Mazda CX-50 vs. Toyota RAV4

The highly competitive crossover SUV market is teeming with excellent options, leaving consumers spoilt for choice. Two models that rank at the top of this segment are the Mazda CX-50 and the Toyota RAV4. Both vehicles offer robust powertrains and all-wheel-drive systems, delivering the traction you need when driving in Longwood and surrounding cities, where roads are typically wet for most of the year. They also boast well-designed interiors with sophisticated technology, bringing comfort and excitement to every drive. But how do the new models compare, and which should you buy? Let’s find out.

Interior Design and Comfort

The 2025 Mazda CX-50 and the Toyota RAV4 pull all the stops to deliver a truly exhilarating in-cabin experience. However, when comparing the two models, it quickly becomes apparent that the CX-50 has a more refined interior overall. Its cockpit features a clean, driver-focused layout, with all controls and panels within easy reach.

The new CX-50 offers leatherette seats on the base model and genuine leather on higher models, imbuing the interior with an upscale and luxurious look and feel. Other available comfort features and amenities include a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a panoramic moonroof.

The latest iteration of the Toyota RAV4 features a thoughtfully designed and practical interior with comfortable seating and numerous convenience features. The base model comes with fabric-upholstered seating surfaces, which, while not as impressive as the leatherette seats of the CX-50’s entry-level trim, still offer excellent support. Models higher up the trim ladder offer SofTex-trimmed seats with greater adjustability for maximum relaxation and comfort. Other noteworthy available features include heated and ventilated front seats, a dual-zone automatic climate control system, a leather-trimmed shift knob, and a heated, leather-trimmed steering wheel.

Performance and Capability

One of the most significant differences between the 2025 Mazda CX-50 and the 2025 Toyota RAV4 appears when considering their performance capabilities. While both models offer several engine choices, including fuel-efficient hybrid options, the CX-50 ultimately outshines its rival, particularly when it comes to driving dynamics.

The Mazda CX-50 provides two powertrain options on its gas models. The CX-50 S models are equipped with a SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter engine, outputting 187 horsepower and 185 pound-feet of torque. The CX-50 Turbo models are powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, generating 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque. All models also feature the advanced i-ACTIV all-wheel-drive system, allowing you to tackle Longwood’s predominantly wet terrain without breaking a sweat.

You can further customize your driving to suit the terrain and weather conditions with Mazda’s Intelligent Drive Select technology, which gives you three main modes to work with. Normal Mode provides the perfect mix of performance and fuel efficiency, Sport Mode delivers more responsiveness for sportier handling, and Off-Road Mode enhances traction for better performance on wet and slippery surfaces.

In addition to the gas-powered models, the Mazda CX-50 is also available as a hybrid, which is ideal if you prioritize a cleaner drive and better fuel economy. The hybrid engine cranks out a maximum 219 horsepower and achieves an estimated combined fuel efficiency rating of 38 mpg. Hybrid models also feature an all-new electronic-on-demand all-wheel-drive system that further bolsters performance on challenging terrain without sacrificing fuel efficiency.

Like its rival, the Toyota RAV4 offers several potent engine choices to accommodate different driving preferences. The base powerplant is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that outputs 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The RAV4 also offers hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants, pairing the 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine with front and rear electric motors. The hybrid models churn out 219 horsepower, while the plug-in hybrids crank out 302 horsepower.

Unlike the Mazda CX-50, which offers standard all-wheel drive across its lineup, the RAV4 comes with front-wheel drive as standard, while all-wheel drive is optional. However, like the Mazda CX-50, the RAV4 features three distinct drive modes, allowing you to tailor handling to your preferences and driving conditions. Normal Mode gives you a nice blend of performance and fuel efficiency, Sport Mode delivers sharper acceleration, and Eco Mode helps you achieve maximum fuel economy.

Safety Features and Ratings

The 2025 Mazda CX-50 and the Toyota RAV4 offer top-of-the-range safety features to keep you safe on the go. The centerpiece of the CX-50’s safety arsenal is its i-ACTIVSENSE Safety Technology, which integrates several advanced driver-assistance systems to enhance driver alertness and responsiveness. Some standard technologies in this safety suite include blind-spot monitoring, adaptive front lighting, parking sensors, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and a 360-degree view monitor with see-through view.

The new Toyota RAV4 offers equally compelling driver-assistance technologies in its Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 suite. They include lane departure alert with steering assist, dynamic radar cruise control, automatic high beams, road sign assist, precollision system with pedestrian detection, and lane tracing assist.

Pricing and Trims

In terms of pricing, there’s not much disparity between the new Mazda CX-50 and the Toyota RAV4. The CX-50’s base model, the 2.5 S Select, starts at an MSRP of $30,500, with the price progressively increasing as you climb up the six-tier trim ladder and add more sophisticated features and technology. The apex model in the gas-powered lineup, the 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus, starts at an MSRP of $43,500.

Hybrid variants fetch slightly higher price tags due to their more powerful and fuel-efficient engines. The base Preferred trim starts at an MSRP of $33,970, the mid-tier Premium model starts at $37,400, and the top-of-the-line Premium Plus has a starting MSRP of $40,050.

The Toyota RAV4 starts at an MSRP of $29,250 for the base LE trim, with the price increasing with each successive model. The apex model in the lineup is the Hybrid Limited, which starts at an MSRP of $40,605.

Test-Drive the Mazda CX-50 at Sport Mazda North

Are you still unsure which of these two models you should purchase for your next SUV? Getting behind the wheel can help you make an informed choice. Visit our dealership today to schedule a test-drive of the CX-50 and experience its unmatched versatility and comfort.