Mazda CX-5 vs Toyota RAV4: petrol purist vs hybrid
Updated Report an error By Sarah Whitmore
Mazda · 2012–2017
CX-5 KE
- Power
- 110 kW150 PS
- 0–100 km/h
- 9.2 s
- Top speed
- 202 km/h
- Kerb mass
- 1,390 kg
Toyota · 2018–2025
RAV4 XA50
- Power
- 160 kW218 PS
- 0–100 km/h
- 8.4 s
- Top speed
- 180 km/h
- Kerb mass
- 1,615 kg
At a glance
Who suits what, worked out from the catalog figures of the versions above.
Categories won: CX-5 KE 2 RAV4 XA50 2
- Family RAV4 XA50 Boot: 580 l vs 503 l
- City Too close to call Length: 4,555 mm vs 4,600 mm
- Long trips Too close to call Range: 1,217 km vs 1,222 km (estimated)
- Performance RAV4 XA50 Power per tonne: 99 kW/t vs 79 kW/t; 0–100 km/h: 8.4 s vs 9.2 s
- Running costs CX-5 KE Fuel per year: €1,140 vs €1,180 (estimated)
- Off-road CX-5 KE Drive and body: All-wheel drive · SUV vs Front-wheel drive · SUV
Verdict Opinion
If fuel economy in town matters most, the RAV4 is the logical choice. Every recent generation offers a full hybrid or plug-in, and its all-wheel drive uses an electric rear axle.
The CX-5 is the driver's choice. It feels lighter on its feet, and the earlier generations offer a manual gearbox and a strong diesel for long motorway trips. Reviewers often rate its cabin among the most upmarket in the class. A used KF diesel remains a sensible buy for drivers who cover long distances.
— Sarah Whitmore
These two Japanese SUVs answer the same brief in opposite ways. Toyota has put hybrid technology at the centre of the RAV4, first as an addition to the fourth generation and since 2018 as the main powertrain. Mazda went its own way with the CX-5: efficient but conventional Skyactiv petrol and diesel engines and a manual gearbox in many markets. Mazda also put a strong focus on how the car steers and feels.
The CX-5 is much younger. It was shown at the Frankfurt motor show in September 2011 and reached German showrooms on 28 April 2012, as the first Mazda built entirely around Skyactiv technology. It quickly became the brand's best-selling model worldwide, with a record 444,262 cars in 2019. The RAV4 dates from 1994 and is now in its sixth generation. Our catalogue covers the first CX-5 (KE) and the fourth RAV4 (XA40), the two cars that competed directly from 2012.
Mazda CX-5 vs Toyota RAV4: engines, generations and space
CX-5 KE and RAV4 XA40 engines
The first CX-5 offered a 2.0 Skyactiv-G petrol with 121 kW (165 PS), or 160 PS with all-wheel drive. The 2.2 Skyactiv-D diesel came with 110 or 129 kW (150 or 175 PS). In February 2015 Mazda added a 2.5-litre petrol with 141 kW (192 PS). Our catalogue lists the XA40 RAV4 of the same years with 2.0 and 2.5 petrols of 107 and 132 kW and a diesel with 110 kW. Toyota then introduced a hybrid version during this generation.
Later generations
The second CX-5 (KF) went on sale in Germany on 20 May 2017, priced from EUR 24,990, and kept the petrol and diesel line-up. From November 2022 Mazda added 48-volt mild-hybrid technology for Europe. The third CX-5, revealed on 10 July 2025, drops the diesel and the 2.0 petrol altogether. It relies on a 2.5-litre e-Skyactiv G mild hybrid with a six-speed automatic, and Mazda plans its own full hybrid, Skyactiv-Z, for 2027. The RAV4 moved faster. The XA50 of 2018 brought a 160 kW (218 PS) hybrid in front-wheel-drive form and a 225 kW (306 PS) plug-in, and the XA60 of 2025 is offered as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid only.
Practicality
Toyota quotes 580 litres of luggage space for the 4.6-metre RAV4 Hybrid sold in Europe from 2019. The CX-5 kept the same length across its first two generations, and the KF is 2 cm lower than the KE. The third generation gains 75 mm in wheelbase and a longer, taller boot.
Safety
Euro NCAP awarded five stars to the second-generation CX-5 in 2017 and to the RAV4 Hybrid in 2019. Mazda's third CX-5 was tested in 2025 and scored 90% for adult occupant protection.
Race Stats side by side
Each figure is a 0–100 score from the catalog numbers, the same as on the 1CARS Race cards. PI is the overall performance index (100–999) and its class D–S.
| Stat | CX-5 KE | RAV4 XA50 |
|---|---|---|
| PI | C · 477 | C · 494 |
| Power | 43 | 50 |
| Grip | 34 | 39 |
| Handling | 56 | 51 |
| Top speed | 39 | 31 |
| Launch | 36 | 40 |
Grip and handling are estimates from drive type, weight, height and body (hover a figure to see where it comes from). 1CARS Race
Who wins a race?
Quarter-mile (402 m) drag from a standing start, dry road, no reaction time — the 1CARS Race physics on the catalog figures of these versions.
- 1 RAV4 XA50RAV4 XA50 · 2.5 Hybrid 2WD · 160 kW (218 PS) 16.22 sat 135 km/h
- 2 CX-5 KECX-5 KE · 2.2 Skyactiv-D 150 · diesel · 110 kW (150 PS) 16.62 sat 132 km/h · +0.40 s
Size and weight
Side view to scale, all cars from the front bumper.
| CX-5 KE | RAV4 XA50 | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,555 mm179.3 in | 4,600 mm181.1 in +45 mm +1.8 in +1.0% |
| Width | 1,840 mm72.4 in | 1,855 mm73.0 in +15 mm +0.6 in +0.8% |
| Height | 1,670 mm65.7 in | 1,685 mm66.3 in +15 mm +0.6 in +0.9% |
| Wheelbase | 2,700 mm106.3 in | 2,690 mm105.9 in −10 mm −0.4 in −0.4% |
| Kerb weight | 1,390 kg3,064 lb | 1,615 kg3,560 lb +225 kg +496 lb +16.2% |
| Boot | 503 l17.8 cu ft | 580 l20.5 cu ft +77 l +2.7 cu ft +15.3% |
| Fuel tank | 56 l14.8 gal US | 55 l14.5 gal US −1 l −0.3 gal US −1.8% |
| Fits a standard garage? | Yes | Tight |
Difference vs CX-5 KE (±). Garage check: a standard single garage takes a car up to about 5.0 m (16 ft 5 in) long and 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in) wide (width as listed in the catalog; some makers include the mirrors). Leave about 0.6 m (2 ft) to open the doors.
Full specifications
| Mazda CX-5 | Toyota RAV4 | |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Version | CX-5 KE · 2.2 Skyactiv-D 150 · diesel · 110 kW (150 PS) | RAV4 XA50 · 2.5 Hybrid 2WD · 160 kW (218 PS) |
| Production years | 2012–2017 | 2018–2025 |
| Body | SUV | SUV |
| Class | SUV / crossover | SUV / crossover |
| Country | Japan | Japan |
| Performance | ||
| Power Why it matters: More power means stronger acceleration and easier overtaking, especially with a full load. | 110 kW (150 PS) 148 hp | 160 kW (218 PS) 215 hp Better |
| Power, all versions | 104–190 kW (141–258 PS) 139–255 hp | 91–225 kW (124–306 PS) 122–302 hp |
| Torque Why it matters: Torque is the pulling force you feel when accelerating from low revs, towing or climbing hills. | 380 Nm 280 lb-ft | No data |
| 0–100 km/h Why it matters: A shorter 0–100 km/h time means quicker getaways and safer merging onto fast roads. | 9.2 s | 8.4 s Better |
| Top speed Why it matters: Top speed hints at how relaxed the car is at motorway speeds, even if you never reach it. | 202 km/h 126 mph Better | 180 km/h 112 mph |
| Power per tonne | 79 kW/t 96 hp/ton calculated | 99 kW/t 121 hp/ton calculated Better |
| Engine and transmission | ||
| Fuel | Diesel | Hybrid |
| Engine | 2,191 cc · 4 cyl 2.2 l | 2,487 cc · 4 cyl 2.5 l |
| Gearbox | No data | CVT |
| Drive | All-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive |
| Dimensions and weight | ||
| Length | 4,555 mm 179.3 in | 4,600 mm 181.1 in |
| Width | 1,840 mm 72.4 in | 1,855 mm 73.0 in |
| Height | 1,670 mm 65.7 in | 1,685 mm 66.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 2,700 mm 106.3 in | 2,690 mm 105.9 in |
| Kerb weight Why it matters: A lighter car is usually more agile and uses less energy. | 1,390 kg 3,064 lb Better | 1,615 kg 3,560 lb |
| Boot Why it matters: A bigger boot fits more luggage, shopping or a pram. | 503 l 17.8 cu ft | 580 l 20.5 cu ft Better |
| Fuel tank Why it matters: A larger tank means more distance between fuel stops. | 56 l 14.8 gal US | 55 l 14.5 gal US |
| Economy and running costs | ||
| Fuel consumption Why it matters: Lower consumption cuts running costs and CO₂ emissions on every trip. | 4.6 l/100 km 51.1 mpg US | 4.5 l/100 km 52.3 mpg US |
| CO₂ | 119 g/km | 102 g/km Better |
| Fuel cost per year | €1,140/year estimated Better | €1,180/year estimated |
| Range on a full tank | 1,217 km 756 mi estimated | 1,222 km 759 mi estimated |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP | ★★★★★ (2012) | ★★★★★ (2019) |
These cars do not differ in the data we have.
Equal rows hidden (3): Body, Class, Country.
Better marks the stronger figure — only for measurable specs (power, torque, 0–100 km/h, consumption, boot, weight).
Estimated at 15,000 km a year with fuel at €1.65/l diesel, €1.75/l petrol.
In plain words
Toyota RAV4 is quicker: 0–100 km/h in 8.4 s against 9.2 s for Mazda CX-5. Toyota RAV4 is 45 mm longer than Mazda CX-5 (4,600 mm vs 4,555 mm). Mazda CX-5 is lighter by 225 kg (1,390 kg vs 1,615 kg). Toyota RAV4 has the bigger boot: 580 l against 503 l. At 15,000 km a year, fuel would cost about €1,140 (Mazda CX-5), €1,180 (Toyota RAV4) (estimated). Toyota RAV4 is the older design (from 1994); Mazda CX-5 arrived in 2012. On the catalog figures, the Toyota RAV4 is the pick for family and performance; the Mazda CX-5 is the pick for running costs and off-road.
Which one to choose
Choose the Mazda CX-5 if you enjoy driving, cover long distances on the motorway, want a diesel or a manual gearbox, or prefer a simple petrol engine without a large battery.
Choose the Toyota RAV4 if you mostly drive in town or in traffic, want a hybrid or plug-in hybrid, or need all-wheel drive with the lowest possible fuel consumption.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a hybrid Mazda CX-5?
Not a full hybrid. Mazda added 48-volt mild-hybrid versions to the second generation in Europe from November 2022, and the third generation uses a mild-hybrid 2.5-litre petrol. A full hybrid system, Skyactiv-Z, is planned for 2027.
Does the RAV4 come with a diesel?
The fourth generation (XA40, 2012–2018) did; our catalogue lists a diesel with 110 kW. From the fifth generation onwards Toyota sells the RAV4 in Europe as a petrol hybrid and plug-in hybrid.
Which is better on the motorway?
For frequent long trips the CX-5 2.2 Skyactiv-D, with 110 or 129 kW (150 or 175 PS), is a strong choice. The RAV4 hybrid is at its most efficient at lower speeds and in town.
What are their Euro NCAP ratings?
Both earned five stars: the second-generation CX-5 in 2017 and the RAV4 Hybrid in 2019.