Mazda CX-5 vs Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 continued to impress with its striking design, maintaining its reputation as one of the most attractive crossovers in its segment. The evolved Kodo design language, known as "Wearable Gear," gave the CX-5 a more sculpted and purposeful appearance. The front featured a Signature Wing grille seamlessly integrated with new LED headlights, while the rear boasted angular lighting that tied it to Mazda's larger models. A new "MAZDA" script badge replaced the traditional logo, enhancing its premium look. However, the wheel designs were underwhelming, with the base 17-inch wheels appearing small on the larger body, and the black-painted rims on the high-end GT trim not living up to the vehicle's overall aesthetic.

Inside, the CX-5 upheld Mazda's tradition of high-quality interiors, featuring a clean dashboard design, a prominent central touchscreen, and a driver-focused cockpit. The materials were a step above the competition, with soft-touch surfaces and a two-tone interior option on upper trims. Leather seating on the GT trim added to the upscale ambiance. However, the presence of hard plastic in certain areas slightly detracted from the otherwise premium feel. The dimensional improvements were evident, with a stretched wheelbase and increased overall length, resulting in a more spacious interior that accommodated taller passengers comfortably.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid offered a distinct design with its Sport trims, including the base SE, XSE, and the new GR Sport. The GR Sport featured an assertive grille and rear diffuser, extending the vehicle's length. The RAV4 embraced a boxy, truck-like presence, with square lines and bulging fenders reminiscent of Toyota's other SUVs. Gloss black accents adorned the Sport trims, while the GR Sport showcased racier elements like red brake calipers and a wide mesh grille. Inside, the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.5-inch touchscreen, with a larger 12.9-inch screen available on top trims. The interior design was streamlined, with customizable displays and a responsive operating system.

The RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid's interior offered clever storage solutions, with shelves over the dashboard and between the stack and console. The deep door pockets accommodated large water bottles, and the centre console storage was accessible from both sides. Passenger space was comfortable for four, though five passengers felt a bit cramped. The cargo area, while slightly reduced compared to the standard RAV4, still provided ample space with a flat floor when the rear seats were folded. The GR Sport trim featured enhanced handling attributes, with a lower ride height and beefier suspension components, resulting in a sportier driving experience.

The 2026 Mazda CX-5's performance was a mixed bag. It retained the SkyActiv-G 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, producing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. While these figures were adequate on paper, the engine felt underpowered in practice, especially given the vehicle's increased weight of 1,747 kilograms. The lack of a turbocharged engine option, which was available in the previous generation, was a notable omission. The CX-5's handling remained a strong point, with direct steering and well-managed body roll, but the lack of power hindered the overall driving experience. Fuel economy figures were among the highest in the segment, with Natural Resources Canada rating it at 9.9 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 7.9 on the highway, and 9.0 combined.

In contrast, the 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid delivered impressive performance with its updated 2.5-litre inline four-cylinder engine, producing 186 horsepower. The PHEV benefited from a larger 22.7-kwh battery pack, resulting in a power increase to 324 horsepower, making it the most powerful RAV4 to date. The all-wheel-drive system featured a large front motor and a smaller rear motor, providing quick acceleration and an unofficial 0-100 km/h time in the low five seconds. The RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid offered multiple driving modes, including EV, Auto, Hybrid, and Charge, allowing drivers to optimize performance and efficiency. The transition of power was seamless, and the handling was enhanced on the GR Sport trim, with improved suspension components and a lower ride height.

The 2026 Mazda CX-5's dimensional growth translated into a more spacious interior, with a wheelbase stretch of over 11 centimetres. Rear knee clearance increased by nearly 6 centimetres, providing ample space for taller passengers. Rear headroom was a standout feature, offering the best figure in the class at 1,007 millimetres without the sunroof. Cargo space improved, with 954 litres behind the second row and 1,882 litres with the rear seats folded. However, towing capacity decreased to 680 kilograms, trailing behind competitors like the Tucson and Sportage.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid maintained its dimensions from the previous generation, with clever storage features optimizing the interior space. The deep door pockets and multiple storage shelves provided ample room for small items. Passenger space was comfortable for four, though the available panoramic sunroof reduced headroom. The cargo area offered 951 litres, with a total of 1,798 litres when the rear seats were folded. The GR Sport trim featured enhanced handling attributes, with a lower ride height and improved suspension components, resulting in a sportier driving experience.

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 featured a significant infotainment upgrade with a 12.9-inch touchscreen on all trims, with a larger 15.6-inch unit available on the GT trim. The system included Google built-in, offering native Google Maps, the Google Gemini AI voice assistant, and access to the Google Play Store. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, with wireless connectivity on higher trims. The 10.2-inch fully digital instrument cluster was standard, though its execution left room for improvement. The loss of a physical volume knob was a drawback, and the climate control interface was not intuitive. Higher trims added features like a Bose 12-speaker audio system and a 360-degree View Monitor.

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 screen on top trims. The system featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with customizable displays and a responsive operating system. The climate controls were integrated into the touchscreen, with physical temperature buttons and a volume knob. The subscription-based Voice Assistant responded to a wide range of prompts, and the system provided data for the plug-in hybrid system, including charging schedules and a range map.

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 offered a comprehensive standard safety suite, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, blind spot monitors, and more. The top-tier GT trim added features like an adaptive front-lighting system and a 360-degree View Monitor. While crash test results were not yet available, the outgoing model had a strong safety record, and expectations were high for the new model.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 4.0, with a wider view for cameras and a broader detection range for radar. Standard features included automatic emergency braking, lane departure alert, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and more. The surround-view camera system was available on higher trims. While crash test results were pending, the RAV4 had a historically strong safety record.