Mazda Salesman Says The 2026 CX-5 Has One Major Advantage Over The Toyota RAV4. Then He Opens The Door To Show A Key Feature

Most auto sales comparison videos focus on the differences in horsepower, fuel economy, or giant touchscreen displays between two similar vehicles. Rather than focusing on powertrain stats or technological amenities, a Mazda salesman decided to begin his comparison with carpet. Yes, carpet.

Standing behind a new Mazda CX-5 in a recent TikTok, salesman Bailey Wells (@wellsdealswheels) of Grubbs Hyundai in Wichita Falls, Texas, argues that one of the SUV's biggest advantages over Toyota's bestselling RAV4 is hiding in the cargo area.

“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 in the clip.

Small Details Can Matter

Wells positions the carpeting as more than a cosmetic touch. From his view, soft materials can help preserve the appearance of a vehicle's cargo area after years of hauling luggage, tools, groceries, and other gear.

"The first thing will be the carpeted interior for the cargo space," he said.

He then points to another feature he believes gives the CX-5 an advantage: a 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat arrangement, with a small fold-down middle section that accommodates long cargo without sacrificing seating.

"One of my favorite little nicks, and I would say it's a small feature, but it's very nice, is the 40/20/40 split," Wells said. "You can slide long objects in between and still have the two passengers comfortably seated."

By comparison, he noted that the RAV4 uses a more traditional 60/40 split rear bench.

Wells is careful not to frame the comparison as a knock on Toyota itself, however.

"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."

Many viewers weren't particularly interested in debating carpeting or seat configurations.

Instead, the conversation quickly shifted to Toyota's reputation and whether Mazda should even be comparing itself to the Japanese automaker's bestselling compact SUV.

"You know what, Toyota would never compare itself with a Mazda," one commenter wrote. "Mazda needs to compare itself with Toyota."

Rather than pushing back, Wells largely agreed with the sentiment.

"I get you and they definitely don't, because they have earned their reputation already," he replied. "That's why I'm making Mazda comparison content."

The exchange highlighted what may be the biggest challenge for Mazda salespeople. Features like cargo-area materials and flexible seating arrangements can be easy to demonstrate on a dealership lot.

Convincing shoppers to look past Toyota's decades-long reputation for reliability and resale value, however, is a much taller task.

Viewers Take Toyota's Side

Although he sells Mazdas, Wells didn't argue that the CX-5 overwhelms Toyota in every category.

In a follow-up exchange, he acknowledged that Toyota's redesigned RAV4 has advantages of its own, particularly when it comes to efficiency.

"The RAV4 has its advantages as well," he wrote. "This year Toyota's hybrid-only transmission gives it an advantage in increased torque and better gas mileage compared to the CX-5's 6-speed transmission."

Still, Wells suggested that some shoppers may prefer the simplicity of a more conventional, familiar, and predictable powertrain.

"I just don't know how I feel about a hybrid transmission for long-term ownership, you know?" he wrote. "Knowing those batteries will go out regardless of engineering skills."

That comment sparked less debate than his comparison of the two brands themselves. While some viewers focused on a more detailed comparison of cargo-area materials and seat configurations, others were more interested in the broader question of whether Mazda can realistically lure buyers away from one of the most established names in the compact SUV segment.

In many ways, Wells' video symbolizes the challenge facing automakers and sales teams that compete with Toyota.

Practical features can be demonstrated in short videos in a matter of seconds, but that is small ammunition to use against a strong reputation built over decades.

For Wells, the small, manageable task was opening a liftgate and talking about carpeting in hopes of opening a few viewers’ minds. For his critics, the video reinforced the idea that Mazda and other competitors are forever chasing a benchmark that Toyota established years ago.

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From any angle, the modest video about cargo-area trim grew into a debate about what matters more when choosing a vehicle: the details you notice every day, or the badge on the hood.

Motor1 reached out to Wells via email, direct message and phone. We’ll update this if he responds.

 

 

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