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Your next SUV should inspire more than your morning commute. Think spontaneous coastal drives, weekends with extra gear, and everyday plans that grow a little bigger once everyone piles in. The Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5 both bring plenty of appeal, but their differences become especially interesting when you look at power and practical capability.
For drivers around San Diego, Lemon Grove, El Cajon, and La Mesa, California, the RAV4 offers some compelling advantages. Join Norm Reeves Toyota San Diego as we compare horsepower, towing capacity, and cargo room to see how Toyota helps you make more of every mile.
When the on-ramp opens up or your weekend route heads uphill, power becomes more than a number on a specifications sheet. The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid delivers 226 net combined horsepower with front-wheel drive or 236 net combined horsepower with available all-wheel drive.
The Mazda CX-5 produces 187 horsepower from its gasoline engine. That gives the RAV4 Hybrid a 39-horsepower advantage in front-wheel-drive form and a 49-horsepower advantage when equipped with all-wheel drive.
For shoppers, that higher output brings more power to work with when accelerating onto the highway or heading out with passengers and gear. Horsepower alone doesn’t determine acceleration, but the RAV4’s stronger combined output is a meaningful advantage to consider during your test drive.
Some weekends call for more than whatever fits inside your SUV. Whether you’re considering a small camping trailer or bringing along recreational equipment, towing capacity can help determine which plans your vehicle can support.
The Toyota RAV4 offers up to 3,500 pounds of towing capacity when properly equipped¹, compared with the Mazda CX-5’s 1,500-pound maximum². That’s a potential 2,000-pound advantage for appropriately equipped RAV4 models.
Why does that matter? A higher towing ceiling gives you more flexibility when choosing a trailer and accounting for its loaded weight. Instead of shopping around a lower limit, you can explore more possibilities for your weekends away.
Grocery bags rarely travel alone. There’s the stroller, the sports equipment, the beach bag someone remembered at the last second, and everything else that makes your SUV part of the family routine.
The Toyota RAV4 offers up to 37.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, compared with 33.7 cubic feet in the Mazda CX-5. That gives the RAV4 up to 4.1 additional cubic feet with the rear seats upright.
That advantage matters because you can use the extra cargo room while keeping the second row available for passengers. Family luggage, shopping bags, and weekend supplies have more space to share without immediately requiring a seat to be folded.
The RAV4 Hybrid has the advantage, with 226 net combined horsepower in front-wheel-drive form or 236 with all-wheel drive, compared with the CX-5’s 187 horsepower. Consider the AWD RAV4 Hybrid if you want the higher-output hybrid configuration alongside available all-wheel-drive capability.
Start with a properly equipped RAV4 configuration rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds. Its higher maximum gives you more trailer-shopping flexibility than the CX-5’s 1,500-pound limit. Always compare the trailer’s fully loaded weight with the specific vehicle’s ratings.
The RAV4 offers more space behind the second row: up to 37.8 cubic feet versus 33.7 in the CX-5. According to Car and Driver’s comparison of the 2026 Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5, the RAV4 offers more horsepower and cargo space behind the second row³. Those advantages bring added power and room for belongings while keeping passenger seating available.
More power for your daily drive, more towing potential for weekend plans, and extra cargo space for everything coming along: the Toyota RAV4 brings practical advantages to your next adventure. Visit Norm Reeves Toyota San Diego to explore available models and find your fit. Drivers throughout San Diego, Lemon Grove, El Cajon, and La Mesa, CA, can contact our team to learn more and schedule a RAV4 test drive today.
¹Never tow beyond a vehicle’s published towing capacities. Installation of a tow hitch receiver or other accessories located near the rear bumper may require disabling or removing the kick sensor, and the sensor operation setting in your vehicle should be turned off. Follow all instructions in your Owner’s Manual.
²Up to 1,500 pounds of towing capacity. Towing capacities shown are maximums and must be reduced by the weight of any passenger, cargo hitch or optional equipment in the towing vehicle. Please refer to vehicle Owner's Manual for details regarding towing capacities and other valuable information. Towing a trailer may have an effect on vehicle's handling, braking, durability, performance and driving economy. For specific information on recommended or required equipment, see your Mazda Dealer. Hitches are available through manufacturers other than Mazda.
³Source: Car and Driver.
