New Mazda CX-5 vs. Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V: Not What We Hoped For

Looking for the best small SUV? We pit the 2026 Mazda CX-5 against the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and Honda CR-V Hybrid to see which family hauler reigns supreme. Will the new CX-5 surprise us?

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Mazda CX-5 Edmunds Review - https://www.edmunds.com/mazda/cx-5/?utm_campaign=video_description&utm_source=youtube
Toyota RAV4 Edmunds Review - https://www.edmunds.com/toyota/rav4/?utm_campaign=video_description&utm_source=youtube
Honda CR-V Edmunds Review - https://www.edmunds.com/honda/cr-v/?utm_campaign=video_description&utm_source=youtube
More Edmunds Comparison Videos - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsSQoIGhBLpQwAPiW1fCPh4LEWxlbp9Cx

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00:00 Intro
00:31 CX-5 Pricing, Interior, & Tech
04:03 CX-5 Driving Impressions
05:59 CR-V Pricing, Interior, & Tech
08:49 CR-V Driving Impressions
10:07 RAV4 Pricing, Interior, & Tech
13:33 RAV4 Driving Impressions
14:38 Edmunds' Take

There's an all-new 2026 Mazda CX-5 on the market, but does it have what it takes to dethrone the titans of the small SUV class? To find out, we brought the newest Mazda out to the test track alongside the proven Honda CR-V Hybrid and the fully redesigned 2026 Toyota RAV4.
The Mazda CX-5 has long been our pick for an SUV that can be genuinely fun to drive, but this new generation traded that handling zing for a more generic ride. While its interior features luxury-level leather and a massive infotainment screen, the lack of a hybrid powertrain option holds it back; the Mazda only gets 26 mpg combined.
The 2026 Honda CR-V remains a masterclass in practicality and refinement. Families will appreciate the generous rear legroom and wide-opening rear doors that make it incredibly easy to install child seats. Plus, the hybrid powertrain delivers a solid 37 mpg. It offers a remarkably plush ride that floats over rough pavement, earning it a very respectable second-place finish in our rankings.
However, the real star of the show is the all-new Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, which might just be the best hybrid SUV on sale today. Toyota made huge strides here by offering standard hybrid power across the board, achieving an incredible fuel economy of 42–44 mpg combined in AWD trims. Inside, you get top-notch tech like a massive digital gauge cluster, highly responsive infotainment, and tons of clever cargo space and storage cubbies. Taking first place in this comparison, the new RAV4 proves exactly why it's the most popular small SUV in America.

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Disclaimer: This video's description was generated with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy by the Edmunds editorial team. The video itself was created entirely without the use of generative AI.

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