Comparisons
2026 Toyota RAV4 vs Mazda CX-5: Both Redesigned, Totally Different Bets
By CARC Editorial Team · October 11, 2026 · 5 min read
The two giants of the compact SUV segment both got ground-up redesigns for 2026 — and went in opposite directions. Toyota made every RAV4 a hybrid. Mazda launched the new CX-5 with no hybrid at all.
The 2026 Toyota RAV4 is hybrid-only across six trims, from the $33,350 LE to the $44,750 Limited (including destination). Output is 226 hp with front-wheel drive and 236 hp with all-wheel drive, with up to 43 mpg combined. AWD costs $1,400 on lower trims.
The redesigned Mazda CX-5 rides on a wheelbase stretched 4.5 inches, drops the old turbo engine, and runs a 187-hp 2.5-liter four with standard AWD and a six-speed automatic — returning 26 mpg combined. Pricing opens at $31,485 including destination. Mazda's hybrid doesn't arrive until the 2027 model year.
That's a 17-mpg gap between the volume versions. But the CX-5 counters with what reviewers call the best cabin in the class and a lower entry price. Our take: if fuel economy is the priority, the RAV4 Hybrid is the obvious pick — and strong demand means you should check its CARC deal score before paying sticker. If you love the Mazda's interior and can wait, the 2027 hybrid could be worth it.
Sources: Toyota, Mazda, Edmunds, Road Ethos