Honda HR-V vs. Toyota RAV4
The 2026 Toyota RAV4 is a touch cheaper to own — about $156 less over five years, helped by better fuel economy.
The Toyota RAV4 is the stronger all-round pick here — cheaper to own with little given up in return.
Last updated July 2026 · National-average estimates
Honda HR-V vs. Toyota RAV4
| Metric | Honda HR-V | Toyota RAV4 |
|---|---|---|
| MotiveGrid Score | 78 | 78 |
| Cost of Ownership | 91 | 92 |
| Powertrain | 62 | 74 |
| Driver Assistance | 43 | 43 |
| Livability | 54 | 49 |
| Safety | 79 | 72 |
| 5-Year Cost to Own | $37,922 | $37,766 |
| Depreciation (5-yr) | $8,533 | $9,251 |
| Fuel / Energy (5-yr) | $12,027 | $8,980 |
| Insurance (5-yr) | $9,135 | $10,735 |
| Maintenance (5-yr) | $1,915 | $1,315 |
| Tires (5-yr) | $1,500 | $1,750 |
| Financing (5-yr) | $3,987 | $4,800 |
| Registration (5-yr) | $825 | $935 |
| Starting Price | $26,500 | $31,900 |
| Horsepower | 158 hp | 219 hp |
| MPG (combined) | 28 mpg | 43 mpg |
| Cargo volume | 24.4 cu ft | 37.6 cu ft |
| Seating | 5 | 5 |
| Towing capacity | — | 1,750 lbs |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
Five measured pillars, weighted into one score.
Cost, Powertrain, Driver Assistance, Livability, and Safety — each scored against its class, then combined into a single MotiveGrid Score. Built by our engineering team and benchmarked against independent sources like NHTSA, IIHS, and CarEdge. How it’s calculated →
Which vehicle is right for you
Too close to call — these two vehicles are within $156 of each other over 5 years. The cost difference is small enough that your priorities should drive the decision.
Honda HR-V wins on best for lower upfront price; Toyota RAV4 wins on best for long-term savings.
Cost of Ownership
State
Frequently asked questions
Where these rank
- Honda HR-V ranks #1 of 3 in Best Compact SUV and #1 of 3 in Cheapest Compact SUV to Own.
- Toyota RAV4 ranks #2 of 3 in Best Compact SUV and #2 of 10 in Best Compact SUVs.
What each one costs at the counter
Both five-year totals above count yearly registration. Neither counts what the state takes on the day you sign — sales tax and the title fee. Those are one-time, they are not the dealer’s to negotiate, and on a car at this price they run to four figures in most states. Work out yours:
- Tax, title and license in Massachusettswhat a car costs to own there
- Tax, title and license in Indianawhat a car costs to own there
- Tax, title and license in Marylandwhat a car costs to own there
- Tax, title and license in Wisconsinwhat a car costs to own there
- Tax, title and license in Coloradowhat a car costs to own there
Compare tax, title and license across all 22 states we cover →