CardinaleWay Mazda a Las Vegas Car Dealer
Compare 2019 Mazda CX-5 vs 2019 Toyota RAV4
The 2019 Mazda CX-5 is a compact crossover that features an outstanding turbocharged engine, well-tuned steering, and a comfortable cabin. Customers at the car dealerships in Las Vegas tell us they like the CX-5’s head-turning styling, too. And the CX-5 is one of the few vehicles in its class that’s actually fun to drive.
The Mazda CX-5 has a few competitors in the crowded compact crossover segment, including the 2019 Toyota RAV4. We’ll take a look at both models and discover which one is the best buy.
Engines
The Mazda CX-5 has two engines on offer. Its new 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine generates 250 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque with premium gasoline. The RAV4 only has one engine, a four-cylinder that only puts out 203 hp and 184 lb.-ft. of torque.
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Compare Price
Most of us are looking to save some money when we’re buying a new car. CX-5 buyers will pay less at a dealership like the Las Vegas area car dealers than those who choose the RAV4. The 2019 Mazda CX-5 has a Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) that starts at $24,350, while the RAV4 has a starting MSRP of $25,650. That’s a difference of $1,300, money that’s better left in your pocket. We should point out that the MSRP isn’t the actual dealer price. We use the figure here to compare these two SUVs.
Compare Passenger Space
Both the 2019 Mazda CX-5 and the 2019 Toyota RAV4 seat five, but passengers in the CX-5 will be more comfortable. The CX-5 has a total passenger volume of 103.6 cu-ft, compared to just 98.9 cu-ft in the RAV4. Rear-seat passengers get 39.6 inches of legroom in the CX-5. The RAV4 only provides 37.8 inches of rear legroom.
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Exterior Styling
We recognize that Toyota has come a long way toward improving the look of the 2019 RAV4 and it surely has better styling than it’s Honda CR-V rival. But neither model comes close to the CX-5’s stunning exterior styling. We can say without reservation that not only is the 2019 Mazda CX-5 the most attractive compact crossover available today, it’s also the best-looking crossover, period, handily beating all rivals and even luxury crossovers.
Safety
Along with the Mazda CX-5, the Toyota RAV4 includes a wide array of safety gear. But when you look at the crash-test results of the two vehicles, you can see why the CX-5 is the safer of the two crossovers. Both vehicles received the highest rating of five stars from the NHTSA. But the CX-5 was selected as a 2019 Top Safety Pick+ model by the IIHS, the organization’s highest accolade. The Toyota RAV4 earned Good scores in all crash tests but failed to place as a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ model.
In the End
While the Toyota RAV4 is a popular model with buyers, it’s outclassed by the 2019 Mazda CX-5. The CX-5 is less expensive, has a more powerful engine option, is more spacious, is more attractive and has better crash-test scores than the RAV4. For these reasons, we declare the CX-5 the winner of this head-to-head competition.