Mazda CX-5 vs Toyota RAV4: Which Used Buy Wins?

As used buys (October 2026), the Mazda CX-5 typically lists for $26,998 against $32,476 for the Toyota RAV4 (same model years — 2024–2026 — national medians from live listings). The Mazda CX-5 takes fuel economy (27 MPG combined vs 25 MPG); the Mazda CX-5 leads on NCAP safety (4.8★ vs 4.7★ average). Overall medians mix very different trims — at the cheapest common trims it's the SELECT PACKAGE at $24,999 vs the LE at $30,658; see the trim-by-trim tables for a fair match. Every figure below is live market data, not book values.

Head to head

Trim-by-trim prices (last 4 model years)

A fair comparison matches equivalent trims, not overall medians. Like for like: at the cheapest common trims, the Mazda CX-5 SELECT PACKAGE ($24,999) faces the Toyota RAV4 LE ($30,658); the most common trims on the market are the PREFERRED (42.7% of Mazda CX-5 listings) and the XLE (50.4% of Toyota RAV4 listings); at the top of the market, the PREMIUM PLUS ($34,998) faces the XSE ($38,674). Share = portion of the model's trim-labeled used listings (a supply-side popularity signal: what the market actually stocks and sells most). “Cheapest”/“Priciest” mark the ends of the quotable trim range — trim ladders don't map one-to-one across brands, so this is not a factory base-model claim.

Rows are aligned by price position (both sides sorted cheapest-first), not by equivalent equipment — trim names never map one-to-one across brands. Full per-trim detail (price ranges, mileage) is on each model's price page: Mazda CX-5 prices · Toyota RAV4 prices.

Used price by model year

Typical price = national median asking price of live listings for that model year (October 2026); MPG = EPA combined range across rated versions.

Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper to buy used — Mazda CX-5 or Toyota RAV4?

Comparing the same model years (2024–2026), the Mazda CX-5 is cheaper: it typically lists for $26,998 versus $32,476 for the Toyota RAV4 (national medians, October 2026).

Which gets better fuel economy — Mazda CX-5 or Toyota RAV4?

The Mazda CX-5: its typical rated version returns 27 MPG combined versus 25 MPG for the Toyota RAV4 (median across EPA-rated versions of the compared years).

Which is safer — Mazda CX-5 or Toyota RAV4?

By NCAP overall crash-test rating the Mazda CX-5 averages 4.8 of 5 stars across rated years versus 4.7 for the Toyota RAV4. Always check the specific model year's rating in the table above.

Which is more reliable — Mazda CX-5 or Toyota RAV4?

NHTSA lists an average of 1.1 recalls per model year for the Mazda CX-5 and 5.2 for the Toyota RAV4 — an edge for the Mazda CX-5. Recall and complaint counts scale with sales volume, so treat them as context and check any specific car's VIN history.

Which trims should I actually compare?

Like for like: at the cheapest common trims, a Mazda CX-5 SELECT PACKAGE typically lists for $24,999 vs $30,658 for a Toyota RAV4 LE; the most common trims on the market are the PREFERRED ($27,299, 42.7% of Mazda CX-5 listings) and the XLE ($31,998, 50.4% of Toyota RAV4 listings); at the top of the market, the PREMIUM PLUS ($34,998) faces the XSE ($38,674). Overall medians hide this trim mix — use the trim tables above for a fair match. Trim names never map one-to-one across brands, so "cheapest" means the least expensive trim with a real market share, not the factory base.

Dig deeper

Mazda CX-5 — live listings & specs Toyota RAV4 — live listings & specs Mazda CX-5 prices by year Toyota RAV4 prices by year Mazda CX-5 MPG by year Toyota RAV4 MPG by year

See also: All model comparisons · Best used cars by budget · Used car prices by model.