Mazda CX-5 vs Toyota RAV4

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance, petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.

Mazda CX-5 in South Africa

Mazda CX-5

2.0 Carbon Edition Auto FWD Petrol 6-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 688,400 ex-showroom
⚡ 121 kW 🔧 213 Nm ⛽ 14.5 km/l
VS
Toyota RAV4 in South Africa

Toyota RAV4

2.5 HEV GR-S CVT Hybrid CVT Current
ZAR 941,800 ex-showroom
⚡ 137 kW 🔧 221 Nm ⛽ 21.3 km/l
Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Mazda CX-5 vs Toyota RAV4: the short answer

RAV4 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while CX-5 remains close.

CX-5 starts ZAR 39,500 cheaper CX-5 from ZAR 570,500 · RAV4 from ZAR 610,000

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification CX-5 RAV4
Maximum Power CX-5121 kW @ 6000 rpm RAV4137 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque CX-5213 Nm @ 4000 rpm RAV4221 Nm
Engine Size CX-51998 cc RAV42500 cc
Combined Fuel Economy CX-514.5 km/l RAV421.3 km/l
Ground Clearance CX-5200 mm RAV4186 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

CX-5

Strengths
  • Nothing stands out clearly here.
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Fewer listed safety features
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: General Use
Specification evidence leader

RAV4

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • No obvious weak spots to flag.
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Efficiency Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

CX-5

  • Buyers who prefer this derivative's confirmed specification mix

RAV4

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec CX-5 RAV4
Model Introduced Year 2017 2026
Generation Second-generation KF-series Mazda CX-5, current outgoing South African range All-new sixth-generation RAV4 introduced in South Africa in July 2026
Facelift History The second generation arrived in 2017 and received a substantial update from 2021. An all-new replacement is scheduled to reach South Africa on 1 August 2026, while this current range remains on sale. Full model change for 2026 with HEV, PHEV and GR-Sport derivatives
Facelift Launched Since 2017 Full model change for 2026 with HEV, PHEV and GR-Sport derivatives
Facelift Version Ending Current Current South African 2026 specification
Body Style SUV SUV
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active published
Segment Mid-size family SUV SUV
Tare Mass Kg 1575 kg 1725-1740 kg
Vehicle Type SUV SUV
Spec CX-5 RAV4
Length 4575 mm 4645 mm
Width 1845 mm 1880 mm
Height 1680 mm 1680 mm
Wheelbase 2700 mm 2690 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 200 mm 186 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 56 l 55 l
Boot/Cargo Space 438 l 732 l
Kerb Weight 1575 kg -
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2065 kg 2230 kg
Payload Capacity 490 kg -
Towing Capacity 1000 kg 1000 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.95 m 5.6 m
Front Legroom 1041 mm -
Rear Legroom 1007 mm -

In depth: how these cars differ

This CX-5 and RAV4 comparison uses the exact South African derivatives selected above. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: CX-5 48 vs RAV4 50.

Efficiency index: CX-5 56 vs RAV4 84.

Safety-equipment index: CX-5 88 vs RAV4 93.

Practicality index: CX-5 61 vs RAV4 71.

Ownership-cover index: CX-5 not separately scored vs RAV4 not separately scored.

These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.

Specification Evidence Index

A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.

Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout

RAV4 leads by 10 points

RAV4 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while CX-5 remains close.

Evidence leader 73 /100
Lead 10 points
Data 61% source coverage
73
#1 Evidence leader

RAV4

61% source coverage 3 strong categories
Best at Safety 93 Check Performance 50
Performance 50
Efficiency 84
Safety 93
Practicality 71
Leads by 10 points
63
#2

CX-5

78% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 88 Check Performance 48
Performance 48
Efficiency 56
Safety 88
Practicality 61
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance RAV4 +2 Efficiency RAV4 +28 Safety RAV4 +5 Practicality RAV4 +10

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

RAV4

Performance 50/100
Efficiency 84/100
Safety 93/100
Practicality 71/100

CX-5

Performance 48/100
Efficiency 56/100
Safety 88/100
Practicality 61/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Toyota RAV4 leads the specification evidence index with 73 pts vs 63 pts for CX-5

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, RAV4 leads. However, CX-5 may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

CX-5 vs RAV4 questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the exact South African derivatives on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.