2021 Toyota RAV4 or Mazda CX-5? Each Compact SUV's Pros and Cons
The sales favorite battles the enthusiast’s pick in one of the market's hottest segments.
MotorTrend 2021 Toyota RAV4 or Mazda CX-5?
- Thread starter meow_man
- Start date
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- 2020 CX-5 GT w/PP
I recently test drove the 2021 RAV4 and the 2020 CX-5. The advantages of the RAV4 seem to be correct. Some disadvantages of the RAV4 not mentioned:
whiny road noise was very noticeable above about 45 mph
front seat headroom (driver or passenger) was BARELY enough for my 5’11” husband... I can’t imagine someone over 6 foot fitting in this car
lane keep assist felt obtrusive when driving on the freeway... felt like constantly battling crosswinds to keep steering straight... problem went away as soon as lane keep system was turned off
YMMV, of course
whiny road noise was very noticeable above about 45 mph
front seat headroom (driver or passenger) was BARELY enough for my 5’11” husband... I can’t imagine someone over 6 foot fitting in this car
lane keep assist felt obtrusive when driving on the freeway... felt like constantly battling crosswinds to keep steering straight... problem went away as soon as lane keep system was turned off
YMMV, of course
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- RDX Aspec Adv.
The RAV4 Prime is the only one I'd consider, and no lie, it's super appealing. I drive 35K miles per year, and it could really save me some money. Also, PEV just isn't there yet for range, for me. I will see what 2025-2026 bring, because that's when I presume I will retire my current CX5, all things considered.
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- Canada
Agreed on the Prime, but I'd need to drive it first to be sure. Sounds like supply is very, very limited, to the point where some dealerships are marking them up $5-20k (!!) or taking non-refundable $1000 deposits to put your name on a list for a car they may never get in stock.
Searching for a 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime: You Will Not Believe These Stories
People have been hunting down dealerships searching for their shot at a 2021 RAV4 Prime. Their stories are unbelievable.
www.torquenews.com
Crazy stuff.
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- RDX Aspec Adv.
By the time I am ready to buy one, they will have the kinks worked out, if any, and it should be readily available.Agreed on the Prime, but I'd need to drive it first to be sure. Sounds like supply is very, very limited, to the point where some dealerships are marking them up $5-20k (!!) or taking non-refundable $1000 deposits to put your name on a list for a car they may never get in stock.
Searching for a 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime: You Will Not Believe These Stories
People have been hunting down dealerships searching for their shot at a 2021 RAV4 Prime. Their stories are unbelievable.
Crazy stuff.
We really like the sportiness of the Mazda CX-5 and if you want an upscale look and feel this is the SUV for you. But the Toyota RAV4 offers more choice in both hybrid powertrains and off-road versions in the Adventure and TRD package. A more intuitive infotainment system also gives Toyota an edge here. vidmate instagram video download
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Totally subjective. The '22 CX-5 has AWD standard and an additional "off road" mode. Hybrid is great if this is what you want. "ICE" all the way for me.
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- Toronto
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- 2022 CX-5 GT
I went on a long road trip with a 2021 Camry, and the lane centering system worked flawlessly.
I then rented a RAV4 and went on another trip (same route). It felt exactly like what you described; I constantly fought with the car to keep it centered. I eventually turned it off.
As you also mentioned, I would hear a lot of road noise above 70kph and wind noise at 120.
What gets me though is the material quality. CX-5 feels more premium than the RAV4. I knew the CX-5 was for me the second I sat in it. RAV4 made me feel like I was just in another SUV. It's odd that they didn't mention that in the comparison.
RAV4 Prime impresses with horsepower, but its curb weight takes huge toll and it doesn't seem that it's a pleasure to drive based on Ride and Handling section https://www.cars.com/research/toyota-rav4_prime-2021/
Mediocre looks
Mediocre looks
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- RDX Aspec Adv.
I'm actually going back. The AWD in the GTR is better, and the chassis is more rigid.
-OTHERWISE-
The Prime was better.
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- Canada
Prime interior was better too?
Was? Have you moved on from the Rav4 now?
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- RDX Aspec Adv.
Going back to a cx5 most likely.
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- Plano, Texas, USA
And why are you giving up the RAV4 Prime so fast???
Roof leak?You drove 500 miles (?) to get your RAV4 Prime not long ago!
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- RDX Aspec Adv.
No roof leak yet, but it is a bad design.And why are you giving up the RAV4 Prime so fast???
You drove 500 miles (?) to get your RAV4 Prime not long ago!
Awd is very meh. The chassis isnt as rigid as the cx5. Those two things are very important to me.
Cx5 has improved too. Mirrors got a legit tsb. Cold weather limp mode is gone. The latter was part of the tbing that made me trade it.
1
181962
Didn't I see Stelvio was on the radar?
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- RDX Aspec Adv.
I drove one and was pretty unimpressed wildly enough.
1
181962
I'm not surprised.
The last I read you loved the RAV4 and said it was pretty much superior to the CX5. I am surprised you would jump back into a Mazda with the same tech as what you traded in rather than waiting for the new CX-70.
