Mazda CX-5 vs Toyota RAV4: 2026 Price, MPG
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.
Mazda CX-5
2026 compact SUV with a 187-hp 2.5-liter engine and standard i-Activ AWD.
Buyers who want standard all-wheel drive at a lower starting price
Toyota RAV4
2026 compact SUV with hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains.
Buyers who want hybrid fuel economy or a plug-in hybrid
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.
Deciding factor: Mazda CX-5 for a lower starting price with standard AWD; Toyota RAV4 for hybrid fuel economy and a plug-in option.
Key fact: The 2026 RAV4 is rated up to an estimated 47 city/40 highway mpg; the 2026 CX-5 is rated 26 mpg combined.
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. Best 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. Test-drive both; compare current offers on each vendor page.
Choose Mazda CX-5 if
Buyers who want standard all-wheel drive at a lower starting price
Choose Toyota RAV4 if
Buyers who want hybrid fuel economy or a plug-in hybrid
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Key Differences at a Glance
- Starting price:$29,990 starting launch price (MSRP), per Mazda USA, Oct 2026 vs $31,900 starting launch price (MSRP), per Toyota, Oct 2026
- Powertrain:187-hp 2.5L gas, 6-speed automatic vs Hybrid (236 net combined hp) or plug-in hybrid
- Fuel economy:26 mpg combined vs Up to est. 47 city/40 hwy mpg
Compare next
Toyota RAV4 vs Honda CR-V
Key Facts & Figures
1 numeric metric compared
| Metric | Mazda CX-5 | Toyota RAV4 | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 187-hp 2.5L gas, 6-speed automatic | Hybrid (236 net combined hp) or plug-in hybrid |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
4 attributes compared head-to-head
- $29,990 starting launch price (MSRP), per Mazda USA, Oct 2026Starting price$31,900 starting launch price (MSRP), per Toyota, Oct 2026
- 187-hp 2.5L gas, 6-speed automaticPowertrainHybrid (236 net combined hp) or plug-in hybrid
- 26 mpg combinedFuel economyUp to est. 47 city/40 hwy mpg
- Standard i-Activ AWDDriveFWD or AWD
- Starting price
Mazda CX-5
$29,990 starting launch price (MSRP), per Mazda USA, Oct 2026
Toyota RAV4
$31,900 starting launch price (MSRP), per Toyota, Oct 2026
- Powertrain
Mazda CX-5
187-hp 2.5L gas, 6-speed automatic
Toyota RAV4
Hybrid (236 net combined hp) or plug-in hybrid
- Fuel economy
Mazda CX-5
26 mpg combined
Toyota RAV4
Up to est. 47 city/40 hwy mpg
- Drive
Mazda CX-5
Standard i-Activ AWD
Toyota RAV4
FWD or AWD
Full Comparison
| Attribute |  Mazda CX-5 |  Toyota RAV4 |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $29,990 starting launch price (MSRP), per Mazda USA, Oct 2026 | $31,900 starting launch price (MSRP), per Toyota, Oct 2026 |
| Fuel economy | 26 mpg combined | Up to est. 47 city/40 hwy mpg |
| Drivetrain | Standard i-Activ AWD | FWD or AWD |
| Touchscreen | 12.9-inch with Google built-in; 15.6-inch available | 10.5-inch standard; 12.9-inch available |
| Safety | 2026 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+, per Mazda | Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 |
| Powertrain | 187-hp 2.5L gas, 6-speed automaticTie | Hybrid (236 net combined hp) or plug-in hybridTie |
Mazda CX-5Toyota RAV4Pros & Cons
6 pros·4 cons across both
Mazda CX-5
Pros
Cons
Toyota RAV4
Pros
Cons
Frequently Asked Questions
6 questions
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Analysis: Mazda CX-5 vs Toyota RAV4
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.
Key takeaways
- Mazda CX-5: $29,990 starting launch price (MSRP), per Mazda USA, Oct 2026. - Toyota RAV4: $31,900 starting launch price (MSRP), per Toyota, Oct 2026. - The CX-5 has a 187-hp gas engine and standard i-Activ AWD. - The RAV4 is a hybrid or plug-in hybrid, rated up to an estimated 47 city/40 highway mpg. - Mazda says a CX-5 hybrid arrives in 2027.
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Price and trims
Mazda 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.
Powertrain and efficiency
The 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.
Interior and technology
Mazda 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.
Safety and utility
Mazda 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.
Who should pick which
Pick 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.
Resources & Learn More
Curated sources to dive deeper
Where to Buy
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Wikipedia
External Resources
Mazda USA: 2026 Mazda CX-5 (opens in new tab)
Trims and starting MSRPs, $1,595 destination, 187 hp, i-Activ AWD, 26 mpg combined, IIHS award, 2027 hybrid.
See vendor page for current price: Mazda build and price (opens in new tab)
Configure a CX-5 and see current pricing.
Toyota: 2026 RAV4 (opens in new tab)
Starting MSRP, hybrid and plug-in hybrid, 236 hp, est. 47/40 mpg, cargo, towing, TSS 4.0.
See vendor page for current price: Toyota build (opens in new tab)
Configure a RAV4 and see current pricing.
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