SUV comparison
Tesla Model Y vs Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Which costs less to own over 5 years? Compare purchase price, fuel, maintenance, insurance, and depreciation — then customize with your own numbers.
Both vehicles are in the suv class — a fair apples-to-apples comparison.
Tesla Model Y vs Toyota Highlander Hybrid: Quick Verdict
Based on average driving (12,000 miles/year), the Toyota Highlander Hybrid costs approximately $1,781 less over 5 years compared to the Tesla Model Y. The gas vehicle's lower purchase price outweighs the EV's fuel savings at this mileage.
Tesla Model Y
$44,990
purchase price
Toyota Highlander Hybrid
$40,870
purchase price
Gas saves
$1,781
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
$1,781
over 5 years
EV saves per month
$83
fuel + maintenance
Operating cost payback
5.7 years
beyond ownership
The difference between the Tesla Model Y and Toyota Highlander Hybrid is small — only $1,781 over 5 years.
Operating cost payback falls outside your ownership period. You may not recover the extra upfront cost through fuel and maintenance savings alone.
Gas saves you
$1,781
over 5 years (all-in)
EV saves per month
$83
fuel + maintenance
Operating cost payback
5.7 years
beyond ownership period
Vehicles compared
Model Y · Highlander Hybrid · RAV4 Hybrid
EV · Gas · Hybrid
Full Cost Breakdown
| Tesla Model YElectric | Toyota Highlander HybridHybrid | Toyota RAV4 HybridBestHybrid | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase Price | $44,990 | $40,870 | $35,385 |
| Monthly Fuel | $35 | $97 | $88 |
| Annual Fuel | $421 | $1,167 | $1,050 |
| Total Fuel | $2,106 | $5,833 | $5,250 |
| Total Maintenance | $3,000 | $5,250 | $5,000 |
| Total Insurance | $10,500 | $9,500 | $9,250 |
| Resale Value | $24,745 | $27,383 | $24,062 |
| Total Cost of Ownership | $35,852 | $34,070 | $30,823 |
Tesla Model Y
Electric
Toyota Highlander 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 Y costs about $421/year vs $1167/year for gas in the Highlander Hybrid. That's $745/year in fuel savings alone.
Maintenance
EVs have fewer moving parts — no oil changes, less brake wear, no transmission fluid. The Model Y saves roughly $2250 in maintenance over the ownership period.
Depreciation & Resale
The Highlander Hybrid holds 67% of its value vs 55% for the Model Y. 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 $2,100/year for the Model Y vs $1,900/year for the Highlander Hybrid in the total comparison.
Share Your Result
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EV vs Gas is a close call for me — only $1,781 difference over 5 years. Check yours → isevworthit.com
About the Tesla Model Y
The Tesla Model Y is a fully electric suv with an efficiency of 0.27 kWh per mile. Priced at $44,990, it costs around $600/year to maintain and $2,100/year to insure. It's widely regarded as the Most Popular EV option in its class.
About the Toyota Highlander Hybrid
The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is a hybrid suv achieving 36 MPG. Priced at $40,870, it costs around $1,050/year to maintain and $1,900/year to insure. This is a direct apples-to-apples comparison within the same vehicle class.
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.