Toyota RAV4 vs Mazda CX-5
Compact SUVs · head to head, 2013–2027
The Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5 were both sold for 15 model years (2013–2027). Among the RAV4's own years, its best bet is 2018; years to avoid: 2019–2020; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025. Among the CX-5's own years, its best bet is 2022; no year to avoid; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025.
Toyota RAV4
SUV · 2010–2027
- Best bet 2018
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid 2019–2020
- Be careful 2021
Mazda CX-5
Crossover · 2013–2027
- Best bet 2022
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid none
- Be careful 2013–2014, 2019
How to read this: each model's verdicts compare that model's own years with each other (serious owner complaints per car on the road against that model's usual year, using New York registrations). They are not a reliability ranking of one model against the other, so a good-buy RAV4 year says nothing about whether it beats a CX-5. (How we judge.)
Year by year, side by side
| Year | Toyota RAV4 | Mazda CX-5 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Not rated | Not rated | Side by side |
| 2026 | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | Side by side |
| 2025 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | Side by side |
| 2024 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.4× usual, mostly engine and steering | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | Side by side |
| 2023 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | Side by side |
| 2022 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | Side by side |
| 2021 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.6× usual, mostly air bags and engine | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.4× usual, mostly engine and power train | Side by side |
| 2020 | AVOIDSerious complaints 3.6× usual, mostly engine and fuel system | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.2× usual, mostly engine and brakes | Side by side |
| 2019 | AVOIDSerious complaints 3.6× usual, mostly fuel system and engine | CAREFULSerious complaints 2.4× usual, mostly engine and power train | Side by side |
| 2018 | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.2× usual, mostly engine and power train | Side by side |
| 2017 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2016 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.2× usual | Side by side |
| 2015 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | Side by side |
| 2014 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.6× usual, mostly power train and engine | Side by side |
| 2013 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 2.0× usual, mostly engine and power train | Side by side |
Each chip rates that year against the same model's other years. Tap a chip for the year's details; "Side by side" compares both models that year, trim by trim.
Compare any year, trim by trim
2026: the newest shared year with full data, at a glance
Newer years (up to 2027) have thinner price and equipment data for one or both models, so this table uses 2026. Use "Compare any year" above for the others.
| 2026 Toyota RAV4 | 2026 Mazda CX-5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict (vs the model's own years) | TOO NEW | TOO NEW |
| Starting price (MSRP range) | $31,900 to $48,500 base price by trim, 10 trims | $29,990 to $38,990 base price by trim, 5 trims |
| Engines and horsepower | 2.5L 4-cyl, 184–186 hp 2.5L 4-cyl hybrid, 184–186 hp | 2.5L 4-cyl, 187 hp |
| Fuel economy (EPA combined) | 38–43 mpg | 26 mpg |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Third row | No | No |
| Cargo behind last row | 33.5–37.8 cu ft | — |
| Max cargo | 63.5–70.4 cu ft | — |
| Max towing | 1,750–3,500 lb | — |
| NHTSA crash rating | Not rated | Not rated |
| Recalls · owner complaints (NHTSA) | 1 · 35 | 0 · 14 |
Sources: OpenSpec and the makers' equipment guides, NHTSA vPIC, EPA and NHTSA ratings. Cargo, towing and bed length rows appear when we have them. "—": not in our data. Compare every 2026 trim →
Key features: base trim vs top trim
| RAV4 LE lowest price, $31,900 | RAV4 Prime GR SPORT highest price, $48,500 | CX-5 2.5 S lowest price, $29,990 | CX-5 2.5 S Premium Plus highest price, $38,990 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wireless Apple CarPlay | Standard | Standard | Wired only | Standard |
| Adaptive cruise control | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Blind-spot warning | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Heated front seats | — | Standard | — | Standard |
| Ventilated front seats | — | Standard | — | Standard |
| Sunroof or moonroof | — | — | — | Standard |
| 360-degree camera | — | Standard | — | Standard |
| Power liftgate or tailgate | No | Standard | — | Standard |
| Remote start | Standard | Standard | — | — |
"Standard" and "Optional" are for that trim as the 2026 data lists it (a package or option adds an "Optional" item); "—": not verified in our sources, never a guess. The cheapest and most expensive trim of each model; every trim is on the model's 2026 page (RAV4, CX-5).
Known fixes and extended coverage
Toyota RAV4
26 manufacturer programs on file: 16 extended coverage, 10 repair programs.
- Extended coverage CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM ZKG Multiple Models and Model Years Vehicles Painted with Blizzard Pearl (070) or Super White (040) Paint Color Coverage for Peeling of Factory-Applied Paint (2010–2017 models)
- Extended coverage Repair is Now Available Multiple Models and Model Years Vehicles Painted with Blizzard Pearl (070) or Super White (040) Paint Color Coverage for Peeling of Factory-Applied Paint. (2010–2017 models)
- Extended coverage Repair Process: Customer Support Program ZKG ? (2010–2017 models)
- Extended coverage These reports indicate that vehicles with these specific paint colors, applied during the vehicle manufacturing process, may experience paint peeling on exterior metal body panels. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to the… (2010–2017 models)
Mazda CX-5
10 manufacturer programs on file: 4 extended coverage, 6 repair programs.
- Extended coverage Mazda Motor Corporation has decided to conduct a Special Service Program (SSP) to extend the warranty coverage for a specific repair of the fail-safe thermostat in the coolant control valve on certain CX-5, Mazda3, CX-3, Mazda6 and CX-30… (SSPD8, 2018–2025 models)
- Extended coverage CSP13 - CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM - MAZDA CONNECT INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION As a result of a Mazda Connect Infotainment Class Action settlement, Mazda Motor Corporation has decided to implement a Customer Service… (CSP13, 2016–2020, 2022 models)
- Extended coverage Repairs are not to be made unless there is a confirmed low-pressure fuel pump failure within the coverage period. (CSP12, 2017–2019 models)
- Extended coverage For all Mazda dealers, an FAQ document for this Class Action Settlement and all documents for SSPD5 will be available on Mazda Global Service Support (MGSS) on or before May 13, 2024 concurrent with notification to the Settlement Class. (SSPD5, 2021 models)
From manufacturer bulletins filed with NHTSA, counted per program. A count is how many programs exist, not how good or bad a model is: a maker that extends coverage is paying for a known problem. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
Which should you buy?
- Buying used, years both are rated a good buy: 2015–2018, 2022–2025. In those years, choose on price, size and features.
- Shopping around 2020: the CX-5 is rated good buy (serious complaints 1.2× usual, mostly engine and brakes), while the RAV4 is rated avoid (serious complaints 3.6× usual, mostly engine and fuel system). Each against its own other years.
- Years to skip: RAV4 2019–2020.
- Newest year rated a good buy: RAV4 2025; CX-5 2025.
- Third row: neither has one in 2026.
- Lower starting price in 2026: the CX-5, from $29,990 against $31,900. Prices are the maker's listed base prices, not what dealers charge.
- Best EPA combined rating in 2026: RAV4 at 43 mpg (CX-5: 26), for the most efficient version of each.
- Before you buy either: run the VIN for open recalls and ask the dealer whether the extended-coverage repairs above were done.
Rules applied to the data on this page: no overall winner is declared, because our verdicts compare each model with itself.