Sedan comparison
Tesla Model 3 vs Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
Which costs less to own over 5 years? Compare purchase price, fuel, maintenance, insurance, and depreciation — then customize with your own numbers.
Tesla Model 3 vs Toyota RAV4 Hybrid: Quick Verdict
Based on average driving (12,000 miles/year), the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid costs approximately $643 less over 5 years compared to the Tesla Model 3. The gas vehicle's lower purchase price outweighs the EV's fuel savings at this mileage.
Tesla Model 3
$38,990
purchase price
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
$35,385
purchase price
Gas saves
$643
over 5 years
Customize your mileage, gas price, and electricity rate below to get a personalized comparison.
Your Numbers
Adjust the inputs to match your situation. Results update instantly.
Average American drives ~13,500 miles/year
Charge at home overnight — cheapest option
Too Close to Call
Gas saves you
$643
over 5 years
EV saves per month
$80
fuel + maintenance
Operating cost payback
4.9 years
within ownership
The difference between the Tesla Model 3 and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is small — only $643 over 5 years.
These vehicles are in different classes. The comparison is still valid but keep the size/class difference in mind.
Gas saves you
$643
over 5 years (all-in)
EV saves per month
$80
fuel + maintenance
Operating cost payback
4.9 years
achievable within ownership
Vehicles compared
Model 3 · RAV4 Hybrid · RAV4 Hybrid
EV · Gas · Hybrid
Full Cost Breakdown
| Tesla Model 3Electric | Toyota RAV4 HybridBestHybrid | Toyota RAV4 HybridBestHybrid | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase Price | $38,990 | $35,385 | $35,385 |
| Monthly Fuel | $33 | $88 | $88 |
| Annual Fuel | $390 | $1,050 | $1,050 |
| Total Fuel | $1,950 | $5,250 | $5,250 |
| Total Maintenance | $2,750 | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Total Insurance | $10,000 | $9,250 | $9,250 |
| Resale Value | $22,224 | $24,062 | $24,062 |
| Total Cost of Ownership | $31,466 | $30,823 | $30,823 |
Tesla Model 3
Electric
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
Hybrid
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
Hybrid
Cost Over 5 Years
Why This Result
At your inputs, neither option has a decisive cost advantage. Small changes in gas prices, electricity rates, or driving habits could tip the balance either way. The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid may offer a good compromise between cost and efficiency.
Fuel vs Charging
Charging the Model 3 costs about $390/year vs $1050/year for gas in the RAV4 Hybrid. That's $660/year in fuel savings alone.
Maintenance
EVs have fewer moving parts — no oil changes, less brake wear, no transmission fluid. The Model 3 saves roughly $2250 in maintenance over the ownership period.
Depreciation & Resale
The RAV4 Hybrid holds 68% of its value vs 57% for the Model 3. Purchase price and resale value are often the largest factors in total cost of ownership.
Insurance
EV insurance tends to run higher due to specialized repair costs. We've included $2,000/year for the Model 3 vs $1,850/year for the RAV4 Hybrid in the total comparison.
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EV vs Gas is a close call for me — only $643 difference over 5 years. Check yours → isevworthit.com
About the Tesla Model 3
The Tesla Model 3 is a fully electric sedan with an efficiency of 0.25 kWh per mile. Priced at $38,990, it costs around $550/year to maintain and $2,000/year to insure. It's widely regarded as the Best Value EV option in its class.
About the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is a hybrid sedan achieving 40 MPG. Priced at $35,385, it costs around $1,000/year to maintain and $1,850/year to insure. Note that these vehicles are in different classes — keep size and use-case differences in mind.
How We Calculate Total Cost
Total cost of ownership includes purchase price, fuel or charging costs over your ownership period, annual maintenance, annual insurance, minus estimated resale value based on depreciation. This gives you the true all-in cost of each vehicle — not just the sticker price.