Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid SE 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 $44,011 for the Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid SE, a $2,919 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 · $2,919 less than the Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid SE
Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid SE vs Toyota RAV4 LE (gas) — where the money goes
| Cost component | Plug-in hybrid · Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid | Gas · Toyota RAV4 LE |
|---|---|---|
| Depreciation (estimated) | $13,160 (30%) | $10,800 (26%) |
| Charging / fuel | $5,436 (12%) | $7,694 (19%) |
| ↳ of which charging loss | — | — |
| Maintenance | $4,980 (11%) | $5,520 (13%) |
| Insurance | $11,750 (27%) | $11,000 (27%) |
| Financing interest | $7,686 (17%) | $5,078 (12%) |
| Registration & fees | $1,000 (2%) | $1,000 (2%) |
| Total cost of ownership | $44,011 | $41,092 |
When does the Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid SE win?
The Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid SE pulls ahead of the Toyota RAV4 LE (gas) if you drive more than about 24,500 mi/yr — or keep it longer than 15 years. Cheaper home charging, or a state with low electricity and pricey gas, flips it sooner.
The Toyota RAV4 LE (gas) holds a modest $2,919 edge here (about 7%): real money, but close enough that your own mileage and local prices decide it.
What decides the Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid SE vs Toyota RAV4 LE (gas) verdict
The single biggest mover is financing interest: $7,686 on the Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid SE against $5,078 on the Toyota RAV4 LE (gas), a $2,608 gap in the Toyota RAV4 LE (gas)'s favor — the largest slice of the $2,919 verdict. On the Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid SE, financing interest alone is 17% of its $44,011 total; on the Toyota RAV4 LE (gas) it is 12% of $41,092.
- Depreciation: Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid SE $13,160, Toyota RAV4 LE (gas) $10,800 — $2,360 more in the Toyota RAV4 LE (gas)'s favor.
- Energy: $5,436 of gas for the Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid SE vs $7,694 of gas for the Toyota RAV4 LE (gas) — $2,258 the other way, to the Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid SE.
- Insurance: Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid SE $11,750, Toyota RAV4 LE (gas) $11,000 — $750 more in the Toyota RAV4 LE (gas)'s favor.
Energy is the Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid SE's strong suit: $2,258 back, 77% of the Toyota RAV4 LE (gas)'s lead — just not enough to turn it. At the dealer the Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid SE starts $13,865 behind the Toyota RAV4 LE (gas); running costs claw back $10,946 of that, but the Toyota RAV4 LE (gas) still ends $2,919 ahead. The Toyota RAV4 LE (gas) leads from year 1 ($1,897 ahead after twelve months) and never gives it back — $2,919 by year 5.
Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid SE vs Toyota RAV4 LE (gas), side by side
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
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
Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid SE 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.