Mazda CX-5 vs Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 continued to impress with its striking design, maintaining its reputation as one of the most attractive crossovers in its segment. The evolved Kodo design language, referred to as "Wearable Gear," gave the CX-5 a more sculpted and purposeful appearance. The front featured a seamless Signature Wing grille flowing into new LED headlights, while the rear boasted angular lighting that tied it visually to Mazda's larger models. A new "MAZDA" script badge replaced the traditional logo, enhancing its upscale look. However, the wheel designs were a letdown, with the base 17-inch wheels appearing small on the larger body, and even the 19-inch options lacking intricate detailing. Inside, the CX-5 impressed with its clean dashboard design, a prominent central touchscreen, and a driver-focused cockpit. The interior materials were a step above the competition, with soft-touch surfaces and a two-tone option on upper trims. Leather seating on the Premium and Premium Plus trims added to the upscale ambiance, although some hard plastic elements detracted slightly from the overall premium feel.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid offered a distinct design with its Rugged and Sport trims, including the Woodland and GR Sport. The RAV4 maintained the same footprint as its predecessor, but the new trims added buffer bumpers for a more assertive look. The Woodland trim emphasized boxiness with a wide front fascia and solid panels replacing fog lights, while the GR Sport showcased racier elements like red brake calipers and a wide mesh grille. The interior featured clever storage solutions, with a shelf over the dashboard and another between the stack and console. The RAV4's passenger space remained comfortable, with 37.8 inches of rear legroom, although it fell short of larger models like the Honda CR-V. The cargo area was slightly reduced in the PHEV version, offering 33.6 cubic feet, but folding down the rear seats expanded it to 63.5 cubic feet. The RAV4's interior was well-equipped, with features like a power driver's seat, heated front seats, and a wireless device charger on all but the base SE model.

The 2026 Mazda CX-5's performance was a mixed bag. It retained the SkyActiv-G 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, producing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. While these numbers were adequate on paper, the CX-5's increased weight of 3,856 pounds made the engine feel underpowered. The lack of a turbocharged engine option was a disappointment, as the previous generation's turbocharged engine provided a significant performance edge. The CX-5's handling remained a strong point, with direct steering, well-managed body roll, and a sense of agility. However, the lack of power hindered the enjoyment of its crisp road manners. The ride quality was firm and comfortable, with improved insulation for reduced road and wind noise. The EPA rated the CX-5 at 24 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 26 combined mpg, which were among the lowest in its segment.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid offered a more powerful and efficient performance. It featured an updated 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine, producing 186 horsepower, and a larger 22.7-kwh battery pack. The PHEV's power increased to 324 horsepower, making it the most powerful RAV4 to date. All-wheel drive was standard, with a large front motor rated at 203 hp and 201 lb-ft of torque. The RAV4 PHEV excelled in EV mode, offering a range of 52 miles in the SE and XSE models. The 0-60 mph time was in the low five seconds, thanks to the seamless transition of power between the propulsion motors and engine. The RAV4 PHEV's handling was enhanced in the GR Sport trim, with a lower ride height and summer performance tires. The ride remained comfortable, with a strengthened chassis for improved structural rigidity. The RAV4 PHEV's weight of around 4,500 pounds was typical for the class, but it handled well, especially in the GR Sport trim.

The 2026 Mazda CX-5's dimensional growth translated into a more spacious interior. The 4.5-inch wheelbase stretch improved rear knee clearance by 2.3 inches, addressing a common criticism of the previous model. Rear headroom was a standout feature, with 40.2 inches without the sunroof, the best in its class. Front legroom matched the segment at 41.3 inches, while rear legroom was competitive at 39.1 inches. Cargo space improved to 38 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 70 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The CX-5's towing capacity decreased to 1,500 pounds, tying with the Honda CR-V and base Subaru Forester.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid maintained its dimensions from the previous generation, but the interior was optimized with clever storage features. The RAV4's passenger space was comfortable, with 37.8 inches of rear legroom, although it fell short of larger models like the Honda CR-V. The cargo area was slightly reduced in the PHEV version, offering 33.6 cubic feet, but folding down the rear seats expanded it to 63.5 cubic feet. The RAV4's interior was well-equipped, with features like a power driver's seat, heated front seats, and a wireless device charger on all but the base SE model.

The 2026 Mazda CX-5's infotainment system received a significant upgrade with a 12.9-inch touchscreen on all trims except the Premium Plus, which featured a 15.6-inch unit. The standout feature was Google built-in, offering native Google Maps, the Google Gemini AI voice assistant, and access to the Google Play Store. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, with wireless connectivity on the Select trim and above. The 10.2-inch fully digital instrument cluster was standard, but its execution left room for improvement. The loss of a physical volume knob was a drawback, and the climate control interface was not intuitive. Higher trims added features like a Bose 12-speaker audio system and a 360-degree View Monitor.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid featured a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an enhanced 10.5-inch touchscreen system. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with a larger 12.9-inch touchscreen on top trims. The touchscreen had customizable tiles and a quick menu for commonly used settings. The Voice Assistant responded to a range of prompts, and a built-in dash cam recorded clips from exterior cameras. The RAV4 PHEV's technology was enhanced by Toyota's new operating system, Arene, which improved responsiveness and loading times.

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 came with a comprehensive standard safety suite, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitors, and more. The top-tier Premium Plus added features like an adaptive front-lighting system and a 360-degree View Monitor. Crash test results were not available at the time of writing, but the outgoing CX-5 had a strong safety record.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 4.0, with enhancements for improved responsiveness and detection. The suite included automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitors, and more. The RAV4's safety record was historically strong, and the redesign aimed to address previous shortcomings.