Tesla Model Y RWD vs Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid SE: 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 Plug-in Hybrid SE stays the cheaper car to own — about $44,011 vs $57,428 for the Tesla Model Y RWD, a $13,417 difference over 5 years. The expired federal $7,500 EV credit is not applied to either total.
Cheaper to own over 5 yearsToyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid SE · $44,011 total · $13,417 less than the Tesla Model Y RWD
Tesla Model Y RWD vs Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid SE — where the money goes
| Cost component | Electric · Tesla Model Y RWD | Plug-in hybrid · Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| Depreciation (estimated) | $26,544 (46%) | $13,160 (30%) |
| Charging / fuel | $4,576 (8%) | $5,436 (12%) |
| ↳ of which charging loss | 12% (~$549) | — |
| Maintenance | $3,660 (6%) | $4,980 (11%) |
| Insurance | $13,750 (24%) | $11,750 (27%) |
| Financing interest | $7,897 (14%) | $7,686 (17%) |
| Registration & fees | $1,000 (2%) | $1,000 (2%) |
| Total cost of ownership | $57,428 | $44,011 |
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 Plug-in Hybrid SE 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 Plug-in Hybrid SE is decisively cheaper: $13,417 over 5 years, about 30% of its total. At default assumptions this one isn't close.
What decides the Tesla Model Y RWD vs Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid SE verdict
The single biggest mover is depreciation: $26,544 on the Tesla Model Y RWD against $13,160 on the Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid SE, a $13,384 gap in the Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid SE's favor — the largest slice of the $13,417 verdict. On the Tesla Model Y RWD, depreciation alone is 46% of its $57,428 total; on the Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid SE it is 30% of $44,011.
- Insurance: Tesla Model Y RWD $13,750, Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid SE $11,750 — $2,000 more in the Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid SE's favor.
- Maintenance: Tesla Model Y RWD $3,660, Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid SE $4,980 — $1,320 the other way, to the Tesla Model Y RWD.
- Energy: $4,576 of charging for the Tesla Model Y RWD vs $5,436 of gas for the Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid SE — $860 the other way, to the Tesla Model Y RWD.
The Tesla Model Y RWD gets $1,320 back on maintenance, but against a $13,417 verdict that is loose change. The Tesla Model Y RWD starts $1,125 behind the Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid SE at the dealer, and ownership widens it — the 5-year gap grows to $13,417. The Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid SE is ahead by $4,629 after the first year and more than doubles that lead — $13,417 by year 5.
Tesla Model Y RWD vs Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid SE, 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 Plug-in Hybrid SE
- 5-yr total cost
- $44,011
- Cost / month
- $734
- Cost / mile
- $0.73
- MSRP
- $43,865
- Powertrain
- Plug-in hybrid
- Efficiency
- 40 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 Plug-in Hybrid SE by state
No state's electricity or gas prices flip this verdict at default assumptions — the Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid SE is the cheaper car in all 51 states we track.