Toyota RAV4 vs Toyota Highlander: 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 $1,860 for the Toyota Highlander (Highlander Hybrid LTD/PLAT, 35 MPG combined). That is $340 a year, or $1,700 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

Combined

City

Highway

Annual fuel cost

$1,520

$10.13 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

6 configurations in MY2026

Illustration: Standard SUVs

Hybrid
Standard SUVs

Toyota Highlander

Lowest fuel cost configuration

Highlander Hybrid LTD/PLAT

Combined

City

Highway

Annual fuel cost

$1,860

$12.40 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

3 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
Toyota Highlander$1,860 a year · $12.40 per 100 mi

Difference per year

$340

Toyota RAV4 costs less to fuel

Over 5 years

$1,700

$340 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

Head to head, MY2026

Toyota RAV4 and Toyota Highlander compared on their lowest fuel cost configuration
Measure	Toyota RAV4	Toyota Highlander
Lowest-cost configuration	RAV4	Highlander Hybrid LTD/PLAT
Powertrain	Hybrid	Hybrid
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)	$1,860/yr
Cost per 100 miles	$10.13 (better)	$12.40
Annual cost range, all configurations	$1,520–$1,710	$1,860–$2,750
Configurations in MY2026	6	3
EPA class	Small SUVs	Standard SUVs

Best configuration by powertrain

Lowest-cost configuration of each powertrain, Toyota RAV4 and Toyota Highlander
Powertrain	Toyota RAV4	Toyota Highlander
Gas	Not offered in MY2026	24 MPG · $2,750/yr Highlander
Hybrid	43 MPG · $1,520/yr RAV4	35 MPG · $1,860/yr Highlander Hybrid LTD/PLAT

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 $1,860
Higher combined rating: 43 MPG vs 35 MPG
Higher city rating: 47 MPG vs 35 MPG
Higher highway rating: 40 MPG vs 34 MPG

Toyota Highlander

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 Toyota Highlander
Model year	Toyota RAV4		Toyota Highlander
Model year	Combined	Per year	Combined	Per year
2026	38–43 MPG	$1,520–$1,710	24–35 MPG	$1,860–$2,750
2025	28–39 MPG	$1,210–$2,350	24–35 MPG	$1,860–$2,750
2024	28–39 MPG	$1,660–$2,370	24–36 MPG	$1,820–$2,750
2023	28–40 MPG	$1,630–$2,370	24–36 MPG	$1,820–$2,750
2022	28–40 MPG	$1,630–$2,370	23–36 MPG	$1,820–$2,860
2021	28–40 MPG	$1,630–$2,370	23–36 MPG	$1,820–$2,870
2020	27–40 MPG	$1,630–$2,380	23–36 MPG	$1,820–$2,860
2019	28–40 MPG	$1,630–$2,330	22–29 MPG	$2,260–$3,030
2018	24–32 MPG	$2,030–$2,690	22–29 MPG	$2,260–$3,030
2017	24–32 MPG	$2,030–$2,690	22–29 MPG	$2,260–$3,030
2016	24–32 MPG	$2,030–$2,680	20–28 MPG	$2,320–$3,200
2015	24–26 MPG	$2,500–$2,680	20–28 MPG	$2,320–$3,200
2014	24–26 MPG	$1,210–$2,680	20–28 MPG	$2,320–$3,200
2013	25–26 MPG	$1,210–$2,650	19–28 MPG	$2,370–$3,470
2012	22–24 MPG	$1,210–$3,020	19–28 MPG	$2,370–$3,470
2011	21–24 MPG	$2,730–$3,060	19–28 MPG	$2,360–$3,470
2010	21–24 MPG	$2,720–$3,110	19–26 MPG	$2,510–$3,440
2009	21–24 MPG	$2,720–$3,110	19–26 MPG	$2,510–$3,440
2008	21–24 MPG	$2,720–$3,110	19–26 MPG	$2,510–$3,440
2007	21–23 MPG	$2,840–$3,110	19–26 MPG	$2,510–$3,440
2006	21–24 MPG	$2,720–$3,110	19–27 MPG	$2,420–$3,440
2005	21–23 MPG	$2,840–$3,110	19–22 MPG	$2,970–$3,440
2004	21–23 MPG	$2,840–$3,110	19–22 MPG	$2,970–$3,440
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	18–22 MPG	$2,970–$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 Toyota Highlander?

The Toyota RAV4 is cheaper: about $1,520 a year against $1,860 for the Toyota Highlander, a difference of $340 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 $1,700 ($340 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 Toyota Highlander?

The Toyota RAV4 is rated 43 MPG combined against 35 MPG for the Toyota Highlander. 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 Toyota Highlander in the same class?

The EPA classes the Toyota RAV4 as Small SUVs and the Toyota Highlander as Standard SUVs, so they are listed as a hybrid-versus-gasoline comparison.

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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