Compare the2026 Mazda CX-30VS 2026 Toyota Rav4

The Mazda CX-30 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Rav4 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The CX-30 has standard Whiplash-Reducing Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Rav4 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Mazda CX-30 achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Toyota Rav4 has not been tested.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-30. But it costs extra on the Rav4.

Both the CX-30 and the Rav4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The Mazda CX-30 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2026 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test, and an “Acceptable” score in the revised vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention test. The Rav4 has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2026.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda third in reliability, above the industry average. With 1 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked fourth.

The CX-30 has more powerful engines than the Rav4:

As tested in Motor Trend the Mazda CX-30 turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Toyota Rav4 (236 HP engine):

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the CX-30 (except Turbo)’s fuel efficiency. The Rav4 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The CX-30 stops shorter than the Rav4:

The CX-30 has engine speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Rav4 doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The CX-30 2.5 S Premium handles at .83 G’s, while the Rav4 Limited pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The CX-30 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Rav4 Limited (27 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 27.6 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the CX-30’s turning circle is 2.1 feet tighter than the Rav4’s (34.8 feet vs. 36.9 feet). The CX-30’s turning circle is 2.5 feet tighter than the Rav4 GR Sport’s (34.8 feet vs. 37.3 feet).

For greater off-road capability the CX-30 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Rav4 GR Sport (8 vs. 7.5 inches), allowing the CX-30 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Mazda CX-30 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 400 pounds less than the Toyota Rav4.

The CX-30 is 8 inches shorter than the Rav4, making the CX-30 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The CX-30 has .2 inches more front headroom, .7 inches more front legroom and 3.6 inches more rear hip room than the Rav4.

The CX-30’s standard variable intermittent wipers have an adjustable delay to allow the driver to choose a setting that best clears the windshield during light rain or mist. The Rav4 LE’s standard fixed intermittent wipers only have one fixed delay setting, so the driver will have to manually switch them between slow and intermittent.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the CX-30 Premium/Turbo Aire has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Rav4 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

When the CX-30 Preferred/Carbon/Aire/Premium is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Rav4’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The CX-30’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Rav4 offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Mazda CX-30, based on reliability, safety and performance.