When purchasing a new or used vehicle, there are a variety of different options to consider. Many drivers choose to look at cars that have extreme versatility, allowing them to drive everywhere, from backroads to the simple open road. In this situation, the Toyota Rav4 or Rav4 Hybrid is often on many prospective buyers’ lists.

When considering any vehicle, though, it’s essential to take note of more than just the sticker price that you’ll pay. You also need to look at the all-in price, which is compiled from looking at future expected maintenance costs. In this deep-dive, we’ll take a look at whether or not the Toyota Rav4 and its variants are expensive to maintain and, if so, what you can do to mitigate the costs.

Parts Prices: Analyzing the Cost of Components

The first thing to look at in regard to the total future cost of a Toyota Rav4 is the average cost of certain parts. It’s most important to look at the price of parts that consistently fail on the vehicle, and the brake pads, air filters, and spark plugs are among the most common. Starting with the first item, luxury brake pads for the Toyota Rav4 can go up to $150 to $250 per pad. However, average reliable brake pads can be as cheap as $75 per brake pad to replace.

The air filter on the Toyota Rav4 is another common part that fails over time, needing to be replaced once a year on average. Generally, the cost for this part ranges from $13 to $25, though the high end for this part can get closer to $60. Finally, spark plugs are another part with common issues, and they will run you around $124 to $157 to replace in full.

Be aware that just because the above parts add up to a relatively minimal cost, major parts, such as the engine or transmission, can still possibly break, which will come with a higher price tag. However, the likelihood of this occurring on a Rav4 is relatively minimal. In addition to this, as vehicles become more popular over time and more of them are on the road, there will be greater demand for the parts needed to replace those that fail. This means that the price for those parts will naturally rise in accordance with the laws of supply and demand, so account for this when budgeting.

Service Frequency: Regular Maintenance Needs

As with all vehicles, there are servicing requirements that the Toyota Rav4 must have taken care of on a regular basis. Tire rotations should be included with each visit on the schedule below. Per Toyota’s website, the maintenance schedule for the Toyota Rav4 is as follows:

Every 6 Months

• Inspect all fluid levels and top off any as necessary
• Replace the windshield wiper blades if in a climate where they receive a lot of use
• Inspect the brake lining and drums on the vehicle
• Inspect the brake pads and discs to ensure even wearing over time

Every 12 Months

• Replace the oil in your Toyota Rav4

Every 18 Months

• Inspect the ball joints and dust covers
• Inspect the brake lines again and all brake hoses
• Adjust the cooling system and inspect the parts
• Look at the drive shaft boots
• Ensure the exhaust pipes and mounting are in place
• Inspect the steering gear, linkage, and boots

Every 36 Months

• Replace the cabin air filter
• Replace the engine air filter
• On 4WD variants, replace the transfer case oil
• Inspect for signs of leakage on the automatic transmission

Every 72 Months and Beyond

• Inspect the drive belts and continue to do this every 18 months
• Replace the engine coolant later at 120 months
• Replace the spark plugs at 144 months

Common Repairs: What to Expect

As with all vehicles, there are servicing requirements that the Toyota Rav4 must have taken care of on a regular basis. According to RepairPal, the most commonly reported issues with this vehicle include:

• The automatic transmission not shifting correctly once a high mileage is reached
• Excessive oil consumption resulting in frequent oil changes
• The car won’t start due to worn-down solenoid contacts in the starter
• The check engine light continues to turn on due to the EVAP system
• Rear oxygen sensor can cause emission failure
• Massive engine oil leak or oil failure
• Software updates resulting in unintended failures of certain parts under the hood

All of the above can have repair costs that vary drastically depending on the part affected. After all, a transmission replacement for a Toyota Rav4 can cost over $3,500, whereas fixing something in the oil tank may only cost a couple hundred. This is why it is so important to ensure you have a rainy day fund or an extended warranty attached to your vehicle.

Overall Reliability: Toyota’s Reputation

Compared to other vehicles on the market, the Toyota Rav4 is known for its reliability. Going further than this, though, Toyota is known to be an exceptionally reliable brand in general. In a poll run by Consumer Reports across all major auto brands, Toyota came out as the second most reliable brand, only just being beaten by Lexus. Their score was 76 out of 100 for predicted reliability, and they beat out common brands such as Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Subaru, and more.

The Rav4 is explicitly given a safety rating of 4.0 out of 5.0 among average compact SUVs. This makes it rank third out of 26 for similar compact SUVs in the same class. This rating is primarily due to the fact that there are fewer repair issues and higher ratings. The reviews for the Toyota Rav4 rave about the smooth ride it offers and the simplicity of the vehicle itself. Additionally, owners of the Toyota Rav4 enjoy the fact that it has relatively few maintenance issues requiring a visit to the Toyota dealership, which helps mitigate future ownership costs.

Extended Warranties: Protecting Against High Costs

One excellent way to decrease the already minimal annual cost associated with the Toyota Rav4 further is to invest in an extended warranty contract for your vehicle. An extended warranty offers financial protection for mechanical breakdowns so long as the parts affected are covered under your warranty contract. These contracts can range from near bumper-to-bumper protection, meaning everything except the bumpers is covered, or they can be more high-level and offer coverage for specific parts only.

Third-party warranty providers, such as Endurance, will sometimes even allow you to transfer the warranty if you sell the vehicle, which can bolster the resale value of your car as well. The real benefit of having an extended warranty, more accurately called a vehicle service contract, comes when there is a major repair needed, like the engine or transmission. While you likely have enough funds on hand to take care of the Toyota Rav4’s average annual cost, a significant issue can be more challenging to cover. Being able to submit an extended warranty claim can save your wallet and time.

Some warranty contracts, such as Endurance Advantage, cover regular maintenance work in addition to covering common problems. This can be helpful if your Toyota Rav4 is a new car rather than a used one, as it will ensure the longevity of the vehicle. Depending on the model year and type of Rav4 that you have, the customizability of your warranty package and the price may differ, so always be sure to read the terms and conditions before signing a contract.

Toyota Rav 4 FAQs

In the event all of the above was insufficient in answering all your questions regarding the reliability and costs associated with the Toyota Rav4, we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions that can further remove any doubt in your mind:

Does the Toyota RAV4 have a high maintenance cost?

The Toyota Rav4 has an estimated annual repair cost of $441, which may sound expensive off the bat, but it is actually around $100 cheaper than other similar SUVs. While it has a low maintenance cost compared to other SUVs, its overall maintenance cost could certainly be considered high for someone working with a tight budget.

Are Toyota RAV4s expensive to repair?

Generally speaking, the Toyota Rav4 is a reliable vehicle that receives excellent safety ratings. As a result, there shouldn’t be too many major mechanical breakdowns, which means that it is not an expensive vehicle to repair. The costs will only start to add up if more than one minor part fails at the same time, which is relatively uncommon in this vehicle so long as you stick to a regular maintenance schedule.

Is the Toyota RAV4 a reliable car?

Yes, the Toyota Rav4 is considered a reliable vehicle and received a 7.7 out of 10 rating from Edmunds for its performance. It is noted to offer a smooth ride with brakes that provide responsible handling. The only downside to the Toyota Rav4, in the eyes of reviewers, is that the engine under the hood is merely satisfactory in terms of power. However, this doesn’t necessarily impact the reliability of the vehicle.

What are the disadvantages of the Toyota RAV4?

While the Toyota Rav4 is considered to be an excellent and reliable vehicle for the average driver, no car is without its downsides. Some of the notable issues attributed to the Toyota Rav4 include excessive interior noise when driving down the road, an inconsistently smooth experience when taking it off-roading, specific technical difficulties with the infotainment system, and the fact that some people consider the interior of the vehicle to be “nothing special.”

How much is a Toyota RAV4?

According to Toyota’s website, the 2024 Toyota Rav4 has an MSRP of $28,675, making it a very reasonably priced SUV. However, with specific upgrades, this price can easily reach $40,000 if you prefer high-tech options.

Save Yourself from Repair Costs with Endurance Warranty

Given all of the above, it’s clear that the Toyota Rav4 is an excellent choice for drivers of all types. However, as with all new or used cars, mechanical issues can still develop over time and need to be addressed, which can come with a reasonable price tag. By investing in a vehicle service contract from Endurance, you can have peace of mind on the road, knowing that you’re covered for those potential repairs.

Choose our near bumper-to-bumper warranty with the Supreme plan, stated protection in the Secure Plus plan, or customize your coverage based on your needs or budget. In addition to unparalleled protection, you can also enjoy 24/7 roadside assistance, which is standard with every Endurance contract. You can also choose to activate the Elite Benefits package, which offers bonus perks such as reimbursements for up to four tires per year due to road hazards, up to $500 in collision discount coverage, key fob replacement, and more.

To learn more about how Endurance can protect your new Toyota Rav4, reach out to our plan advisors at (800) 253-8203 to request a FREE quote. Alternatively, shop online to see your price right away.