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Toyota RAV4 vs Subaru Forester: 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 $1,890 for the Subaru Forester (Forester Hybrid, 35 MPG combined). That is $370 a year, or $1,850 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

Subaru Forester

Lowest fuel cost configuration

Forester Hybrid

35 MPG
Combined
35 MPG
City
34 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost
$1,890

$12.60 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

4 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
  • Subaru Forester$1,890 a year · $12.60 per 100 mi

Difference per year

$370

Toyota RAV4 costs less to fuel

Over 5 years

$1,850

$370 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

Head to head, MY2026

Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester compared on their lowest fuel cost configuration
Measure Toyota RAV4 Subaru Forester
Lowest-cost configuration RAV4Forester Hybrid
Powertrain HybridHybrid
Combined rating 43 MPG (better)35 MPG
City rating 47 MPG (better)35 MPG
Highway rating 40 MPG (better)34 MPG
Annual fuel cost $1,520/yr (better)$1,890/yr
Cost per 100 miles $10.13 (better)$12.60
Annual cost range, all configurations $1,520–$1,710$1,890–$2,540
Configurations in MY2026 64
EPA class Small SUVsSmall SUVs

Best configuration by powertrain

Lowest-cost configuration of each powertrain, Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester
Powertrain Toyota RAV4 Subaru Forester
Gas Not offered in MY2026 29 MPG · $2,280/yr Forester
Hybrid 43 MPG · $1,520/yr RAV4 35 MPG · $1,890/yr Forester 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 $1,890
  • Higher combined rating: 43 MPG vs 35 MPG
  • Higher city rating: 47 MPG vs 35 MPG
  • Higher highway rating: 40 MPG vs 34 MPG

Subaru Forester

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

Year by year

Combined rating and annual fuel cost by model year, Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester
Model year Toyota RAV4 Subaru Forester
CombinedPer yearCombinedPer year
2026 38–43 MPG $1,520–$1,710 26–35 MPG $1,890–$2,540
2025 28–39 MPG $1,210–$2,350 26–35 MPG $1,890–$2,490
2024 28–39 MPG $1,660–$2,370 26–29 MPG $2,280–$2,490
2023 28–40 MPG $1,630–$2,370 26–29 MPG $2,280–$2,490
2022 28–40 MPG $1,630–$2,370 26–29 MPG $2,280–$2,490
2021 28–40 MPG $1,630–$2,370 29 MPG $2,280
2020 27–40 MPG $1,630–$2,380 29 MPG $2,280
2019 28–40 MPG $1,630–$2,330 29 MPG $2,280
2018 24–32 MPG $2,030–$2,690 24–28 MPG $2,320–$3,250
2017 24–32 MPG $2,030–$2,690 24–28 MPG $2,320–$3,250
2016 24–32 MPG $2,030–$2,680 25–27 MPG $2,430–$3,250
2015 24–26 MPG $2,500–$2,680 25–27 MPG $2,430–$3,250
2014 24–26 MPG $1,210–$2,680 24–27 MPG $2,430–$3,250
2013 25–26 MPG $1,210–$2,650 21–23 MPG $2,830–$3,880
2012 22–24 MPG $1,210–$3,020 21–23 MPG $2,830–$3,880
2011 21–24 MPG $2,730–$3,060 21–23 MPG $2,830–$3,880
2010 21–24 MPG $2,720–$3,110 21–22 MPG $2,970–$3,830
2009 21–24 MPG $2,720–$3,110 21–22 MPG $2,970–$3,830
2008 21–24 MPG $2,720–$3,110 20–22 MPG $2,970–$4,020
2007 21–23 MPG $2,840–$3,110 20–22 MPG $2,970–$4,020
2006 21–24 MPG $2,720–$3,110 20–22 MPG $2,970–$4,020
2005 21–23 MPG $2,840–$3,110 19–23 MPG $2,840–$4,230
2004 21–23 MPG $2,840–$3,110 18–21 MPG $3,110–$4,460
2003 22–24 MPG $1,180–$2,970 21 MPG $3,110
2002 22–24 MPG $1,180–$2,970 21 MPG $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 Subaru Forester?

The Toyota RAV4 is cheaper: about $1,520 a year against $1,890 for the Subaru Forester, a difference of $370 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 $1,850 ($370 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 Subaru Forester?

The Toyota RAV4 is rated 43 MPG combined against 35 MPG for the Subaru Forester. City: 47 MPG vs 35 MPG. Highway: 40 MPG vs 34 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 Subaru Forester 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