Compare the2025 Mazda CX-70VS 2024 Toyota Rav4

Safety
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

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In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the CX-70 are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Rav4 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Mazda CX-70 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps 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.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-70. But it costs extra on the Rav4.

The CX-70 has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Rav4’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the CX-70 has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Braking automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Toyota charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Rav4.

Both the CX-70 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, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The Mazda CX-70 weighs 1223 to 1828 pounds more than the Toyota Rav4. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Mazda CX-70 is safer than the Rav4:

	CX-70	Rav4
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	104	120
Neck Tension	45 lbs.	134 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.28 in	.47 in
Shoulder Force	134 lbs.	178 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.22 in	1.34 in
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	513 lbs.	1093 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	18	542
Head Peak Forces	no contact	104 G’s
Neck Tension	89 lbs.	312 lbs.
Neck Compression	67 lbs.	223 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.39 in	.94 in
Shoulder Force	156 lbs.	290 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.75 in	.83 in
Torso Deflection Rate	7 MPH	8 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Head Protection	GOOD	MARGINAL

The Mazda CX-70 achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Rav4 last would have qualified as a “Top Safety Pick” in 2023.

Engine

The CX-70’s standard 3.3 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 77 more horsepower (280 vs. 203) and 148 lbs.-ft. more torque (332 vs. 184) than the Rav4’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The CX-70 PHEV’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 120 more horsepower (323 vs. 203) and 185 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 184) than the Rav4’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The CX-70 Turbo S’ standard 3.3 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 137 more horsepower (340 vs. 203) and 185 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 184) than the Rav4’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the CX-70 PHEV 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Toyota Rav4:

	CX-70	Rav4
Zero to 60 MPH	6 sec	8.8 sec
Quarter Mile	14.4 sec	16.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	97.1 MPH	83.8 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The CX-70 PHEV can travel with zero emissions for 26 miles. The Rav4 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the CX-70’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Rav4 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

Regardless of its engine, the CX-70’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Toyota only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the Rav4 LE AWD/XLE/XLE Premium.

The CX-70’s standard fuel tank has 4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Rav4 (18.5 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The CX-70 Turbo S’ standard fuel tank has 5.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Rav4 (19.6 vs. 14.5 gallons).

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the CX-70’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Rav4:

	CX-70	CX-70 Turbo S/PHEV	Rav4
Front Rotors	12.9 inches	13.7 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	13.8 inches	13.8 inches	11.1 inches

The CX-70’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Rav4 are solid, not vented.

The CX-70 stops much shorter than the Rav4:

	CX-70	Rav4
70 to 0 MPH	171 feet	176 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	124 feet	134 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the CX-70 has larger standard tires than the Rav4 (265/55R19 vs. 225/65R17). The CX-70 Premium’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Rav4 (275/45R21 vs. 235/55R19).

The CX-70’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Rav4 LE/XLE’s standard 65 series tires. The CX-70 Premium’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Rav4 XLE Premium/Adventure/Limited’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CX-70 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Rav4 LE/XLE. The CX-70 Premium’s 21-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels on the Rav4 XLE Premium/Adventure/Limited.

Suspension and Handling

The CX-70 has 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.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-70’s wheelbase is 16.9 inches longer than on the Rav4 (122.8 inches vs. 105.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the CX-70 is 4.4 inches wider in the front and 3.8 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Rav4.

The CX-70 PHEV Premium Plus handles at .82 G’s, while the Rav4 TRD Off-Road pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The CX-70 PHEV Premium Plus executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2 seconds quicker than the Rav4 Limited (26.9 seconds @ .66 average G’s vs. 28.9 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

Passenger Space

The CX-70 has 42.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Rav4 (141.6 vs. 98.9).

The CX-70 has .2 inches more front headroom, .7 inches more front legroom, 1.9 inches more front hip room, 1.4 inches more front shoulder room, 1.6 inches more rear legroom, 7.8 inches more rear hip room and 1.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the Rav4.

Cargo Capacity

The CX-70 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Rav4 with its rear seat up (39.6 vs. 37.6 cubic feet). The CX-70 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Rav4 with its rear seat folded (75.3 vs. 69.8 cubic feet).

The CX-70’s cargo area is larger than the Rav4’s in almost every dimension:

	CX-70	Rav4
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	50.1”/97.5”	40”/73.4”
Max Width	49.8”	59”
Min Width	43.7”	39.4”
Height	31.6”	36.6”

Pressing a button automatically lowers the CX-70’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Rav4 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Towing

The CX-70’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Rav4’s (3500 vs. 1500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Toyota Rav4 4WD is only 3500 pounds. The CX-70 offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

The CX-70 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Rav4 uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The engine in the CX-70 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Rav4. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

The CX-70 Premium’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Rav4 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The CX-70 Premium has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, navigation instruction and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Rav4 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The CX-70 has standard Advanced Keyless Entry and Start that allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Only the Rav4 XLE/Adventure/Limited/TRD Off-Road offers a Smart Key System.

The CX-70’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. 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-70 Turbo S has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Rav4 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the CX-70 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Rav4 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The CX-70’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Toyota charges extra for heated mirrors on the Rav4.

When the CX-70 Turbo S 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-70 Premium’s standard 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.

Both the Mazda CX-70 and Toyota Rav4 offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The CX-70 offers available power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Rav4’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

The CX-70 has a 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. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Rav4 XLE/Adventure/Limited/TRD Off-Road.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mazda CX-70 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Rav4 XLE Premium/Limited/TRD Off-Road offers wireless charging and it costs extra.