2025 Mazda CX-5 vs. Toyota RAV4

Compact SUVs rule the roads right now, with the 2025 Mazda CX-5 and Toyota RAV4 fighting for the top spot. These vehicles combine appearance, power, and practicality, catering to the needs of diverse drivers. Our team at Kiefer Mazda compares the price tags, driving feel, interior features, safety technology, and overall value of these two brands to help you decide which one is perfect for you.

Pricing and Value for Money

These SUVs start at similar MSRPs. The basic CX-5 2.5 S costs $28,770, while the RAV4 LE starts at $29,250. All CX-5 trims have standard all-wheel drive, a feature that costs extra in most RAV4 models. This is perfect if you’re regularly out and about in slick Eugene winters or go on weekend trips to snowy mountains.

The Mazda CX-5 2.5 S Preferred starts at $31,450, while the Toyota RAV4 XLE Premium begins at $33,650. This is real value for money, especially since many drivers think the CX-5’s interior is more luxurious than its price suggests. The top-of-the-range RAV4 Limited starts at an MSRP of $37,55, while Mazda’s top-tier CX-5 Turbo Signature begins at $40,800.

Performance and Driving Experience

The Mazda CX-5 offers a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque or a gutsy turbocharged 2.5-liter that pumps out 256 horsepower and an impressive 320 lb-ft of torque. Toyota keeps it basic with just one non-hybrid engine: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that produces 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. The Mazda accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 7.3 seconds, while the Toyota achieves this in 9.1 seconds. The extra power is perfect when you’re merging onto I-5 during rush hour or negotiating twisty roads between Eugene and the coast.

Toyota counters with competent fuel efficiency. The front-wheel drive RAV4 LE gets 27 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway, while all-wheel drive achieves 27 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. The standard CX-5 engine provides 23 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway, which drops to 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway with the thirstier turbo engine.

Interior Comfort, Technology, and Space

The Mazda CX-5 features a luxurious interior, while the Toyota RAV4 is designed with practicality in mind. The CX-5 has a 10.25-inch display screen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Although the RAV4 features an 8-inch touch screen, it has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a bigger 10.5-inch display available at extra cost.

The RAV4 provides 37.5 cubic feet of cargo room behind the back seats, which expands to a massive 69.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. Mazda’s CX-5 offers much less at 29.1 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to a maximum 59.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The RAV4’s cargo space makes it ideal for Eugene locals hauling camping gear to Crater Lake or mountain bikes to the McKenzie River trails.

The CX-5 provides more front headroom and rear legroom at 39.7 inches and 39.6 inches than the RAV4’s tighter 37.7-inch headroom up front and 37.8-inch rear legroom. Both SUVs offer 60/40-split rear seats that allow you to transport long items while still having space for passengers. A power liftgate is available on both models, which is helpful when you’re juggling grocery bags.

Safety and Reliability

Although both SUVs prioritize safety, the Mazda has a 9.5/10 safety rating from U.S. News & World Report compared to the Toyota’s 8.8/10. The CX-5 offers several advanced driver-assistance features as standard, including stop-and-go adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Although Toyota provides similar features, some of them cost extra on the basic models.

Regarding long-term dependability, the Mazda CX-5 edges slightly ahead with a reliability score from J.D. Power of 82 out of 100 compared to the RAV4’s 80. Although two points isn’t much, it may mean fewer service visits down the road. Both companies offer three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper coverage and five-year/60,000-mile powertrain protection.

Discover the Mazda CX-5 at Kiefer Mazda

The 2025 Mazda CX-5 offers driving fun, style, and value. If you’re in Eugene, Oregon, we invite you to visit us to explore our extensive inventory of new Mazda vehicles. Our friendly team will walk you through the different CX-5 trim options and answer any questions you may have. Contact us today to schedule a test drive to help you find the best CX-5 for your lifestyle and budget.

Image courtesy of Mazda USA