The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is one of the most sought-after SUVs on the market and one of their more successful bestselling vehicles. The compact crossover SUV has two platforms, with one focusing on a gas-powered powertrain and the other two sharing that focus with an electric battery. While all three, the RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, and RAV4 PHEV are among Toyota's most well-rounded vehicles, the RAV4 Hybrid goes the extra mile in terms of efficiency.

Many automotive manufacturers are known for various characteristics such as performance, luxury, or practicality, but Toyota doesn't limit their vehicles to just one. Not only is the RAV4 aesthetically pleasing with its rugged look, but it also has a desirable price tag. Toyota keeping its RAV4 at an affordable price is nice and all, but it's the cherry on top if the SUV doesn't lose out on its value in the long run.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including iSeeCars, ConsumerReports, IIHS, NHTSA, and Edmunds .

The RAV4 Hybrid Loses Around $5,000 In Depreciation In The First Year

The fifth-generation RAV4 is the current generation that started back in 2018. Finding the right vehicle that checks all the boxes can be hard, but the good news is the RAV4 Hybrid has some solid statistics. Many people know that when owning a vehicle, you can lose money over time. That's where the statistics come into play, figuring out how much it depreciates and where the costs come from.

The RAV4 Hybrid Loses 14.8-percent Of Its Value In Three Years

Within the first year of ownership, the base model RAV4 Hybrid LE depreciates by $4,629 as per Edmund's cost-to-own calculator. The RAV4 Limited, which is the highest trim, has a depreciation value that almost doubles the base at $9,258. On average, a car loses up to 10-percent of its value as soon as you leave the dealership's lot. This is a significant reason for owners who see their vehicles dropping in price in their first year.

There are several factors that you should note when looking at a vehicle's depreciation. The number of vehicle owners is one, but that won't be the case here, with newer RAV4 Hybrids being used as an example. One factor that can't always be explained is the vehicle's desirability. Don't worry about that one because there's some data regarding its ownership satisfaction, which might come into play with its slow depreciation.

Year 1 Ownership Breakdown Over RAV4 Hybrid Trims

While those numbers might seem steep, it's not entirely bad. Depending on the trim, there can be different ranges of money loss, making it hard for potential owners to scope out which model is the better financial move. Toyota has made it so RAV4 owners can expect no repairs within the first two years, which helps the RAV4 sustain a slow depreciation. Reaching five years, owners will have an average of $704 for repairs. With low maintenance and repair costs, this widely helps the RAV4 Hybrid's depreciation.

It's Practicality And Reliability Help It Hold Its Value

The 2024 RAV4 Hybrid has yet to be scored for reliability. Although it received a facelift in 2024, its powertrain and fuel economy match the 2023 RAV4 Hybrid. ConsumerReports has predicted reliability scores for the 2023 RAV4 Hybrid to be 52/100. This also works with many of these statistics being over models in the last year and a half. Out of the gate, the RAV4 Hybrid has few to no weaknesses, making its strengths apparent.

It's Looking Good For The RAV4 Hybrid's Reliability

The RAV4 Hybrid has a predicted score of 66/100 for its reliability. The previous year received a three out of five. Either the 2024 model is aimed high to adjust its score in the future, or there's the assumption that some of its quirks are out of the way with the prior models dealing with them first. The overall predicted reliability score was sixty-six out of a hundred, which might not sound all that great to some. Although this hybrid is sitting within the fifties and sixties for its reliability, this still means that the RAV4 Hybrid is more reliable than the average car.

Toyota's Solid Reliability On Display Here

Practicalitycan have many meanings when looking at a vehicle. Still, some of the more critical factors are owner satisfaction, factory defects/recalls, and safety. Safety plays a huge role in reliability but still ties into how practical a vehicle can be. The good news is that the RAV4 Hybrid passed its safety tests with flying colors.

While you could write a whole article about the RAV4 Hybrid's impressive safety ratings, it's safe to say it helps with both reliability and practicality. This also allows owners to be highly satisfied with their ownership. The RAV4 Hybrid received a four out of five over owner's satisfaction, and it doesn't stop there. According to NHSTA and Kelly Blue Book, there was only one recall for the 2023 RAV4 Hybrid. Its reliability and practicality play a huge role in its depreciation, and many cars that fail these tests see higher depreciation.

How Does The RAV4 Stack Up Among Competition?

The competition for hybrid vehicles is typically stiff, and there isn't usually one vehicle that outweighs the whole class. The RAV4 Hybrid is in one of the highest competing classes among hybrids: compact crossover SUVs. This class is highly sought after with its versatile platform through cargo space, fuel economy, and affordability.

The RAV4 Hybrid Beats The Competition

The RAV4 Hybrid competition is fierce, but it still comes out on top of its closest rival, the Honda CR-V Hybrid. While both the RAV4 and CR-V Hybrid come close regarding statistics, even those extra points matter. The RAV4 Hybrid comes in first, saving $957 in depreciation over the Honda CR-V Hybrid. One thing to note is the higher starting price of the Honda, which affects its true cost to own. Even looking at the numbers, last place comes very close to first place. Although the RAV4 Hybrid depreciates better, the SUVs ranking at the top of this list are all great SUVs to buy.

Compact Crossover SUV Hybrid Ownership Costs

The RAV4 Hybrid Sits At The Top Of Its Class For Best Resale Value

It's hard to determine a vehicle's resale value, with each year differing from the others. The good thing about the RAV4 Hybrid is that it has ranked in the top three in terms of resale value for many years. This is due to the above-mentioned factors, such as reliability and practicality. This also leads to Toyota's one well-known characteristic: producing cost-effective vehicles.

There's A Reason Why The RAV4 Is The Best Selling SUV In America

Considered the king of SUV sales through all powertrains: gas, hybrid, and plug-in, the RAV4 comes out on top once again. There's a reason why it was the best-selling SUV in America in 2023. The RAV4 Hybrid looks excellent on paper and is a solid option for potential buyers who might be worried about losing money. Its depreciation is above average and sits within the same field as its competition.

While it's too early to say that the RAV4 might take home another year of most sales as an SUV, with the projected scores, it's looking to be a runner-up or winner. Only time will tell, but in the end, you won't have to worry with the RAV4 Hybrid.