2022 Mazda CX-5 Overtakes Toyota RAV4 in 2022 Sales Race! The RAV4 will also finish behind the Subaru Forester in January as solid supplies give the CX-5 a serious boost.

The Mazda CX-5 is gearing up for a hot start in the 2022 sales race.

The Mazda CX-5 has dealt an early blow to its archrival, the Toyota RAV4, in their big fight to be Australia's best-selling SUV for 2022.

In January 2022, 3213 CX-5s were sold, up a whopping 54.4% from the previous month. This result was enough for it to take third place in the overall standings of the best-selling models, behind the longstanding Toyota HiLux (3591, -8.2%) and the Ford Ranger (3245, +4.0%).

On the other hand, the normally dominant RAV4 sold 1425 units in January 2022, down 53.5% from the previous month. These figures effectively placed it third in its midsize segment behind the Subaru Forester (1480, +20.2%) and a shocking 12th overall.

Needless to say, the CX-5 has already opened up a lead of 1733 units over the RAV4 in 2022, which could see it take the title of best-selling SUV for the first time since 2019.

Of course, the RAV4 snatched the crown in 2020 and 2021 with its fifth generation model, which was released in May 2019 with a timely "self-charging" hybrid powertrain option.

As reported, the CX-5 is indeed in a strong position to outsell the RAV4 in 2022, with Mazda Australia predicting stable deliveries while Toyota Australia already has a delivery lead time of up to 12 months, meaning a lot of new orders. will not be completed until 2023.

The increased waiting time for the RAV4 delivery was driven by persistently strong demand but an unexpected lack of supply due to intermittent production shutdowns, with other Toyota Australia models including the new LandCruiser 300 series facing similar challenges.

The CX-5's chances are also helped by a second-generation model update in the first week of January. It offers buyers redesigned front and rear, redesigned seats, a smoother automatic transmission, improved ride quality and lower cabin noise, but no hybrid option.

There's also a bold new Touring Active and price increases for carry options ranging from $800 to $1300. So the CX-5 lineup now starts at $32,190 plus travel expenses and goes up to $53,680.

However, the RAV4 is also subject to a MY22 refresh, albeit a relatively minor one, due later in the first quarter, with prices ranging from $34,300 to $52,320.

Patient buyers get a new XSE sport package, and the flagship Edge now has a second powertrain available: a "self-charging" hybrid. Standard equipment, including security systems, has also been expanded across the range.