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Toyota RAV4 vs Honda CR-V: 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 $1,620 for the Honda CR-V (CR-V, 40 MPG combined). That is $100 a year, or $500 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.

The EPA is still publishing model year 2027 ratings, so this page compares model year 2026, the latest complete year.

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

Honda CR-V

Lowest fuel cost configuration

CR-V

40 MPG
Combined
43 MPG
City
36 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost
$1,620

$10.80 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

6 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
  • Honda CR-V$1,620 a year · $10.80 per 100 mi

Difference per year

$100

Toyota RAV4 costs less to fuel

Over 5 years

$500

$100 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

Head to head, MY2026

Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V compared on their lowest fuel cost configuration
Measure Toyota RAV4 Honda CR-V
Lowest-cost configuration RAV4CR-V
Powertrain HybridHybrid
Combined rating 43 MPG (better)40 MPG
City rating 47 MPG (better)43 MPG
Highway rating 40 MPG (better)36 MPG
Annual fuel cost $1,520/yr (better)$1,620/yr
Cost per 100 miles $10.13 (better)$10.80
Annual cost range, all configurations $1,520–$1,710$1,620–$2,250
Configurations in MY2026 66
EPA class Small SUVsSmall SUVs

Best configuration by powertrain

Lowest-cost configuration of each powertrain, Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V
Powertrain Toyota RAV4 Honda CR-V
Gas Not offered in MY2026 30 MPG · $2,150/yr CR-V
Hybrid 43 MPG · $1,520/yr RAV4 40 MPG · $1,620/yr CR-V
Hydrogen Not offered in MY2026 39 MPGe · no cost estimate CR-V e-FCEV

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 $1,620
  • Higher combined rating: 43 MPG vs 40 MPG
  • Higher city rating: 47 MPG vs 43 MPG
  • Higher highway rating: 40 MPG vs 36 MPG

Honda CR-V

  • Offers gas configurations in MY2026; the Toyota RAV4 does not
  • Offers hydrogen configurations in MY2026; the Toyota RAV4 does not

Year by year

Combined rating and annual fuel cost by model year, Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V
Model year Toyota RAV4 Honda CR-V
CombinedPer yearCombinedPer year
2026 38–43 MPG $1,520–$1,710 29–40 MPG $1,620–$2,250
2025 28–39 MPG $1,210–$2,350 28–40 MPG $1,620–$2,310
2024 28–39 MPG $1,660–$2,370 29–40 MPG $1,620–$2,260
2023 28–40 MPG $1,630–$2,370 29–40 MPG $1,620–$2,260
2022 28–40 MPG $1,630–$2,370 29–38 MPG $1,710–$2,250
2021 28–40 MPG $1,630–$2,370 29–38 MPG $1,710–$2,250
2020 27–40 MPG $1,630–$2,380 29–38 MPG $1,710–$2,250
2019 28–40 MPG $1,630–$2,330 27–30 MPG $2,150–$2,420
2018 24–32 MPG $2,030–$2,690 27–30 MPG $2,150–$2,420
2017 24–32 MPG $2,030–$2,690 27–30 MPG $2,150–$2,420
2016 24–32 MPG $2,030–$2,680 27–29 MPG $2,280–$2,410
2015 24–26 MPG $2,500–$2,680 28–29 MPG $2,250–$2,320
2014 24–26 MPG $1,210–$2,680 25–26 MPG $2,550–$2,630
2013 25–26 MPG $1,210–$2,650 25–26 MPG $2,550–$2,630
2012 22–24 MPG $1,210–$3,020 25–26 MPG $2,550–$2,630
2011 21–24 MPG $2,730–$3,060 23–24 MPG $2,770–$2,840
2010 21–24 MPG $2,720–$3,110 23–24 MPG $2,720–$2,840
2009 21–24 MPG $2,720–$3,110 22–23 MPG $2,840–$2,970
2008 21–24 MPG $2,720–$3,110 22–23 MPG $2,840–$2,970
2007 21–23 MPG $2,840–$3,110 22–23 MPG $2,840–$2,970
2006 21–24 MPG $2,720–$3,110 21–23 MPG $2,840–$3,110
2005 21–23 MPG $2,840–$3,110 21–23 MPG $2,840–$3,110
2004 21–23 MPG $2,840–$3,110 21–22 MPG $2,970–$3,110
2003 22–24 MPG $1,180–$2,970 21–22 MPG $2,970–$3,110
2002 22–24 MPG $1,180–$2,970 21–23 MPG $2,840–$3,110
2001 22–24 MPG $1,290–$2,970 21 MPG $3,110
2000 21–23 MPG $1,290–$3,110 21 MPG $3,110

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 Honda CR-V?

The Toyota RAV4 is cheaper: about $1,520 a year against $1,620 for the Honda CR-V, a difference of $100 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 $500 ($100 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 Honda CR-V?

The Toyota RAV4 is rated 43 MPG combined against 40 MPG for the Honda CR-V. City: 47 MPG vs 43 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 Honda CR-V in the same class?

Yes. The EPA classes both as Small SUVs.

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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