2020 Toyota RAV4 vs Honda CR-V vs Mazda CX-5 – Which one should you buy?
Eric · Jun 19, 2020 10:38 AM
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UMW Toyota Motor has just introduced the all-new 2020 Toyota RAV4 in Malaysia. The new model competes against the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 in the C-segment SUV market.
Powertrain – Can the Dynamic Force engine compete against its turbocharged rivals?
From now till 31-December, these are updated prices for the Honda CR-V:
As for the Mazda CX-5, these are the updated prices:
CX-5 2.0G 2WD Mid: RM 132,403.80
CX-5 2.0G 2WD High: RM 148,563.70
CX-5 2.5G 2WD High: RM 161,103.50
CX-5 2.2D 2WD High: RM 167,274.70
CX-5 2.5T 4WD High: RM 174,852.10
For the first-time ever, the Dynamic Force line of powertrains is offered on a Toyota model.
The all-new RAV4 2.5 gets a 2.5-litre A25A-FKS four-cylinder petrol engine which does 207 PS at 6,600 rpm and 243 Nm at 5,000 rpm, mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The RAV4 is a front-wheel drive-only model.
Despite being a naturally-aspirated engine, the RAV4 2.5’s power output is able to match the Honda CR-V 1.5 TC-P (193 PS, 243 Nm), but pales in comparison to the Mazda CX-5 2.5T (230 PS, 420 Nm).
Transmission-wise, the all-new RAV4 has the most forward ratios (8-speed), while the CX-5 gets a 6-speed unit. The Honda CR-V, on the other hand, gets a CVT-type automatic transmission.
Out of this trio, the CR-V and RAV4 are equipped with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. The most powerful one here, the CX-5, isn't equipped with paddle shifters.
Interior – Mazda wins in terms of quality, but the RAV4 has some aces
Typical of most modern Toyotas, the all-new RAV4’s interior is a pleasant place to be in – material selection is good and the interior is well put together.
But practicality-wise, the Honda CR-V remains as the long-standing champion as it offers the most practical cabin in its segment. Nothing else can come close to the CR-V’s practical cabin.
Then there’s the Mazda CX-5, which offers one of the most upmarket cabin in the segment - surpassing most of its Japanese rivals.
Although all three manufacturers take a different approach with their respective SUVs, all three rivals feature a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The Mazda and Toyota’s displays feature a floating-style design, while the Honda’s infotainment display is in the dashboard.
While the Honda may be the king in terms of interior practicality, the all-new RAV4 claws back with the largest boot space in the segment, coming in at 580 litres (CR-V: 522 litres, CX-5: 442 litres).
Ride comfort – Toyota’s TNGA platform is a gem
Here’s where the all-new Toyota RAV4 shines.
Thanks to its TNGA-K platform, the RAV4 is able to strike a fine balance between ride comfort and handling.
Never mind the poor-riding Honda CR-V, the all-new Toyota RAV4 is in a league of its own when it comes to filtering out road irregularities.
As confident as the all-new RAV4 is in the corners, it lacks the agility of the Mazda CX-5. GVC Plus does help the CX-5 tackle corners better, but its agility is also its biggest enemy. The Mazda’s more communicative steering means that it can get more tiring on long distance straight roads - something that isn’t an issue on the RAV4.
Safety features – Comprehensive ADAS suite for Honda and Toyota
Starting with the Toyota Vios, UMWT has done a swell job speccing its models and the all-new RAV4 is no different.
Both variants of the all-new RAV4 get the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) ADAS suite that encompasses:
Pre-Collision System (PCS)
Lane Departure Alert (LDA) with Steering Assist and Lane Tracing Assist (LTA)
Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), all speeds
Automatic High Beam (AHB)
The all-new RAV4 also includes Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
As for the Honda CR-V 1.5 TC-P, it offers:
Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
Road Departure Mitigation (RDM)
Low Speed Follow (LSF)
LaneWatch camera
The Mazda CX-5 2.5T includes Mazda’s i-ActivSense ADAS suite, which offers:
Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front and Rear)
Blind Spot Monitor (BSM)
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH)
Driver Attention Alert (DAA)
Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS)
Lane-keep Assist System (LAS)
That being said, the Kulim-built SUV lacks Adaptive Cruise Control - something which the other two rivals offer.
Price – Here’s where it gets tough
As impressive as the all-new Toyota RAV4 is, its RM 200k price is the stumbling block for many potential buyers.
Keep in mind that both the prices of the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 do not breach the RM 190k mark, while the RAV4 tops out at RM 220k, a hefty RM 30k premium.
With SST in place, the all-new RAV4 retails for RM 203,880 (2.0L) to RM 223,880 (2.5L).
Then again, much of the price premium is due to taxes. Without taxes in place, the made-in-Japan RAV4 is actually cheaper than the made-in-Melaka Honda CR-V.
Started from the IT industry but somehow managed to find his way into the automotive industry. If he’s not gaming, he’s constantly tinkering with his daily/weekend car.