Chevrolet Equinox EV LT vs Toyota RAV4 Hybrid LE: 5-year cost to own in the U.S.
As of August 6, 2026, over 5 years (U.S. average, 12,000 mi/yr), the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid LE stays the cheaper car to own — about $39,148 vs $50,164 for the Chevrolet Equinox EV LT, a $11,016 difference over 5 years. The expired federal $7,500 EV credit is not applied to either total.
Cheaper to own over 5 yearsToyota RAV4 Hybrid LE · $39,148 total · $11,016 less than the Chevrolet Equinox EV LT
Chevrolet Equinox EV LT vs Toyota RAV4 Hybrid LE — where the money goes
| Cost component | Electric · Chevrolet Equinox EV LT | Hybrid · Toyota RAV4 Hybrid LE |
|---|---|---|
| Depreciation (estimated) | $20,997 (42%) | $11,165 (29%) |
| Charging / fuel | $4,740 (9%) | $5,368 (14%) |
| ↳ of which charging loss | 12% (~$569) | — |
| Maintenance | $3,660 (7%) | $4,680 (12%) |
| Insurance | $13,750 (27%) | $11,500 (29%) |
| Financing interest | $6,017 (12%) | $5,435 (14%) |
| Registration & fees | $1,000 (2%) | $1,000 (3%) |
| Total cost of ownership | $50,164 | $39,148 |
The charging-loss row is the ~10–15% of electricity lost to AC charging that you pay for but never reaches the battery — we include it; most calculators don't.
When does the Chevrolet Equinox EV LT win?
Even at 30,000+ mi/yr or a 15-year hold, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid LE stays cheaper here — its lower price and slower depreciation dominate. The Chevrolet Equinox EV LT is the pick mainly for reasons beyond 5-year cost (performance, emissions, HOV access, home-charging convenience).
No sugar-coating it — the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid LE is decisively cheaper: $11,016 over 5 years, about 28% of its total. At default assumptions this one isn't close.
What decides the Chevrolet Equinox EV LT vs Toyota RAV4 Hybrid LE verdict
The single biggest mover is depreciation: $20,997 on the Chevrolet Equinox EV LT against $11,165 on the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid LE, a $9,832 gap in the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid LE's favor — the largest slice of the $11,016 verdict. On the Chevrolet Equinox EV LT, depreciation alone is 42% of its $50,164 total; on the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid LE it is 29% of $39,148.
- Insurance: Chevrolet Equinox EV LT $13,750, Toyota RAV4 Hybrid LE $11,500 — $2,250 more in the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid LE's favor.
- Maintenance: Chevrolet Equinox EV LT $3,660, Toyota RAV4 Hybrid LE $4,680 — $1,020 the other way, to the Chevrolet Equinox EV LT.
- Energy: $4,740 of charging for the Chevrolet Equinox EV LT vs $5,368 of gas for the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid LE — $628 the other way, to the Chevrolet Equinox EV LT.
The Chevrolet Equinox EV LT gets $1,020 back on maintenance, but against an $11,016 verdict that is loose change. The Chevrolet Equinox EV LT starts $3,095 behind the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid LE at the dealer, and ownership widens it — the 5-year gap grows to $11,016. The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid LE is ahead by $3,688 after the first year and more than doubles that lead — $11,016 by year 5.
Chevrolet Equinox EV LT vs Toyota RAV4 Hybrid LE, side by side
Chevrolet Equinox EV LT
- 5-yr total cost
- $50,164
- Cost / month
- $836
- Cost / mile
- $0.84
- MSRP
- $34,995
- Powertrain
- Electric
- Efficiency
- 29 kWh/100mi
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid LE
- 5-yr total cost
- $39,148
- Cost / month
- $652
- Cost / mile
- $0.65
- MSRP
- $31,900
- Powertrain
- Hybrid
- Efficiency
- 43 mpg
- Electricity (US avg)
- 18.4¢/kWh EIA
- Gas price (US avg)
- $3.85/gal AAA
Full cost breakdowns
Chevrolet Equinox EV LT vs Toyota RAV4 Hybrid LE by state
No state's electricity or gas prices flip this verdict at default assumptions — the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid LE is the cheaper car in all 51 states we track.