Toyota RAV4 vs Kia Sportage: 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 $1,540 for the Kia Sportage (Sportage Hybrid, 42 MPG combined). That is $20 a year, or $100 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.
- Hybrid
- Small SUVs
Toyota RAV4
Lowest fuel cost configuration
RAV4
$10.13 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
6 configurations in MY2026
- Hybrid
- Small SUVs
Kia Sportage
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Sportage Hybrid
Plug-in versions (electric or plug-in hybrid) are not used for this headline; see the powertrain table below.
$10.27 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
- Kia Sportage$1,540 a year · $10.27 per 100 mi
Difference per year
$20
Toyota RAV4 costs less to fuel
Over 5 years
$100
$20 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
Head to head, MY2026
| Measure | Toyota RAV4 | Kia Sportage |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest-cost configuration | RAV4 | Sportage Hybrid |
| Powertrain | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Combined rating | 43 MPG (better) | 42 MPG |
| City rating | 47 MPG (better) | 41 MPG |
| Highway rating | 40 MPG | 44 MPG (better) |
| Annual fuel cost | $1,520/yr (better) | $1,540/yr |
| Cost per 100 miles | $10.13 (better) | $10.27 |
| Annual cost range, all configurations | $1,520–$1,710 | $1,430–$2,740 |
| Configurations in MY2026 | 6 | 6 |
| EPA class | Small SUVs | Small SUVs |
Best configuration by powertrain
| Powertrain | Toyota RAV4 | Kia Sportage |
|---|---|---|
| Gas | Not offered in MY2026 | 28 MPG · $2,330/yr Sportage |
| Hybrid | 43 MPG · $1,520/yr RAV4 | 42 MPG · $1,540/yr Sportage Hybrid |
| Plug-in hybrid | Not offered in MY2026 | 36 MPG gas-only · $1,430/yr Sportage Plug-in Hybrid |
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 $1,540
- Higher combined rating: 43 MPG vs 42 MPG
- Higher city rating: 47 MPG vs 41 MPG
Kia Sportage
- Higher highway rating: 44 MPG vs 40 MPG
- 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
| Model year | Toyota RAV4 | Kia Sportage | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combined | Per year | Combined | Per year | |
| 2026 | 38–43 MPG | $1,520–$1,710 | 24–42 MPG | $1,430–$2,740 |
| 2025 | 28–39 MPG | $1,210–$2,350 | 25–43 MPG | $1,380–$2,650 |
| 2024 | 28–39 MPG | $1,660–$2,370 | 25–43 MPG | $1,380–$2,660 |
| 2023 | 28–40 MPG | $1,630–$2,370 | 25–43 MPG | $1,380–$2,620 |
| 2022 | 28–40 MPG | $1,630–$2,370 | 21–26 MPG | $2,540–$3,060 |
| 2021 | 28–40 MPG | $1,630–$2,370 | 21–26 MPG | $2,530–$3,060 |
| 2020 | 27–40 MPG | $1,630–$2,380 | 21–26 MPG | $2,550–$3,060 |
| 2019 | 28–40 MPG | $1,630–$2,330 | 21–25 MPG | $2,570–$3,090 |
| 2018 | 24–32 MPG | $2,030–$2,690 | 21–26 MPG | $2,560–$3,090 |
| 2017 | 24–32 MPG | $2,030–$2,690 | 21–26 MPG | $2,560–$3,090 |
| 2016 | 24–32 MPG | $2,030–$2,680 | 21–23 MPG | $2,800–$3,060 |
| 2015 | 24–26 MPG | $2,500–$2,680 | 21–23 MPG | $2,800–$3,150 |
| 2014 | 24–26 MPG | $1,210–$2,680 | 21–23 MPG | $2,800–$3,150 |
| 2013 | 25–26 MPG | $1,210–$2,650 | 21–25 MPG | $2,600–$3,110 |
| 2012 | 22–24 MPG | $1,210–$3,020 | 21–25 MPG | $2,590–$3,110 |
| 2011 | 21–24 MPG | $2,730–$3,060 | 22–25 MPG | $2,640–$2,950 |
| 2010 | 21–24 MPG | $2,720–$3,110 | 20–22 MPG | $2,970–$3,270 |
| 2009 | 21–24 MPG | $2,720–$3,110 | 20–22 MPG | $2,970–$3,270 |
| 2008 | 21–24 MPG | $2,720–$3,110 | 19–22 MPG | $2,970–$3,440 |
| 2007 | 21–23 MPG | $2,840–$3,110 | 19–22 MPG | $2,970–$3,440 |
| 2006 | 21–24 MPG | $2,720–$3,110 | 19–22 MPG | $2,970–$3,440 |
| 2005 | 21–23 MPG | $2,840–$3,110 | 19–22 MPG | $2,970–$3,440 |
| 2002 | 22–24 MPG | $1,180–$2,970 | 18–19 MPG | $3,440–$3,630 |
| 2001 | 22–24 MPG | $1,290–$2,970 | 17–19 MPG | $3,440–$3,840 |
| 2000 | 21–23 MPG | $1,290–$3,110 | 18–19 MPG | $3,440–$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 Kia Sportage?
The Toyota RAV4 is cheaper: about $1,520 a year against $1,540 for the Kia Sportage, a difference of $20 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 $100 ($20 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 Kia Sportage?
The Toyota RAV4 is rated 43 MPG combined against 42 MPG for the Kia Sportage. City: 47 MPG vs 41 MPG. Highway: 40 MPG vs 44 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 Kia Sportage in the same class?
Yes. The EPA classes both as Small SUVs.
Explore these cars
- Toyota RAV4: ratings, trims and every model year
- Kia Sportage: ratings, trims and every model year
- 2026 Toyota RAV4: all configurations
- 2026 Kia Sportage: all configurations
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