2020 CX-5 vs 2020 CR-V

2020 Mazda CX-5 vs 2020 Toyota RAV4

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 won the top spot in the Best Crossover category of Car and Driver’s 10Best list. Mazda as a company was named the Best Car Brand of 2020 by US News and World Report, marking the fifth consecutive year that Mazda has earned the distinction. Similar accolades has been showered up Mazda and the CX-5 from most critical outlets.

Today we’ll be seeing how the new blood stacks up against a market monolith. Here’s our comparison of the 2020 Mazda CX-5 and the 2020 Toyota RAV4. Which will give you a better bang for your hard-earned buck?

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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

AWD

Drivetrain

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 on side street

Engaging Driver Experience

Anyone familiar with a Mazda knows how well they drive. Despite being a crossover SUV, the 2020 CX-5 drives like a sport car. Little body roll, exceptional grip, precise steering, and tactile feedback make the CX-5 not only a pleasure to drive, but exhilarating. And that’s just with the standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder. If you opt for the turbocharged variant, well, you’ll find yourself making excuses to take road trips. The 2020 RAV4? It’s inoffensive. It will get you where you need to go without any fuss. The side effect is that it won’t excite you, either. This may all sound like nonsense, but trust us, when you have a 2020 CX-5, you’ll stop dreading your commute and start looking forward to it.

Refined Interior

The 2020 RAV4 is inoffensive, even lackluster, when it comes to the interior. It is the definition of normal. Vinyl and plastics around the cabin. Not the scratchy, squeaky stuff, but nothing noteworthy either. The 2020 CX-5, on the other hand, is full of sleek lines, carefully-placed control knobs, earthy tones, and tastefully integrated features. If you opt for top-tier Signature trim, then you’ll be greeted by supple European Nappa leather and hardwood accents. All the little details come together in the CX-5 and make it truly excellent.

2020 CX-5 front seating showcase
2020 CX-5 driver in cockpit
2020 CX-5 wood accent showcase

Feel the difference.

Test Drive a 2020 Mazda CX-5