Vehicle comparison
Toyota bZ4X vs Toyota RAV4
Side-by-side fuel and ownership cost comparison. Estimates use 12,000 mi/year at average US gas and electricity prices.
- Updated for 2026
- EPA-style MPG
- US avg fuel prices
- EV rates vary by state
- Transparent assumptions
Lowest running cost
Toyota bZ4X wins on fuel cost
At 12,000 miles per year, the Toyota bZ4X costs about $582 per year, roughly $798 less than the Toyota RAV4. Over 5 years, that's about $3991 in fuel savings.
Spec & cost comparison
MPG/MPGe figures are estimates based on typical recent model years.
| Spec | Toyota bZ4X | Toyota RAV4 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | EV | SUV |
| Fuel | Electric | Regular gas |
| City MPG/MPGe | 119 | 27 |
| Highway MPG/MPGe | 96 | 35 |
| Combined MPG/MPGe | 108 | 30 |
| Tank / Battery | 71.4 kWh | 14.5 gal |
| Energy cost | $0.16/kWh | $3.45/gal |
| Cost per mile | $0.048 | $0.115 |
Annual cost at 8k / 12k / 15k miles
Estimated yearly fuel spend at common US mileage levels.
| Miles/year | Toyota bZ4X | Toyota RAV4 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8,000 | $388/yr · $32/mo | $920/yr · $77/mo | $532 (Toyota bZ4X) |
| 12,000 | $582/yr · $48/mo | $1380/yr · $115/mo | $798 (Toyota bZ4X) |
| 15,000 | $727/yr · $61/mo | $1725/yr · $144/mo | $998 (Toyota bZ4X) |
Estimates only. Real costs depend on driving style, terrain, local gas/electricity prices and weather.
Which one is best for…
Best for commuting
Toyota bZ4X
Highest combined MPG/MPGe and lowest cost per mile means cheaper daily driving.
See Toyota bZ4XBest for road trips
Toyota RAV4
Better highway efficiency, larger tank/battery and longer range between stops.
See Toyota RAV4Best for families
Toyota RAV4
SUVs, minivans and three-row vehicles win on space and child-seat flexibility.
See Toyota RAV4Best for lowest running cost
Toyota bZ4X
Cheaper energy use and lower cost per mile at every common mileage tier.
See Toyota bZ4XHow we compare these vehicles
- Annual mileage
- Modeled at 12,000 mi/yr unless a scenario specifies otherwise.
- Cost per mile
- $/gal ÷ MPG, or $/kWh ÷ (MPGe ÷ 33.7) for EVs.
- EV vs gas
- Compared at average US gas and residential electricity prices — fast-charging can be 2–3× higher.
- Maintenance
- Fuel cost only — EVs typically save another $400–$1,000/yr in service and brake wear.
Sources & assumptions
- EPA fuel economy data — City / highway / combined MPG and MPGe baselines.
- U.S. Department of Energy (fueleconomy.gov) — Vehicle efficiency and EV range references.
- AAA gas price trends — Recent national and regional retail fuel averages.
- EIA electricity rates — Average residential per-kWh prices used for EV charging.
We summarize publicly available data — no scraping, no external API calls. Figures are calibrated periodically; use the calculators above for your exact inputs.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to drive, the Toyota bZ4X or Toyota RAV4?
At 12,000 miles per year, the Toyota bZ4X costs about $582 per year vs $1380 for the Toyota RAV4 — roughly $798 less per year.
What's the MPG difference between the Toyota bZ4X and Toyota RAV4?
The Toyota bZ4X is rated around 108 combined MPGe versus 30 MPG for the Toyota RAV4. Highway figures are 96 vs 35.
How much will I spend on fuel over 5 years?
Driving 12,000 miles a year for five years, expect about $2909 for the Toyota bZ4X and $6900 for the Toyota RAV4, a difference of roughly $3991.
Is the Toyota bZ4X or Toyota RAV4 better for commuting?
For pure cost per mile, the Toyota bZ4X wins. EVs charged at home typically deliver the lowest commuting cost, followed by hybrids and efficient compacts.
Which one is better for road trips?
Toyota RAV4 is generally the better road-trip choice — gas and hybrid vehicles win on long highway routes thanks to faster refueling, while EVs work best when charging stops fit your route.
Are these fuel cost numbers accurate for my driving?
They're estimates based on EPA-style combined MPG and average US gas and electricity prices. Real-world cost depends on local fuel prices, driving style, terrain, weather and how much city vs highway driving you do.