Mazda CX-5 vs Toyota RAV4 – A Complete Comparison

If you’re in the market for a new car, you may be looking at investing in a compact SUV. There are many attractive qualities in compact SUVs, including their expandable storage space, internal spaciousness, and comfort for inner-city driving as well as longer road trips. Finding the right small SUV for you and your family is crucial to ensuring you can enjoy a comfortable drive no matter the destination.

So, where do I start?

Two top-of-the-line 5-seater SUVs available on the Australian market today are the Mazda CX-5 and the Toyota RAV4. Depending on the grade and accessories you choose, the prices of the two are mostly comparable, with the RAV4 just exceeding the Mazda CX-5 in some areas of pricing.

But in terms of performance, safety and driving experience, how do they compare to one another, and which is going to be the best suited to you and your lifestyle? Let’s take a closer look at both models.

Passenger Comfort & Rear Legroom

If you’re seeking a 5-seater compact SUV, it’s likely you have kids or regular back-seat passengers. One of the main benefits of an SUV is the extra space in the car, allowing for a comfortable ride for all passengers – even those in the rear seats. The Mazda CX-5 offers a spacious 39.6 inches of rear legroom, great for adult back-seat passengers as well as growing kids and teenagers.

In comparison, the Toyota RAV4 offers 37.8 inches of rear legroom. The difference may seem insignificant now, but will likely be felt during a long car ride or as the teens keep growing.

Safety Features

Both the Mazda CX-5 and the Toyota RAV4 have an ANCAP safety rating of 5 stars and come equipped with a range of safety features. However, there are differences in safety inclusions depending on the model you choose.

How does the Mazda CX-5 measure up?

The Mazda CX-5 comes equipped with heaps of plenty of safety features, including SRS airbags, rear parking sensors, Emergency Brake Assist, Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Dynamic Stability Control and Traction Control System as standard. Other standard safety inclusions are Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning, Driver Attention Alert and Mazda Radar Cruise Control with stop & go function.

Mazda provides top of the range safety features as standard in the CX-5, so you have the added peace of mind knowing you and your family are well protected against the unknown when out on the road. Some grades of the CX-5 have the option for a 360-degree camera view around the car to minimise blind spots and avoid potential danger.

What about the RAV4?

The Toyota RAV4, as standard, is equipped with safety features such as Lane Departure Alert, Road Sign Assist, Traction Control, Anti-lock Brake System, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Smart Brake Support, Active Cruise Control, backup camera with projected path and eight airbags. Not included in the standard model, but available to add, include a backup camera with dynamic gridlines, Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

Both models have safety features that aim to protect you and your family from potential danger and harm, but Mazda includes more safety features in their standard base model.

Fuel Economy

Fuel efficiency is vital in any new car you are looking to purchase. Individual fuel economy comes down to the type of engine and model chosen, road conditions and how the vehicle is driven. However, as a general guide to compare the Mazda CX-5 and Toyota RAV4 and their base engines:

• • The Mazda CX-5 (with a petrol 2.0 litre in-line 4 cylinder engine, fuel capacity of 56 litres) offers a combined fuel economy of 6.9L/100km.
  • The Toyota RAV4 (with a petrol 2.0 litre 4 cylinder engine, fuel capacity of 55 litres) uses 6.5L/100km for combined city and highway driving. This, of course, changes if you select the RAV4 hybrid engine.

Performance & Lifestyle

Small and midsize SUVs should offer comfort and performance for wherever life takes you.

The Mazda CX-5 boasts nimble handling with a sporty response that you don’t always expect from an SUV. You will find the steering to be light and communicative, adding to the intuitiveness of the drive. The breakthrough Skyactiv technology and advanced safety features offer efficiency and superior performance. There are plenty of additional accessories to suit your lifestyle, such as roof racks for your bikes, kayaks and other equipment you’ll want on your weekends away.

The Toyota RAV4 also gives you the option of adding accessories such as roof racks to suit your lifestyle. The RAV4 can be nice and quiet in urban areas or in start-stop traffic.

However, the suspension of the RAV4 can feel firm, so you may feel those potholes or bumps in the road a little more than you’d like in a family car. The steering may feel a little heavier.

Connectivity

Both models are compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for easy connectivity. The Mazda comes standard with an 8-inch full colour touch screen display and MZD Connect. The standard display for the RAV4 is a 7-inch touchscreen.

At a Glance

Both the Mazda CX-5 and Toyota RAV4 have attractive features for comfort and performance. In terms of Mazda CX-5 vs Toyota RAV4 for standard safety inclusions, superior performance, driving experience and rear legroom, you really can’t go wrong with the Mazda CX-5. It handles well on the freeway as well as inner-city, so you can take it from work during the week to weekends away with the family.

If you’re on the lookout for a new car but aren’t sold on the midsized CX-5, check out the Mazda CX-3 for a more compact model. Or, if you want more room for your family to grow, check out the Mazda CX-7 or CX-9. Have a chat to your local Mazda car dealers to find out all about the different makes and models and find the Mazda that is going to be the best fit for you.

But don’t take our word for it! The best way to get a feel for all the superior features of the Mazda CX models is to get behind the wheel and test drive one for yourself. Come on down to Mandurah Mazda to find the best vehicle for you and your family, and test drive the new Mazda CX-5 in Perth today.