Is the Toyota RAV4 expensive to maintain?

The RAV4 costs around $429/year to maintain — $92 below the compact segment average of $521. Repair frequency of 26% is also below the class average of 30%, meaning fewer unscheduled shop visits than most rivals. Combined with an 8/10 reliability score and 10% major repair probability, it's one of the most economical compact SUVs to own over time.

What is the best year for a Toyota RAV4?

The 2022 RAV4 is the standout used buy. It marks the first fully settled year of the fifth generation after a turbulent launch window — complaints dropped from 865 in 2019 to just 127 in 2022, with a 10/10 NHTSA safety score and only 13 severe issues. The 2022–2023 range is reliably strong. Be cautious with 2019–2021 models, which carried elevated complaint counts as Toyota worked through early fifth-gen issues.

How much does Toyota RAV4 insurance cost?

RAV4 insurance averages around $1,990/year, or about $166/month — nearly identical to the Honda CR-V and toward the lower end for compact SUVs. The RAV4's broad popularity means insurers price it competitively. Rates vary by trim, location, and driver history, but the RAV4 is consistently an affordable quote across most profiles.

Is the Toyota RAV4 or Honda CR-V cheaper to maintain?

The difference is minimal — the RAV4 averages $429/year versus $407/year for the CR-V, a gap of about $22 annually. Over five years that's roughly $110. Both are class leaders in maintenance cost. The CR-V scores slightly higher on reliability (9 vs. 8), but the RAV4's lower repair frequency (26% vs. 30%) means fewer unscheduled trips to the shop. Either is a sound long-term ownership choice.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Toyota RAV4?

Probably not for most buyers. The RAV4's major repair probability of 10% sits just below the compact segment average, and its 8/10 reliability score reflects a vehicle that holds up well with normal maintenance. If you're purchasing a 2019–2021 model used — which carried above-average complaints during the fifth generation's early years — adding powertrain coverage is a reasonable precaution. For 2022 and newer, the reliability case for an extended warranty is weak.

Toyota 4Runner vs Toyota RAV4

Two midsize SUVs compared on the numbers that matter — maintenance cost, reliability, and insurance.

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Toyota RAV4 to minimise 5-year ownership cost.

Buy the Toyota RAV4 if long-term reliability matters most.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Toyota 4Runner	Toyota RAV4
Annual maintenance	$514	$429winner
5-year total cost	$2,570	$2,145winner
Reliability score	8 / 10	8 / 10
Major repair risk (5yr)	13%	10%winner
Cargo space	90.2 cu ftwinner	70.4 cu ft
Starting price (new)	$43,500	$34,800winner
Best years to buy	2024	2018, 2021, 2022

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Toyota 4Runner	Toyota RAV4
RepairPal score	8 / 10	8 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	65.7winner	89
Years to avoid	2023, 2025	2012, 2013, 2014
Value retained · 3 yr	93.3%	94.5%winner
Value retained · 5 yr	74.6%	75%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	64%winner	62%

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Toyota 4Runner	Toyota RAV4
Engine	4.0%winner	15.5%
Electrical	6.4%winner	12.7%
ADAS	4.5%winner	9.7%
Brakes	8.7%	5.8%winner
Suspension	3.1%	2.9%winner
Steering	7.4%	3.9%winner
Fuel system	4.8%winner	7.9%
Tires/Wheels	2.9%	2.1%winner
Glass/Windows	2.4%winner	5.1%
Airbags	36.2%	7.8%winner

One major repair on either model can run $1,500–4,000. A warranty caps your exposure, especially on known problem years.

// INSURANCE

Which is cheaper to insure?

	Toyota 4Runner	Toyota RAV4
Avg annual premium	$2,045	$1,990winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Toyota 4Runner

$514/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Toyota RAV4

$429/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

How we calculated this. Maintenance costs and reliability scores from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →