Head-to-head
2023 Mazda CX-9 vs 2023 Toyota RAV4
The Mazda CX-9 wins clearly, 94.6 to 72.7, on tech & comfort, safety, performance. The Toyota RAV4 is ahead on fuel & range.
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2023 Mazda CX-9
The 2023 Mazda CX-9 is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV. The most efficient version, the CX-9 4WD, is EPA-rated at 23 mpg combined. NHTSA lists no recall c…
vs
B2023 Toyota RAV4
The 2023 Toyota RAV4 is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas compact SUV with 8 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the RAV4 Hybrid AWD, is EP…
Verdict · default weights
2023 Mazda CX-9
Clear winThe Mazda CX-9 wins clearly, 94.6 to 72.7, on tech & comfort, safety, performance. The Toyota RAV4 is ahead on fuel & range.
Tech & comfort 2023 Mazda CX-9 leads by 73.9
Safety 2023 Mazda CX-9 leads by 28.3
Fuel & range 2023 Toyota RAV4 leads by 22.7
| Category · weight | 2023 Mazda CX-9overall 94.6 | 2023 Toyota RAV4overall 72.7 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricenot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 77.3 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | |||||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 100 | 71.7 | |||||||||||||||
NHTSA 5-Star rating, WhichTrim Safety Signal (open recalls by severity), owner complaints, standard driver-assist features (from the press kit, or from what the manufacturer filed with NHTSA where there is none). Open park-outside / do-not-drive advisories cost 25 points. | |||||||||||||||||
| Space & cargow 2 | 100 | 91.5 | |||||||||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | |||||||||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 96.4 | 84.6 | |||||||||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | |||||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 100 | 26.1 | |||||||||||||||
Standard (1) and optional (0.5) infotainment, convenience, climate and interior features from the manufacturer's press kit. | |||||||||||||||||
| Warrantynot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Overall | 94.6 | 72.7 | |||||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 5 of 7 categories compared
Mazda CX-9: base trim Touring AWD · Toyota RAV4: base trim LE FWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Change what matters to you →Scores are 0–100 per category from the data on this page. The weights are yours to set.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2023 Mazda CX-9 wins
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (13 against 165 filed with NHTSA).
- It lists 24 standard driver-assist features against 4.
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (46 points against 12 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½).
Where the 2023 Toyota RAV4 answers
- It is rated 30 combined against 23 (EPA mpg or MPGe).
- It costs $650 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($2,250 against $2,900).
What they share
- 5 NHTSA stars.
Ranked by how far apart the two score on each measure, so a price gap and a horsepower gap are compared on the same scale. Every figure is on this page.
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Specifications side by side
54 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Mazda CX-9Touring AWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | — | $28,675 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | twin turbo | — |
| Cylinder count | 4 | 4 |
| Engine displacement | 2,488 cc | 2,487 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | 2.5L I4 Dynamic Pressure Turbo DOHC 16-valve | 2.5-liter Dynamic Force 4-cylinder, aluminum alloy block with aluminum alloy cylinder head |
| Fuel injection system | gdi mpi | D-4S |
| Valve configuration | DOHC 16-Valve | DOHC 16-Valve |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 227 hp | 203 hp |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft | 184 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | 20 mpg | 27 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | 23 mpg | 30 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | 26 mpg | 35 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 4.411 | 3.177 |
| Transmission speeds | 6 | 8 |
| Transmission type | automatic | Direct Shift 8-speed ECT-i with sequential shift mode |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 8.8 in | 8.4 in |
| Overall height | 67.6 in | 67 in |
| Overall length | 199 in | 181 in |
| Overall width | 77.2 in | 73 in |
| Wheelbase | 115 in | 106 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | 71.2 cu-ft | 69.8 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 38.2 cu-ft | 37.5 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 3rd row | 14.3 cu-ft | — |
| Total interior volume | 135 cu-ft | 98.9 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 7 | 5 |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 39.3 in | 37.7 in |
| Second-row headroom | 38.5 in | 39.5 in |
| Third-row headroom | 35.4 in | — |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 41 in | 41 in |
| Second-row legroom | 39.4 in | 37.8 in |
| Third-row legroom | 29.7 in | — |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 4,409 lbs | 3,370 lbs |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 4,409 lbs | 3,370 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | 5,822 lbs | 4,610 lbs |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | Independent MacPherson Strut coil spring and stabilizer bar | Independent MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar |
| Rear suspension type | Independent Multi-link coil spring and stabilizer bar | Multi-link rear suspension with stabilizer bar |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Rack and Pinion | Electric Power Steering (EPS); electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 19.4 ft | 36.1 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 320 mm | 305 mm |
| Front brake type | ventilated disc | ventilated disc |
| Parking brake type | epb | epb |
| Rear brake diameter | 325 mm | 282 mm |
| Rear brake type | solid disc | solid disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 18 in | 17 in |
| Wheel material | alloy | steel |
| Wheel width | 8 in | — |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | P255/60R18 | 225/65R17 |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 19.5 gal | 14.5 gal |
| Minimum recommended octane | 87 | 87 |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | Mazda Connected Services | — |
| Connected services trial (standard tier) | 36 months | — |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 57.9 in | 57.8 in |
| Second-row shoulder room | 58.1 in | 56.4 in |
| Third-row shoulder room | 53.1 in | — |
Green marks the better value where the direction is unambiguous (more room, more power, lower price). Blank rows are specs the press kit does not publish.
Equipment, feature by feature
152 features · differences first, then sharedSafety26 differ · 27 listed
| Feature | Mazda CX-9Touring AWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Smart City Brake Support with pedestrian detection (includes night-time pedestrian detection) | std | — |
| Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC) with Stop and Go function | std | — |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | std | — |
| Advanced dual front air bags (SRS) | std | — |
| Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) | std | — |
| Lane Keep Assist (LKA) | std | — |
| Rearview camera | std | — |
| Side air curtains - front, rear, and 3rd row with roll-over protection | std | — |
| Side-impact air bags -front | std | — |
| Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) , Traction Control (TCS) and Trailer Stability Control | std | — |
| LATCH system - rear seat child safety seat lower anchors & upper tethers | std | — |
| 3-point safety belts for all seating positions | std | — |
| Auto-hold function | std | — |
| Basic Limited Warranty: 3-year/36,000-mile Comprehensive | — | std |
| Basic Limited Warranty: 5-year/60,000-mile Powertrain | — | std |
| Basic Limited Warranty: 5-year/unlimited-mileage Corrosion Perforation | — | std |
| Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) | std | — |
| Child safety rear door locks | std | — |
| Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) , Traction Control (TCS) and Trailer Stability Control | std | — |
| Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) , Traction Control (TCS) and Trailer Stability Control | std | — |
| Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) | std | — |
| Front safety-belt pretensioners with force limiters | std | — |
| Headlights - High Beam Control (HBC) | std | — |
| Hill Launch Assist | std | — |
| Engine immobilizer anti-theft system | std | — |
| Tire pressure monitoring system | std | — |
| Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) | std | std |
Infotainment10 differ · 10 listed
| Feature | Mazda CX-9Touring AWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| MAZDA CONNECT™ Infotainment System - Mazda Connect 4G LTE Wi-Fi powered by AT&T | std | — |
| 10.25" full-color center display | std | — |
| 6-speaker sound system | std | — |
| MAZDA CONNECT™ Infotainment System | std | — |
| Multi-Function Commander Control | std | — |
| Speed - sensing automatic volume control (Automatic Level control) | std | — |
| Steering wheel-mounted audio, phone and cruise controls | std | — |
| USB Audio Inputs - 2nd-Row (2 ports) | std | — |
| USB Audio Inputs - Center Console (2 ports) | std | — |
| Wireless Phone Charger | std | — |
Convenience7 differ · 7 listed
| Feature | Mazda CX-9Touring AWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Remote keyless entry system - Mazda advanced keyless entry & start system | std | — |
| Power door locks - speed sensitive with 2-stage unlocking | std | — |
| Power Rear Liftgate with programmable height adjustment | std | — |
| Power Windows with one-touch auto up/down feature (4) | std | — |
| Remote fuel-door and hood release | std | — |
| ToyotaCare – Complimentary maintenance plan with the purchase or lease of every new Toyota | — | std |
| 12V power outlets - (2) front and cargo area | std | — |
Climate1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Mazda CX-9Touring AWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Air conditioning - automatic climate control operation with three zones | std | — |
Seating11 differ · 11 listed
| Feature | Mazda CX-9Touring AWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 8-way Power driver's seat with power lumbar support | std | — |
| Heated front seats with 3 level adjustments | std | — |
| 2nd-row bench seats with 60/40 split fold-down reclining | std | — |
| 2nd-row bench seats with easy slide and tilt rear-access mechanism | std | — |
| 2nd-row captain's chairs with armrests and center walk through, reclining seatback | std | — |
| 3rd-row seats - 50/50 split fold-down | std | — |
| 6-passenger seating capacity with 2nd-row captain's chairs | std | — |
| 6-way power adjustable passenger seat | std | — |
| 8-way power adjustable driver's seat w/ power lumbar support | std | — |
| Seat material - leather (1st and 2nd row outboard seating positions - Black or Sand) | std | — |
| Seating Capacity: 5 | — | std |
Interior29 differ · 29 listed
| Feature | Mazda CX-9Touring AWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Rearview mirror - frameless, auto-dimming with Homelink® | std | — |
| 4.6-inch TFT LCD meter display | std | — |
| Assist handles - (4) | std | — |
| Coat Hook - (2) Rear | std | — |
| Courtesy Lamps, Front doors | std | — |
| Engine Starter Ring - satin chrome Finish | std | — |
| EPA Class: Small SUV | — | std |
| EPA Passenger Volume: 98.9 cu. Ft. | — | std |
| Headroom w/ moonroof - Front: 37.7 in. | — | std |
| Headroom w/ moonroof - Rear: 39.5 in. | — | std |
| Hip Room - Front: 54.3 in. | — | std |
| Hip Room - Rear: 47.7 in. | — | std |
| Illumination - front door pocket | std | — |
| Legroom - Front: 41.0 in. | — | std |
| Legroom - Rear: 37.8 in. | — | std |
| Multi-Information Display (MID) Type B | std | — |
| Rearview mirror - auto-dimming with Homelink® | std | — |
| Shoulder Room - Front: 57.8 in. | — | std |
| Shoulder Room - Rear: 56.4 in. | — | std |
| Steering wheel – leather-wrapped | std | — |
| Storage - bottle holders - front and rear door panels | std | — |
| Storage - cup holders, (2) front , (2) 2nd Row & (4) 3rd row | std | — |
| Storage -2nd-row center console with armrest and storage for bench seats | std | — |
| Steering wheel - tilt & telescopic | std | — |
| Sun visors - dual covered vanity mirrors w/ illumination | std | — |
| Floor mats - carpeted front, 2nd-row and 3rd-row | std | — |
| Storage - front seatback pockets (driver and passenger) | std | — |
| Storage - overhead console with sunglasses holder | std | — |
| Trip computer - Odometer, Trip meter A & B, current and average fuel economy, distance-to-empty | std | — |
Exterior27 differ · 28 listed
| Feature | Mazda CX-9Touring AWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Power moonroof, sliding with one-touch open/close and interior sunshade | std | — |
| Headlights - LED with auto-leveling | std | — |
| 18 x 8J inch aluminum alloy wheels with Gray Metallic Finish | std | — |
| Antenna - roof-mounted "shark fin" | std | — |
| Approach/Departure Angle: 19/21 degrees (all grades except Woodland Hybrid) | — | std |
| Badging - AWD badge | std | — |
| Fog lights - front (LED) | std | — |
| Front grille - with Bright Finish | std | — |
| Ground Clearance: 8.4 in. (LE and XLE non-hybrid) | — | std |
| Headlights - Auto On/Off feature | std | — |
| Headlights - LED daytime running lights | std | — |
| LED taillights | std | — |
| License plate lamp (LED) | std | — |
| Lower molding color - front, side, rear (Black) | std | — |
| Overall Height (with antenna): 67.0 in. (LE and XLE non-hybrid; all Hybrid except Woodland) | — | std |
| Overall Length: 180.9 in. (LE, XLE, XLE Premium, Limited non-hybrid; all Hybrid) | — | std |
| Overall Width: 73.0 in. (LE, XLE, XLE Premium, Limited non-hybrid; all Hybrid) | — | std |
| Roof rails - aluminum with satin chrome finish | opt | — |
| Side Mirrors - body-color, dual power remote with LED turn signal indicators | std | — |
| Side Mirrors - driver and passenger heated | std | — |
| Wheelbase: 105.9 in. | — | std |
| Wheels and Tires: 17-in. steel wheels with silver six-spoke wheel covers and 225/65R17 tires (LE) | — | std |
| Windshield wipers - rain-sensing, variable-intermittent | std | — |
| Windshield wipers - rear intermittent with washer | std | — |
| Privacy glass - rear side windows and rear liftgate glass | std | — |
| Rear window defogger with timer | std | — |
| Rear Roof spoiler - body color | std | — |
| Spare Tire/Wheel - Temporary | std | std |
Powertrain19 differ · 19 listed
| Feature | Mazda CX-9Touring AWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel Drive (AWD) | std | — |
| Front-Wheel Drive | — | std |
| Compression Ratio: 13.0:1 (RAV4 non-hybrid) | — | std |
| Drivetrain Layout: Front-Wheel Drive / All-Wheel Drive (AWD) with Multi-Terrain Select / Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD (TV-AWD) with Multi-Terrain Select and Rear Driveline Disconnect | — | std |
| Emission Certification: ULEV-II (RAV4 non-hybrid) | — | std |
| Engine Oil: SAE OW-16; 4.8 qt. with oil filter change | — | std |
| Engine Type: 2.5-liter Dynamic Force 4-cylinder, aluminum alloy block with aluminum alloy cylinder head | — | std |
| Estimated Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined MPG): 27/35/30 (LE FWD) | — | std |
| Fuel Capacity: 14.5 gal. | — | std |
| Fuel System: D-4S | — | std |
| Horsepower: 203 hp @ 6,600 rpm (RAV4 non-hybrid) | — | std |
| Off-Road Traction Assist | std | — |
| Recommended Fuel: 87-octane unleaded or higher | — | std |
| SKYACTIV-G® 2.5 Dynamic Pressure Turbo DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine | std | — |
| SKYACTIV-VEHICLE DYNAMICS: G-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC Plus) | std | — |
| Torque: 184 lb.-ft. @ 5,000 rpm (RAV4 non-hybrid) | — | std |
| Transmission Type: Direct Shift 8-speed Electronically Controlled automatic Transmission with intelligence (ECT-i) with sequential shift mode and Snow Mode (AWD Only) | — | std |
| Transmission, SKYACTIV®-Drive 6-Speed AT with manual-shift mode and Sport mode | std | — |
| Valve train: 16-valves (four-valve/cylinder), DOHC with VVT-iE on intake and VVT-i on exhaust | — | std |
Chassis15 differ · 15 listed
| Feature | Mazda CX-9Touring AWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes - Front Diameter: 12.0 in. | — | std |
| Brakes - Front Type: Power-assisted Ventilated disc | — | std |
| Brakes - Parking: Electronic Parking Brake | — | std |
| Brakes - Rear Diameter: 11.1 in. | — | std |
| Brakes - Rear Type: Solid Disc | — | std |
| Curb Weight (FWD/AWD): 3,370/3,490 lbs. (LE non-hybrid) | — | std |
| GVWR: 4,610 lbs. (FWD - LE, XLE, XLE Premium, and Limited non-hybrid) | — | std |
| Independent front MacPherson strut suspension with stabilizer bar | std | — |
| Independent rear multi-link suspension with stabilizer bar | std | — |
| Stabilizer Bar Diameter (front/rear): 25.5/23.5 mm | — | std |
| Steering Overall Ratio: 14.3:1 (LE and XLE) / 14.4:1 (XLE Premium, Adventure, TRD, Limited) / 14.3:1 (Hybrid all) | — | std |
| Steering Turning Circle Diameter (curb-to-curb): 36.1 ft. (LE, XLE, all Hybrid) / 37.4 ft. (XLE Premium, Adventure, TRD, Limited non-hybrid) | — | std |
| Steering Type: Electric Power Steering (EPS); rack-mounted parallel-type electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering system | — | std |
| Suspension - Front: Independent MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar | — | std |
| Suspension - Rear: Multi-link rear suspension with stabilizer bar | — | std |
Cargo5 differ · 5 listed
| Feature | Mazda CX-9Touring AWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo Volume - Behind front row w/ second row folded: 69.8 cu. ft. | — | std |
| Cargo Volume - Behind second row: 37.5 cu. ft. | — | std |
| Max Towing Capacity: 1,500 lbs. (LE, XLE, XLE Premium and Limited non-hybrid) | — | std |
| Maximum Tongue Weight (10% of Tow Rating): 150 lbs. (LE, XLE, XLE Premium and Limited non-hybrid) | — | std |
| Storage - cargo area storage boxes and under floor storage | std | — |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
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Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPMazda CX-9
Safety Signal 100 A
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★☆ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls 0
Owner complaints 13 · 3 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Unspecified (4), Forward Collision Avoidance (3), Steering (2)
Top recalls
No recalls on file.
Toyota RAV4
Safety Signal 83 B
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★☆ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls 3
Owner complaints 165 · 19 crashes · 1 fires
Most complained about Electrical System (45), Unspecified (42), Steering (28)
Top recalls
- high Tires 23V485000 · 195 vehicles
- moderate Back Over Prevention 25V744000 · 1,024,407 vehicles
- moderate Electrical System 25V595000 · 591,377 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Mazda CX-9Touring AWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | — (base trim) | $28,675 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | — 5 trims | $28,675 – $40,030 17 trims |
| Powertrains | GAS | HEV, GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | CX-9 4WD | RAV4 |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 23 | 30 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2,900 | $2,250 |
| EV range | — | — |
| Basic warranty | — | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
| Powertrain warranty | — | 5 yr / 60,000 mi |
| Roadside assistance | — | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2023 Mazda CX-9 or the 2023 Toyota RAV4?
The Mazda CX-9 wins clearly, 94.6 to 72.7, on tech & comfort, safety, performance. The Toyota RAV4 is ahead on fuel & range. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2023 Mazda CX-9 scores 94.6 and the 2023 Toyota RAV4 72.7. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which has the better safety record, the 2023 Mazda CX-9 or the 2023 Toyota RAV4?
2023 Mazda CX-9: 5 NHTSA stars, grade A, 0 recalls. 2023 Toyota RAV4: 5 NHTSA stars, grade B, 3 recalls. Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.
What are the biggest differences between the 2023 Mazda CX-9 and the 2023 Toyota RAV4?
Where the 2023 Mazda CX-9 wins: it has drawn fewer owner complaints (13 against 165 filed with NHTSA), lists 24 standard driver-assist features against 4, and lists more comfort and tech equipment (46 points against 12 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½). Where the 2023 Toyota RAV4 answers: it is rated 30 combined against 23 (EPA mpg or MPGe) and costs $650 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($2,250 against $2,900). What they share: 5 NHTSA stars.