What is the best year for a Toyota 4Runner?

The weakest years by those same measures are 2018, 2023, and 2025 — worth closer inspection before buying, not an automatic pass. Verdict: no standout year — any of the stronger years is a reasonable buy.

How much does Toyota 4Runner insurance cost?

Full-coverage insurance for the Toyota 4Runner averages $2,045 a year, about $170 a month (industry average). That is less than the midsize segment average of $2,455. Actual rates vary by trim, location, and driving record — compare quotes before buying.

Is the Toyota 4Runner or Jeep Grand Cherokee cheaper to maintain?

Maintenance runs $514 a year on the Toyota 4Runner versus $666 on the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Reliability scores are 8/10 and 7.0/10. Unscheduled repairs average 0.4 versus 0.3 times per year. Verdict: the Toyota 4Runner is the cheaper of the two to run.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Toyota 4Runner?

The chance of a major repair in a given year is 13%, so roughly 87 in 100 owners will not face one — in line with the midsize segment norm of 13%. Reliability sits at 8/10. Verdict: optional — worth it only if you want predictable costs.

Is the Toyota RAV4 expensive to maintain?

The RAV4 costs around $429/year to maintain — $92 below the compact segment average of $521. Repair frequency of 26% is also below the class average of 30%, meaning fewer unscheduled shop visits than most rivals. Combined with an 8/10 reliability score and 10% major repair probability, it's one of the most economical compact SUVs to own over time.

What is the best year for a Toyota RAV4?

The 2022 RAV4 is the standout used buy. It marks the first fully settled year of the fifth generation after a turbulent launch window — complaints dropped from 865 in 2019 to just 127 in 2022, with a 10/10 NHTSA safety score and only 13 severe issues. The 2022–2023 range is reliably strong. Be cautious with 2019–2021 models, which carried elevated complaint counts as Toyota worked through early fifth-gen issues.

How much does Toyota RAV4 insurance cost?

RAV4 insurance averages around $1,990/year, or about $166/month — nearly identical to the Honda CR-V and toward the lower end for compact SUVs. The RAV4's broad popularity means insurers price it competitively. Rates vary by trim, location, and driver history, but the RAV4 is consistently an affordable quote across most profiles.

Is the Toyota RAV4 or Honda CR-V cheaper to maintain?

The difference is minimal — the RAV4 averages $429/year versus $407/year for the CR-V, a gap of about $22 annually. Over five years that's roughly $110. Both are class leaders in maintenance cost. The CR-V scores slightly higher on reliability (9 vs. 8), but the RAV4's lower repair frequency (26% vs. 30%) means fewer unscheduled trips to the shop. Either is a sound long-term ownership choice.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Toyota RAV4?

Probably not for most buyers. The RAV4's major repair probability of 10% sits just below the compact segment average, and its 8/10 reliability score reflects a vehicle that holds up well with normal maintenance. If you're purchasing a 2019–2021 model used — which carried above-average complaints during the fifth generation's early years — adding powertrain coverage is a reasonable precaution. For 2022 and newer, the reliability case for an extended warranty is weak.

Toyota 4Runner vs Toyota RAV4

Two midsize SUVs compared on the numbers that matter — maintenance cost, reliability, and insurance.

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Toyota RAV4 to minimise 5-year ownership cost.

Buy the Toyota RAV4 if long-term reliability matters most.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Toyota 4Runner	Toyota RAV4
Annual repairs	$514	$429winner
5-year repair cost	$2,570	$2,145winner
Scheduled service (to 150k mi)	$12,424	$9,785winner
Reliability score	8 / 10	8 / 10
Major repair risk (5yr)	13%	10%winner
Cargo space	90.2 cu ftwinner	70.4 cu ft
Starting price (new)	$43,500	$34,800winner

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Toyota 4Runner	Toyota RAV4
RepairPal score	8 / 10	8 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	63.9winner	90.7
Strongest years	2017, 2020, 2021	2014, 2016, 2017
Weakest years	2010, 2011, 2012	2012, 2019, 2020
Value retained · 3 yr	93.3%	94.5%winner
Value retained · 5 yr	74.6%	75%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	64%winner	62%

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Toyota 4Runner	Toyota RAV4
Engine	6.0%winner	19.7%
Electrical	7.8%winner	12.6%
ADAS	5.0%winner	10.1%
Brakes	9.1%	5.7%winner
Suspension	3.6%	2.9%winner
Steering	6.8%	3.9%winner
Fuel system	4.8%winner	7.8%
Tires/Wheels	3.1%	—winner
Glass/Windows	—winner	5.1%
Airbags	32.5%	7.8%winner

One major repair on either model can run $1,500–4,000. A warranty caps your exposure, especially on known problem years.

// INSURANCE

Which is cheaper to insure?

	Toyota 4Runner	Toyota RAV4
Avg annual premium	$2,045	$1,990winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Toyota 4Runner

$514/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Toyota RAV4

$429/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

The Toyota 4Runner averages $514 a year in maintenance. That is $59 below the midsize segment average of $573. Owners bring it in for unscheduled repairs an average of 0.4 times per year, in line with the midsize segment at 0.4. Its reliability score is 8/10. Verdict: cheaper than average to keep on the road.

How we calculated this. Repair costs, reliability scores, and maintenance schedules from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA and fuel prices from the EIA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →