly combines agility with precisely weighted steering and maintains comfort even on rugged roads.
The Toyota RAV4 is outfitted with an 8-inch touchscreen, cordless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a Wi-Fi hotspot, a stereo system with six speakers, and an automatic temperature control system. Optional upgrades include a 10.5-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch gauge cluster.
The Mazda CX-5 boasts front seats that cradle you during extended journeys, while rear seats offer ample space for adult passengers and even recline. Basic features encompass faux leather seats and front seat heaters, with the possibility to upgrade to genuine leather seats, front seat coolers, and rear seat heaters.
Starting at $28,475, the 2024 Toyota RAV4 offers a marginally lower entry price than the 2024 Mazda CX-5, which kicks off at $29,300. However, keep in mind that the Mazda comes standard with all-wheel drive, whereas the Toyota features front-wheel drive, requiring a $1,400 upgrade for AWD. On the top end, the Toyota’s highest trim begins at $38,095, slightly below the CX-5’s range-topping trim priced at $40,600.
The front-wheel-drive Toyota RAV4 shines in fuel efficiency, boasting an EPA-estimated 27 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. AWD variants achieve a respectable 25/33 mpg city/highway.
In this fierce competition, the Mazda CX-5 clinches victory in five categories, narrowly surpassing the Toyota RAV4, which secures four wins. The CX-5’s supremacy shines in acceleration, handling, ride quality, interior luxury, and predicted reliability.
Both these SUVs offer their unique strengths and attributes. To make the ultimate decision, we recommend scheduling test drives to align your choice with your preferences. However, as the dust settles, the Mazda CX-5 emerges as the superior vehicle, achieving a higher ranking in our compact SUV lineup compared to the RAV4, which falls somewhere in the middle.
