For decades, the math on used car buying felt simple. Sedans were the sensible choice. Lower retail price, better fuel economy, easier on the wallet. SUVs were for people who wanted space and capability but were willing to pay a premium for the privilege. That conventional wisdom, however, doesn’t always hold true.
- Base Trim Engine
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2.5L Inline-4 Hybrid
- Base Trim Transmission
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Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT)
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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All-Wheel Drive
The 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, in base LE trim, now carries a lower five-year total cost of ownership (TCO) than some of the most popular mainstream mid-size sedans, including the Honda Accord Sport and Nissan Altima SL from the same year. At first glance, the disparity might not seem huge, but there are multiple expenses that steadily stack up against the sedans over time.
Total Cost Of Ownership Breakdown
Where Each Vehicle Wins And Loses
Edmunds’ True Cost to Own data factors in depreciation, financing, taxes and fees, insurance, fuel, maintenance, and repairs over five years – a fairly comprehensive look at what you’ll spend during your time with a particular vehicle. We broke the numbers down category by category to see exactly where the RAV4 Hybrid earns its edge, and where (credit where it’s due) the sedans legitimately hold their own.
Ultimately, based on a five-year estimate, with 15,000 miles driven per year, the TCO on the 2022 RAV4 Hybrid amounts to $37,365. The Accord Sport comes in at a close second at $37,801, and the Altima is the most expensive vehicle to own of this lot, costing $38,934 over five years. What we’ve found is that the RAV4 Hybrid’s superior fuel economy is the primary driver of its TCO advantage, but it doesn’t stop there – we’ll get to that in more detail later.
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Fuel Savings: The Hybrid Advantage
The Biggest Line Item Difference
Edmunds projects just $5,675 in fuel costs over five years for the RAV4 Hybrid LE. Compare that to the Accord Sport’s $8,731, and that’s a substantial difference of $3,056 over five years, or roughly $611 per year. Meanwhile, the Altima SL will set you back $7,566. Not as substantial, but still a gap of $1,891.
The Accord Sport is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that is EPA-rated at just 22 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. The Altima SL, despite featuring a larger 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine, fares slightly better at 26 mpg city and 36 mpg highway, but neither gets close to what the RAV4 delivers – 27 mpg city and 35 mpg highway. The hybrid system on the Toyota will be more efficient in low-speed, stop-and-go conditions, where gasoline engines simply continue to burn fuel.
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Depreciation And Resale Value
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Depreciation is the highest single cost in any used vehicle’s TCO, and here the picture is more nuanced. The Accord depreciates the least of the three, losing $10,249 over five years. The Altima drops $11,706, while the RAV4 Hybrid loses $12,771 – the highest of the group. While this might seem to undercut the RAV4 Hybrid’s overall case, the context matters. Keep in mind that the RAV4 entered its used pricing at a higher starting point than the sedans, meaning it loses more absolute dollars while retaining a greater proportion of its value.
Plus, Toyota hybrids have consistently outperformed the broader market on resale since there’s sustained consumer demand for proven hybrid vehicles, and the RAV4 happens to have a reputation as one of the most dependable SUVs on sale. According to Edmunds, a clean 2022 RAV4 Hybrid currently sits between $24,000 and $34,000, depending on trim and mileage, which are respectable figures for a four-year-old vehicle in this segment. As a buyer, you should also remember that the major chunk of depreciation has already been absorbed by the original owner, and your depreciation curve will be far more forgiving than if you had bought any of these cars new.
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Insurance, Maintenance, and Hidden Costs
The SUV Premium Is Smaller Than Expected
The insurance cost over five years for the RAV4 Hybrid is $4,332, which is higher than the Accord Sport by just $286. Over five years, that works out to roughly $57 annually, and most buyers will consider that negligible given the other savings in the RAV4 Hybrid’s favor. The Altima SL carries the highest insurance cost of the three at $4,655, making it $323 more than the RAV4. Again, not a significant difference, meaning that insurance is unlikely to play a significant role in ownership cost, and is far from one of the primary factors you should be considering if you’re in the market for one of these cars.
Maintenance: Reliability Matters
Maintenance costs are reasonably close across all three vehicles, but the RAV4 Hybrid LE again holds an advantage. Edmunds projects $6,333 in maintenance over five years for the hybrid SUV, compared to $6,513 for the Accord Sport and $7,781 for the Altima SL. The Altima’s figure is particularly notable, since you’ll spend nearly $1,450 more on maintenance, despite it being a simpler, naturally aspirated vehicle – a counter to the assumption that hybrid powertrains inherently carry higher upkeep costs.
The Toyota hybrid system, now in its third decade of continuous development, has proven exceptionally durable. The 2.5L engine combined with the dual-motor electric drive unit has been one of the most reliable powertrain combinations in the industry, requiring no transmission fluid changes and no alternator or starter motor service, which are components that will contribute to the sedans’ unscheduled maintenance costs over time.
Repair Costs Are Nearly Even
According to Edmunds, repair costs represent estimated expenses for fixing non-routine mechanical issues not covered by warranty. In this case, repair costs are nearly identical across all three. The RAV4 Hybrid and Altima SL both project $2,239 over five years, while the Accord Sport comes in marginally higher at $2,309. That said, repair costs are arguably the most unpredictable category here, so it’s wise to keep aside a more flexible buffer in case something unexpected needs attention.
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The RAV4 Hybrid Wins Where It Counts Most
The 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid LE makes a genuinely compelling case for itself as the smarter long-term financial choice when stacked against the Accord Sport 2.0 and Altima SL 2.5 AWD. The hybrid SUV is cheaper to own over five years than either sedan, primarily because its fuel savings are simply too large for the sedans to overcome. And with fuel being one of the highest recurring costs in vehicle ownership, the gap is only likely to widen over time.
Yes, the sedans still offer a lower initial cost of acquisition, better urban manners, and arguably better driving dynamics. But if you’re looking for more space, a higher ride height, and a quiet, efficient powertrain, there’s arguably no better time than now to buy a used RAV4 Hybrid.
Sources: Edmunds.com