Compare two new cars by price, estimated monthly payment, fuel economy, and other specifications. Data comes from the CarPayCheck.com catalog and uses your selected financing terms.
| Model Y | RAV4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Tesla | Toyota |
| Starting price | $41,630 | $31,900 |
| Monthly payment | $484 | $371 |
| Fuel type | Electricity | Hybrid |
| Fuel economy | 26.1 kWh/100 mi | 41.0 mpg |
| CO₂ emissions | — | 204 g/mi–232 g/mi |
| Annual maintenance cost | — | — |
The 2020-2022 Model Y in certain Long Range, Performance, and RWD trims built through April 2024 can have front or rear lateral link fasteners loosen from the subframe. Symptoms include clunking or rattling from the suspension, rear or toe camber drift, premature tire edge wear, and vague handling. In the worst case, a lateral link can separate and cause sudden instability or loss of wheel alignment, raising crash risk. The repair is free under NHTSA recall 24V460 when covered; otherwise, out-of-warranty replacement commonly runs around $1,000 including parts and labor.
Early 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles built through early 2021 can have the heat pump reversing valve stick, which prevents the system from switching to heating mode. Symptoms include no cabin heat in cold weather, a defroster that fails to clear the windshield, rapid loss of heat during a trip, and sometimes a hissing noise from the front. This can reduce visibility while driving and was addressed by NHTSA recall 21V062. Out-of-warranty replacement of the heat pump compressor or reversing-valve assembly typically costs about $2,000 including parts and labor.
Common-issue data is not available yet.
Tesla Model Y and Toyota RAV4 suit different driving needs. The main differences below cover price, monthly payment, fuel economy, and running costs.
Model Y starts at $41,630; RAV4 starts at $31,900. The difference is $9,730, making RAV4 about 23% cheaper before financing.
Estimated monthly payment: Model Y — $484; RAV4 — $371. The difference is $113 per month, with RAV4 lower.
The models use different powertrains: Model Y — Electricity; RAV4 — Hybrid. The better choice depends on your daily route and access to charging.
The final choice is about more than numbers: annual distance, city or highway use, and the space your household needs all matter. Use the CarPayCheck.com calculator to apply your financing terms and evaluate both cars in your situation.
Want to compare other models? Return to the full catalog or calculate financing using your own terms.
