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Toyota RAV4 vs Ford Escape: fuel economy and fuel cost

In model year 2026 the Toyota RAV4 is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $1,520 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (RAV4, 43 MPG combined), against $1,670 for the Ford Escape (Escape HEV, 39 MPG combined). That is $150 a year, or $750 over five years.

One of the two is offered only with a hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrain in this model year; the other has gasoline configurations. Costs assume 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel and electricity prices for both vehicles, using the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Each figure is rounded to $10 and every difference is calculated from the rounded values.

Illustration: Small SUVs
  • Hybrid
  • Small SUVs

Toyota RAV4

Lowest fuel cost configuration

RAV4

43 MPG
Combined
47 MPG
City
40 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost
$1,520

$10.13 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

6 configurations in MY2026

Illustration: Small SUVs
  • Hybrid
  • Small SUVs

Ford Escape

Lowest fuel cost configuration

Escape HEV

39 MPG
Combined
42 MPG
City
36 MPG
Highway

Plug-in versions (electric or plug-in hybrid) are not used for this headline; see the powertrain table below.

Annual fuel cost
$1,670

$11.13 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

5 configurations in MY2026

What the fuel costs

Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration

  • Toyota RAV4$1,520 a year · $10.13 per 100 mi
  • Ford Escape$1,670 a year · $11.13 per 100 mi

Difference per year

$150

Toyota RAV4 costs less to fuel

Over 5 years

$750

$150 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

Head to head, MY2026

Toyota RAV4 and Ford Escape compared on their lowest fuel cost configuration
Measure Toyota RAV4 Ford Escape
Lowest-cost configuration RAV4Escape HEV
Powertrain HybridHybrid
Combined rating 43 MPG (better)39 MPG
City rating 47 MPG (better)42 MPG
Highway rating 40 MPG (better)36 MPG
Annual fuel cost $1,520/yr (better)$1,670/yr
Cost per 100 miles $10.13 (better)$11.13
Annual cost range, all configurations $1,520–$1,710$1,160–$2,470
Configurations in MY2026 65
EPA class Small SUVsSmall SUVs

Best configuration by powertrain

Lowest-cost configuration of each powertrain, Toyota RAV4 and Ford Escape
Powertrain Toyota RAV4 Ford Escape
Gas Not offered in MY2026 30 MPG · $2,210/yr Escape
Hybrid 43 MPG · $1,520/yr RAV4 39 MPG · $1,670/yr Escape HEV
Plug-in hybrid Not offered in MY2026 40 MPG gas-only · $1,160/yr Escape PHEV

Each cell shows the combined rating and the annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration with that powertrain.

Where each one comes out ahead

Generated from the numbers above, comparing the lowest fuel cost configurations. No subjective judgements.

Toyota RAV4

  • Lower annual fuel cost: $1,520 vs $1,670
  • Higher combined rating: 43 MPG vs 39 MPG
  • Higher city rating: 47 MPG vs 42 MPG
  • Higher highway rating: 40 MPG vs 36 MPG

Ford Escape

  • Offers gas configurations in MY2026; the Toyota RAV4 does not
  • Offers plug-in hybrid configurations in MY2026; the Toyota RAV4 does not

Year by year

Combined rating and annual fuel cost by model year, Toyota RAV4 and Ford Escape
Model year Toyota RAV4 Ford Escape
CombinedPer yearCombinedPer year
2026 38–43 MPG $1,520–$1,710 26–40 MPG $1,160–$2,470
2025 28–39 MPG $1,210–$2,350 26–40 MPG $1,160–$2,470
2024 28–39 MPG $1,660–$2,370 26–39 MPG $1,670–$2,470
2023 28–40 MPG $1,630–$2,370 26–40 MPG $1,160–$2,480
2022 28–40 MPG $1,630–$2,370 26–41 MPG $1,130–$2,550
2021 28–40 MPG $1,630–$2,370 26–41 MPG $1,130–$2,520
2020 27–40 MPG $1,630–$2,380 26–41 MPG $1,150–$2,520
2019 28–40 MPG $1,630–$2,330 23–26 MPG $2,500–$2,830
2018 24–32 MPG $2,030–$2,690 23–26 MPG $2,520–$2,850
2017 24–32 MPG $2,030–$2,690 23–26 MPG $2,520–$2,840
2016 24–32 MPG $2,030–$2,680 23–26 MPG $2,480–$2,790
2015 24–26 MPG $2,500–$2,680 23–26 MPG $2,530–$2,810
2014 24–26 MPG $1,210–$2,680 24–26 MPG $2,540–$2,760
2013 25–26 MPG $1,210–$2,650 24–26 MPG $2,520–$2,760
2012 22–24 MPG $1,210–$3,020 20–32 MPG $2,050–$3,270
2011 21–24 MPG $2,730–$3,060 20–32 MPG $2,050–$3,280
2010 21–24 MPG $2,720–$3,110 20–32 MPG $2,040–$3,270
2009 21–24 MPG $2,720–$3,110 20–32 MPG $2,040–$3,270
2008 21–24 MPG $2,720–$3,110 19–32 MPG $2,040–$3,440
2007 21–23 MPG $2,840–$3,110 19–30 MPG $2,180–$3,440
2006 21–24 MPG $2,720–$3,110 19–29 MPG $2,250–$3,440
2005 21–23 MPG $2,840–$3,110 17–29 MPG $2,250–$3,840
2004 21–23 MPG $2,840–$3,110 18–22 MPG $2,970–$3,630
2003 22–24 MPG $1,180–$2,970 18–22 MPG $2,970–$3,630
2002 22–24 MPG $1,180–$2,970 18–22 MPG $2,970–$3,630
2001 22–24 MPG $1,290–$2,970 18–23 MPG $2,840–$3,630

Earlier model years are costed with today's fuel prices, so the table shows how each model's efficiency changed, not what fuel cost at the time. Ranges cover every configuration of that model year. Electric configurations are not included in the MPG range of a year that also has other powertrains.

Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper to fuel, the Toyota RAV4 or the Ford Escape?

The Toyota RAV4 is cheaper: about $1,520 a year against $1,670 for the Ford Escape, a difference of $150 a year. That compares the lowest-cost configuration of each in model year 2026 at 15,000 miles a year with the same fuel prices.

How much would the Toyota RAV4 save over five years?

About $750 ($150 a year for five years), assuming 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel prices. Your total depends on how much you drive and on local prices; see fuel cost by state.

Which has the better fuel economy rating, the Toyota RAV4 or the Ford Escape?

The Toyota RAV4 is rated 43 MPG combined against 39 MPG for the Ford Escape. City: 47 MPG vs 42 MPG. Highway: 40 MPG vs 36 MPG. These are the EPA ratings of each model's lowest-cost configuration.

How is the annual fuel cost calculated?

Distance of 15,000 miles a year at the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Gasoline is priced at $4.36/gal (EIA U.S. average for regular, Sep 2026) and electricity at 18.3¢/kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, Jul 2026); premium and diesel configurations use their own EIA prices. Each result is rounded to $10, and differences are calculated from the rounded figures.

Are the Toyota RAV4 and the Ford Escape in the same class?

Yes. The EPA classes both as Small SUVs.

Explore these cars

More comparisons

EPA ratings: fueleconomy.gov file of Sep 29, 2026 · Prices: EIA regular gasoline, U.S. avg, Sep 2026 ($4.36/gal); residential electricity, U.S. avg, Jul 2026 (18.3¢/kWh) · 15,000 mi/yr, 55% city, same prices for both vehicles