Vehicle comparison
Mazda CX-5 vs Toyota RAV4
Side-by-side fuel and ownership cost comparison. Estimates use 12,000 mi/year at average US gas prices.
- Updated for 2026
- EPA-style MPG
- US avg fuel prices
- US units
- Transparent assumptions
Lowest running cost
Toyota RAV4 wins on fuel cost
At 12,000 miles per year, the Toyota RAV4 costs about $1380 per year, roughly $99 less than the Mazda CX-5. Over 5 years, that's about $493 in fuel savings.
Spec & cost comparison
MPG/MPGe figures are estimates based on typical recent model years.
| Spec | Mazda CX-5 | Toyota RAV4 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | SUV | SUV |
| Fuel | Regular gas | Regular gas |
| City MPG/MPGe | 26 | 27 |
| Highway MPG/MPGe | 31 | 35 |
| Combined MPG/MPGe | 28 | 30 |
| Tank / Battery | 15.3 gal | 14.5 gal |
| Energy cost | $3.45/gal | $3.45/gal |
| Cost per mile | $0.123 | $0.115 |
Annual cost at 8k / 12k / 15k miles
Estimated yearly fuel spend at common US mileage levels.
| Miles/year | Mazda CX-5 | Toyota RAV4 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8,000 | $986/yr · $82/mo | $920/yr · $77/mo | $66 (Toyota RAV4) |
| 12,000 | $1479/yr · $123/mo | $1380/yr · $115/mo | $99 (Toyota RAV4) |
| 15,000 | $1848/yr · $154/mo | $1725/yr · $144/mo | $123 (Toyota RAV4) |
Estimates only. Real costs depend on driving style, terrain, local gas/electricity prices and weather.
Which one is best for…
Best for commuting
Toyota RAV4
Highest combined MPG/MPGe and lowest cost per mile means cheaper daily driving.
See Toyota RAV4Best for road trips
Toyota RAV4
Better highway efficiency, larger tank/battery and longer range between stops.
See Toyota RAV4Best for families
Toyota RAV4
SUVs, minivans and three-row vehicles win on space and child-seat flexibility.
See Toyota RAV4Best for lowest running cost
Toyota RAV4
Cheaper energy use and lower cost per mile at every common mileage tier.
See Toyota RAV4How we compare these vehicles
- Annual mileage
- Modeled at 12,000 mi/yr unless a scenario specifies otherwise.
- Cost per mile
- $/gal ÷ MPG, or $/kWh ÷ (MPGe ÷ 33.7) for EVs.
- EV vs gas
- Compared at average US gas and residential electricity prices — fast-charging can be 2–3× higher.
- Maintenance
- Fuel cost only — EVs typically save another $400–$1,000/yr in service and brake wear.
Sources & assumptions
- EPA fuel economy data — City / highway / combined MPG and MPGe baselines.
- U.S. Department of Energy (fueleconomy.gov) — Vehicle efficiency and EV range references.
- AAA gas price trends — Recent national and regional retail fuel averages.
- EIA electricity rates — Average residential per-kWh prices used for EV charging.
We summarize publicly available data — no scraping, no external API calls. Figures are calibrated periodically; use the calculators above for your exact inputs.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to drive, the Mazda CX-5 or Toyota RAV4?
At 12,000 miles per year, the Toyota RAV4 costs about $1380 per year vs $1479 for the Mazda CX-5 — roughly $99 less per year.
What's the MPG difference between the Mazda CX-5 and Toyota RAV4?
The Mazda CX-5 is rated around 28 combined MPG versus 30 MPG for the Toyota RAV4. Highway figures are 31 vs 35.
How much will I spend on fuel over 5 years?
Driving 12,000 miles a year for five years, expect about $7393 for the Mazda CX-5 and $6900 for the Toyota RAV4, a difference of roughly $493.
Is the Mazda CX-5 or Toyota RAV4 better for commuting?
For pure cost per mile, the Toyota RAV4 wins. EVs charged at home typically deliver the lowest commuting cost, followed by hybrids and efficient compacts.
Which one is better for road trips?
Toyota RAV4 is generally the better road-trip choice — gas and hybrid vehicles win on long highway routes thanks to faster refueling, while EVs work best when charging stops fit your route.
Are these fuel cost numbers accurate for my driving?
They're estimates based on EPA-style combined MPG and average US gas prices. Real-world cost depends on local fuel prices, driving style, terrain, weather and how much city vs highway driving you do.