Mazda CX-50 vs Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid

The 2026 Mazda CX-50 offered buyers a choice among 2.5 S, 2.5 Turbo, and Hybrid models, with a variety of trim levels that could be somewhat perplexing. The 2.5 S was available in Select, Preferred, Meridian Edition, and Premium trims, while the Turbo models came in standard, Meridian Edition, or Premium Plus trims. The Hybrid models were offered in Preferred, Premium, and Premium Plus trims. Prices ranged from $31,495 to $44,495, including the destination charge. The test vehicle was a top-spec 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus, featuring new white leather seats and a retractable cargo cover, bringing the price to $44,920. The CX-50 had a wide and squat stance, resembling a lifted wagon more than an SUV, with 8.6 inches of ground clearance. Its sporty styling, flared fenders, and appealing paint colors, including the new Cypress green, added to its visual appeal. The interior featured a white leather option with 20-inch silver wheels, providing a sharp contrast against the black dashboard and center console. The cabin's upscale look was enhanced by tasteful metallic accents and quality materials, although the gloss-black plastic on the center console was prone to dust and scratches. The partially digital gauges were clear, and most controls were user-friendly, but the Mazda Connect infotainment system required a learning curve.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid was available in the Rugged Woodland trim and three Sport grades: SE, XSE, and the new GR Sport, exclusive to the PHEV. The sixth-generation RAV4 maintained the same footprint as its predecessor, with the Woodland trim extending the length by an inch and the GR Sport by 1.9 inches. The RAV4 adopted a boxy, truck-like presence, with square wheel arches and bulges over the fenders. Daytime running lights and an integrated rear roof spoiler added to its distinctive look. The Woodland trim emphasized its ruggedness with a wide front fascia, solid panels replacing fog lights, and chunky all-terrain tires on 18-inch wheels. The Sport trims featured gloss black accents, with the GR Sport showcasing racier elements like red brake calipers, 20-inch black alloy wheels, and a wide mesh grille. The charge port location varied by trim, and the interior offered mild differentiation with accents like red stitching on the GR Sport. All trims had a standard 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a touchscreen system, with the top trims featuring a 12.9-inch touchscreen. The center console housed a mechanical gear shifter and drive mode knobs for easy switching between modes.

The 2026 Mazda CX-50 featured a 2.5-liter gasoline four-cylinder engine with AWD, available in naturally aspirated, turbocharged, or hybrid forms. The base 2.5 S produced 187 horsepower and 185 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and offering Normal, Sport, and Off-Road driving modes. It had an EPA fuel economy rating of 26 mpg combined and a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds. The turbocharged version increased power to 227 hp and 310 lb-ft with regular gas, or 256 hp and 320 lb-ft with premium fuel, maintaining the same transmission and driving modes but with a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. The CX-50 Turbo's official fuel economy was 25 mpg combined, but real-world tests showed lower figures. The CX-50 Hybrid, with a Toyota-sourced hybrid system, offered 219 hp and an EPA rating of 38 mpg combined. It featured Normal, Power, and Trail driving modes, with a towing capacity of 1,500 pounds. The CX-50's steering was crisp and responsive, with a firm suspension that provided excellent body control but could be stiff over bumps. The Meridian Edition was best suited for off-roading, though it had less ground clearance than other gas-only CX-50s.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid adopted an updated 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine, producing 186 horsepower, paired with a larger 22.7-kwh battery pack and efficient silicon carbide semiconductors. This resulted in a range increase to 52 miles for the SE and XSE models. The RAV4 PHEV's total power output was 324 hp, making it the most powerful RAV4 to date. It featured standard AWD, with a large front motor rated at 203 hp and 201 lb-ft of torque, and a smaller rear motor for assistance and traction. In EV mode, the RAV4 PHEV excelled at quiet cruising but was limited in speed. Auto mode allowed for a 0-60 mph time in the low five seconds, with seamless power transitions. The RAV4 PHEV offered Hybrid and Charge modes for different driving scenarios. The GR Sport trim, with a lower ride height and performance tires, provided enhanced handling and less body roll. The RAV4 PHEV's weight was noticeable in corners, but it maintained a spirited ride without sacrificing comfort.

The 2026 Mazda CX-50 offered easier entry and exit compared to a sedan, but its lower stance might have made drivers feel low in relation to the side-window sills. Visibility was adequate, aided by large side mirrors, but those seeking unobstructed views might have looked elsewhere. The front seats were firm, with power adjustments, heating, and ventilation, but could be uncomfortable on long trips. Dual-zone climate control was standard, but the air conditioning struggled in hot weather. Rear-seat legroom was acceptable, with generous foot room and comfortable backrest angles. Storage space was decent, but Mazda prioritized aesthetics over practicality, with limited rear-seat storage. The power rear liftgate revealed a cargo area with 31.4 cubic feet of space, expandable to 56.3 cubic feet with the rear seatbacks folded.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid's base SE trim was well-equipped with a power driver's seat, heated front seats, and multiple USB ports. The front seats offered adequate bolstering, with power adjustments extended to the passenger in the top XSE grade. SofTex synthetic leather upholstery was standard on all but the base SE, with ventilated seats available on the GR Sport and XSE trims. The RAV4's interior dimensions remained mostly unchanged, with clever storage features like a dashboard shelf and a center console with flexible storage options. The deep door pockets accommodated large water bottles, and the RAV4 seated four passengers comfortably, though five was a squeeze. Rear legroom was 37.8 inches, sufficient for taller passengers. The cargo area offered 33.6 cubic feet of space, expandable to 63.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, with a flat floor and a temporary spare tire.

The 2026 Mazda CX-50 featured clear gauge displays, augmented by a 7-inch screen for data panels. A 10.25-inch infotainment screen with sophisticated graphics was nestled into the dashboard, offering touchscreen functionality for wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Mazda Connect system was operated via a control knob and buttons, requiring acclimation. Alexa built-in was available, but the Mazda Connect voice assistant was less reliable. Wireless smartphone charging was standard, though the charger was partially obscured. Lower trims had an eight-speaker audio system, while higher trims featured a 12-speaker Bose system. A head-up display was standard on Hybrid Premium Plus and turbocharged models, showing blind-spot warnings. The test vehicle included a surround-view camera system and a front camera view for parking assistance.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid boasted a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an enhanced 10.5-inch touchscreen system, with a larger 12.9-inch touchscreen on top trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with climate controls integrated into the touchscreen. The touchscreen featured customizable tiles and a quick menu for easy access. Toyota's new operating system, Arene, improved responsiveness and loading times. The Voice Assistant responded to a wide range of prompts, and the system allowed for locating chargers and managing the plug-in hybrid system. A built-in dash cam recorded clips from exterior cameras, with adjustable sensitivity settings.

The 2026 Mazda CX-50 came equipped with the i-Activesense suite of driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, and more. Preferred models added parking sensors, while Premium models included traffic-sign recognition and speed-limit assist. Hybrid Premium Plus and Turbo models featured an adaptive front lighting system. The Turbo Premium Plus test vehicle included a surround-view camera system, active blind-spot assist, and other advanced safety features. The NHTSA awarded the CX-50 a five-star overall rating, while the IIHS gave it a Top Safety Pick+ award, though it received a Poor rating in a new whiplash prevention test.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 4.0, with enhanced camera and radar detection. The suite included automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitors, and more. All but the base SE had a surround-view camera system. The RAV4's safety record was historically strong, with the 2025 model receiving a five-star rating from the NHTSA. The 2026 model's redesign aimed to address previous shortcomings, though crash-testing results were pending.