Toyota RAV4 vs Tesla Model Y: Hybrid SUV or Electric SUV
The RAV4 GX Hybrid costs less up front, while the Model Y RWD gives you more boot space, more braked towing and no fuel bill, for a higher price.
By Uzzi · 26 October 2026 · Every figure comes from each car's own page on CarSorted.
2026 Toyota RAV4 GX Hybrid 2WD
$50,872 drive-away
RRP $45,990 excl. on-roads
Price tracker
Standing price
$45,990 RRP before on-road costs
We check the manufacturer's published price regularly and record every change here.
RRP before on-road costs, as published by the manufacturer.
$58,900
RRP excl. on-roads
Price tracker
Standing price
$58,900 RRP before on-road costs
We check the manufacturer's published price regularly and record every change here.
RRP before on-road costs, as published by the manufacturer.
Who the Toyota RAV4 suits
The RAV4 GX Hybrid suits buyers who want a lower sticker price at $45,990 (RRP excl. on-roads) and don't want to think about charging. It uses 4.5L/100km on the combined cycle from a 55L tank, so it fits people without home charging. It's also the shorter car at 4,600mm long.
Who the Tesla Model Y suits
The Model Y RWD suits buyers ready to go electric who can charge at home or nearby, and who can stretch to $58,900 (RRP excl. on-roads). It has a 466km WLTP range and a bigger 854L boot. It also suits anyone towing a camper or boat, with a 1,600kg braked towing figure.
What decides it
1. Price
The RAV4 GX Hybrid lists at $45,990 (RRP excl. on-roads) and the Model Y RWD at $58,900 (RRP excl. on-roads). That puts the Toyota about $12,910 lower before on-road costs. Our data has a Victorian figure for the RAV4 of $50,872 (drive-away, VIC), but no drive-away figure for the Model Y.
2. Hybrid or electric
The RAV4 is a HEV that uses 4.5L/100km combined and fills from a 55L tank. The Model Y is a BEV with a 60.0kWh battery, a 466km WLTP range and DC charging up to 175kW. If you can't charge easily, the RAV4 is the simpler fit.
3. Boot and towing
The Model Y's boot is 854L with the seats up against 705L in the RAV4, about 149L more. Braked towing is 1,600kg for the Tesla and 800kg for the Toyota, a gap of 800kg. Unbraked towing is the same for the two cars at 750kg.
Running costs
The RAV4 uses 4.5L/100km combined, while the Model Y uses 13.9 kWh/100km. The RAV4 has a service interval of 12 months, and we have no service interval figure for the Model Y or capped servicing prices for either car. Both come with a 5-year, unlimited km warranty. Check the running-cost chart below to compare them over time.
True Cost of Ownership (5 Years)
$5,009
per year to run
$71,033
total 5yr cost
$0.91
per kilometre
Where the 5-year total goes
About $5,009/year to run, or $25,045 over 5 years including fuel, insurance, servicing, tyres and registration.
* Estimates based on your parameters. Servicing uses each manufacturer's capped-price schedule where we have it, and tyres scale with your weekly km. A guide only, not a quote.
True Cost of Ownership (5 Years)
$4,103
per year to run
$79,417
total 5yr cost
$1.02
per kilometre
Where the 5-year total goes
About $4,103/year to run, or $20,515 over 5 years including fuel, insurance, servicing, tyres and registration.
* Estimates based on your parameters. Servicing uses each manufacturer's capped-price schedule where we have it, and tyres scale with your weekly km. A guide only, not a quote.
Practicality
Both cars are SUVs with 5 seats. The Model Y has the bigger boot at 854L seats up and 2,138L folded, while the RAV4 has 705L seats up and we have no folded figure for it. The RAV4 is the more compact car at 4,600mm long and 1,855mm wide, against 4,792mm and 1,982mm for the Tesla, and its turning circle is 11.36m versus 12.1m.
Cost to tow
The real fuel/energy cost once you hitch up. Pick a trailer and trip.
Estimate only: consumption rises as range falls; real use varies with terrain, wind and load.
Will it fit in the boot?
May fitExample sizes only - measure your item before relying on this.
Volume check only (seats up)
Item box about 166L (23% of the volume). Litres don't describe shape, so this can't confirm a fit.
Toyota doesn't publish boot dimensions for this car, only 705 litres. Litres can prove something won't fit, but never that a rigid item will - so the best this car can score is "May fit".
Based on the manufacturer's published boot volume.
Cost to tow
The real fuel/energy cost once you hitch up. Pick a trailer and trip.
⚠ Not every limit could be checked: the manufacturer publishes no GCM for this vehicle, so this verdict rests only on the limits that are published.
Estimate only: consumption rises as range falls; real use varies with terrain, wind and load.
Will it fit in the boot?
May fitExample sizes only - measure your item before relying on this.
Volume check only (seats up)
Item box about 166L (19% of the volume). Litres don't describe shape, so this can't confirm a fit.
Tesla doesn't publish boot dimensions for this car, only 854 litres. Litres can prove something won't fit, but never that a rigid item will - so the best this car can score is "May fit".
Based on the manufacturer's published boot volume.
How quick is it?
How quick is it?
0-100 times as published and held in our records. Counts cover on-sale cars with a figure and refresh daily.
How quick is it?
0-100 times as published and held in our records. Counts cover on-sale cars with a figure and refresh daily.
Safety
The Model Y RWD has a 5-star ANCAP rating from 2025. Our data has no ANCAP rating on record for the RAV4 GX Hybrid, so check ANCAP directly before you buy.
The figures side by side
| Toyota RAV4 | Tesla Model Y | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $45,990 (RRP excl. on-roads) | $58,900 (RRP excl. on-roads) |
| Drive-away price (VIC) | $50,872 (drive-away, VIC) | No data |
| Powertrain | HEV | BEV |
| Fuel | Hybrid | Electric |
| Drive | FWD | RWD |
| Transmission | CVT (e-CVT) | Automatic |
| Power | 143kW | 255kW |
| Combined system power | 143kW | No data |
| Torque | No data | 340Nm |
| 0-100km/h | 8.4 seconds | 5.9 seconds |
| Fuel use (combined) | 4.5L/100km | No data |
| Fuel tank | 55L | No data |
| Energy use | No data | 13.9 kWh/100km |
| Battery | No data | 60.0kWh |
| Electric range (WLTP) | No data | 466km |
| Max DC charging | No data | 175kW |
| Body | SUV | SUV |
| Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Boot (seats up) | 705L | 854L |
| Boot (seats folded) | No data | 2,138L |
| Length | 4,600mm | 4,792mm |
| Width | 1,855mm | 1,982mm |
| Height | 1,685mm | 1,624mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,690mm | 2,890mm |
| Ground clearance | No data | 167mm |
| Turning circle | 11.36m | 12.1m |
| Kerb weight | 1,745kg | 1,921kg |
| Towing (braked) | 800kg | 1,600kg |
| Towing (unbraked) | 750kg | 750kg |
| Payload | 400kg | No data |
| ANCAP rating | No rating on record | 5-star (2025) |
| Warranty | 5-year | 5-year |
| Warranty distance | unlimited km | unlimited km |
| Service interval | 12 months | No data |
The verdict
The RAV4 GX Hybrid wins on price and fits buyers without charging, while the Model Y RWD gives more space, towing and performance if you can pay more and charge easily.
Pick the Toyota RAV4 if
You want the lower price, have no easy way to charge at home, and prefer a shorter car with a tighter turning circle.
Pick the Tesla Model Y if
You can charge at home, need the bigger boot or the higher braked towing figure, and want an ANCAP rating on record.
Put them side by side yourself
Every figure, feature and running cost for both, in our live comparison table.
CarSorted CoDriverBeta
Ask about these two cars
- Toyota RAV4 GX Hybrid 2WD
- Tesla Model Y RWD
Tap a question or ask your own.Tap a question or ask your own. The answer starts from the cars in this comparison, with links to the rows behind them.
Questions buyers ask
Is the Tesla Model Y more expensive than the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid?
Yes. The Model Y RWD is $58,900 (RRP excl. on-roads) and the RAV4 GX Hybrid is $45,990 (RRP excl. on-roads), so the Toyota is about $12,910 less before on-road costs.
Which has the bigger boot, the RAV4 or the Model Y?
The Model Y, with 854L seats up against 705L in the RAV4. We don't have a seats-folded figure for the RAV4.
Can the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid tow as much as a Tesla Model Y?
No. The RAV4 GX Hybrid has a braked towing figure of 800kg and the Model Y RWD has 1,600kg. Both list 750kg unbraked.
What is the range of the Tesla Model Y RWD?
The Model Y RWD has a WLTP range of 466km from a 60.0kWh battery. Real-world range can vary with conditions.
Does the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid have an ANCAP rating?
Our data has no ANCAP rating on record for the RAV4 GX Hybrid. The Model Y RWD has a 5-star ANCAP rating from 2025.
More on these cars
- 2026 Toyota RAV4 GX Hybrid 2WD: full specs and priceEvery Toyota RAV4 gradeAll Toyota models
- 2026 Tesla Model Y RWD: full specs and priceEvery Tesla Model Y gradeAll Tesla models
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