Tesla Model Y RWD vs Toyota RAV4 Hybrid GXL FWD: 5-year cost to own (NZ)
Over 5 years in New Zealand (14,000 km/yr), as of July 9, 2026, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid GXL FWD stays the cheaper car to own — about $52,754 vs $72,318 for the Tesla Model Y RWD, a $19,564 difference over 5 years.
No EV purchase rebate in NZ (the Clean Car Discount ended Dec 2023), and EVs now pay Road User Charges (~NZ$76/1,000 km). Both are reflected honestly — the RUC is included in the totals above. Source: NZTA.
Cheaper to own over 5 years · NZToyota RAV4 Hybrid GXL FWD · $52,754 total · $19,564 less than the Tesla Model Y RWD
Tesla Model Y RWD vs Toyota RAV4 Hybrid GXL FWD — where the money goes
| Cost component | Electric · Tesla Model Y RWD | Hybrid · Toyota RAV4 Hybrid GXL |
|---|---|---|
| Depreciation (estimated) | $39,382 (54%) | $22,256 (42%) |
| Charging / fuel | $5,239 (7%) | $9,979 (19%) |
| ↳ of which charging loss | 12% (~$629) | — |
| Maintenance | $2,247 (3%) | $3,752 (7%) |
| Insurance | $7,000 (10%) | $6,500 (12%) |
| Financing interest | $12,206 (17%) | $9,402 (18%) |
| Registration & fees | $6,245 (9%) | $865 (2%) |
| Total cost of ownership | $72,318 | $52,754 |
When does the Tesla Model Y RWD win?
The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid GXL FWD wins decisively here — $19,564 cheaper over 5 years; at typical assumptions this isn't a close call.
No realistic annual distance flips this verdict — the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid GXL FWD stays the cheaper car at every distance we model.
What decides the Tesla Model Y RWD vs Toyota RAV4 Hybrid GXL FWD verdict
The single biggest mover is depreciation: $39,382 on the Tesla Model Y RWD against $22,256 on the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid GXL FWD, a $17,126 gap in the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid GXL FWD's favor — the largest slice of the $19,564 verdict. On the Tesla Model Y RWD, depreciation alone is 54% of its $72,318 total; on the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid GXL FWD it is 42% of $52,754.
- Registration & fees: Tesla Model Y RWD $6,245, Toyota RAV4 Hybrid GXL FWD $865 — $5,380 more in the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid GXL FWD's favor.
- Energy: $5,239 of charging for the Tesla Model Y RWD vs $9,979 of petrol for the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid GXL FWD — $4,740 the other way, to the Tesla Model Y RWD.
- Financing interest: Tesla Model Y RWD $12,206, Toyota RAV4 Hybrid GXL FWD $9,402 — $2,804 more in the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid GXL FWD's favor.
The Tesla Model Y RWD's best answer is energy — $4,740 back the other way — which covers 24% of the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid GXL FWD's $19,564 lead. The Tesla Model Y RWD starts $14,910 behind the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid GXL FWD at the dealer, and ownership widens it — the 5-year gap grows to $19,564. The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid GXL FWD is ahead by $6,604 after the first year and more than doubles that lead — $19,564 by year 5.
Tesla Model Y RWD vs Toyota RAV4 Hybrid GXL FWD, side by side
Tesla Model Y RWD
- 5-yr total cost
- $72,318
- Cost / month
- $1,205
- Cost / km
- $1.03
- Starting price
- $67,900
- Powertrain
- Electric
- Efficiency
- 14.9 kWh/100km
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid GXL FWD
- 5-yr total cost
- $52,754
- Cost / month
- $879
- Cost / km
- $0.75
- Starting price
- $52,990
- Powertrain
- Hybrid
- Efficiency
- 4.8 L/100km
- NZ electricity
- 34.00c/kWh EA / MBIE
- Petrol (NZ)
- $2.97/L MBIE