2019 Toyota RAV4 vs 2020 Mazda CX-5

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 boasted a bold and chunky design with sharp edges reminiscent of the Toyota Tacoma pickup. Its aggressive and futuristic look conveyed strength and was consistent along the side-profile styling. The rear of the RAV4 featured taillights inspired by Toyota’s luxury brand, Lexus, and a character line breaking up the rear C-pillar. However, this design element received mixed reviews and often appeared as unnecessary design clutter, especially in monotone color schemes. In contrast, the varying roof colors, available in seven two-tone options, added a fresh dimension for those who appreciated a contrasting-color roof.

Inside, the RAV4 displayed a surprisingly simple and elegant cabin, contrasting its busy exterior. The centerpiece of the interior was the new floating touchscreen, and other controls were integrated into a pod that extended from the center of the dashboard to the cupholders. The emphasis on simplicity and elegance made for a pleasant driving experience.

Trims for the 2019 RAV4 included LE, XLE, XLE Premium, Adventure, and Limited. Each trim level offered various standard features, from basic steel wheels and power side mirrors on the LE to luxury touches like Nappa leather and ambient interior lighting on the Limited. The rugged Adventure trim added unique elements such as black fender cladding and active grille shutters, showcasing the RAV4's versatility for different drivers' needs.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5, known for its premium execution, showed captivating style and compelling substance. The 2020 model year included more standard equipment, enhanced cabin appearance through revised instrumentation, and modifications to reduce noise, vibration, and harshness. Mazda's signature "Kodo" design themes remained appealing, distinctive, and upscale nearly a decade after their introduction.

The CX-5 Signature trim featured luxurious materials like Nappa leather upholstery, real wood accents, and a black headliner. However, the Caturra Brown leather's similarity to the black cabin lessened the contrast, somewhat detracting from the premium feel. Despite this, the CX-5 excelled in maintaining an upscale look that could rival more expensive competitors.

In terms of performance, the 2019 Toyota RAV4 came equipped with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. It used an 8-speed automatic transmission, with options for front-wheel drive or two types of all-wheel drive: base AWD and a more advanced torque-vectoring AWD available on the Adventure and Limited trims. Our test model, the XLE, featured the base AWD setup, which included drive modes for Snow, Sand & Mud, and Rock & Dirt, adding some rugged capability.

Despite its respectable power, the RAV4's engine exhibited some weak points during stop-and-go traffic, feeling sluggish due to a lack of low-end power. The ride quality was generally good, but steering felt twitchy, and there was noticeable body roll through fast corners. The front-wheel-drive RAV4 returned fuel economy of 26 mpg city, 35 highway, and 30 combined, while our AWD test model earned 27 mpg city and 34 highway. The torque-vectoring AWD version achieved 25 mpg city, 33 highway, and 28 combined.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 offered a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine standard on the Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring trims, producing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, it featured both front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive. The Grand Touring Reserve and Signature trims came with a turbocharged version of the engine, capable of generating 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel or 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet on regular fuel.

The CX-5 Signature, with its turbocharged engine, accelerated strongly despite a 3,825-pound curb weight. Fuel efficiency for the turbocharged engine was lower, with a combined rating of 24 mpg, compared to 26 mpg for the naturally aspirated engine with AWD. The front-wheel-drive non-turbo engine was rated at 28 mpg combined, but our testing saw an average of 22.1 mpg. While the CX-5's G-Vectoring Control Plus technology enhanced driving stability, excessive body motions and a high center of gravity could make it feel less thrilling than other Mazdas.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 focused on practicality with plenty of cargo space and roomy seating in both rows. The center stack pod, running from top to bottom, included climate controls, a large tray for small items, drive-mode controls, and a short and stocky shifter. Additional storage options included a deep center console bin and a tray in the passenger dash. With 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up, and 69.8 cubic feet with them folded down, the RAV4 offered ample room, although it was slightly less than the previous model year and less than competitors like the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5, emphasizing an upscale cabin, fell short on practicality and utility compared to segment leaders like the CR-V and RAV4. Every trim level featured a stylish and tasteful interior, with upgrades in higher trims such as dual-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated seats, and luxurious materials. However, rear passengers might find legroom lacking, and the CX-5's cargo space was limited to 30.9 cubic feet with the rear seat up and 59.6 cubic feet when folded down.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4's technology package included Entune 3.0 with a 7-inch touchscreen on the LE trim, offering features like Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth connectivity, a USB port, and a WiFi hotspot. The XLE trim added multiple USB ports, maintaining and gradually enhancing tech features through higher trims. The Adventure trim included an upgraded panoramic reversing camera and an 8-inch Entune screen, while the Limited offered an optional JBL premium stereo.

Mazda's 2020 CX-5 featured Mazda Connect, drawing inspiration from luxury brands like Audi and BMW. The Sport trim included a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, HD Radio, and integrated internet radio apps. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were added in the Touring trim. Higher trims, such as Grand Touring and Signature, included an 8-inch touchscreen, a Bose premium sound system, navigation, and a surround-view camera system. However, interacting with Mazda Connect could be frustrating, requiring a period of acclimation and extensive setup to reduce annoyance.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, including features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Additional safety features included traction control, a reversing camera, and a full suite of airbags.

For the 2020 Mazda CX-5, safety was a priority with the i-Activsense package of standard advanced driving assistance systems, which included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist. The CX-5 earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, demonstrating its structural engineering and standard safety features' effectiveness.