- Newest year: 2005
- Gas
- Standard SUVs
- Same as 2004
2001-2005 Toyota RAV4 MPG & Fuel Cost
5 model years · 21–24 MPG combined
15,000 mi/yr · regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)
Cheaper to fuel than 10 of 10 standard SUV configurations, MY2005. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.
2001-2005 Toyota RAV4 at a glance
The 2001-2005 Toyota RAV4 covers 5 model years in the EPA database (23 configurations in all), rated 21–24 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2005, costs about $2,840 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the RAV4 2.4L 4-cyl FWD (23 MPG), at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). Powertrains over the years: gas and electric. EPA changed the ratings in 2002 and 2004; 2003 and 2005 repeat the values of the year before. The best combined rating in the generation, 24 MPG, was reached in 2001, 2002 and 2003.
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
2001-2005 Toyota RAV4 by model year
| Model year | Powertrains | Combined | $/yr | EPA ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Gas | 21–23 MPG | $2,840–$3,110 | Same EPA ratings as 2004 |
| 2004 | Gas | 21–23 MPG | $2,840–$3,110 | Ratings changed |
| 2003 | Gas, Electric | 22–24 MPG, 78 MPGe | $1,180–$2,970 | Same EPA ratings as 2002 |
| 2002 | Gas, Electric | 22–24 MPG, 78 MPGe | $1,180–$2,970 | Ratings changed |
| 2001 | Gas, Electric | 22–24 MPG, 72 MPGe | $1,290–$2,970 | First year |
What the 2005 RAV4 2.4L 4-cyl FWD costs to drive
Per month
$237
$2,840 a year ÷ 12
Per 25 miles
$4.73
Per 100 miles
$18.93
Five years
$14,200
5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level
vs the standard SUV median
$1,240less a year
Class median $4,080 a year, MY2005
Based on 15,000 miles a year and regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2005 Toyota RAV4 MPG
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
EPA lists the same ratings for the 2005 Toyota RAV4 as for the 2004 model, so the configurations and costs are the ones in the 2004 section above.See 2004
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAV4 2.4L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd (Most efficient) | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 21 | 27 | 23 | $2,840 |
| RAV4 2.4L 4-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 21 | 27 | 23 | $2,840 |
| RAV4 2.4L 4-cyl 4WD Automatic 4-spd | 2.4L 4-cyl | 4WD | 20 | 24 | 22 | $2,970 |
| RAV4 2.4L 4-cyl 4WD Manual 5-spd | 2.4L 4-cyl | 4WD | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,110 |
2004 Toyota RAV4 MPG
21–23 MPG · $2,840–$3,110/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2003: The most efficient configuration moves from 24 to 23 MPG, down 1. Its annual cost goes from $2,720 to $2,840, $120 more.
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAV4 2.4L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd (Most efficient) | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 21 | 27 | 23 | $2,840 |
| RAV4 2.4L 4-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 21 | 27 | 23 | $2,840 |
| RAV4 2.4L 4-cyl 4WD Automatic 4-spd | 2.4L 4-cyl | 4WD | 20 | 24 | 22 | $2,970 |
| RAV4 2.4L 4-cyl 4WD Manual 5-spd | 2.4L 4-cyl | 4WD | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,110 |
2003 Toyota RAV4 MPG
Same EPA ratings as 2002
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
EPA lists the same ratings for the 2003 Toyota RAV4 as for the 2002 model, so the configurations and costs are the ones in the 2002 section above.See 2002
2002 Toyota RAV4 MPG
22–24 MPG, 78 MPGe · $1,180–$2,970/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2001: The most efficient configuration stays at 24 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $2,720.
EPA range 95 miles.
See electric configurationsGas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAV4 2.0L 4-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 22 | 28 | 24 | $2,720 |
| RAV4 2.0L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,840 |
| RAV4 2.0L 4-cyl 4WD Automatic 4-spd | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4WD | 20 | 25 | 22 | $2,970 |
| RAV4 2.0L 4-cyl 4WD Manual 5-spd | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4WD | 20 | 25 | 22 | $2,970 |
Electric configurations (1)
| Trim | Drive | kWh/100 mi | MPGe | Range | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EV (Most efficient) | 2-Wheel Drive | 43 | 78 | 95 mi | $1,180 |
MPGe is the distance an electric car travels on 33.7 kWh, the energy in a gallon of gasoline. Fewer kWh per 100 miles means a lower running cost.
2001 Toyota RAV4 MPG
22–24 MPG, 72 MPGe · $1,290–$2,970/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
EPA range 88 miles.
See electric configurationsGas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAV4 2.0L 4-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 22 | 28 | 24 | $2,720 |
| RAV4 2.0L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,840 |
| RAV4 2.0L 4-cyl 4WD Automatic 4-spd | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4WD | 20 | 25 | 22 | $2,970 |
| RAV4 2.0L 4-cyl 4WD Manual 5-spd | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4WD | 20 | 25 | 22 | $2,970 |
Electric configurations (1)
| Trim | Drive | kWh/100 mi | MPGe | Range | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EV (Most efficient) | 2-Wheel Drive | 47 | 72 | 88 mi | $1,290 |
MPGe is the distance an electric car travels on 33.7 kWh, the energy in a gallon of gasoline. Fewer kWh per 100 miles means a lower running cost.
Fuel cost by state
Yearly cost of the RAV4 2.4L 4-cyl FWD: $3,860 in California and $2,480 in Texas, a $1,380 difference.
- California $3,860
- Washington $3,580
- New York $2,840
- Florida $2,680
- Texas $2,480
Similar cars
Closest combined MPG among MY2005 standard SUV models.
Generations
- 2000 (XA10)
- 2001-2005 (XA20)
- 2006-2012 (XA30)
- 2013-2018 (XA40)
- 2019-2025 (XA50)
- 2026 (XA60)
Frequently asked questions
What gas mileage does the 2001-2005 Toyota RAV4 get?
EPA rates the 2001-2005 Toyota RAV4 at 21–24 MPG combined across 23 configurations and 5 model years. The most efficient version, the 2003 RAV4 2.0L 4-cyl FWD, is rated 24 MPG (22 city, 28 highway). By powertrain: Gas: 21–24 MPG; Electric: 72–78 MPGe.
Which years had the best MPG in the 2001-2005 Toyota RAV4?
The RAV4 2.0L 4-cyl FWD reached the generation's best combined rating, 24 MPG, in 2001, 2002 and 2003. The lowest top rating, 23 MPG, was in 2004 and 2005.
Did EPA ratings change during the 2001-2005 Toyota RAV4?
Yes. Ratings changed in 2002 and 2004. In 2003 and 2005 the values repeat the year before.
How does the 2001-2005 Toyota RAV4 compare with the previous generation?
The previous generation (2000 Toyota RAV4) is rated 21–23 MPG combined and costs $1,290–$3,110 a year to fuel; the 2001-2005 model is rated 21–24 MPG and costs $1,180–$3,110 a year.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2005 Toyota RAV4 per year?
Driving 15,000 miles a year at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the RAV4 2.4L 4-cyl FWD costs about $2,840 a year. Across all 4 configurations the cost runs $2,840–$3,110 a year. That is a $270 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.
How much does it cost to drive a 2005 Toyota RAV4 100 miles?
About $18.93 per 100 miles for the RAV4 2.4L 4-cyl FWD at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), and between $18.93 and $20.73 across all configurations. That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.
Is the 2005 Toyota RAV4 more efficient in the city or on the highway?
The RAV4 2.4L 4-cyl FWD is rated 21 city and 27 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 6 MPG.
How does the 2005 Toyota RAV4 compare with other standard SUV configurations?
The RAV4 2.4L 4-cyl FWD costs about $2,840 a year to fuel, $1,240 less than the class median of $4,080, and less than 10 of 10 standard SUV configurations. The comparison covers all 287 rated standard SUV configurations for MY2005, not weighted by sales.
Is the 2005 Toyota RAV4 different from the 2004 model?
No. EPA lists the same ratings for 2004 and 2005: 4 configurations rated 21–23 MPG combined. See the 2004 Toyota RAV4 for that year.