Toyota RAV4 fuel consumption
5 engines between 2003 and 2026, from 5.6 to 10.9 L/100km on the road — 5.3 L/100km between the two ends of the same badge.
At today's median pump prices, running the 2.4L 4cyl petrol instead of the 2.5L 4cyl hybrid costs about $1900 a year at 15,000 km.
2.5 L/100km between the 2.5L 4cyl petrol and the 2.4L 4cyl petrol
No two engines in this range sit on the same fuel within 0.4 L/100km of each other, so every choice here changes the bill. The widest single step is from 8.4 to 10.9 L/100km on the road.
11.5 in 2003, 5.6 in 2026
The leanest Toyota RAV4 of 2003 was rated 11.5 L/100km on the road; the leanest of 2026 is 5.6, 51% less.
5 steps got it there, each one an engine arriving:
- 2006 — 11.4 L/100km with the 2.4L 4cyl petrol, taking 0.1 L/100km off the previous best.
- 2007 — 11.2 L/100km with the 2.4L 4cyl petrol, taking 0.2 L/100km off the previous best.
- 2010 — 10.9 L/100km with the 2.4L 4cyl petrol, taking 0.2 L/100km off the previous best.
- 2013 — 7.2 L/100km with the 2.2L 4cyl turbo diesel, taking 3.7 L/100km off the previous best.
- 2019 — 5.6 L/100km with the 2.5L 4cyl hybrid, taking 1.6 L/100km off the previous best.
878 km on a tank, at best
The 2.5L 4cyl hybrid has the longest legs of the range: 878 km from 55 litres, with a reserve kept back. That is Melbourne to Sydney (876 km) in one go, and Mount Isa to Townsville (905 km) with one stop.
Fuel for that drive, at today's medians: 49 litres and about $119 in the 2.5L 4cyl hybrid, against 96 litres and $229 in the 2.4L 4cyl petrol — $111 between them for the same trip.
The leanest mid-size SUV here
Nothing else in the class gets below it: 5.6 L/100km against a median of 7.2 across the 4 mid-size SUVs here.
Every Toyota RAV4 engine
| Engine | Years | Real-world | Fuel | Per 100 km | Tank | A fill | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4cyl petrol | 2013–2026 | 7.7 L/100km | ULP 91 | $18.42 | 55 L | $132 | 645 km |
| 2.2L 4cyl turbo diesel | 2013–2019 | 7.4 L/100km | Diesel | $20.97 | 55 L | $155 | 665 km |
| 2.4L 4cyl petrol | 2003–2013 | 10.9 L/100km | ULP 91 | $26.20 | 55 L | $132 | 453 km |
| 2.5L 4cyl hybrid | 2019–2026 | 5.6 L/100km | ULP 91 | $13.53 | 55 L | $132 | 878 km |
| 2.5L 4cyl petrol | 2013–2026 | 8.4 L/100km | ULP 91 | $20.15 | 55 L | $132 | 589 km |
Lab figure plus 20%, which is OTW's adjustment. Costs use today's Australian medians: ULP 91 $2.40, Diesel $2.82. Tank sizes are OTW's estimates.
Toyota RAV4 fuel consumption by model year
What was on offer in each year the Toyota RAV4 was sold, so a figure can be matched to a particular car rather than to the badge. Where a year lists several engines, both ends of that year's range are shown.
| Year | Engines rated | Leanest | Thirstiest | Leanest was the |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 5.6 | 8.4 | 2.5L 4cyl hybrid |
| 2025 | 3 | 5.8 | 8.4 | 2.5L 4cyl hybrid |
| 2024 | 3 | 5.8 | 8.4 | 2.5L 4cyl hybrid |
| 2023 | 3 | 5.8 | 8.4 | 2.5L 4cyl hybrid |
| 2022 | 3 | 5.8 | 8.4 | 2.5L 4cyl hybrid |
| 2021 | 3 | 5.6 | 8.8 | 2.5L 4cyl hybrid |
| 2020 | 3 | 5.6 | 8.9 | 2.5L 4cyl hybrid |
| 2019 | 4 | 5.6 | 9.5 | 2.5L 4cyl hybrid |
| 2018 | 3 | 7.4 | 10.2 | 2.2L 4cyl turbo diesel |
| 2017 | 3 | 7.4 | 10.2 | 2.2L 4cyl turbo diesel |
| 2016 | 3 | 7.4 | 10.2 | 2.2L 4cyl turbo diesel |
| 2015 | 3 | 7.3 | 10.2 | 2.2L 4cyl turbo diesel |
| 2014 | 3 | 7.2 | 10.3 | 2.2L 4cyl turbo diesel |
| 2013 | 4 | 7.2 | 10.9 | 2.2L 4cyl turbo diesel |
| 2012 | 1 | 10.9 | — | 2.4L 4cyl petrol |
| 2011 | 1 | 10.9 | — | 2.4L 4cyl petrol |
| 2010 | 1 | 10.9 | — | 2.4L 4cyl petrol |
| 2009 | 1 | 11.2 | — | 2.4L 4cyl petrol |
| 2008 | 1 | 11.2 | — | 2.4L 4cyl petrol |
| 2007 | 1 | 11.2 | — | 2.4L 4cyl petrol |
| 2006 | 1 | 11.4 | — | 2.4L 4cyl petrol |
| 2005 | 1 | 11.5 | — | 2.4L 4cyl petrol |
| 2004 | 1 | 11.5 | — | 2.4L 4cyl petrol |
| 2003 | 1 | 11.5 | — | 2.4L 4cyl petrol |
Real-world L/100km: the figure published for that engine in that year, plus 20%.
Questions
- How much fuel does a Toyota RAV4 use?
- On the road, 5.6 to 10.9 L/100km across the 5 engines sold between 2003 and 2026: 5.6 for the 2.5L 4cyl hybrid, 10.9 for the 2.4L 4cyl petrol. Lab figures plus 20%.
- Which Toyota RAV4 is cheapest to run?
- The 2.5L 4cyl hybrid, at $13.53 per 100 km on ULP 91 at $2.40 a litre — also the leanest in the range.
- How far can a Toyota RAV4 go on a tank?
- About 878 km at best — the 2.5L 4cyl hybrid on its 55 litre tank, keeping a reserve. That is Melbourne to Sydney (876 km) without stopping, and Mount Isa to Townsville (905 km) with one stop.
- Has the Toyota RAV4 got more economical since 2003?
- Yes: 11.5 L/100km for the leanest 2003 Toyota RAV4, 5.6 for the leanest in 2026 — 51% less, in 5 steps, the last in 2019.
- Is the Toyota RAV4 economical for a mid-size SUV?
- It is the leanest of the 4 mid-size SUVs here, at 5.6 L/100km against a class median of 7.2.
- What does it cost to fill a Toyota RAV4?
- About $131.94 for the 2.5L 4cyl hybrid's 55 litres at $2.40 a litre, $131.94 for the 2.4L 4cyl petrol's 55.
Now find the cheapest ULP 91 for it
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