Toyota RAV4 vs Tesla Model Y: fuel economy and fuel cost
In model year 2026 the Tesla Model Y is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $670 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (Model Y Standard (18in Wheels), 138 MPGe combined), against $1,520 for the Toyota RAV4 (RAV4, 43 MPG combined). That is $850 a year, or $4,250 over five years.
One of the two is electric-only; the other has no electric configuration in this model year. 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
- Electric
- Small SUVs
Tesla Model Y
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Model Y Standard (18in Wheels)
$4.47 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
321 mi EPA range · 24 kWh/100 mi
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
- Tesla Model Y$670 a year · $4.47 per 100 mi
Difference per year
$850
Tesla Model Y costs less to fuel
Over 5 years
$4,250
$850 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
Head to head, MY2026
| Measure | Toyota RAV4 | Tesla Model Y |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest-cost configuration | RAV4 | Model Y Standard (18in Wheels) |
| Powertrain | Hybrid | Electric |
| Combined rating | 43 MPG | 138 MPGe |
| City rating | 47 MPG | 148 MPGe |
| Highway rating | 40 MPG | 129 MPGe |
| EPA range | — | 321 mi |
| Electricity use | — | 24 kWh/100 mi |
| Annual fuel cost | $1,520/yr | $670/yr (better) |
| Cost per 100 miles | $10.13 | $4.47 (better) |
| Annual cost range, all configurations | $1,520–$1,710 | $670–$880 |
| Configurations in MY2026 | 6 | 6 |
| EPA class | Small SUVs | Small SUVs |
Best configuration by powertrain
| Powertrain | Toyota RAV4 | Tesla Model Y |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 43 MPG · $1,520/yr RAV4 | Not offered in MY2026 |
| Electric | Not offered in MY2026 | 138 MPGe · $670/yr Model Y Standard (18in Wheels) |
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
- Offers hybrid configurations in MY2026; the Tesla Model Y does not
Tesla Model Y
- Lower annual fuel cost: $670 vs $1,520
- Offers electric configurations in MY2026; the Toyota RAV4 does not
Ratings in MPG and MPGe are not compared directly here; annual fuel cost is the common yardstick.
Year by year
| Model year | Toyota RAV4 | Tesla Model Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combined | Per year | Combined | Per year | |
| 2026 | 38–43 MPG | $1,520–$1,710 | 105–138 MPGe | $670–$880 |
| 2025 | 28–39 MPG | $1,210–$2,350 | 104–125 MPGe | $740–$890 |
| 2024 | 28–39 MPG | $1,660–$2,370 | 105–120 MPGe | $770–$880 |
| 2023 | 28–40 MPG | $1,630–$2,370 | 111–123 MPGe | $760–$840 |
| 2022 | 28–40 MPG | $1,630–$2,370 | 111–129 MPGe | $710–$840 |
| 2021 | 28–40 MPG | $1,630–$2,370 | 111–129 MPGe | $710–$840 |
| 2020 | 27–40 MPG | $1,630–$2,380 | 111–121 MPGe | $770–$830 |
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to fuel, the Toyota RAV4 or the Tesla Model Y?
The Tesla Model Y is cheaper: about $670 a year against $1,520 for the Toyota RAV4, a difference of $850 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 Tesla Model Y save over five years?
About $4,250 ($850 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.
Can MPG and MPGe be compared?
The Tesla Model Y is rated 138 MPGe and the Toyota RAV4 43 MPG. MPGe is the EPA's way of expressing electric efficiency per 33.7 kWh, the energy in a gallon of gasoline. It is a different measure from gasoline MPG, so annual fuel cost ($670 vs $1,520) is the better yardstick.
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 Tesla Model Y in the same class?
Yes. The EPA classes both as Small SUVs.
Explore these cars
- Toyota RAV4: ratings, trims and every model year
- Tesla Model Y: ratings, trims and every model year
- 2026 Toyota RAV4: all configurations
- 2026 Tesla Model Y: all configurations
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