2022 RAV4 hybrid v CX-5 turbo (inc. 0-100) comparison. Can Toyota trump the Mazda?

[@Cold_Hearted_World]

Looked at both, bought the CX5 Akera turbo. Mazda has never let me down with reliability and quality.

[@x3merx3mer]

Tried them both, bought CX5. It just gives a better quality feel all around. ...and everyone loves it :)

[@d.k.1394]

It's a close call. I think I will stick to my 1985 corolla.

[@CarExpertAus]

🤣

[@dansbling]

Yeah Ill stick with my Kia Rio 2009 😂😂

[@hypergamyusa1376]

May stick with my 2015 civic. Not sure can justify paying $800 a month for either. That's what the dealership want

[@HighMaintenancePS]

Funny mate. I have been kicking the tyres of these two. But still have my 09 D4D deisel Corolla at this point.

[@shredman59]

If you have a working vehicle, I’d stick with it. New car market isn’t great for buyers still.

[@syayue5863]

The CX 5 turbo engine is such a treat that I bought two cars , 2022 and 2021. The sportiness of the total package and the pricing was a winner when compared to the European equivalents. Great review Paul.

[@smoke05s]

I got a 2023 CX-5 Signature. Toyota dealers are marking up all hybrids $5K over sticker + all the other fees. Mazda (at least my dealer) is selling at sticker at a very low interest rate. And like SYA Yue said I value sporty and total package over just fuel economy ( up until know all my cars were BMW). I just saw another video on the design of the Mazda Turbo where it gets better mileage than it is rated at when driven harder. And I did notice that before I saw the video (has something to do with how they recirculate cooled exhaust to increase compression can greatly increase efficiency). . . where the hybrid is not going to fare as well when driven harder.

[@kernel2684]

A little late to ask but how much more quiter is the 2022 model compared to 2021 mate?

[@andrewyue9991]

Little bit. More noticeable is the ride for the 2022 is less jittery and smoother than the 2021.

[@BrahamaDev]

Like u n many others said, space is a little minus point, but everything else in CX5 is super, especially low road noise driving and meatier driving. Also, dynamic cruise control along with blind spot monitoring are superb features that not just add safety but also adds comfort and confidence. I did test drive a base version of RAV4, and I didn't enjoy it as much. Moreover, RAV4 interior feels little plasticy and cheaper compared to rich interior of CX5.

[@raybourne5781]

Never regretted buying our cx5 Akera… what’s not mentioned is the towing capacity between the two… Akera is 2tns, the sound / infotainment system is much better in the Mazda , the heads up display and that Turbo motor … Mazda is the better buy

[@ndt1091]

which dealer you go through? can you advice, i'm goin to buy one.

[@louisbarningham]

The CX-5 is stunning and feels way more premium and that turbo provides a great punch when needed... we were looking for a family SUV and decided on the mazda and its been great. Every time i get in it i smile.

[@FSCB2013]

That cheap Mazda plastic and chrome says otherwise to be honest. It has the same overused plasticky look common to most SUVs in the class like the RAV4. The infotainment wide-screen is horrible too. The fonts are straight out of a 1990s pc game. And the wide but short screen is useless for GPS viewing. You want to view ahead not to the sides right? And then the fact it isn't always a touchscreen. Because the useable screen space is so small due to the small height, icons and such get squashed, so Mazda knew it is not usable when driving. Hence you must use a 2000s style BMW control knob. Not much premium about the CX5 except for the front grill and body shape.

[@rel6294]

@@FSCB2013 for its age, its still a great one honestly. i would say your rant is pretty invalid. the screen is almost eye level and very close to you. if cx5 screen is difficult then what about a tucson? tucson screen is way below your eye level and its touchscreen too, so you need to look down and move your body to reach the screen. jeez how tall you want the screen to be?, fancy a big screen then get a tesla rotary knob provides ease of use, thats why bmw still use it even until the latest i7. easier to reach, easier to operate for plastic and chrome. the others also the same, even for kia and hyundai. atleast in cx5 they give you a nice leather. as a guy who drive mazda & hyundai, i can say your opinion is pretty invalid. keep ranting 👍

[@buggersofoz]

Haha, great summary that was exactly my dillema 2 years ago (almost to the day). You could hardly even find a Rav4 available for a test drive in Sydney and Hybrid Cruiser demos were advertised for $52k! I needed the car asap, so just walked in to a Mazda dealership on Easter Monday and drove out in a CX5 turbo Akera spec for $45k (demo, 4 months old, 3k km on the odo). They chucked in 5 years of free maintenance too! For me it was a no brainer as soon as I hit the gas and I've never looked back :) the suspension could have been just slightly softer, but the space is adequate, quality feel is still there, nothing to complain about.

[@pemadorji4370]

Hi, which mazda dealer did you use? I am wondering if they have something similar. Thanks

[@buggersofoz]

@@pemadorji4370 I went to Rockdale Mazda, you can check with them.

[@Gaziz85]

Can you tell more about the suspension comfort please? I’m in the same choice situation, and only concern for Mazda is the suspension being too hard to a level where it imacts the comfory (price of being sporty I guess). I heard Rav4 ride is more smooth and comfortable.

[@buggersofoz]

@@Gaziz85 it is quite hard, especially that turbo comes with 19 inch wheels and sporty tires. As I said, I couldn't road test RAV4 to tell how it compares, but it's harder than e.g. Hyundai i30 or Toyota Camry and slightly harder than Mazda CX3. At speed you don't feel it as much as during city driving, like cobblestones, potholes and speed bumps.

[@dornierserctajon8094]

@@buggersofoz it's funny that it is harder than a cx 30 when it has multilink while cx 30 has torsion beam.. hmm..

[@michaelwhitaker1972]

Mazda is superior in my opinion, which is why I bought one. I didn't go for the turbo though. The non turbo is still surprisingly good. I just didn't feel the turbo was worth $6000 to $8000 more, depending on the model. The model I went with was the Carbon Edition. For the price in comparison to the Rav4, the CX-5 was a no brainer. If I was more into off road, I would have chosen a Subaru.

[@undinesweeney5199]

I'm picking up the Akera Turbo in a few weeks. Paul your reviews have really bought back the excitement of the new car. My husband has the Rav4 and the styling doesn't do a thing for me. Wheras personally the Mazda really catches my eye. Thanks again for awesome reviews

[@truhunk1]

I bought a used 2019 CX5 turbo and I really like it. That turbo punch is great. Even without the turbo, I would still like it.

[@prathikshshetty9458]

What about the reliability

[@truhunk1]

@@prathikshshetty9458 Well, I know Consumers reports rated the 2019 Mazda as one of the most reliable cars. Some earlier years were pretty good but had a few problems. With that being said, I did have a few issues. First the drivers side power folding mirror was working intermittently. Replaced under warranty. Working well now. I also had some of the electronics go wonky, but that now seems to be fixed by a firmware update, no charge. I was never left stranded.

[@waggles1955]

We have bought the 2022 Mazda CX-5 GT Sp 2.5 ltr engine and in every respect (except the space), we chose the CX-5 over the Rav4. The space wasn't a big deal for us, as we lovvved the comfort and feel of the luxury features the Mazda had on offer, over the bigger boot size of the Rav 4 ... like the "heads-up" feature in the windscreen and the power seats in both the driver and passenger seats. Plus, we're older now, in our retirement years, so kids weren't an issue. But I can see that space would be a major consideration for younger adults with 2 to 4 kids to consider. We chose the Soul Red Crystal with the Black wheels, and black accents on the trim and the black interior. Not all that worried that the info screen wasn't touch screen, the Bose sound system more than made up for this as it's a "to die for" ... AMAZING sound system! Overall, we are thrilled with our choice and it's a delight to drive.

[@mda1856]

I bought a CX-5 Signature Turbo and my 24 year old daughter got the RAV4 XSE Hybrid. My kids are grown and out of the house so I don't need as much cargo or rear seat space. She has a long commute so the hybrid fuel economy made the RAV4 best for her. Mazda is definitely quieter at all speeds and this makes longer trips more enjoyable. The XSE interior is nice and not too far behind the Mazda Signature interior but the Mazda definitely feels more upscale. The infotainment screen on the XSE is far superior to the Mazda. Both are excellent vehicles but I think they serve different niches. She and I are both happy with our choices.

[@chrishopkins8215]

Both good SUVs, but it always pays to drive it first to see if it suits you and your needs - test drive it on a fwy/your normal driving roads . I went in convinced I would get a Rav4, walked away with a new 2021 Mazda cx5 GT. Love it and havent regretted it. Deciding factors: my partner is tall and the passenger seat in a rav doesnt have height adjustment (we both drive it), info unit just way smoother (the rav4 we test droves system kept freezing), length of time for delivery was 6-9 months. Cx5 was 3 and a half. Just wish the cx5 had a hybrid engine option!

[@kirillivanilov1593]

I’ve been owing Mazda CX-5 2018 2,5 AWD Akera (top of the range) for almost 3 years. And I am using rav4 hybrid at work 2 - 3 days per week. My opinion. Mazda: Pros: Great sporty stile/looks great (inside and out). Cristal red colour looks amazing! Quality of all materials and noise insulation HUD. Feels luxury Rear doors open wide (almost 90 degrees) Heated rear seats Cons: Too tough/feels all bumps and stones on the road. Auto transmission is too slow and changes gears at the most inappropriate time. Real fuel consumption is about 10 - 10,5 l/100 km Small boot and rear seat row (comparing with many other similar SUV’s) Piano black plastic is terrible! Buttons stuck next to the transmission. It was replaced by the warranty but even new buttons get stuck Toyota: Pros: Fuel economy Big boot and second seat row Smooth and comfortable drive eCVT Cons: Noisy on high speed Dated interior design, cheap plastic, fake stitches… Mazda CX-5 does look better outside and inside No HUD Back door opens/closes very slow (over 12 sec) with annoying beeping Overall, both cars have different feelings. As someone said, cx5 is like a car, while rav4 is like a truck. However, space, fuel and eCVT are more important for me. That’s why I already ordered rav4 hybrid AWD Cruiser. Hopefully I will get it next year. I was driving Outlander for 10 years and I really like CVT. That’s why I regretted a little bit when I purchased cx5 3 years ago. Outlander was much smoother and had more space. This is what I hope to see in my new rav4 :)

[@richardreid9990]

I just got delivery of a Rav4 Adventure Hybrid and I love this car. The Mazda definitely has a nicer overall finish but the extra space, towing capacity of theRav4 was important and hybrid is really saving me money on my daily commute to and from work. In NZ 91 petrol is currently around NZ$2.49 and expected to move closer to $3.00 litre in 2023/2024 so a big incentive to move to a hybrid.

[@KnowTheNewOfficial]

Mazda Always Trump Without Any Hesitation, No Need To Compare With Anything 👉💯

[@mikexia2775]

Amazing review Paul. Love it! I would like to have better driving experience for my daily car but not spending too much on fuel. That is why I bought CX5 Akera diesel and no complain about it for the 3 months ownership so far. It works exactly as I expected.

[@jieyan1215]

Also with the wait list on RAV4 the pricing also sucks …with cx5 you can definitely get a much bigger discount

[@garren007]

Most definitely the CX5 Winner hands down Bet the Mazda CX-5 D would still out class the rav

[@miloozie]

Currently cx-5 Akers owner, just ordered a rav 4 cruiser. The only advantages a rav 4 has over a cx-5 are space and fuel economy. Everything else I still prefer my 2018 cx-5 over 2022 rav 4.

[@kirillivanilov1593]

I also have cx5 Akera 2018 and have just ordered rav4 hybrid cruiser. I agree, that rav4 has only 2 advantages (space and fuel). However, I was driving Mitsubishi Outlander for 10 years and I really love CVT. I just hate cx5’s auto! It is so slow and changes the gear at the most inappropriate time! I am looking forward to get my brand new rav4. I hope you did not regret that you changed your cx5 to rav4?

[@StevenVlamis]

I don't understand why the RAV 4 Edge does not have 2 way driver seat memory whereas the lower RAV 4 Cruiser does. And the you cannot drop the back seats from the boot in either RAV. Great and timely review Paul. Test drove the RAV 4 and CX 5 this month and was considering the RAV 4 but will update my 2014 CX 5 to a new CX 5 GT SP turbo.

[@excommunic8c-a-d406]

We bought the cx-5 Akira after watching your video and we love it, the Toyota just felt tacky compared to the refined nature of the Mazda awesome video as always 👍

[@antishmon]

you bought a car an hour ago?

[@Malc664]

@@antishmon 🤣🤣

[@HDvids101]

Mazda isn't at all not tacky... they are all tacky starting with the 3

[@EnShinNoi]

@@HDvids101 Tacky means things like carbon fiber patterning, coloured LEDs or in the RAV4's case, rubber handles/knobs, bright orange storage spaces and gawky infotainment screens. Albeit the CX-50 uses orange stitching but that's not available in our market. What specifically do you think is tacky on the Mazda3?

[@HDvids101]

@@EnShinNoi Maybe I should say tinny. Made not to last practical and at $2 a litre fuel is at around half used... If you are keeping it for more than 3 years it is a no brainer at all.

[@michaelgoh5830]

Great objective review Paul. Though the CX5 is probably at the end of its life cycle, I prefer its sporty drive and the more youthful stance. My pick on the CX5 range would be the GT Sport 2.5T, in polymetal grey trim.

[@raydionangy]

Exactly what we bought. The Toyota was ruled out early due to the 12+ month wait time.

[@wasalaktambalkan2607]

same taste. but i got the 2023

[@falee2959]

exactly,right now if you want to a Toyota with hybrid you got to wait at least 9 months and with no exact delivery day,for gas 3 months that’s in NEWYORK city,and that’s dealer told me ,it’s ridiculous Toyota got too good business 90 percent people go with Toyota my goodness

[@adorolivar1340]

​@Fa Lee lucky if you can get it in 12 months let alone 9 months...my Camry Hybrid was ordered in March-2022 and been to the dealership last week and I'm told around 5-6months ETD, a total of 20months😂😂..Kluger/RAV4 hybrid is 2.5years😢😢

[@TheAthavanleon]

Got the Rav4 - And one of the best and it's very economical.

[@Ada_Isabella]

RAV 4 wins for me. About to order my 2022 RAV 4 hybrid cruiser and I’m willing to wait 12 to get it. I took one for a test drive yesterday and loved everything about it. The inside technology side though could be improved but the rest is just spectacular!

[@madorsky]

If they upgrade infortainment system in 2023 you might be eligible for an upgrade like they did with 2022 models that were preordered in 2021.

[@billylid100]

@ada if you order now you will get the upgraded infotainment package, it’s worth the wait

[@IzzyGraceBeauty]

I have a 5 year old rav but honestly I much preferred it than the cx5. I had a cx5 for an in work car and my rav outside of work. The rav was a much better drive

[@ImackStudios]

The RAV4 infotainment is just 🤮 in my opinion. Love everything else about it

[@HDvids101]

It is. Put Android auto or Apple car play on and that solves it.

[@Ada_Isabella]

True. But everything else is spectacular. I took one for a test drive yesterday and it’s such an excellent car. Worth waiting 12 months for a RAV 4 hybrid Cruiser.

[@HDvids101]

@@Ada_Isabella I was speaking from experience '-)

[@undeadpirates1]

Yeah, they cant even get school zone warnings to operate correctly. X3 warnings when driving through a school zone at 9pm on a sunday? Yeah nah, better with that thing turned off. And no hud, ugh

[@eamonnmcdermott1939]

Mazda on looks alone. Mazda for driving enjoyment! The choice is clear!

[@daweigo6851]

Looks so old thou....which is I know is all subjective

[@solid7468]

@@daweigo6851 Rav4 looks outdated from back these none led lights.

[@Malc664]

RAV4 for fuel economy and softer ride. Everything else the Mazda is better and still roomy enough. Leaning towards the CX5.

[@paulrijken888]

I just bought the 2022 CX5 Akera thanks for the review

[@M167A1]

Looked at both this spring and bought a Mazda. So far very satisfied.

[@robcig]

Love my new CX5 turbo! It also has the conventional torque converter transmission as well. I drove the RAV4 for six months, great car but the CVT is awful.

[@usernamechecksout]

any thoughts on the Forester? I'm doing research and at the moment the top 3 are the RAV4, the Forester and the CX-5. I might drop the RAV4 mainly due to the waiting list, not a proper AWD system (the rear wheels only get power from the electric engine) and noisy interior.

[@paulvictor9368]

@Bill Brown good reply. Well said.

[@EnShinNoi]

Toyota is undervaluing the importance of a HUD. Mazda include it in their base models.

[@EnShinNoi]

@Ululu Kululu Heads-Up Display. On the Mazda though, they call it an Active Driving Display. It's a projection of your current speed plus other bits of useful information onto your windscreen.

[@User-cb4jm]

Mazda all the way. Looks and feels like a luxury SUV. 2.5 Turbo is amazing too! Mazda can go all out as unlike Toyota, they don’t have a luxury brand to cannibalise, so they give it their all. As usual the Toyota is the bleugh practical, cheap on petrol pick, but I’d rather be behind the wheel of the Mazda any day. Only wish they modernised it by now like the CX-30/Mazda3 interior.

[@joele4197]

Agreed, though I ended up getting the Mazda 6 GT SP 2.5T, plenty of space but less ride height (of course), though overall another step up in driving characteristics and can pull a bit more performance from that 2.5T..

[@Joe-rabbit]

The rav4 prime is the hottest car on the market despite of it's awful infotainment system, it's the king of compact SUVs. It has it's great benefits, it's so durable, reliable and fast!

[@Chris-ew9mh]

I wouldn't sell my Rav4 prime if someone offered 10k over what I paid for it, it's that good!

[@kirillivanilov1593]

@@Chris-ew9mh it is not available in Australia. However, Outlander PHEV is available and in some instance Outlander is even better that Prime.

[@SimonBrisbane]

And it’s not available in Oz. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@tonydianab4659]

I purchased the Mazda after this review 👍

[@masterchinese28]

I have had both as rentals. The Toyota feels more truck-like while the CX-5 feels like a car with elevated visibility. I would take the Mazda.

[@kenjohnson3522]

Both terrific cars.....you can't go wrong with either.....The 2019 CX-5 felt like a luxury car to us, so we leased the touring preferred edition, which we LOVE. We recently bought the car at the end if the lease (and 9,000 miles) for very little money...a great option.

[@ryanj8179]

Mazda has punchier engine with standard auto gearbox(compared to CVT). Superior handling. I love everything about Mazda but if fuel economy is your priority its a clear choice for Rav. Although you may save at the pump the batteries in hybrid system has a expiry date so resale value will be lower.

[@Archie6666]

In some sense yes. Engines that run on petrol alone in the same period of time will be harder to sell, particularly those guzzling fuel. Pure EV will also have the same issues with battery degradation. The money you save from using the hybrid will offset the reduced price for the cost of the battery.

[@Robert-cu9bm]

Depends on your driving. If it's mainly highway, a hybrid system is less efficient as you're carrying extra weight.

[@Archie6666]

@@Robert-cu9bm 1755kg for rav hybrid cruiser compared to 1682kg for the CX5 Akera - both top trims. The 73kg difference is the same as an extra adult in the car. In reality, the heavy turbo motor would demand more fuel. The hybrid system kicks in as required. In fact, on a flat surface my Rav has travelled 100km/h on electric alone while needing to only maintain the speed. On average I get 950-1000km on a tank.

[@undeadpirates1]

A standard gear box is inferior to the ecvt. All the benefits of a cvt without the rubberband effect. Infact if u ever need to accelerate quickly, like say cruising on the highway the need to overtake or at slower traffic and need to change lanes to a faster one, the ecvt will give u instant acceleration vs the 1 second lag in the mazda

[@undeadpirates1]

@@Archie6666 yeah, 930km before the fuel warning light comes on is pretty amazing hey, considering todays fuel prices, im saving around $4k a year

[@chengchiwo]

It’s all about the purpose of your car. If it’s for commuting RAV4 , but as a driver car ( and even for passengers) cx5 would be the best choice with its refined on road experience and high quality cabin.

[@alb0zfinest]

For passengers the cx5 would be terrible lol. The back seat space is smaller in comparison to the Rav4 (I know because I have a mazda. At 6Ft my knees were pushed in through the front seat because there is that little space).

[@chengchiwo]

@@alb0zfinest I am close to 6 feet but always on driver seat so never an issue to me :) but yes that’s the weakness of Mazda.

[@simplegirl3826]

I just ordered CX 5 GS in white, will get in 3 months. Rav4 is too big for a tiny woman like me. Cx is perfect and stylish plus I got comfort package with moonroof. Can't wait. Old car 15 years old and will get $1500.

[@seaeagle19962008]

Hi Paul, fantastic review. For me it’s the CX 5. I really feel the Mazda range has a real premium advantage over the Rav. I’m looking at the CX5 now but I tell you, I really can’t get my eyes of the Mazda 6 GT Turbo wagon. If your looking for boot room and rear seat leg room it’s hard to ignore that you will definitely have more with a Mazda 6 wagon and at a cheaper on road price. At my age, 60 ish, room and luxury seat comfort is King. I really can’t understand why Mazda don’t push this alternative. It’s definitely worth looking at. Thank you take good care.

[@kamikaze4928]

I love my 2021 CX-5 Carbon Edition Turbo w/ AWD. With the high prices of new cars in 2023, I was very fortunate to buy my CX-5 when I did. And I love the fact that my CX-5 doesn't have iStop (Enging Stop/Start technology), cylinder deactivation, or a CVT. The gas mileage is a little less, but since I'm retired, I don't drive as much as I used to. The 22 mpg city, and 27 mpg highway, is fine for me. I can go an entire month on one tank of gas, and feel great doing it.

[@irenafacelli4853]

The Mazda works best for us. We love it. Perfect for families.

[@sagrenreddy]

I have driven a previous version of the CX5. Is wonderful. Where are those skyactive x engines though? The best thing the rav4 has got going for it is the hybrid system.

[@2011tubechannel]

The CX-5 continues to be the premium choice for me; in fit and finish, quality controls, refinement and drive ability. It also looks the nicer of the two. BUT - now more than ever, it loses out on fuel economy by a huge margin compared to the RAV 4!!! I’d be keen to work out the $ spend on fuel comparison based on; metropolitan use, 15000 km p.a with 70% of that driving under 70 kms - a realistic figure for suburban roads. Good job on the review!

[@Sk-tv1rz]

I have 21 cx5 and it’s amazing….the ride quality and the interiors r much better than plastic rav4

[@hadidadgar9117]

CX 5 that’s what I have. I could not be happier.

[@Lisa-dh5nw]

I’ve been driving my hybrid rav 4 xse for about 1 month upgrade from hybrid Corolla. I was told a 12 month wait as well but it came in a month. It surprised the dealer too. We are not sure what happened but I’m not complaining. With fuel being so expensive now hybrid is almost a no brainer. For me having a grunty engine and all the rest is not that important as being able to afford to fill it up. However, compared to my little Corolla (which was nothing to sneeze at - it just nose dive in all the spoon drains round town and was too small for me) a rav 4 is a beautiful luxury. It handles the roads really well. It’s such a comfortable drive. The cabin space was notable because some are very tall in my family. And as it turned out I’m doing a massive interstate move where having a big boot space will be invaluable. I am biased but much preferred the look of the rav 4 - has personality. The Mazda seemed like it was for more sophisticated/refined folk.

[@jimmyj816]

Lol. Do your math!! Let's take rav4 as an example. Average annual miles = 12000. Rav4 non-hybrid mpg = 30. Rav4 hybrid = 40. Means a year you just need an extra 100 gallons for non-hybrid. If the gas price is $5. You would spend an extra $500/year. Now a hybrid is 5000approx. more than non-hybrid when buying. Means to break even at least a 10-year ownership. And if the gas price goes down it will take more than 10 years. I know you have never done this calculation before!!

[@kirillivanilov1593]

@@jimmyj816 I personally drive more than 12000 miles per year but you missed a point: if you decide to sell your car in 5 or 10 years then you can get extra money for a hybrid. But if you spent money for petrol, you will never get your money back after selling the car.

[@bmk7890]

Do the hybrid cars had better after sale value?. Because of the complex hybrid powertrain it wont be good for many years. Then the service charge may be a headache. Now the price may be less due to government incentives for the hybrids, later it will put huge holes in the pocket.

[@davidschultz6346]

Zoom Zoom all the way wit CX-5, classy, elegant and sophisticated and soooo reliable. The CX-5 would be my choice.

[@ApostleSimonSenteza]

I am in Uganda and My favourite car is a CX-5. Haven't owned one yet but believing one day I will have a CX-5...

[@johnelwell6418]

I purchased a CX-5 and am extremely happy with it. All my friends consider it to be far more classy than other SUVs on the market. What you forgot to mention is that the bar across the load space is removeable and increases the load space, especially if you want to carry taller items.

[@Allanhyde264]

Cx5 is considerably more premium. Toyotas display is from their 80s parts bin.

[@daveweston9231]

Just ordered the CX5 As a driving enthusiast the on road ability is much too important to give up for a softer doughy Rav4 that cannot be used for towing either

[@FSCB2013]

Why do Mazda fans pretend their SUV is a drivers machine? It's an SUV that costs ~$50k. It's like saying it's the best of the worst.

[@daveweston9231]

@@FSCB2013 I am actually a Time Attack racing driver so trust me I am not implying it is any type of performance machine. Just confirming that they have the best combination of on road performance and handling in the SUV class which ultimately converts to a better level of road safety also. Hope that clears up my though process for you

[@rel6294]

@@daveweston9231 agreed, maybe its not the best anymore in general performance, but for what you pay it really is a great car to drive

[@clayday1489]

Mazda CX-5 - for when you want the suspense of constantly wondering if your AC will work properly today.

[@bmk7890]

With all that complex motors and battery, is the hybrid really going to save money for long run? Why you dont speak anything about the waiting period of toyota hybrid? What about the warranty service plan for both cars? I think almost nobody dont have a doubt that mazda is a drivers car. If you say toyota is better because of hybrid you should prove it with evidence, for im planning to use it for the next 15 years. I would like to know the charges for repairng the motor, battery and assosiated systems for 3 lakh kilometers. What is the weight of both cars? How economical is cx5 2.2 diesel?why you choose the least fuel efficient variant of cx 5 for this comparison? Is it a paid promotion?

[@klatuuneo]

RAV4 all the way! More space, touch screen, more comfortable, roof rails, fuel economy, interior practicality/storage options, much nicer exterior design (in my opinion), etc.

[@klatuuneo]

@@SokemRokemRobot You have mentioned some good points 👍 I agree with you about the hybrid disadvantages, that's why I own pure gasoline version of RAV4. Touch screen can be dangerous sometimes, that's for sure. It must be used very carefully while driving. As for CVT concerns, I'm not really worried about it's reliability. Toyota/AISIN automatic transmissions and CVTs are definitely the best out there. The are being built and improved for decades so far and I don't know anybody who had some issues with their CVTs. And it's very smooth, it has less moving parts and is not as complex as traditional automatic transmission. Acceleration is very nice with CVT, no jerking at all, I got used to it very quickly. But I probably wouldn't buy Nissan or Subaru with a CVT, I think their reliability is not on such high level as Toyota.

[@breeana2879]

Mazda wins in my opinion. Mazda gives their cars such a luxury feel and offer more features tech wise (hud, back seat heating/cooling & better infotainment system). So many people just love the rav and want a rav but they’re really nothing special and it’s on such a long waiting list which is so ridiculous! If you’re looking for a family suv, the cx5 is the one! Has more to offer and won’t take a year to get your hands on. Someone Mazda dealerships will have the cx5 ready for drive away. Obviously not the case for Toyota and their rav…

[@mannycalavera2335]

I have rented and driven both for approximately 2 weeks. The CX5 is the nicer drive. But personally I would get this style SUV specifically for the extra space and comfortably putting in a dog crate, my mates etc. And the CX5 really feels a lot more cramped and less practical in that sense.

[@M167A1]

Go CX-50

[@eellexa]

Mazda CX-5 engine & transmission win for me.

[@eellexa]

@@SokemRokemRobot Good on ya mate.

[@dolguldur4706]

Great review and comparison as always..Paul accent is sooooo much easier to understand...most aussie blokes its hard to really understand what they talking because of their accent a bit too much for me 😄

[@CarExpertAus]

Thanks Dol 😊

[@kbling2946]

Fantastic review Paul, your comments in each car is exactly how I feel right down to the looks of the cars. I can’t believe the Rav doesn’t have a heads up or an infotainment from this century. In saying that I’m 7 months in to my order for a RAV4 Cruiser hybrid. That’s the selling point right there 👍🏽

[@tousshong9438]

Cabin noise? It just my bad taste of music nothing to worry about. Hahaha

[@rsmnh7892]

Mazda sounds like a healthier car and more premium than any Toyota, but they fall short in the space department.

[@vsboy2577]

The Mazda seems impressive probably worth the money .

[@dsinghr]

I don’t care about car infotainment. I barely use it only for Google maps. Back seat space, storage space and efficiency matters most. RAV4 wins in my book

[@Depto228]

Yeah one extra bag is a plus

[@robertbuckheister6378]

Looked at both and purchased the CX5 GT premium plus...thought it was much nicer on inside and quieter..and the price of the CX5 was cheaper..absolutely love the Mazda...

[@dreadkoji]

just bought cx-5 , its amazing ;)

[@joepowell7025]

I'll take the CX5 any day... In fact I did. I bought a new one .

[@saras.barriga9907]

I just got mine July 3rd Turbo top of the line, added the premium red it cost me an extra $700 but it has been my dream car. Ruby acts like a queen but drives like a beast!

[@ErnestoPetit]

I bought the CX-5 Preferred a week ago, I love it, it is so quiet and comfortable, now for 2024 Apple Car Play and Android Auto are both touchscreen (and wireless for the highest trims). For the price I paid I think it's a good deal compared to the RAV4.

[@angelapotter8332]

12 month wait list, may as well say you can’t buy one. By default only one choice if you need a car now.

[@jaycobmelo1904]

I’m becoming a Mazda fanboy but man I know that rav will maintain its value.

[@ianhiggins8728]

Last year I was looking for a new car the Toyota RAV4 looked good but at that stage it had 8 month wait time and I had no car so I went with the Mazda CX-5 as it was available for immediate delivery.

[@robertceroli3512]

8 months now it's 12 month wait

[@andi-ih3jj]

Your lucky over there, i was forced to get the RAV4 here in Germany ;-) ........ because one can`t buy the 2.5 turbo at all, it is not sold over here. And the non turbo AWD is blanked out on Mazdas german website so you can`t order it right now. Only the FWD can be ordered .... bad times for Mazda friends here. Luckily i am stuck on Toyota since my first try because after iI got married I was forced to drive Toyota as my wifes familiy owned a Toyota dealership since 1986. Before that it was FIAT from 1932 on. The dealership does not exist anymore but i stayed with Toyota because as i got older reliability was more important than style and the wife and I each have a car and are now on our 35 year combined Toyota driving. Failures so far: one light bulb, one fallen off rear view mirror, one lock on a rear door ..... and nothing else except brakes, oil, spark plugs and so on. No muffler, no clutch (on the stick shift ones) no engine, no transmission, no rust (even on my wifes first car which she bought new and drove for 18 years (a Corolla) until someone hit her car from the rear and totaled it and so on. So at the moment I would not be able to convince myself or my wife to switch to another brand. Except maybe Lexus, but those my wife find too flashy ;-) so thats off limits too

[@undeadpirates1]

A difference of upto $3-5k a year in terms of fuel cost is a no brainer. The eCVT will also deliver instant acceleration from cruising vs dual clutch gearing that has about a second delay between depressing the pedal to when the car actually takes off.

[@tobiasklima]

Rav4 4.8l/100 vs CX-5 8.2l/100km that equals 3.4l/100km difference. Calculating that petrol is $2 per litre you would have to to be doing approximately 44,100km per year to save $3000 and 73,500km to save $5000...that is a lot of kms :) And that is if you are counting in AUD not USD. CX-5 doesn't have dual clutch but a traditional torque convertor. You were so wrong that I had to do the math for you.

[@undeadpirates1]

@@tobiasklima claimed L/100km vs real world figures are two different things. Based on my current rav4 and previous mazda 3 (granted they are different models) real world numbers are about 10% higher. so in reality, ur looking at about 3.8ish per 100, thats just under 40000km. I do around 35000km annually so i did rough approximation on that. my bad, should have got the pen and paper out. but even for the average australian, thats still approx $1.5-2k difference assuming fuel prices remain at $2 per ltr as for the transmission, i compared it to the 2016 mazda 3. and when i called mazda asking bout that acceleration lag, the manager there told me its dual clutch and its like that in all cars now. i assume they have opted to a different transmission now?

[@Kenny.Le2006]

You are too biased toward the RAV4, Tobias Klima states the facts.

[@danielsulics711]

Just bought the new cx-5 gt can't wait to drive it home 🙌

[@shredman59]

RAV4 hybrid is still something you have to order and wait for many months. You can get a Non hybrid in a couple of months if you aren’t choosy about colors. CX5 is plentiful on dealer lots right now. I find these two to be very different. For less money the cx5 is way more luxurious feeling, quieter and more fun to drive like this reviewer stated. The RAV4 does everything very well, has the best resale value, better if you plan to use it off road and more utilitarian feeling overall. You can’t go wrong with either, I highly suggest you drive both. Unfortunately many dealers are still pricing with MSRP+~$2k of ‘dealer add ons.”

[@ChrisB-wl7ci]

Purchased a GT SP CX5, for performance and the sporty look as well as the interior quality. Considered a RAV 4 Cruiser Hybrid but the wait was too long and my wife whose car it is liked the driving position of the Mazda. Both great cars though and for economy Rav4 is the winner

[@manhhahlu]

Clear winner is the Mazda CX5 with much better driving in all modes and interior designs. Also what’s the point of waiting 12 months for a car?! Honda RAV4 will just eat dust with the CX50 anyway in terms of ruggedness and offroad capacity so yeah Honda dream on.

[@undeadpirates1]

Honda rav4 huh?

[@AnhDonoi]

I’m embarrassed to be part of your lineage.

[@taurinenrgy]

The cx-5 did way better on the off-road scene than the RAV4 that is supposed to be built for that scenario. 😂

[@allaussie]

Good comparison. Have ordered a Rav4 XSE, the knewer ones being announced soon will have a bigger infotainment system. Toyota needs to address road noise, especially at higher speeds.

[@KevinKevin-hn1ys]

Very good Paul would love to see more videos on comparison between vehicles in the same segment

[@CarExpertAus]

Thanks Kevin. Stay tuned!

[@nachomandetailingservices1057]

Mazda all day babe! Great review!

[@Ash_Simo]

Is the off-road comparison coming? It would be interesting to see how they go over the logs etc.

[@GK-sh7ck]

Incandescent lamps are better for melting slush & snow here in Canada so I'm happy Mazda kept the old style tail lamps!

[@martinspicer4060]

Bought cx5 as it is more premium and luxurious. Love the spontaneous torque and highway handling of the cx5.Ten month wait on RAV 4 could cost you substantially more as the purchasing power of fiat money is rapidly falling.

[@jimpetrou5556]

I would have considered that the RAV4 Cruiser Hybrid E-Four would have been a closer comparison to the CX5 Akera. The Cruiser is more of the urban luxury spec than the rugged focused Edge. For our family, we chose the RAV4 Hybrid E-Four Cruiser, as it ticked more boxes for us. More space for our teenagers, 75% driven in city/suburban environments, therefore better fuel economy. Cheaper servicing costs than Mazda.

[@nordic27]

We had a Rav 4...it was noisy from road/engine noise, cheap (ton of plastic) interior, after one month one of the back seats would not lock in place after being lowered, had to get a software update because the transmission (ours was the 8 speed not cvt) would jerk noticeably when downshifting to a lower gear in town and after 4 months it developed an irritating rattle in the center console. Yes the Toyota has that storage shelf which is hard plastic so when you take a corner quickly get ready for some items to slide around. Got rid of it. Now own Honda & Mazda and like them so much better.

[@wayneyoung146]

Gone with two Akera turbo diesel and turbo petrol Hybrid would be good around town but we do lots of country driving Also not a huge fan of the CVT.

[@HDvids101]

CVT is better than gears in my opinion so smooth when you get used to the counterintuitive noise.. Hybrid works well in all conditions and frugal as with around 4/100 on the highway.

[@davidrome6066]

@@HDvids101 not all of us care about fuel economy as I'd rather the turbo punch and CVT no thanks.

[@nickycrea6075]

@@HDvids101 CVTs have proved to be very unreliable and they are very expensive to replace

[@robertceroli3512]

@@nickycrea6075 it's only Nissan to my knowledge that have been a nightmare for owner after 100km . Subaru Mitsubishi have proven to be trouble free

[@nickycrea6075]

@@robertceroli3512 I've heard of multiple Subaru's

[@GOKIHAN27]

Paul, man...you shocked me...negatively... definitely CX-5.....

[@chetanshah946]

Good comparison..I just traded my old rav4 with 2022 rav4 . It’s correctly said very basic experience with rav4 over cx5. More value for your money is Rav4 over a time period. Cx5 more stylish but more on gas and less in space.

[@yanqinhe8236]

I bought cx5 because rav4 was too hard to wait.

[@jasonlyster2408]

My 3 teens found the back seat of the CX-5 nicer to sit in, so that is what we got. Plus no wait time.

[@erikkuluo4131]

I have ordered the 2023 RAV4 Advance and will be delivered in late November.

[@nige]

Rav4 hybrid is a clear winner to me. The reputation of Toyota was one of my deciding factors. Mazdas have some nice looking vehicles though.

[@johnm7251]

CX-5 turbo owners often complain about poor fuel economy

[@StellarJones]

the 2.5 turbo drinks >10L/100km

[@buggersofoz]

Exactly, it's another smile on your face when the avg consumption falls under 10l/100km. With a lot of city driving 12l is not uncommon, but I'm still loving it :P

[@billylid100]

I hear you when you talk about the short comings of the Rav , but 1000k’s per tank does enough for me, I owned a CX9 and never got near the published fuel efficiency

[@geaanderson8525]

But if you buy a turbo, you take take that having the punch means it will use more fuel.

[@truhunk1]

Yes, I have a turbo. It takes a while to train yourself to not step on it. But its good to know the power is there when you need it.

[@davidrome6066]

Firstly Paul most car companies like piano black BUT please can you NOT rub you fingers along it to add towards the scratches already. Mazda hands down for me as it has plenty of room for two, fuel economy isn't a deal breaker for me and as an owner of a current Mazda 3 the dial non touch screen is perfect. Best idea Mazda has thought of, set what you need and then look where you are going and stop playing with the infotainment system. Great video and I'll be interested in your comments on the off-road ability of the pair when you release that as we all know they aren't dirt monsters.

[@Thejamlife2415]

We have just ordered this edge hybrid Rav4 and been always excited about it. We were told 6-9 months of wait.

[@Birir]

I was told it's 4 to 6 months of wait

[@Thejamlife2415]

@@Birir whereabout?

[@Birir]

Berwick Toyota in Victoria

[@michaelramage73]

You’re still waiting aren’t you. I’m at 12 months and looking at the CX 5 instead

[@Thejamlife2415]

@@michaelramage73 yeah, still no progress so we ended up getting corolla cross.

[@kdomster9141]

No doubt CX-5 is a better build , design and finished product...

[@edwinporter3574]

Great review Paul but I'm completely puzzled as to how you end up saying you prefer the Rav4? At almost every stage of the review you found the CX5 to be better handling, more sophisticated, better features, etc etc, and then you choose the Rav4 based on the hybrid fuel economy alone? If fuel economy was your main criteria you didn't need to waste time on the review as the spec sheet will tell you your answer. Your conclusion doesn't seem to match the review though.

[@harrylanders4895]

Really no comparison, the CX-5 GTR turbo...all the toys quieter on road with acoustic glass, much better driving in all weather, premium fit and finish on my 3rd iteration....2020. also more reliable, no Tanaka airbags or unusable fuel tanks....