Tesla Model Y RWD 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 $57,428 for the Tesla Model Y RWD, a $16,336 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 · $16,336 less than the Tesla Model Y RWD
Tesla Model Y RWD vs Toyota RAV4 LE (gas) — where the money goes
| Cost component | Electric · Tesla Model Y RWD | Gas · Toyota RAV4 LE |
|---|---|---|
| Depreciation (estimated) | $26,544 (46%) | $10,800 (26%) |
| Charging / fuel | $4,576 (8%) | $7,694 (19%) |
| ↳ of which charging loss | 12% (~$549) | — |
| Maintenance | $3,660 (6%) | $5,520 (13%) |
| Insurance | $13,750 (24%) | $11,000 (27%) |
| Financing interest | $7,897 (14%) | $5,078 (12%) |
| Registration & fees | $1,000 (2%) | $1,000 (2%) |
| Total cost of ownership | $57,428 | $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 Tesla Model Y RWD 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 Tesla Model Y RWD 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: $16,336 over 5 years, about 40% of its total. At default assumptions this one isn't close.
What decides the Tesla Model Y RWD vs Toyota RAV4 LE (gas) verdict
The single biggest mover is depreciation: $26,544 on the Tesla Model Y RWD against $10,800 on the Toyota RAV4 LE (gas), a $15,744 gap in the Toyota RAV4 LE (gas)'s favor — the largest slice of the $16,336 verdict. On the Tesla Model Y RWD, depreciation alone is 46% of its $57,428 total; on the Toyota RAV4 LE (gas) it is 26% of $41,092.
- Energy: $4,576 of charging for the Tesla Model Y RWD vs $7,694 of gas for the Toyota RAV4 LE (gas) — $3,118 the other way, to the Tesla Model Y RWD.
- Financing interest: Tesla Model Y RWD $7,897, Toyota RAV4 LE (gas) $5,078 — $2,819 more in the Toyota RAV4 LE (gas)'s favor.
- Insurance: Tesla Model Y RWD $13,750, Toyota RAV4 LE (gas) $11,000 — $2,750 more in the Toyota RAV4 LE (gas)'s favor.
The Tesla Model Y RWD's best answer is energy — $3,118 back the other way — which covers 19% of the Toyota RAV4 LE (gas)'s $16,336 lead. The Tesla Model Y RWD starts $14,990 behind the Toyota RAV4 LE (gas) at the dealer, and ownership widens it — the 5-year gap grows to $16,336. The Toyota RAV4 LE (gas) is ahead by $6,526 after the first year and more than doubles that lead — $16,336 by year 5.
Tesla Model Y RWD vs Toyota RAV4 LE (gas), side by side
Tesla Model Y RWD
- 5-yr total cost
- $57,428
- Cost / month
- $957
- Cost / mile
- $0.96
- MSRP
- $44,990
- Powertrain
- Electric
- Efficiency
- 28 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
Tesla Model Y RWD 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.