The Toyota RAV4 does 33.9 mpg combined (33.2 city, 35.6 highway), which works out to about $1,133 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: Electric does 75.4 mpg while 3.5L 6-cyl does 22 — a difference of $1,236 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Toyota RAV4 engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | 81.4 / 69.7 | 2000–2014 | $509 | |
| 2.5L 4-cyl Hybrid | 39.6 / 36 | 2016–2026 | $1,013 | |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 24.2 / 31.6 | 2009–2025 | $1,412 | |
| 2L 4-cyl | 21.4 / 26.9 | 1996–2003 | $1,634 | |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 21 / 27 | 2004–2008 | $1,641 | |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 19 / 26.7 | 2006–2012 | $1,745 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.094 |
| Fuel per year | $1,133 |
| Fuel over five years | $5,665 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$379 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,167 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 33.2 mpg | $1,157 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 35.6 mpg | $1,079 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +2.4 mpg (7%) | Narrow — equally happy either way |
How the RAV4 changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 47 / 40 | 1 | $893 | |
| 2025 | 34 / 36.5 | 2 | $1,113 | |
| 2024 | 34 / 36.5 | 2 | $1,113 | |
| 2023 | 34 / 36.5 | 2 | $1,097 | |
| 2022 | 34 / 36.5 | 2 | $1,097 | |
| 2021 | 34 / 36.5 | 2 | $1,097 | |
| 2020 | 34 / 36.5 | 2 | $1,097 | |
| 2019 | 33.5 / 36.5 | 2 | $1,097 | |
| 2018 | 28.5 / 30 | 2 | $1,324 | |
| 2017 | 28.5 / 30 | 2 | $1,324 | |
| 2016 | 28.5 / 30 | 2 | $1,324 | |
| 2015 | 23 / 30 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2014 | 50.5 / 52 | 2 | $753 | |
| 2013 | 50.5 / 52 | 2 | $753 | |
| 2012 | 39.3 / 42.7 | 3 | $943 | |
| 2011 | 20 / 27 | 2 | $1,670 | |
| 2010 | 20.5 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,670 | |
| 2009 | 20.5 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,670 | |
| 2008 | 20 / 27 | 2 | $1,670 | |
| 2007 | 20 / 27 | 2 | $1,707 | |
| 2006 | 20 / 27 | 2 | $1,670 | |
| 2005 | 21 / 27 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2004 | 21 / 27 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2003 | 54.5 / 48.5 | 2 | $753 | |
| 2002 | 54.5 / 48.5 | 2 | $753 | |
| 2001 | 51.5 / 46 | 2 | $800 | |
| 2000 | 51 / 45 | 2 | $808 | |
| 1999 | 21 / 26 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 1998 | 21 / 26 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 1997 | 21 / 26 | 1 | $1,670 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Toyota RAV4 get?
33.9 mpg combined on average — 33.2 in the city and 35.6 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1996–2026.
How much does a Toyota RAV4 cost in fuel per year?
About $1,133 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $5,665 over five years, or 0.094 dollars a mile.
Which RAV4 engine is the most economical?
The Electric at 75.4 mpg, against 22 for the 3.5L 6-cyl — a difference of about $1,236 a year.
Is the RAV4 good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg, computed across 6877 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.