{"id":"cmnf7vrrr00mxulkvodvhpcg8","slug":"mazda-cx-5-vs-toyota-rav4","title":"Mazda CX-5 vs Toyota RAV4: 2026 Price, MPG","shortAnswer":"The 2026 Mazda CX-5 is a gas compact SUV with a 187-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder, a 6-speed automatic and standard all-wheel drive, rated 26 mpg combined, at $29,990 starting launch price (MSRP), per Mazda USA, Oct 2026. The 2026 Toyota RAV4 comes as a hybrid or plug-in hybrid, with 236 net combined hp in the hybrid, up to an estimated 47 city/40 highway mpg and front- or all-wheel drive, at $31,900 starting launch price (MSRP), per Toyota, Oct 2026. Neither is better for everyone.","verdict":"Best for a lower starting price with standard all-wheel drive: Mazda CX-5, at $29,990 starting launch price (MSRP), per Mazda USA, Oct 2026.\n\nBest for fuel economy and electrified powertrains: Toyota RAV4, with up to an estimated 47 city/40 highway mpg as a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid option.\n\nTest-drive both; compare current offers on each vendor page.","category":"automotive","entities":[{"id":"mazda-cx-5","slug":"mazda-cx-5","name":"Mazda CX-5","shortDesc":"2026 compact SUV with a 187-hp 2.5-liter engine and standard i-Activ AWD.","imageUrl":null,"entityType":"product","position":0,"pros":["Standard i-Activ AWD","Lower starting MSRP","2026 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+, per Mazda"],"cons":["Mazda Hybrid version due in 2027","26 mpg combined"],"bestFor":"Buyers who want standard all-wheel drive at a lower starting price"},{"id":"toyota-rav4","slug":"toyota-rav4","name":"Toyota RAV4","shortDesc":"2026 compact SUV with hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains.","imageUrl":null,"entityType":"product","position":1,"pros":["Up to an estimated 47 city/40 highway mpg","Hybrid or plug-in hybrid","Up to 37.8 cu ft of cargo and 3,500 lbs towing"],"cons":["Higher starting MSRP","All-wheel drive depends on trim"],"bestFor":"Buyers who want hybrid fuel economy or a plug-in hybrid"}],"keyDifferences":[{"label":"Starting price","entityAValue":"$29,990 starting launch price (MSRP), per Mazda USA, Oct 2026","entityBValue":"$31,900 starting launch price (MSRP), per Toyota, Oct 2026","winner":"tie"},{"label":"Powertrain","entityAValue":"187-hp 2.5L gas, 6-speed automatic","entityBValue":"Hybrid (236 net combined hp) or plug-in hybrid","winner":"tie"},{"label":"Fuel economy","entityAValue":"26 mpg combined","entityBValue":"Up to est. 47 city/40 hwy mpg","winner":"tie"},{"label":"Drive","entityAValue":"Standard i-Activ AWD","entityBValue":"FWD or AWD","winner":"tie"}],"attributes":[{"id":"price","slug":"price","name":"Starting price","unit":null,"category":"Compact SUV","dataType":"text","higherIsBetter":null,"values":[{"entityId":"mazda-cx-5","valueText":"$29,990 starting launch price (MSRP), per Mazda USA, Oct 2026","valueNumber":null,"valueBoolean":null},{"entityId":"toyota-rav4","valueText":"$31,900 starting launch price (MSRP), per Toyota, Oct 2026","valueNumber":null,"valueBoolean":null}]},{"id":"engine","slug":"engine","name":"Powertrain","unit":null,"category":"Compact SUV","dataType":"text","higherIsBetter":null,"values":[{"entityId":"mazda-cx-5","valueText":"Skyactiv-G 2.5L, 187 hp, 186 lb-ft, 6-speed automatic","valueNumber":null,"valueBoolean":null},{"entityId":"toyota-rav4","valueText":"2.5L hybrid, 236 net combined hp, ECVT; plug-in hybrid offered","valueNumber":null,"valueBoolean":null}]},{"id":"mpg","slug":"mpg","name":"Fuel economy","unit":null,"category":"Compact SUV","dataType":"text","higherIsBetter":null,"values":[{"entityId":"mazda-cx-5","valueText":"26 mpg combined","valueNumber":null,"valueBoolean":null},{"entityId":"toyota-rav4","valueText":"Up to est. 47 city/40 hwy mpg","valueNumber":null,"valueBoolean":null}]},{"id":"drive","slug":"drive","name":"Drivetrain","unit":null,"category":"Compact SUV","dataType":"text","higherIsBetter":null,"values":[{"entityId":"mazda-cx-5","valueText":"Standard i-Activ AWD","valueNumber":null,"valueBoolean":null},{"entityId":"toyota-rav4","valueText":"FWD or AWD","valueNumber":null,"valueBoolean":null}]},{"id":"screen","slug":"screen","name":"Touchscreen","unit":null,"category":"Compact SUV","dataType":"text","higherIsBetter":null,"values":[{"entityId":"mazda-cx-5","valueText":"12.9-inch with Google built-in; 15.6-inch available","valueNumber":null,"valueBoolean":null},{"entityId":"toyota-rav4","valueText":"10.5-inch standard; 12.9-inch available","valueNumber":null,"valueBoolean":null}]},{"id":"safety","slug":"safety","name":"Safety","unit":null,"category":"Compact SUV","dataType":"text","higherIsBetter":null,"values":[{"entityId":"mazda-cx-5","valueText":"2026 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+, per Mazda","valueNumber":null,"valueBoolean":null},{"entityId":"toyota-rav4","valueText":"Toyota Safety Sense 4.0","valueNumber":null,"valueBoolean":null}]}],"faqs":[{"question":"How much do the 2026 Mazda CX-5 and Toyota RAV4 cost?","answer":"The Mazda CX-5 is $29,990 starting launch price (MSRP), per Mazda USA, Oct 2026, before a $1,595 destination charge, with trims up to the 2.5 S Premium Plus at $38,990. The Toyota RAV4 is $31,900 starting launch price (MSRP), per Toyota, Oct 2026. See vendor page for current price."},{"question":"Which gets better fuel economy?","answer":"Toyota rates the 2026 RAV4 hybrid at up to an estimated 47 mpg city and 40 mpg highway. Mazda rates the 2026 CX-5 at 26 mpg combined."},{"question":"Is there a hybrid Mazda CX-5?","answer":"Mazda says a Mazda Hybrid powertrain for the CX-5 is confirmed and will launch in 2027; the 2026 CX-5 launches with the Skyactiv-G 2.5 gas engine. The 2026 RAV4 comes with hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains."},{"question":"Do both come with all-wheel drive?","answer":"Mazda makes i-Activ AWD standard on every 2026 CX-5. The 2026 RAV4 offers front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, depending on trim."},{"question":"How big are the touchscreens?","answer":"Mazda lists a 12.9-inch center touchscreen with Google built-in on the CX-5 2.5 S and an available 15.6-inch screen. Toyota fits a 10.5-inch touchscreen as standard on the RAV4 and offers a 12.9-inch screen."},{"question":"What about safety and cargo?","answer":"Mazda says the 2026 CX-5 earned a 2026 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+. Toyota fits Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 to the RAV4 and lists up to 37.8 cubic feet of cargo space and up to 3,500 lbs of towing."}],"relatedComparisons":[{"slug":"toyota-rav4-vs-honda-cr-v","title":"Toyota RAV4 vs Honda CR-V","category":"automotive"},{"slug":"subaru-outback-vs-toyota-rav4","title":"Subaru Outback vs Toyota RAV4","category":"automotive"}],"relatedBlogPosts":[],"expertAnalysis":"The 2026 Mazda CX-5 is a gas compact SUV with a 187-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder, a 6-speed automatic and standard all-wheel drive, rated 26 mpg combined, at $29,990 starting launch price (MSRP), per Mazda USA, Oct 2026. The 2026 Toyota RAV4 comes as a hybrid or plug-in hybrid, with 236 net combined hp in the hybrid, up to an estimated 47 city/40 highway mpg and front- or all-wheel drive, at $31,900 starting launch price (MSRP), per Toyota, Oct 2026. Neither is better for everyone.\n\nKey takeaways\n\n- Mazda CX-5: $29,990 starting launch price (MSRP), per Mazda USA, Oct 2026.\n- Toyota RAV4: $31,900 starting launch price (MSRP), per Toyota, Oct 2026.\n- The CX-5 has a 187-hp gas engine and standard i-Activ AWD.\n- The RAV4 is a hybrid or plug-in hybrid, rated up to an estimated 47 city/40 highway mpg.\n- Mazda says a CX-5 hybrid arrives in 2027.\n\nPrice and trims\n\nMazda sells five CX-5 trims, starting with the 2.5 S at $29,990 starting launch price (MSRP), per Mazda USA, Oct 2026 and rising to the 2.5 S Premium Plus at $38,990, before a $1,595 destination charge. Toyota lists the RAV4 at $31,900 starting launch price (MSRP), per Toyota, Oct 2026.\n\nPowertrain and efficiency\n\nThe CX-5 uses a Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque, a 6-speed automatic and i-Activ AWD, rated 26 mpg combined. The RAV4 pairs a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with hybrid electric motors for 236 net combined hp and an ECVT, rated up to an estimated 47 city/40 highway mpg; a plug-in hybrid version is also offered.\n\nInterior and technology\n\nMazda fits a 12.9-inch touchscreen with Google built-in to the 2.5 S and offers a 15.6-inch screen. Toyota fits a 10.5-inch touchscreen as standard and offers a 12.9-inch screen.\n\nSafety and utility\n\nMazda says the 2026 CX-5 earned a 2026 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+. Toyota fits Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 and lists up to 37.8 cubic feet of cargo and up to 3,500 lbs of towing.\n\nWho should pick which\n\nPick the CX-5 for a lower starting price and standard all-wheel drive. Pick the RAV4 for hybrid fuel economy or a plug-in hybrid. Toyota RAV4 vs Honda CR-V and Subaru Outback vs Toyota RAV4 compare other rivals.","quickAnswer":{"tldr":"The 2026 Mazda CX-5 is a gas compact SUV with a 187-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder, a 6-speed automatic and standard all-wheel drive, rated 26 mpg combined, at $29,990 starting launch price (MSRP), per Mazda USA, Oct 2026. The 2026 Toyota RAV4 comes as a hybrid or plug-in hybrid, with 236 net combined hp in the hybrid, up to an estimated 47 city/40 highway mpg and front- or all-wheel drive, at $31,900 starting launch price (MSRP), per Toyota, Oct 2026. Neither is better for everyone.","winnerName":null,"winnerReason":"Mazda CX-5 for a lower starting price with standard AWD; Toyota RAV4 for hybrid fuel economy and a plug-in option.","keyFact":"The 2026 RAV4 is rated up to an estimated 47 city/40 highway mpg; the 2026 CX-5 is rated 26 mpg combined."},"citationStats":{"sourceCount":4,"dataPointCount":18,"reviewsAnalyzed":null,"preferencePercent":null,"preferenceEntity":null,"lastResearched":"2026-10-19","sources":[{"name":"Mazda USA: 2026 Mazda CX-5","url":"https://www.mazdausa.com/vehicles/cx-5"},{"name":"See vendor page for current price: Mazda build and price","url":"https://www.mazdausa.com/shopping-tools/build-and-price"},{"name":"Toyota: 2026 RAV4","url":"https://www.toyota.com/rav4/"},{"name":"See vendor page for current price: Toyota build","url":"https://www.toyota.com/configurator/"}]},"resources":[{"type":"external","label":"Mazda USA: 2026 Mazda CX-5","url":"https://www.mazdausa.com/vehicles/cx-5","description":"Trims and starting MSRPs, $1,595 destination, 187 hp, i-Activ AWD, 26 mpg combined, IIHS award, 2027 hybrid."},{"type":"external","label":"See vendor page for current price: Mazda build and price","url":"https://www.mazdausa.com/shopping-tools/build-and-price","description":"Configure a CX-5 and see current pricing."},{"type":"external","label":"Toyota: 2026 RAV4","url":"https://www.toyota.com/rav4/","description":"Starting MSRP, hybrid and plug-in hybrid, 236 hp, est. 47/40 mpg, cargo, towing, TSS 4.0."},{"type":"external","label":"See vendor page for current price: Toyota build","url":"https://www.toyota.com/configurator/","description":"Configure a RAV4 and see current pricing."}],"metadata":{"metaTitle":"Mazda CX-5 vs Toyota RAV4: 2026 Price, MPG","metaDescription":"2026 Mazda CX-5 vs Toyota RAV4: starting MSRP, 187-hp gas AWD against hybrid and plug-in hybrid power, fuel economy, screens, safety and cargo.","publishedAt":"2026-10-19T00:00:00Z","updatedAt":"2026-10-19T00:00:00Z","isAutoGenerated":false,"isHumanReviewed":false,"viewCount":0,"status":"published"}}