Compare the2025 Toyota Rav4 Plug-In HybridVS 2025 Mazda CX-70

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Toyota Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Mazda CX-70 has not been tested.

Both the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid and the CX-70 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, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mazda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the CX-70.

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 Plug-In Hybrid’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s reliability 55 points higher than the Mazda CX-70 and 69 points higher than the Mazda CX-70 Plug-In.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 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 above average in initial quality. With 40 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota second in reliability, above the industry average. With 38 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 7th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota third in overall reliability. Mazda is ranked 6th.

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 22 more horsepower (302 vs. 280) than the CX-70’s standard 3.3 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the Toyota Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid is faster than the Mazda CX-70:

On the EPA test cycle the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid running on electricity gets better mileage than the CX-70 PHEV running on electricity (105 city/84 hwy vs. 53 city/61 hwy MPGe).

On the EPA test cycle the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the CX-70 running its gasoline engine:

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid can travel with zero emissions on electricity, only, on a full charge for 42 miles. The CX-70 PHEV has to start its internal combustion engine after only 26 miles.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid uses regular unleaded gasoline. The CX-70 PHEV requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Rav4 Plug-In 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-70 doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid XSE handles at .83 G’s, while the CX-70 PHEV Premium Plus pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid SE’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the CX-70’s (36.1 feet vs. 38.1 feet). The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid XSE’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the CX-70’s (37.4 feet vs. 38.1 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid XSE has a greater minimum ground clearance than the CX-70 Turbo S/PHEV (8.2 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Toyota Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 650 to 900 pounds less than the Mazda CX-70.

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid is 1 foot, 7.9 inches shorter than the CX-70, making the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid is 5.5 inches narrower than the CX-70, making the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The front grille of the Rav4 Plug-In 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-70 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid easier. The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 27.8 inches, while the CX-70’s liftover is 31.2 inches.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid. The CX-70 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

If the windows are left open on the Rav4 Plug-In 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-70 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Consumer Reports® chose the Toyota Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Toyota Rav4 outsold the Mazda CX-70 by over 43 to one during 2024.