Compare the2022 Toyota Rav4 HybridVS 2021 Mazda CX-3

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Toyota Rav4 Hybrid have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Mazda CX-3 doesn’t offer pretensioners for the rear seat belts.

The Toyota Rav4 Hybrid has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The CX-3 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Rav4 Hybrid has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Rav4 Hybrid (except LE/XLE) offers optional Parking Assist with Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The CX-3 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Rav4 Hybrid. But it costs extra on the CX-3.

The Rav4 Hybrid XSE/Limited offers an optional Bird’s Eye View Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The CX-3 only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

The Rav4 Hybrid’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Rav4 Hybrid and the CX-3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The Toyota Rav4 Hybrid weighs 716 to 954 pounds more than the Mazda CX-3. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts. Crosswinds also affect lighter cars more.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Toyota Rav4 Hybrid is safer than the Mazda CX-3:

	Rav4 Hybrid	CX-3
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.4 inches
Neck Injury Risk	37.4%	39%
Leg Forces (l/r)	340/190 lbs.	252/310 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota Rav4 Hybrid is safer than the Mazda CX-3:

	Rav4 Hybrid	CX-3
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	83	183
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.8 inches
Abdominal Force	138 lbs.	199 lbs.
Hip Force	246 lbs.	334 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	146	241
Spine Acceleration	49 G’s	85 G’s

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Rav4 Hybrid its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 116 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The CX-3 is only a standard “Top Pick” for 2019.

Warranty

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Rav4 Hybrid for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mazda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the CX-3.

There are over 2 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Mazda dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Rav4 Hybrid’s warranty.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota 13th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 20 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 23rd, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 23 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 14th.

Engine

The Rav4 Hybrid’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 71 more horsepower (219 vs. 148) than the CX-3’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Toyota Rav4 Hybrid is faster than the Mazda CX-3:

	Rav4 Hybrid	CX-3
Zero to 30 MPH	2.9 sec	3.5 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	7.8 sec	9.6 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.7 sec	5.9 sec
Quarter Mile	16 sec	17.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	91 MPH	82.2 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Rav4 Hybrid gets better mileage than the CX-3:

			MPG
Rav4 Hybrid
	AWD	2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	41 city/38 hwy
CX-3
	FWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	29 city/34 hwy
	AWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	27 city/32 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the Rav4 Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the Rav4 Hybrid’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. The CX-3 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Rav4 Hybrid has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-3 AWD’s standard fuel tank (14.5 vs. 11.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Rav4 Hybrid has 1.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-3 FWD’s standard fuel tank (14.5 vs. 12.7 gallons).

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Toyota Rav4 Hybrid higher (7 out of 10) than the Mazda CX-3 (3 to 7). This means the Rav4 Hybrid produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the CX-3 every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

The Rav4 Hybrid has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Rav4 Hybrid’s brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-3:

	Rav4 Hybrid	CX-3	CX-3 AWD
Front Rotors	12 inches	11 inches	11.6 inches

The Rav4 Hybrid stops shorter than the CX-3:

	Rav4 Hybrid	CX-3
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	145 feet	148 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Rav4 Hybrid has larger tires than the CX-3 (225/65R17 vs. 215/60R16).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Rav4 Hybrid LE/XLE has standard 17-inch wheels. Only 16-inch wheels are available on the CX-3. The Rav4 Hybrid offers optional 18-inch wheels.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Toyota Rav4 Hybrid has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mazda CX-3 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Rav4 Hybrid has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Rav4 Hybrid flat and controlled during cornering. The CX-3’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Rav4 Hybrid’s wheelbase is 4.7 inches longer than on the CX-3 (105.9 inches vs. 101.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Rav4 Hybrid is 3 inches wider in the front and 3.8 inches wider in the rear than on the CX-3.

For greater off-road capability the Rav4 Hybrid has a 2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the CX-3 (8.1 vs. 6.1 inches), allowing the Rav4 Hybrid to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The front grille of the Rav4 Hybrid uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The CX-3 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Rav4 Hybrid has 11.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CX-3 (98.9 vs. 87.6).

The Rav4 Hybrid has 1.1 inches more front headroom, 2 inches more front hip room, 4.3 inches more front shoulder room, 2.3 inches more rear headroom, 2.8 inches more rear legroom and 6 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-3.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Rav4 Hybrid’s rear seats recline. The CX-3’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Rav4 Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the CX-3 with its rear seat up (37.6 vs. 17.8 cubic feet). The Rav4 Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the CX-3 with its rear seat folded (69.8 vs. 42.7 cubic feet).

The Rav4 Hybrid’s cargo area is larger than the CX-3’s in almost every dimension:

	Rav4 Hybrid	CX-3
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	40”	30.9”/58”
Max Width	59”	n/a
Min Width	39.4”	39.4”
Height	36.6”	26.6”

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the Rav4 Hybrid. The CX-3 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Rav4 Hybrid (except LE) offers an optional power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button or, optionally on the Rav4 Hybrid Limited, by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Towing

The Rav4 Hybrid has a 1750 lbs. towing capacity. The CX-3 has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Rav4 Hybrid uses the Vehicle Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The CX-3 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

The Rav4 Hybrid offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

When two different drivers share the Rav4 Hybrid (except LE/SE), the optional memory seats make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position. The CX-3 doesn’t offer memory seats.

The power windows standard on both the Rav4 Hybrid and the CX-3 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Rav4 Hybrid is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The CX-3 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Rav4 Hybrid’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The CX-3’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Rav4 Hybrid the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the CX-3 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Smart Key System standard on the Rav4 Hybrid XLE/SE/XSE/Limited allows you to unlock the driver’s door, cargo door and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before loading groceries, getting in the vehicle in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip (Rav4 Hybrid XSE/Limited’s optional Smart Key System will also allow unlocking the passenger doors without taking your keys out). The Mazda CX-3’s Pushbutton Start doesn’t unlock the doors or the cargo door.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Rav4 Hybrid’s available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the CX-3’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

The Rav4 Hybrid’s optional outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. The CX-3 doesn’t offer heated side mirrors.

The Rav4 Hybrid (except LE) offers optional heated front and second row seats (second row heated seats on Limited) extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated seats aren’t available in the CX-3.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Rav4 Hybrid Limited keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The CX-3 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Rav4 Hybrid XLE/SE/XSE/Limited’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Rav4 Hybrid’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The CX-3 doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the Rav4 Hybrid and the CX-3 offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Rav4 Hybrid has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The CX-3 doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Toyota Rav4 Hybrid XLE Premium/XSE/Limited offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The CX-3 doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Economic Advantages

The Rav4 Hybrid will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Rav4 Hybrid will retain 56.17% to 57.16% of its original price after five years, while the CX-3 only retains 49.89% to 50.63%.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Toyota Rav4 Hybrid and the Mazda CX-3, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Toyota Rav4 outsold the Mazda CX-3 by almost 69 to one during the 2021 model year.