Chevrolet Equinox EV LT vs Toyota RAV4 LE (gas): 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 LE (gas) stays the cheaper car to own — about $41,092 vs $50,164 for the Chevrolet Equinox EV LT, a $9,072 difference over 5 years. The expired federal $7,500 EV credit is not applied to either total.
Cheaper to own over 5 yearsToyota RAV4 LE (gas) · $41,092 total · $9,072 less than the Chevrolet Equinox EV LT
Chevrolet Equinox EV LT vs Toyota RAV4 LE (gas) — where the money goes
| Cost component | Electric · Chevrolet Equinox EV LT | Gas · Toyota RAV4 LE |
|---|---|---|
| Depreciation (estimated) | $20,997 (42%) | $10,800 (26%) |
| Charging / fuel | $4,740 (9%) | $7,694 (19%) |
| ↳ of which charging loss | 12% (~$569) | — |
| Maintenance | $3,660 (7%) | $5,520 (13%) |
| Insurance | $13,750 (27%) | $11,000 (27%) |
| Financing interest | $6,017 (12%) | $5,078 (12%) |
| Registration & fees | $1,000 (2%) | $1,000 (2%) |
| Total cost of ownership | $50,164 | $41,092 |
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 LE (gas) 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 LE (gas) is decisively cheaper: $9,072 over 5 years, about 22% of its total. At default assumptions this one isn't close.
What decides the Chevrolet Equinox EV LT vs Toyota RAV4 LE (gas) verdict
One line outweighs everything else here: depreciation. It costs $20,997 on the Chevrolet Equinox EV LT against $10,800 on the Toyota RAV4 LE (gas) — a $10,197 swing to the Toyota RAV4 LE (gas), bigger than the $9,072 that separates the two 5-year totals. On the Chevrolet Equinox EV LT, depreciation alone is 42% of its $50,164 total; on the Toyota RAV4 LE (gas) it is 26% of $41,092.
- Energy: $4,740 of charging for the Chevrolet Equinox EV LT vs $7,694 of gas for the Toyota RAV4 LE (gas) — $2,954 the other way, to the Chevrolet Equinox EV LT.
- Insurance: Chevrolet Equinox EV LT $13,750, Toyota RAV4 LE (gas) $11,000 — $2,750 more in the Toyota RAV4 LE (gas)'s favor.
- Maintenance: Chevrolet Equinox EV LT $3,660, Toyota RAV4 LE (gas) $5,520 — $1,860 the other way, to the Chevrolet Equinox EV LT.
The Chevrolet Equinox EV LT's best answer is energy — $2,954 back the other way — which covers 33% of the Toyota RAV4 LE (gas)'s $9,072 lead. The Chevrolet Equinox EV LT starts $4,995 behind the Toyota RAV4 LE (gas) at the dealer, and ownership widens it — the 5-year gap grows to $9,072. The Toyota RAV4 LE (gas) is ahead by $3,674 after the first year and more than doubles that lead — $9,072 by year 5.
Chevrolet Equinox EV LT vs Toyota RAV4 LE (gas), 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 LE (gas)
- 5-yr total cost
- $41,092
- Cost / month
- $685
- Cost / mile
- $0.69
- MSRP
- $30,000
- Powertrain
- Gas
- Efficiency
- 30 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 LE (gas) by state
No state's electricity or gas prices flip this verdict at default assumptions — the Toyota RAV4 LE (gas) is the cheaper car in all 51 states we track.