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Mazda CX-50 vs Toyota RAV4

2026 Mazda CX-50 vs 2026 Toyota RAV4 — two small SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Mazda CX-50

2026 Mazda CX-50

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS4 – 2Mazda CX-50 wins 4 of 6 categories
Toyota RAV4

2026 Toyota RAV4

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

The Toyota RAV4 is more fuel-efficient: 43 vs 38 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $200 a year less in fuel for the Toyota RAV4 (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Mazda CX-50 is the bigger car, about 5 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Mazda CX-50 has had fewer recall campaigns (7 vs 50).

The two cars

The 2026 Mazda CX-50 is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 2.5L 4-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and 4-wheel drive. It measures about 186 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 111-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,812 lb (Cx50 4dr SUV).

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 is a small SUV offered with a 2.5L 4-cyl engine, including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 181 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,746 lb (Le 4dr SUV).

Buying used? The 2024 CX-50 and the 2022 RAV4 have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2019 RAV4.

Basics

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
Fuel
Hybrid
2.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl
4-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

38 MPG
Best combined MPG
43 MPG
39 city
City / highway MPG (best)
47 city
$1,750
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$1,550

Performance & space

227 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
186 hp
5
Seats (most)
5
185.8 in
Length
181.1 in
75.6 in
Width
72.8 in
63.8 in
Height
66.5 in
3,812 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
3,746 lb

Safety & reliability

13
Driver-assist features standard
13
0
Recalls (2026)
2
7
Recalls, all years since 2005
50
14
Owner complaints (latest year)
42

Interest

7,645
Wikipedia views, 30 days
45,921

Buying used

2024
Best used year
2022
–
Year to avoid
2019

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Mazda CX-50 if…

  • You want more power (up to 227 vs 186 hp)
  • You want more room (5 in longer)
  • You put reliability history first (7 vs 50 recalls since 2005)

Choose the Toyota RAV4 if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (43 vs 38 MPG)
  • You want something easier to park (5 in shorter)

Pros & cons of each

2026 Mazda CX-50

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 38 MPG combined — 47% better than the average 2026 small SUV (25.9 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

2026 Toyota RAV4

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 43 MPG combined — 42% better than the average 2026 small SUV (30.2 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Full 2026 Mazda CX-50 specs →Full 2026 Toyota RAV4 specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →