Toyota is a byword for reliability. Virtually everything the Japanese manufacturer has produced will last almost a lifetime, and they offer plenty of practical vehicles for everyday use as well. But one salesman who works for Mazda has decreed that the CX-5 is better than a Toyota equivalent, the RAV4.
The comparison between the two is an interesting one. Both are well-regarded vehicles, and in fact the RAV4 is a bestseller for Toyota, offering excellent reliability and practicality. It is the latter of these two areas that this particular salesman decided to focus on.
In fact, salesman Bailey Wells posted on his TikTok account, @wellsdealswheels, that it was in the cargo area in particular where the Mazda wins over its Toyota rival. He even cited things such as the materials used in each one as a reason for picking the Mazda over the Toyota.
It must be stressed, of course, that, as a Mazda salesman, Wells is probably biased towards what he is trying to sell. But his comparison is still interesting, and it shows the pros and cons of both vehicles, allowing buyers to make an informed decision between the two.
Why Is the Mazda CX-5 Better Than the Toyota RAV4?
@wellsdealswheels 2026 Mazda CX-5 or 2026 Toyota RAV4? #Mazda #toyota #carshopping #carsales #carsalesmen ♬ original sound – WellsDealsWheels
One area Wells focused on was actually the carpet in the back of the Mazda. While this might sound trivial, there is some logic to his reasoning. The carpet in the back of the Mazda is unlikely to scratch, and it will preserve the plastic materials below it. As the salesman pointed out, the RAV4 has plastic in the trunk no matter which trim you select.
“On the new 2026 Toyota RAV4, all this is hard plastic, no matter what trim level you get, which means that when you’re unloading and loading cargo, you’re going to get those scratches inside,” he said. Harder-wearing materials can help preserve how a car looks inside, so it’s certainly an interesting point raised by Wells. But there are more practical reasons he thinks the CX-5 is a better option.
The Mazda SUV has a 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat arrangement. A small fold-down middle section helps accommodate longer cargo, without sacrificing seating. Two people can still comfortably sit in the SUV. The RAV4, in comparison, has a traditional 60/40 split rear, which is still good, but it’s easy to see why Wells believes the Mazda is better in this area.
This Was Not a Dig at Toyota
Despite his allegiance to Mazda, Wells was clear to point out he wasn’t trying to have a dig at Toyota. “Don’t get me wrong, Toyota’s a great brand,” he said. “But that’s just one advantage the CX-5 has over the Toyota RAV4 this year,” he added. It is difficult to argue against the RAV4, given how strong its sales have been.
In 2025, Toyota sold 479,288 units of the RAV4, an uptick on the 475,193 of 2024, which was also up on the 434,943 sold in 2023. Wells did also acknowledge that the RAV4 is better than the Mazda in a few areas too. The hybrid-only transmission, for example, provides better torque and gas mileage over the CX-5’s six-speed. A lot of viewers also came down firmly on the side of Toyota, one saying, “Mazda needs to compare itself with Toyota.” Clearly, there are a lot of people backing up what we see in the sales figures. The RAV4 is still very popular.