Undeniably, crossover SUVs are the hottest and most in demand in the U.S. market recently. No wonder why both the 2017 Mazda CX-5 and 2017 Toyota RAV4 are compared with each other.
The two are known to be the most popular and better performing. Both crossovers are also considered in the more affordable spectrum making it widely available to the American car-buying public, even when the CX-5 has yet to be officially released globally.
It is good to know which among the RAV4 or CX-5 is considered the best. Experts have weighed in their opinions to finally settle the competition between the two. The battle begins with its powertrains.
According to iTech Post, the 2017 Mazda CX-5 is powered by the same 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine which is capable of producing 184-horsepower and 185 pound-feet of torque and is mated with six-speed automatic and an optional AWD. As an advantage, the 2017 Mazda CX-5 is also going to have a diesel engine upon its launch.
The 2017 Toyota RAV4, on the other hand, offers two powertrain options with one powered by 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 176-horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque and the other being a hybrid producing 194-horsepower and mated with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The first powertrain is mated with a six-speed automatic transmission which is similar to the CX-5.
The all-new 2017 Mazda CX-5 is bolder than ever before. Tune in tomorrow for the live reveal: https://t.co/8vs2BK0uND pic.twitter.com/H5eFda7Ux2
— Mazda Canada (@mazdacanada) November 14, 2016
Fuel economy is definitely one of the most important requirements, especially for the budget conscious driver. The 2017 Toyota RAV4 has a rating of 23 and 29 mpg in the city and highway respectively. The 2017 Mazda CX-5 has a rating of 26/33/29 mpg in the city and highway and combined respectively for the FWD configuration.
As added by The Car Connection, the 2017 Mazda CX-5 doesn't promise so much of a big change. However, not having any changes is a good thing and this works for the CX-5's advantage. It is a smart-handling and smart-looking crossover SUV and buyers expect for it to remain that way. On the other hand, the 2017 Toyota RAV4 boasts of advanced safety technology as it received a five-star rating from NHTSA and Top Safety Pick+ by IIHS.
While the 2017 Mazda CX-5 capitalizes on its handsome looks with an upgraded interior to some models and 2017 Toyota RAV4 has a lot of other safety technology, some industry experts still have qualms on the two crossover SUVs. Some industry experts did not like the fact that the CX-5 is hard to tell apart from the previous model and that the RAV4 is not the most polished crossover to drive.
Some may choose the 2017 Toyota RAV4 over the 2017 Mazda CX-5 and vise-versa. It all depends on the consumers' buying behavior. This battle is far from over, but since a battle is not a battle without a winner, then for the moment it has to be 2017 Toyota RAV4 by a small margin because of its excellent safety features. After all, safety comes first more than anything else.
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