The Toyota Rav4 is one of the best-selling compact SUVs in the United States.
This is thanks to its rugged styling, comfortable ride and generous standard driver-assistance features all at an affordable price.
In this article we’ll give you the full breakdown of its maintenance, tune-up and running costs.
Table of Contents
Here is the short answer to are Toyota RAV4 expensive to maintain:
The Toyota RAV4 has very affordable maintenance costs. It would cost you around $429 to maintain a RAV4 every year, which is notably lower than the average of $521 annually for compact SUVs. A tune-up will be around $301, including the replacement of spark plugs.
Are Toyota RAV4 Expensive to Maintain?
Not only is a RAV4 reasonably inexpensive to buy brand new, but it also has cheap ownership costs, and that is one of its big advantages.
When looking to buy a new vehicle it’s important to assess maintenance costs to ensure you’re able to properly look after it.
Failing to stay on top of routine servicing and repairs will lead to poor reliability and shorten the lifespan of your vehicle.
Below you’ll find a complete price breakdown for some of the most common costs for the RAV4, all data is from RepairPal:
| RAV4 Maintenance | Cost |
| Average annual repairs and maintenance | $429 |
| Tune-Up Cost | $300 |
| Alternator replacement | $496 – $706 |
| Oil change | $116 – $130 |
| Wiper blade replacement | $130 – $145 |
| Air filter replacement | $41 – $51 |
| Battery replacement | $258 |
| New brakes | $262 – $312 |
| Coolant change | $266 – $281 |
| New tires (set of 4) | $500 – $612 |
| New tire (one only) | $125 – $153 |
| New spark plugs | $115 – $150 |
| Tire & wheel assembly rotate & balance | $79 – $100 |
| New transmission | $3500 |
| Tune-up | $280 – $321 |
| Insurance | $1436 / year (average) |
How Much is a Tune-Up on a RAV4?
This will vary greatly depending on where you take your RAV4 and you’ll likely have to pay more at a Toyota dealership than your local mechanic.
Toyota recommends having a tune-up every 5,000 miles or six months whichever comes first.
You can expect to pay in the region of $280 – $321 for a fairly comprehensive RAV4 tune-up that includes, but is not limited to:
- New spark plugs
- Thorough inspection of engine components
- Filters changed
- Coolant flush
- Cleaning IAC valve (idle air control)
- Throttle body clean
- Transmission and differential fluid change
Whilst your RAV4 is under warranty it is advised you get it serviced at a registered Toyota dealership.
Regular tune-ups are highly recommended because:
- They can bring more power back to your engine.
- Helps your engine run efficiently and start smoothly, which equates to lower emissions and better fuel economy.
- Ensures long-term engine health and performance
Related: 6 Most Common Toyota RAV4 Problems (Explained)
Alternator Replacement Cost?
A new alternator on a RAV4 will set you back between $496 – $706 for a replacement which should last around 80,000 to 150,000 miles or 5 – 10 years
While the battery is used for starting your car when the engines off, the alternator keeps your car alive when the engine is running.
The alternator powers most electronic components while you’re driving around or idling and is also responsible for charging the battery of your car while driving.
Oil Change Cost?
The cost of an oil change should cost in the region of $116 to $130, this includes parts and labor, however does not include taxes and fees. An oil change is one of the most meaningful and vital services for your car.
- An oil change should be performed on the RAV4 every 3,000 – 5,000 miles for conventional oil.
- Synthetic oil typically should be changed every 7,500 – 10,000 miles.
At most, oil change intervals should not exceed 10,000 miles, twelve months, or 350 hours of engine run time (whichever comes first)
Wiper Blade Replacement Cost?
This is a relatively simple and quick fix, and you can easily save yourself a few bucks by buying your own wiper blades and installing them yourself, there are plenty of YouTube tutorials on this.
Most Toyota RAV4s use a 26″ wiper blade on the driver’s side and 16″ on the passenger’s side.
Wiper blades for the Toyota RAV4 can be picked up for around $40, and installed by yourself for free.
However, if you want a professional to fit them for you then you can expect to pay in the region of $130 to $145 for parts and labor with taxes and fees on top.
Air Filter Replacement Cost?
According to RepairPal, air filter replacement cost on a Toyota RAV4 is between $41 to $51, not including taxes and fees.
The good news is this task, which should be performed annually or whenever the filter is clogged or dirty, is another fairly straightforward DIY.
Simply open the hood, locate and open the air filter’s housing, remove the old one, insert the new one and replace the housing cover.
This will help both your car and your bank account breathe a little easier, lots of tutorials on YouTube for this one also.
Battery Replacement Cost?
According to YourMechanic.com, the cost of a battery replacement for a Toyota RAV4 should cost $258.
Whilst there are no specific mileage recommendations for when a battery needs to be replaced, they do eventually die.
In general, it’s a good idea to replace your battery once every 4-5 years.
A vehicle’s battery life varies depending on many different factors such as climate, driving habits, and battery type, among many others.
To help your battery last longer:
- Keep your battery tightly fastened: The vibrations of your SUV can loosen the connections, potentially resulting in short circuits and internal damage.
- Limit short rides: Short rides prevent the battery from fully charging.
- Control Corrosion: Clean the terminals (toothbrush dipped in baking soda and water mixture) and keep them free from build-up.
New Brakes Cost?
Toyota RAV4 brake pads can last anywhere between 30,000 to 60,000 miles and necessary brake work isn’t a cost you can afford to neglect.
The average cost to replace your RAV4 brake pads, according to RepairPal, is between $262 and $312.
Brake pads will wear out at different rates depending on factors such as climate and your style of driving.
Pro tip: To prolong the life of your brakes – Keep your speed low in heavy traffic and avoid any sudden braking.
Cost to Change Coolant?
If it’s just a top-up your RAV4 requires then this is a simple task you can perform yourself.
You can pick up coolant at any gas station for a few bucks and top up to the level required.
If on the other hand, you require a coolant change, which simply involves draining the coolant from the base of the radiator and then replenishing with fresh fluids, this is going to cost you a bit more.
According to RepairPal, the average cost of a Toyota RAV4 coolant change is between $266 and $281 (excluding taxes and fees).
You may also be interested in our article: Toyota Rav4 11 Common Problems
How Much Does a New Transmissions Cost?
Transmissions on the Toyota RAV4 typically last 10 – 14 years or around 150,000 to 200,000 miles, depending on how well they are maintained and how the SUV is driven.
The average cost for an aftermarket or rebuilt transmission for a RAV4 could be over $3500. This range may vary depending on the model year.
Tire & Wheel Assembly, Rotate & Balance Cost
Tire rotate ensures each tire gets worn evenly whilst balancing ensures they roll smoothly and there’s no vibration (this also helps improve your fuel economy).
According to RepairPal, the average cost for a Toyota RAV4 tire & wheel assembly rotate & balance is between $79 and $100 – this does not include taxes and fees.
How much Insurance Cost?
According to insruaviz.com, the average cost of Toyota RAV4 insurance is $120 / month or $1436 / year (that is roughly $79 above the national average).
These figures can vary greatly depending on a number of factors such as your age, driving record and state requirements etc.
- It’s always best to shop around and get at least 3 quotes, make sure the company you choose is reputable.
- Use price comparison sites like Compare.com.
- There are big discounts available for taking additional driving courses or being a senior
- The best way to keep your insurance costs down is to drive safely
Toyota RAV4 Repair Costs Compared to Similar SUVs
In this section we’ll compare the maintenance costs of the Toyota RAV4 to some of its biggest rivals, using data from RepairPal.
Toyota RAV4 Vs Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer is America’s all-time best-selling SUV.
The Toyota RAV4 is cheaper to maintain with an average annual repairs total of $429 Vs the Ford Explorer’s $732.
| Toyota RAV4 | Ford Explorer | |
| Reliability rating | 4.0/5.0 | 3.5/5.0 |
| Repair Pal ranking | 3rd / 26 Compact SUVs | 19th / 26 Midsize SUVs |
| Visits to a repair shop per year | 0.3 | 0.2 |
| Probability of a repair being severe | 10% | 15% |
Both of these SUVs boast excellent drivability and comfort.
The Explorer has seating for up to 7 (or 6 if you opt for second-row captain’s chairs) whilst the Rav4 seat 5.
You may also be interested in our article: Ford Explorer Tune-Up & Maintenance Costs
Toyota RAV4 Vs Toyota Highlander
Launched in 2001, the Highlander features an attractive design, handsome styling and a solid reliability record.
The Toyota RAV4 is cheaper to maintain with an average annual repairs total of $429 Vs the Toyota Highlander’s $489.
To put that into perspective the average annual repair cost for all midsize SUVs is $573 per year and $521 for compact SUVs.
| Toyota RAV4 | Toyota Highlander | |
| Reliability rating | 4.0/5.0 | 4.0/5.0 |
| Repair Pal ranking | 3rd / 26 Compact SUVs | 7th / 26 Midsize SUVs |
| Visits to a repair shop per year | 0.3 | 0.3 |
| Probability of a repair being severe | 10% | 13% |
Both of these Toyota models are extremely popular and deciding between the two will likely come down to whether or not you need a bigger vehicle.
You can find a full price breakdown of Highlander ownership costs here.
Toyota RAV4 Vs Subaru Forester
The Forester is Subaru’s flagship compact crossover SUV, known for being robust, practical and good off-road.
The Toyota RAV4 is cheaper with an average annual repairs total of $429 Vs the Subaru Forester’s $632.
| Toyota RAV4 | Subaru Forester | |
| Reliability rating | 4.0/5.0 | 3.5/5.0 |
| Repair Pal ranking | 3rd / 26 Compact SUVs | 21st / 126 Compact SUVs |
| Visits to a repair shop per year | 0.3 | 0.4 |
| Probability of a repair being severe | 10% | 13% |
The Forester comes standard with AWD, has a higher maximum cargo capacity, and is available at a lower MSRP than the RAV4.
The Toyota on the other hand, has more innovative safety features, better base fuel economy ratings, and higher reliability scores.
You may also be interested in our article: How Long Do Subaru Forester Last?
Toyota RAV4 Repair Costs Compared to Similar Models
| Model | Avg. Annual Repair Cost | Frequency of Unscheduled Repairs (per year) | Probability of Severe Repairs |
| Subaru Crosstrek | $492 | 0.1 | 7% |
| Honda CR-V | $407 | 0.3 | 9% |
| Toyota RAV4 | $429 | 0.3 | 10% |
| Nissan Rogue Select | $436 | 0.3 | 10% |
| Hyundai Tucson | $426 | 0.3 | 10% |
| Kia Sportage | $462 | 0.2 | 11% |
| Mitsubishi Outlander Sport | $498 | 0.3 | 10% |
| Mitsubishi Outlander | $519 | 0.3 | 11% |
| Jeep Cherokee | $420 | 0.2 | 12% |
| Mazda Tribute | $523 | 0.3 | 11% |
| Jeep Compass | $526 | 0.3 | 11% |
| Kia Sorento | $533 | 0.3 | 11% |
| Nissan Rogue | $467 | 0.3 | 12% |
| Honda Element | $491 | 0.6 | 10% |
| Jeep Patriot | $596 | 0.3 | 12% |
| Ford Escape | $600 | 0.3 | 11% |
| Subaru XV Crosstrek | $631 | 0.4 | 11% |
| Nissan Xterra | $514 | 0.3 | 14% |
| Chevrolet Captiva | $585 | 0.3 | 13% |
| Nissan Murano | $507 | 0.5 | 14% |
| Subaru Forester | $632 | 0.4 | 13% |
| GMC Terrain | $558 | 0.3 | 17% |
| Chevrolet Equinox | $537 | 0.3 | 18% |
| Fiat 500L | $640 | 0.2 | 17% |
| Jeep Wrangler | $694 | 0.3 | 16% |
| Volkswagen Tiguan | $730 | 0.9 | 12% |
| Avg. Compact SUV | $521 | 0.3 | 11% |
How Reliable is the RAV4 Compared to Other Models?
| Model | Reliability |
| Subaru Crosstrek | 4.5 / 5.0 |
| Honda CR-V | 4.5 / 5.0 |
| Toyota RAV4 | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Nissan Rogue Select | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Hyundai Tucson | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Kia Sportage | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Mitsubishi Outlander Sport | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Mitsubishi Outlander | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Jeep Cherokee | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Mazda Tribute | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Jeep Compass | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Kia Sorento | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Nissan Rogue | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Honda Element | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Jeep Patriot | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Ford Escape | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Subaru XV Crosstrek | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Nissan Xterra | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Chevrolet Captiva | 3.5 / 5.0 |
| Nissan Murano | 3.5 / 5.0 |
| Subaru Forester | 3.5 / 5.0 |
| GMC Terrain | 3.5 / 5.0 |
| Chevrolet Equinox | 3.5 / 5.0 |
| Fiat 500L | 3.5 / 5.0 |
| Jeep Wrangler | 3.5 / 5.0 |
| Volkswagen Tiguan | 3.0 / 5.0 |
| Avg. Compact SUV | 4.0 |
How Long is the Toyota RAV4 Manufacturers Warranty?
When you drive your new Toyota RAV4 off the dealership lot, you’ll be covered by Toyotas factory warranty of 36,000 miles / 3 years basic coverage and 60,000 miles / 5 years (whichever comes first) powertrain coverage.
This length of protection is actually quite common among car manufacturers however it is on the shorter side of warranties
You can check your vehicle warranty status, track your service history, view your Owner’s Manual and more on the Toyota website. If you cannot find the VIN number, the only real way to check your vehicle’s factory warranty is to call or visit your local dealership.
You may also be interested in our article: How Long Do Toyota RAV4 Hybrids Last?
Resources
- https://repairpal.com/reliability/toyota/rav4
- https://www.repairsmith.com/i/estimates/engine-mechanical/engine-tune-up/Toyota/RAV4/
- https://repairpal.com/estimator/toyota/rav4/oil-change-cost
- https://repairpal.com/estimator/toyota/rav4/alternator-replacement-cos
- https://www.yourmechanic.com/estimates/toyota/rav4/windshield-wiper-blade-replacement
- https://repairpal.com/estimator/toyota/rav4/air-filter-replacement-cost
- https://repairpal.com/estimator/toyota/rav4/battery-replacement-cost
- https://repairpal.com/estimator/toyota/rav4/brake-pad-replacement-cost
- https://repairpal.com/estimator/toyota/rav4/coolant-reservoir-replacement-cost
- https://repairpal.com/estimator/toyota/rav4/tire-wheel-assembly-rotate-balance-cost
- https://www.firestonecompleteautocare.com/tires/vehicle/toyota/rav4/2021/le/
- https://repairpal.com/estimator/toyota/rav4/spark-plug-replacement-cost
- https://insuraviz.com/vehicles/toyota/toyota-rav4-insurance/
- https://toyota.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/7683/~/what-warranty-coverage-do-i-have-on-my-new-toyota-vehicle%3F
