2020 CX-5 vs 2020 RAV4

2020 Mazda CX-5 vs 2020 Toyota RAV4

Mazda recently received its fifth consecutive “Best Car Brand” award from US News and World Report in 2020. Similarly, the CX-5 won its second consecutive “Best Crossover” title in Car and Driver’s “10Best” list. Needless to say, Mazda is doing something right. Another company that is no stranger to accolades is Toyota. So, how does Mazda stack up?

Today, we’ll examine the 2020 Mazda CX-5 Touring AWD and the 2020 Toyota RAV4 XLE AWD. Which is more worthy of your time and money?

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2020 Mazda CX-5 Touring AWD

vs

2020 Toyota RAV4 XLE AWD

$28,230

MSRP

$28,645

2.5L 4-cyl

Engine

2.5L 4-cyl

187 hp / 186 lb-ft

Horsepower / Torque

203 hp / 184 lb-ft

FWD or AWD

Drivetrain

FWD or AWD

6-speed shiftable auto

Transmission

8-speed shiftable auto

24/30/26

Fuel Economy

27/33/29

 

New Crossover SUV in San Juan Capistrano, CA

2020 CX-5 exterior shot from behind

Excellent Handling

Handling is the Mazda wheelhouse. Each and every Mazda vehicle handles better than anything in its price range. The 2020 Mazda CX-5 fits nicely into this tradition. The CX-5 steering is responsive and pleasantly weighty. But that would mean nothing if the handling couldn’t keep up. Whether you have the base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine or the turbocharged version, the CX-5 is sharp and poised. It handles hairpin turns as effortlessly as it does putzing around a parking lot looking for a spot. Above all, the CX-5 is fun to drive. The RAV4 just can’t compare.

Upscale Cabin

The 2020 RAV4 isn’t bad. It doesn’t feel poorly made, but it certainly won’t wow you. The CX-5, on the other hand, will certainly surprise. At its price point, few would expect it to be as refined as it is. It looks clean, showing a sense of restraint and class that's absent from all but luxury vehicles. At higher trim levels, the CX-5 is almost identical to a luxury vehicle, with premium leather, wood accents, and the like all over the cabin. The CX-5 gets the details right.

2020 CX-5 cockpit showcase
2020 CX-5 front seating showcase
2020 CX-5 front close-up shot

Come experience the 2020 Mazda CX-5 for yourself at Capistrano Mazda.

Interested in a test drive?