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Mazda CX-50 vs Toyota 4Runner

2026 Mazda CX-50 vs 2026 Toyota 4Runner — two rivals compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Mazda CX-50

2026 Mazda CX-50

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS5 – 2Mazda CX-50 wins 5 of 7 categories
Toyota 4Runner

2026 Toyota 4Runner

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

The Mazda CX-50 is more fuel-efficient: 38 vs 23 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $1,150 a year less in fuel for the Mazda CX-50 (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Toyota 4Runner is the bigger car, about 9 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Mazda CX-50 has had fewer recall campaigns (7 vs 38).

The two cars

The 2026 Mazda CX-50 is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 2.5L 4-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and 4-wheel drive. It measures about 186 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 111-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,812 lb (Cx50 4dr SUV).

The 2026 Toyota 4Runner is a standard SUV offered with a 2.4L 4-cyl turbo engine, including a hybrid version and part-time 4-wheel drive, 4-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive. It measures about 195 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,870 lb (4dr SUV).

Buying used? The 2024 CX-50 and the 2024 4Runner have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2015 4Runner.

Basics

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
Fuel
Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
2.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl turbo
4-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

38 MPG
Best combined MPG
23 MPG
39 city
City / highway MPG (best)
23 city
$1,750
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$2,900

Performance & space

227 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
278 hp
5
Seats (most)
5
185.8 in
Length
194.9 in
75.6 in
Width
78 in
63.8 in
Height
73.2 in
3,812 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
4,870 lb

Safety & reliability

13
Driver-assist features standard
11
0
Recalls (2026)
2
7
Recalls, all years since 2005
38
14
Owner complaints (latest year)
7

Interest

7,645
Wikipedia views, 30 days
25,095

Buying used

2024
Best used year
2024
–
Year to avoid
2015

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Mazda CX-50 if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (38 vs 23 MPG)
  • You want something easier to park (9 in shorter)
  • You want more standard driver-assist tech
  • You put reliability history first (7 vs 38 recalls since 2005)

Choose the Toyota 4Runner if…

  • You want more power (up to 278 vs 227 hp)
  • You want more room (9 in longer)

Pros & cons of each

2026 Mazda CX-50

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 38 MPG combined — 47% better than the average 2026 small SUV (25.9 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

2026 Toyota 4Runner

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 23 MPG combined — 15% better than the average 2026 standard SUV (20 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Full 2026 Mazda CX-50 specs →Full 2026 Toyota 4Runner specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →