2020 Mazda CX-5 vs 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid marked a return to a more rugged and adventurous design, reminiscent of Toyota's classic trucks. The front end featured a bold, flat slab of trapezoids and flexing surfaces, while the hood had a milder angle compared to previous models. The fenders and wheel wells had hard creases, and the side glass reclaimed the large greenhouse of the original RAV4. The XSE trim, exclusive to the Hybrid, boasted glossy black trim on the roof, A-pillars, mirrors, fender flares, and 18-inch wheels, giving it a sporty and upscale appearance. Inside, the RAV4 Hybrid's cabin was adorned with padded dash and door trim with blue stitching, silver trim around the center stack, and snug front seats with blue-striped cloth inserts, creating an upscale feel.

In contrast, the 2020 Mazda CX-5 exuded a premium vibe with its captivating style and continual product improvements. The CX-5's design, rooted in Mazda's "Kodo" styling themes, remained appealing and distinctive. The interior, especially in the Signature trim, featured premium Nappa leather upholstery, real wood, and a black headliner, giving it a luxurious look and feel. However, the Caturra Brown leather was almost indistinguishable from the otherwise black cabin, reducing the level of contrast. Despite this, the CX-5's interior reflected style and good taste, with elegant metallic accents and clear gauges.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with two electric motors and a 1.6-kilowatt battery, producing 219 horsepower. This setup allowed the RAV4 Hybrid to accelerate faster and handle better than its gasoline counterpart. The hybrid system operated seamlessly, with the engine shutting off while coasting on the highway. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) didn't strain the engine at high revs, and the standard all-wheel drive (AWD) provided stable, flat-footed handling. The XSE trim's sport-tuned dampers and springs enhanced the driving experience without compromising ride quality. The RAV4 Hybrid achieved impressive fuel efficiency, averaging 36 mpg over 400 miles, with an EPA rating of 41 mpg city, 38 highway, and 40 combined.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 offered a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The Grand Touring Reserve and Signature trims featured a turbocharged version of the engine, producing up to 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque with premium fuel. The turbocharged engine provided strong acceleration despite the CX-5's 3,825-pound curb weight. However, the turbo engine was less efficient, averaging 22.1 mpg on the testing loop. The CX-5's G-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC Plus) technology enhanced driving stability, but the SUV's excessive body motions and high center of gravity detracted from the overall driving experience. Despite this, the CX-5's steering and brakes were responsive, making it enjoyable to drive in typical situations.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered excellent sightlines and generous cargo space, with 37.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 70 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The second-row legroom was ample, and the air conditioning quickly cooled the cabin. The large knobs and switches improved ergonomics, although the controls for windows, locks, and mirrors weren't illuminated at night. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with clear menus and customizable shortcuts, but the maps looked dated. Apple CarPlay was standard, but Android Auto was not.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5's interior was more cramped compared to competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. However, Mazda focused on creating an upscale cabin with a generous list of standard equipment. The CX-5's interior featured classy gauges, elegant metallic accents, and premium materials in higher trims. The front seats were comfortable, but rear passengers might find legroom lacking. The air conditioning took a long time to cool the cabin on hot days. Cargo space measured 30.9 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 59.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Higher trims included a power liftgate with a programmable height limit.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid's infotainment system was straightforward, with clear menus and customizable shortcuts. The screen accepted swiping and pinching gestures, but the maps looked dated. Toyota's Entune 3.0 included apps like NPR, but only if a smartphone with the Entune app was plugged in. Apple CarPlay was standard, but Android Auto was not. The JBL stereo was adequate, and the lane-keep assist reacted too late. Toyota offered standard stolen-vehicle alerts, automatic crash notifications, and SOS assistance for three years as part of Safety Connect.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 featured a Mazda Connect infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen in Sport trim, which responded to touch only when the vehicle wasn't moving. The system included Bluetooth, HD Radio, text messaging support, and integrated internet radio apps. Touring trim added Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Grand Touring trim upgraded to an 8-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, and a 10-speaker Bose premium sound system. Signature trim included a navigation system, a surround-view camera system, and a SiriusXM data subscription. The infotainment system could be frustrating to use, with awkwardly placed controls and voice-recognition technology that frequently failed to interpret commands.

The 2019 RAV4 Hybrid earned a 5-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with 4 out of 5 stars for the driver's-side frontal crash test and rollover resistance. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the 2019 RAV4 its top Good rating in all six crash tests and the top Superior rating for its collision-avoidance system. Toyota Safety Sense came standard, including forward emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise, traffic-sign recognition, and auto high beams. The RAV4 Hybrid also featured a unique airbag in the front passenger seat's cushion to prevent forward movement in a crash.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 excelled in safety, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The standard i-Activsense package included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and lane-keep assist. The CX-5 also had standard LED headlights and rain-sensing wipers. Adaptive headlights were optional and came standard with Grand Touring trim.