2023 Mazda CX-50 vs. 2022 Toyota RAV4

If you’re in the market for a compact SUV, two of the best choices on the market today are the 2023 Mazda CX-50 vs. 2022 Toyota RAV4.

But while they’re both great vehicles, chances are you’re only going to purchase one of them. So, what do they offer, how do they stack up against each other, and which one is right for you? We’ll break it all down for you here and help you get behind the wheel of the perfect vehicle for you.

TL;DR

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 and 2022 Toyota RAV4 are both strong compact SUVs, but they cater to different priorities. The CX-50 stands out with standard all-wheel drive, a more powerful turbo engine option, and higher ground clearance, making it the better pick for adventurous or off-road-minded drivers. The RAV4 counters with more cargo space and a fuel-efficient hybrid engine option, making it the stronger choice for families who prioritize storage and efficiency over performance.

**Key Takeaways *** The CX-50's turbo engine produces 256 horsepower, well above the RAV4's standard 203 hp and hybrid's combined 219 hp.

• All-wheel drive is standard on every CX-50 trim, while the RAV4 comes with front-wheel drive standard and offers AWD only on select trims.
• The RAV4 offers more cargo room: 37.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats (vs. 31.4 for the CX-50) and 69.7 cubic feet with seats folded (vs. 56.3 for the CX-50).
• The CX-50 has a slight edge in ground clearance (8.3-8.6 inches) compared to the RAV4 (8.1-8.2 inches), better suited for light off-roading.
• Both offer similar standard safety tech, including automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control.
• The RAV4's hybrid option gives it a fuel-efficiency advantage the CX-50 doesn't match. Choose the CX-50 for power, standard AWD, and off-road capability; choose the RAV4 for extra cargo space and better fuel economy.

2023 Mazda CX-50

Let's start with the Mazda CX-50 in our comparison of the Mazda CX-50 vs. Toyota RAV4. With the perfect combination of dependability, off-road capabilities, and comfort, it’s easily one of the best compact SUVs on the market today. It’s also why it’s so popular for drivers out there. But what all does it offer? We’ll break it down for you here.

The Powertrain

With the Mazda CX-50, there are two different engine options to choose from, but when you dig into the finer details, they’re pretty much the same engine.

The first option is a 2.5L inline four-cylinder engine that produces 187 horsepower, which is the standard engine. However, Mazda offers a turbocharged engine with increased performance specs if you’re looking for something with a little more power.

Instead of 187 horsepower, the turbocharged engine offers 256 horsepower, which is quite a jump. No matter which engine you go with Mazda pairs it with an automatic six-speed transmission and every CX-50 comes standard with all-wheel-drive.

Cargo Space and Clearance

If you’re getting an SUV, even a compact one, you want to know how much space it’s going to give you. The Mazda CX-50 doesn’t disappoint there. You get 31.4 cubic feet of storage space without the rear seating area, and if you fold the seats flat you get 56.3 cubic feet of storage space.

Meanwhile, the exact ground clearance you get varies depending on the trim level you go with. But no matter what trim level you get, there are either 8.3 or 8.6 inches of ground clearance.

Paired with the all-wheel-drive system, it’s more than enough to get you and your family to your next camping trip even if you need to leave the pavement to find the campsite.

Standard Features

Mazda doesn’t compromise on safety, and with all the standard safety features on the CX-50 it’s certainly no exception. In addition to all-wheel-drive coming standard, the other standard CX-50 features include automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, active lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control.

Comfort matters to Mazda too, which is why features like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, steering wheel audio controls, and a touchscreen infotainment display come standard.

2022 Toyota RAV4

When you’re talking about reliability and dependability, you have to bring Toyota into the conversation. The RAV4 is no different, and it’s a large reason why it’s such a popular choice for drivers. But how do the 2023 Mazda CX-50 vs. 2022 Toyota RAV4 compare?

The Powertrain

Just like the Mazda CX-50 has two engine options, so does the Toyota RAV4. The standard engine option with the RAV4 is a 2.5L inline four-cylinder engine that produces 203 horsepower. However, while Mazda offers a more powerful engine, Toyota chose to create a more fuel-efficient version with their hybrid engine.

It’s another 2.5L engine, but it’s a hybrid with a combined maximum horsepower of 219. No matter what engine option you go with, it comes with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive comes standard with the RAV4, but select trim levels have the option to upgrade to all-wheel-drive.

Cargo Space and Clearance

While both the CX-50 and the RAV4 have plenty of cargo space, there’s no doubt that the RAV4 gives you a little more. Without the rear seating area you get 37.5 cubic feet of storage space, and if you fold the seats down, it opens up 69.7 cubic feet of storage space.

But the tradeoff with the CX-50 is the ground clearance. Depending on the trim level you go with you get either 8.1 or 8.2 inches of clearance. It’s still high enough for most driving conditions, but it’s up to a full half-inch closer to the ground than the CX-50.

It’s all about prioritizing what you need to figure out which one is the better choice for you and your family here.

Standard Features

It’s hard to find an auto manufacturer that includes more standard features than Toyota, and that trends continue to hold with the RAV4. Standard safety features include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control.

Comfort and technological features like Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, 4G LTE hotspot capabilities, and an infotainment touchscreen come standard too.

When You Want a Mazda CX-50

If you have a slightly more adventurous spirit and want a vehicle that matches that spirit, then choosing between the Mazda CX-50 vs. Toyota RAV4 is easy—the CX-50 is the way to go.. Every model comes with all-wheel-drive, it sits higher off the ground, and it has a more powerful engine option for you to go with.

It’s a fun car to drive, and when you get behind the wheel, you’ll feel the difference between the two vehicles.

When You Want a Toyota RAV4

If you want a little more cargo space or a little more fuel efficiency (with the hybrid option), then the RAV4 is the way to go.

It doesn’t have the same off-road capabilities or the more powerful engine, but if you don’t plan on using those features anyway, the extra cargo space is a nice bonus.

Final Thoughts

Whether you go with the CX-50 or the RAV4, you’re getting a great, reliable vehicle. If you have any questions about either vehicle or if you want to test drive a 2023 CX-50, reach out to the friendly experts at Seacoast Mazda.

They’d love to point you in the right direction and go over everything you need to know to compare the Mazda CX-50 vs. Toyota RAV4.