It's time to revisit our compactSUV comparison test to see if changes to the 2019 Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX5 mean they can unseat our current champion, the Honda CRV. Last year, the Honda CRV took the crown, but the Toyota RAV4 has been totally redesigned, and the Mazda CX5 has a new engine and a new luxurious top trim level. We test all three crossovers at the track, drive them in the suburbs, load them full of cargo, and figure out what all the buttons do so that we can pick a winner. Which small SUV is the best? Watch our triple test to find out.

2019 Mazda CX5 Review

Sharp style and sporting performance remain hallmarks of the 2019 Mazda CX5, a small crossover SUV designed for those who enjoy a spirited drive. Excellent handling and a highquality interior also help make it one of our top picks for a small SUV.

For 2019, the CX5 is available in two new trim levels, Grand Touring Reserve and Signature. Both offer a broader list of premium features and conveniences this year and come with a new turbocharged 2.5liter fourcylinder engine. This engine, which is lifted from the threerow CX9, generates up to 250 horsepower and a stout 310 lbft of torque. Unfortunately, these upgrades don't fix the CX5's weakness: limited cabin and cargo space compared to rivals.

Overall, however, the CX5 is a standout. It provides an excellent balance of sportiness, comfort and practicality, and its upscale interior conveys a sense of richness that you don't find in rivals. It's a smart choice.

Read more about the 2019 Mazda CX5:
https://www.edmunds.com/mazda/cx5/2019/

Watch our Mazda CX5 Grand Touring Review video:
   • 2018 Mazda CX5 Grand Touring Review ...  

The Mazda CX5 was picked as one of Edmunds' Best Family SUVs:
https://www.edmunds.com/suv/articles/...


2019 Honda CRV Review

The 2019 CRV checks virtually every box on car shoppers' lists in the compact SUV segment. It makes family life easier with a cavernous cargo area, abundant backseat room, easily accessed car seat anchors, and more clever storage solutions than an Ikea. It will also keep you safe. Crash test ratings are flawless, and accident avoidance technologies are standard on all but the base trim. The comfortable ride and efficient and responsive engine wrap up the excellent value proposition.

Quite simply, the CRV makes a ton of sense. If anything, its greatest flaw might be that it makes too much sense. Some rivals offer more memorable styling and personality, such as the Mazda CX5 and the new Toyota RAV4. Technophiles may also find Honda's touchscreen to be frustratingly behind the times. Yet those are minor quibbles. In general, joining the CRVowning masses would be a pretty good idea.

Read more about the 2019 Honda CRV:
https://www.edmunds.com/honda/crv/2019/

The Honda CRV got the Edmunds Editors' Choice for the Best SUV for 2019:
   • 2019 Honda CRV: The Best SUV | 2019 ...  


2019 Toyota RAV4 Review

Redesigned for 2019, the Toyota RAV4 receives a variety of updates, including a stylish new look, a new engine, and added safety and technology features. No doubt they will contribute to the RAV4's status as the bestselling small crossover SUV on the market. But is it the ideal pick for you?

The 2019 RAV4 gets a 2.5liter engine that produces 203 horsepower, which is 27 hp more than last year's model. And it's not just more powerful, it's more efficient, returning an EPAestimated 30 mpg combined (26 city/35 highway). And if you want the ultimate in efficiency, the RAV4 Hybrid returns 40 mpg combined.

The new RAV4 keeps the strengths of the old model ― including an easytouse interior, big back seat, comfortable freeway ride ― and adds more offroad capability along with standard tech and safety features. It also gets an added helping of personality.

Even with the new engine, acceleration lags behind competitors. And while the updated infotainment interface is a significant improvement compared to last year, it can be difficult to learn and use. If these are dealbreakers for you, take a look at the impressively wellrounded Honda CRV or the stylish Mazda CX5.

Read more about the 2019 Toyota RAV4:
https://www.edmunds.com/toyota/rav4/2...

Watch us drive the 2019 Toyota RAV4 through 48 states in a week:
   • 2019 Toyota RAV4 Review (48 States in...  

Watch our 2019 Toyota RAV4 Review video:
   • The AllNew 2019 Toyota RAV4 Is Bette...  

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