The compact SUV is one of the most popular kinds of vehicle on American streets these days, and it’s no mystery why—they combine the easy drivability and fuel efficiency of a car with the interior space and utility of a much larger people-mover. Basically, it’s the best of both worlds.
Because of their popularity, there’s no shortage of options on the market. With so many to choose from, how are you supposed to pick the right one for you?
That’s where we come in. We don’t have time to talk about all of them, but we can certainly compare two of the best-selling SUVs right now. Today, we’ll be pitting one of our personal favorites, the 2025 Mazda CX-5, against the Toyota RAV4. Let’s see why the CX-5 is the superior choice for shoppers near Shreveport, LA.
The Mazda CX-5 Has Better Performance
The CX-5 is available with two powertrain options. Here’s a look at their specs:
- SKYACTIV-G® 2.5-liter 4-cylinder (187 horsepower, 185 pound-feet of torque)
- SKYACTIV-G® 2.5-liter Turbocharged 4-cylinder (256 max horsepower, 320 max pound-feet of torque)
Meanwhile, the Toyota RAV4 also has two powertrain options:
- 2.5-liter 4-cylinder (203 horsepower, 184 pound-feet of torque)
- 2.5-liter 4-cylinder w/ Hybrid engine (219 net horsepower, 252 pound-feet of torque)
While their base engines are pretty much neck-and-neck, the CX-5’s turbocharged engine boasts significantly more power than either option in the RAV4. It also comes with standard all-wheel drive, whereas the RAV4 only features AWD as an optional upgrade. The boost in power and stability grants the CX-5 a higher standard towing capacity of 2,000 pounds, while the base RAV4 only tows 1,500.
Beyond its real-world specs, most critics agree that the CX-5 simply drives better than the RAV4, thanks to its standard all-wheel drive, more powerful motor, and other engineering improvements like a more finely tuned suspension and braking response.
The Mazda CX-5 Has Nicer Amenities and a Comfier Ride
Mazda is often noted for providing a “luxury-adjacent” experience without charging luxury prices. Despite both SUVs starting out at almost the exact same MSRP, the CX-5’s interior features noticeably more upscale materials and better standard features.
All CX-5 models come with a 10.25-inch center screen that handles infotainment. The setup comes standard with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatibility, Bluetooth® hands-free phone and audio, Mazda Connected Services with in-vehicle Wi-Fi, and multiple USB-C ports. Most trims also come with a premium Bose® sound system and wireless phone charging.
The base Toyota RAV4 gets a smaller 8-inch screen, while the upper grades get a 10.5-incher, and both have standard wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™. It can also be optioned with Connected Services, Wi-Fi, wireless phone charging, and a premium audio system, but most trims require an additional upgrade to enjoy these features.
The CX-5 also boasts better passenger dimensions, especially in the second row. Here’s a breakdown of their measurements:
| Mazda CX-5 | Toyota RAV4 | |
| Head room (front/rear) | 39.7 in. / 39.0 in. | 37.7 in. / 39.5 in. |
| Shoulder room (front/rear) | 57.1 in. / 54.8 in. | 57.8 in. / 56.4 in. |
| Hip room (front/rear) | 55.2 in. / 55.3 in. | 54.3 in. / 47.7 in. |
| Leg room (front/rear) | 41.0 in. / 39.6 in. | 41.0 in. / 37.8 in. |
The RAV4 has almost two full inches less leg room and over seven inches less hip room in the second row than the CX-5. This makes the Mazda the obvious choice for rear passenger comfort and the best SUV for families.
The Mazda CX-5 Has Excellent Safety Features
Both the CX-5 and RAV4 have been lauded for their safety scores and features, and they’ve both received multiple IIHS Top Safety Pick awards in recent years, so it’s a fairly even competition in terms of which is the safest SUV overall.
Both come with plenty of standard driver assistance features, including:
- Smart cruise control with stop and go
- Automatic emergency braking
- Lane departure alert
- Lane keeping assist
- Automatic high beams
However, the CX-5 is the only one with standard blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic braking; if you want these features in the RAV4, it’s going to cost you extra.
2025 Mazda CX-5 for Sale Near Texarkana
The new Toyota RAV4 is certainly an impressive ride, and it does a lot of things well, but it simply can’t match the performance and features found in the 2025 CX-5.
At Family Mazda of Bossier City, we also have unbeatable lease and finance deals on new vehicles to make sure you end up with the best monthly payment possible. If you’re interested in learning more, contact our finance department by leaving us a message on our website, or simply give us a call at (318) 746-2175 today.
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