Matchup

Tesla Model Y vs Toyota RAV4

The 2026 Model Y Premium AWD against the 2026 RAV4 XLE Premium AWD, through ten physics labs and every official rating we could find.

Last checked Sep 28, 2026. Every figure links to its source.

Open this matchup in the 3D lab

The short answer

In the trims shown, the RAV4 costs $12,680 less: $38,950 against $51,630 for the Model Y, destination included. PublishedTeslaPublishedToyota
At 15,000 miles a year and national average prices, the Model Y costs about $885 a year less to run: $753/yr against $1,638/yr. DerivedEPADerivedEPA
The Model Y gets to 60 mph 3.2 s sooner: 3.9 s against 7.1 s. TestedCar and DriverTestedCar and Driver
The RAV4 has 8.8 cu ft more cargo space behind its second row: 37.8 cu ft against 29.0 cu ft. TestedCar and DriverPublishedToyota

Who each one suits

The RAV4 costs $12,680 less in these trims, carries 8.8 cu ft more behind the second row, rides 1.5 in higher and turns in a tighter circle. If price and cargo come first, it’s the pick.

The Model Y costs about $885 a year less to run at 15,000 miles, is much quicker, quieter at 70 mph (66 dBA against 69) and shows more of the road ahead. It also has its IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and NHTSA ratings in hand; the new RAV4 isn’t rated yet.

At a glance

	Model Y	RAV4
Starting price, this trim	$51,630PublishedTesla	$38,950PublishedToyota
Powertrain	Permanent-magnet rear + induction front motor · Dual motor AWD	2.5 L four-cylinder + three electric motors · Electronic on-demand AWD (rear motor)
0–60 mph, tested or claimed	3.9 sTestedCar and Driver	7.1 sTestedCar and Driver
Braking 70–0 mph, tested	174 ft (53.0 m)TestedCar and Driver	179 ft (54.6 m)TestedCar and Driver
EPA combined	no data	41 mpg (5.7 L/100 km)PublishedEPA
EPA efficiency	123 MPGePublishedEPA	no data
EPA range	327 mi (526 km)PublishedEPA	no data
Cargo behind the second row	29.0 cu ft (821 L)TestedCar and Driver	37.8 cu ft (1,070 L)PublishedToyota
Large suitcases, packed	5Simulated from Car and Driver	6Simulated from Toyota Canada
Seats	5PublishedEdmunds	5PublishedKBB
Crash ratings	NHTSA 5★ overall · IIHS Top Safety Pick+	No safety rating yet · new for 2026

Acceleration

The Model Y gets to 60 mph 3.2 s sooner: 3.9 s against 7.1 s.

	Model Y	RAV4
Power	397 hp (296 kW)PublishedCar and Driver	236 hp (176 kW)PublishedToyota
Torque	389 lb-ft (527 Nm)PublishedCar and Driver	163 lb-ft (221 Nm)PublishedToyota
0–60 mph, tested or claimed	3.9 sTestedCar and Driver	7.1 sTestedCar and Driver
0–60 mph, our simulation	3.9 sSimulated from Car and Driver	7.0 sSimulated from Car and Driver
Passing, 50–70 mph	1.7 sTestedCar and Driver	5.1 sTestedCar and Driver
Quarter mile	12.3 sTestedCar and Driver	15.3 sTestedCar and Driver

Watch it in The Shove

Braking and stopping distance

The Model Y stops from 70 mph in 174 ft, 5 ft shorter than the RAV4 (179 ft).

	Model Y	RAV4
Braking 70–0 mph, tested	174 ft (53.0 m)TestedCar and Driver	179 ft (54.6 m)TestedCar and Driver
Wet road from 70 mph, 1 s reaction	360 ft (109.9 m)Simulated from Car and Driver	370 ft (112.8 m)Simulated, estimated inputs
Dry road from 70 mph, 1 s reaction	277 ft (84.3 m)Simulated from Car and Driver	283 ft (86.3 m)Simulated, estimated inputs
Packed snow from 30 mph, 1 s reaction	167 ft (50.9 m)Simulated from Car and Driver	172 ft (52.3 m)Simulated, estimated inputs

Watch it in The Stop

Rollover

It takes a 13 mph sideways slide into a curb to roll the Model Y; the RAV4 goes over at 11 mph.

	Model Y	RAV4
NHTSA rollover rating	5★ · 8.6% riskTestedNHTSA	no data
Sideways slide that trips it into a roll	13 mph (21 km/h)Simulated, estimated inputs	11 mph (18 km/h)Simulated, estimated inputs
Static stability factor (half-track ÷ CoG height)	1.40Simulated, estimated inputs	1.24Simulated, estimated inputs

Watch it in The Tipping Point

Efficiency and running costs

At 15,000 miles a year and national average prices, the Model Y costs about $885 a year less to run: $753/yr against $1,638/yr.

	Model Y	RAV4
EPA combined	no data	41 mpg (5.7 L/100 km)PublishedEPA
EPA efficiency	123 MPGePublishedEPA	no data
EPA range	327 mi (526 km)PublishedEPA	no data
Fuel or charging, 15,000 mi a year	$753/yrDerivedEPA	$1,638/yrDerivedEPA
Steady 75 mph, our simulation	29 kWh/100 mi (18.3 kWh/100 km)Simulated, estimated inputs	36 mpg (6.5 L/100 km)Simulated from Car and Driver
Drag coefficient	0.22PublishedEVSpecs	0.33Estimate

Watch it in The Invisible Wall

Grip, snow and maneuvering

The RAV4 rides higher: 8.1 in of ground clearance against 6.6 in.

	Model Y	RAV4
Skidpad grip, tested	0.88 gTestedCar and Driver	no data
Cornering grip, our simulation	0.88 gSimulated from Car and Driver	0.79 gSimulated, estimated inputs
Pulling away on packed snow	0.26 gSimulated from Car and Driver	0.25 gSimulated, estimated inputs
Turning circle	39.7 ft (12.1 m)Estimate	36.9 ft (11.2 m)PublishedToyota Canada
Ground clearance	6.6 in (17 cm)PublishedEdmunds	8.1 in (21 cm)PublishedToyota Canada
Tires	Hankook iON evo AS SUV all-season · 255/45R19TestedCar and Driver	All-season touring · 235/60R18PublishedToyota Canada

Watch it in The Grip Budget

Space, luggage and fit

The RAV4 has 8.8 cu ft more cargo space behind its second row: 37.8 cu ft against 29.0 cu ft.

	Model Y	RAV4
Seats	5PublishedEdmunds	5PublishedKBB
Large suitcases, packed	5Simulated from Car and Driver	6Simulated from Toyota Canada
Carry-ons in the space left	3Simulated from Car and Driver	2Simulated from Toyota Canada
Cargo behind the second row	29.0 cu ft (821 L)TestedCar and Driver	37.8 cu ft (1,070 L)PublishedToyota
Cargo, seats folded	71.0 cu ft (2,010 L)TestedCar and Driver	70.4 cu ft (1,994 L)PublishedToyota
Front trunk	4.0 cu ft (113 L)TestedCar and Driver	no data
Towing	3,500 lb (1,588 kg)PublishedEdmunds	3,500 lb (1,588 kg)PublishedToyota
Driver head room, 6 ft 4 in driver	+1.7 in (4 cm)Simulated from Edmunds	0.0 in (0 cm)Simulated from KBB
Driver head room, 5 ft 11 in driver	+3.9 in (10 cm)Simulated from Edmunds	+2.3 in (6 cm)Simulated from KBB
Driver head room, 5 ft 4 in driver	+6.8 in (17 cm)Simulated from Edmunds	+5.3 in (14 cm)Simulated from KBB
Rear head room, 5 ft 11 in passenger	+2.2 in (6 cm)Simulated from Edmunds	+2.5 in (6 cm)Simulated from KBB
Rear knee room, 5 ft 11 in behind 5 ft 11 in	+4.4 in (11 cm)Simulated from Edmunds	+2.3 in (6 cm)Simulated from KBB
Rear head and knee, 6 ft 4 in behind 6 ft 4 in	−0.4 in head · +0.1 in kneeSimulated from Edmunds	−0.1 in head · −2.0 in kneeSimulated from KBB
Front head room, published	41.0 in (104 cm)PublishedEdmunds	37.9 in (96 cm)PublishedKBB
Rear head room, published	39.4 in (100 cm)PublishedEdmunds	39.5 in (100 cm)PublishedKBB
Rear leg room, published	40.5 in (103 cm)PublishedEdmunds	37.8 in (96 cm)PublishedKBB

Watch it in Live In It

Cabin noise

At 70 mph the Model Y is quieter inside: 66 dBA against 69 dBA for the RAV4, a noticeable difference.

	Model Y	RAV4
Cabin sound at 70 mph	66 dBATestedCar and Driver	69 dBAEstimateCar and Driver

Watch it in The Quiet Test

Visibility

From the driver’s seat the Model Y’s hood hides the first 11 ft of road; the RAV4’s hides 17 ft.

	Model Y	RAV4
Road hidden in front of the bumper, 5 ft 9 in driver	11 ft (3.2 m)Simulated, estimated inputs	17 ft (5.1 m)Simulated, estimated inputs
Ground visible within 33 ft ahead	65%Simulated, estimated inputs	50%Simulated, estimated inputs

Watch it in Can You See Me?

Headlights and night stopping

No meaningful gap between the Model Y and the RAV4 on what we can measure here.

	Model Y	RAV4
IIHS headlight rating	GoodTestedIIHS	no data
Low beams, straight road (right edge)	332 ft (101.1 m)TestedIIHS	no data
Fastest you can stop inside the low beams	70 mph (113 km/h)Simulated from IIHS	no data
High beams, straight road (right edge)	442 ft (134.7 m)TestedIIHS	no data

Watch it in After Dark

Crash safety

No meaningful gap between the Model Y and the RAV4 on what we can measure here.

	Model Y	RAV4
NHTSA overall	5★TestedNHTSA	no data
IIHS small overlap front	GoodTestedIIHS	no data
IIHS moderate overlap front (updated)	GoodTestedIIHS	no data
IIHS side (updated)	GoodTestedIIHS	no data
IIHS award	2026 Top Safety Pick+PublishedIIHS	no data
Curb weight	4,421 lb (2,005 kg)TestedCar and Driver	3,865 lb (1,753 kg)PublishedKBB

Watch it in The Impact

Where each one wins

Tesla Model Y

At 15,000 miles a year and national average prices, the Model Y costs about $885 a year less to run: $753/yr against $1,638/yr. DerivedEPADerivedEPA
The Model Y gets to 60 mph 3.2 s sooner: 3.9 s against 7.1 s. TestedCar and DriverTestedCar and Driver
The Model Y stops from 70 mph in 174 ft, 5 ft shorter than the RAV4 (179 ft). TestedCar and DriverTestedCar and Driver
From the driver’s seat the Model Y’s hood hides the first 11 ft of road; the RAV4’s hides 17 ft. Simulated, estimated inputs
The Model Y makes 161 hp more: 397 hp against 236 hp. PublishedCar and DriverPublishedToyota
Passing from 50 to 70 mph takes 1.7 s in the Model Y and 5.1 s in the RAV4. TestedCar and DriverTestedCar and Driver
A 6-ft-4 driver has +1.7 in between head and headliner in the Model Y and 0.0 in in the RAV4. Simulated from EdmundsSimulated from KBB
Behind a 5-ft-11 driver, a 5-ft-11 passenger gets +4.4 in of knee room in the Model Y and +2.3 in in the RAV4. Simulated from EdmundsSimulated from KBB
At 70 mph the Model Y is quieter inside: 66 dBA against 69 dBA for the RAV4, a noticeable difference. TestedCar and DriverEstimateCar and Driver
Drivers see 65% of the ground within 33 ft of the Model Y’s nose and 50% in the RAV4. Simulated, estimated inputs
In our simulation the Model Y corners at up to 0.88 g against 0.79 g for the RAV4. Simulated from Car and DriverSimulated, estimated inputs
It takes a 13 mph sideways slide into a curb to roll the Model Y; the RAV4 goes over at 11 mph. Simulated, estimated inputs

Toyota RAV4

In the trims shown, the RAV4 costs $12,680 less: $38,950 against $51,630 for the Model Y, destination included. PublishedTeslaPublishedToyota
The RAV4 has 8.8 cu ft more cargo space behind its second row: 37.8 cu ft against 29.0 cu ft. TestedCar and DriverPublishedToyota
The RAV4 rides higher: 8.1 in of ground clearance against 6.6 in. PublishedEdmundsPublishedToyota Canada
The RAV4 turns in a 2.8 ft tighter circle: 36.9 ft against 39.7 ft. EstimatePublishedToyota Canada
Our packing test fits 6 large suitcases in the RAV4 and 5 in the Model Y. Simulated from Car and DriverSimulated from Toyota Canada

Weigh them by what matters to you in the lab’s verdict

Other trims

Keep comparing

Sources

Badges: Published figures come from the maker, a regulator or a rating agency; Tested from an independent instrumented test; Simulated are computed by our physics from those inputs (how); Estimate means no published value exists. Confirm figures with the maker or your dealer before you buy.