$1,368 per year. That's what the RAV4 Hybrid costs to fuel. The CX-5 costs $1,995 and the Tucson $1,596. Over 5 years, fuel alone separates these three by up to $3,135. But fuel is just one piece. Here's the complete picture across every metric that matters.
The Numbers That Actually Matter
| Spec | RAV4 GXL Hybrid | CX-5 Touring | Tucson Elite HEV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (RRP) | $44,560 | $40,190 | $38,900 |
| Fuel Economy | 4.8L/100km | 7.0L/100km | 5.6L/100km |
| Annual Fuel Cost | $1,368 | $1,995 | $1,596 |
| Power | 163kW | 140kW | 169kW |
| Torque | 221Nm | 252Nm | 265Nm |
| Boot Space | 542L | 438L | 546L |
| Towing (Braked) | 1,500kg | 2,000kg | 1,650kg |
| ANCAP | Unrated | 5 Stars (2025) | 5 Stars (2021) |
| Warranty | 5yr | 5yr | 5yr |
| Transmission | CVT | 6-speed Auto | 6-speed Auto |
| Drive | AWD | FWD / AWD | AWD |
Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices excluding on-road costs. Verify current pricing with your dealer.
True Cost to Own (5 Years)
| Cost | RAV4 Hybrid | CX-5 | Tucson Hybrid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driveaway (est. VIC) | ~$49,000 | ~$44,500 | ~$52,800 |
| 5yr Fuel | $6,840 | $9,975 | $7,980 |
| 5yr Servicing | $3,500 | $3,200 | $3,600 |
| 5yr Insurance | $8,500 | $7,800 | $8,750 |
| Resale (est. 5yr) | ~$28,400 | ~$22,000 | ~$24,900 |
| True 5yr Cost | $39,440 | $43,475 | $48,230 |
The RAV4 Hybrid is the cheapest to own over 5 years despite not being the cheapest to buy. Toyota resale and hybrid fuel savings do the work. The CX-5 is $4,035 more over 5 years. The Tucson is $8,790 more.
CarSorted Data Insight
Based on CarSorted's database of Australian vehicles: of the 92 SUVs priced between $40,000 and $55,000, only a handful combine AWD with fuel consumption under 6L/100km. The RAV4 Hybrid and Tucson Hybrid are two of them. The CX-5 misses out because it doesn't have a hybrid option. On crash testing, the Tucson holds 5 stars from 2021 and the CX-5 5 stars from 2025, while the current RAV4 is unrated by ANCAP.
The RAV4 Hybrid's 4.8L/100km makes it one of the most fuel-efficient mid-size SUVs in our database. That's a family SUV matching the fuel economy of a small hatchback.
Who Each Car Is For
- Buy the RAV4 Hybrid if: lowest running costs, best resale, one of the largest boots in this class, and you don't mind the CVT transmission
- Buy the CX-5 if: you enjoy driving, value interior quality, need more towing capacity (2,000kg), and want the lowest purchase price
- Buy the Tucson Hybrid if: you want the most power, the most modern interior with dual screens, and ventilated seats. Budget is less of a concern
The Verdict
The RAV4 Hybrid wins on ownership cost among these three by a clear margin. If you're making a purely financial decision, buy the RAV4. If you want the best driving experience, buy the CX-5. The Tucson is the hardest to justify because it's the most expensive to buy AND own, but it has the most features and the most modern cabin.
None of these is a bad choice. All three are AWD-capable, family-sized SUVs with excellent reliability records. On ANCAP, the CX-5 and Tucson both hold 5 stars (2025 and 2021), while the current RAV4 has no rating at all, so there is no published crash result for it. You're choosing between good, better, and best value.
Compare all three side by side on CarSorted's comparison tool with 200+ specs, fuel costs, and performance data.