2026 Mazda CX-5 v Toyota RAV4 v Kia Sportage spec comparison: How does new Japanese family SUV hold up against the best sellers with no hybrid power for now

Mazda has globally revealed its new third-generation CX-5 mid-size SUV ahead of it arriving in Australia in 2026.

Locally this mid-size family SUV has been the Japanese brand’s best-seller for years now.

At this stage Mazda has only confirmed a few details surrounding the new CX-5. Things like pricing, the variant line-up and specifications will be confirmed at a later date.

For now though, the following shows how this new 2026 Mazda CX-5 stacks up on paper against some of its most formidable rivals – the 2026 Toyota RAV4 and 2026 Kia Sportage.

To make it as even as possible, we’ve chosen the powertrain combinations that are the most comparable.

Powertrain and Efficiency:

	2026 Mazda CX-5	2026 Toyota RAV4	2026 Kia Sportage
Engine:	2.5L naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol	2.5L four-cylinder hybrid	1.6L turbocharged four-cylinder petrol
Power:	132kW	143kW	137kW
Torque:	242Nm	N/A	265Nm
Transmission:	6-speed auto	e-CVT	8-speed auto
Drive type:	AWD	FWD or AWD	AWD
Fuel consumption:	TBC	TBC	7.5L/100km

At launch Mazda will only offer its venerable 2.5-litre SkyActiv-G naturally aspirated petrol engine in Australia. The 2.5-litre turbo engine won’t be offered.

Versions of this atmo engine have powered the CX-5 across all three generations, but it now produces 10kW and 10Nm less torque than it did previously.

The engine and six-speed automatic transmission package has been recalibrated for “greater flexibility” to offer both a “sharper response” and a “more relaxed, quiet demeanour”.

Mazda is planning to introduce a hybrid powertrain to the CX-5, but it won’t be offered initially.

With the new RAV4 on the other hand, only hybrid powertrains will be offered locally. There’s also a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain, which will be a first for Toyota in Australia.

Kia still offers a wide range of powertrains for the Sportage – two petrols, a turbo-diesel, as well as two hybrid offerings. All of them are now mated to torque-converter automatics.

Dimensions:

	2026 Mazda CX-5	2026 Toyota RAV4 (US specs)	2026 Kia Sportage
Length:	4690mm	4595mm	4685mm
Width:	1860mm	1854mm	1865mm
Height:	1695mm	1702mm	1660mm
Wheelbase:	2815mm	2690mm	2755mm
Boot space:	TBC	TBC	543L (5 seats) 1829L (2 seats)

Mazda hasn’t fully detailed the dimensions for the new CX-5 just yet, though it’s 115mm longer than before, while also 15mm wider with a 115mm longer wheelbase.

This makes it overall larger than both the RAV4 and Sportage. It also means there’s more passenger room than the outgoing CX-5.

At this stage Mazda, nor Toyota, has detailed the boot capacity of their new mid-size SUVs.

The former does note, however, that the new CX-5’s boot area is 50mm longer and over 25mm higher than before, with a 18mm lower load lip.

Standard equipment:

Mazda hasn’t disclosed the new CX-5 variant line-up in Australia just yet and Toyota hasn’t either apart from confirming it’ll offer the GR Sport flagship.

The new CX-5 features an available 15.6-inch touchscreen multimedia system, whereas the RAV4 has a 12.9-inch unit and the Sportage has a 12.3-inch unit.

Another available feature in the CX-5 includes a panoramic glass sunroof. This is offered on the Sportage GT-Line, whereas only a regular sunroof is offered on the RAV4.

Pricing:

	2026 Mazda CX-5	2026 Toyota RAV4	2026 Kia Sportage
Starting price before on-roads	$TBC	$TBC	$37,990

Mazda and Toyota haven't detailed the pricing of the new CX-5 or RAV4 yet. The outgoing models currently start at $36,740 before on-roads and $42,260 before on-roads, respectively.

The 2026 Kia Sportage line-up, on the other hand, starts at $37,990 before on-roads for the S 2.0 FWD, and extends to $60,370 before on-roads for the GT-Line Hybrid AWD.