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.

Is the Nissan Rogue expensive to maintain?

The Rogue averages $467/year in maintenance — $54 below the compact segment average of $521. But repair frequency of 33% is slightly above the class average of 30%, and major repair probability of 12% is slightly above the 11% norm. Lower cost per service visit, but slightly more frequent unscheduled visits than the class average.

What is the best year for a Nissan Rogue?

The Rogue's complaint history has been persistently elevated. The 2020 model (147 complaints) stands out as the cleanest year of the second generation. The third-generation launch in 2023 brought 630 complaints before settling to 162 in 2024 and 158 in 2025. Avoid 2013-2018, which consistently logged 430-612 complaints per year. For the current generation, 2024 or 2025 is the best used pick.

How much does Nissan Rogue insurance cost?

Rogue insurance averages around $1,984/year — about $165/month. Competitive for the compact class.

Is the Nissan Rogue or Toyota RAV4 cheaper to maintain?

The RAV4 is $38/year cheaper — $429 versus $467 for the Rogue — and has a lower repair frequency (26% vs. 33%). Both carry the same reliability score. The RAV4 holds a moderate edge on total ownership cost.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Nissan Rogue?

The Rogue's persistently elevated complaint history across 2013-2018 and a major repair probability slightly above the class average make extended warranty worth considering for used models from that period. For 2024 and newer, risk is more moderate — though the historical reliability track record warrants more caution than class leaders like the CR-V or RAV4.

Toyota RAV4 vs Nissan Rogue

Two compact 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 Nissan Rogue if long-term reliability matters most.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Toyota RAV4	Nissan Rogue
Annual maintenance	$429winner	$467
5-year total cost	$2,145winner	$2,335
Reliability score	8 / 10	8 / 10
Major repair risk (5yr)	10%winner	12%
Cargo space	70.4 cu ft	74.1 cu ftwinner
Starting price (new)	$34,800	$30,800winner
Best years to buy	2018, 2021, 2022	—

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Toyota RAV4	Nissan Rogue
RepairPal score	8 / 10	8 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	89winner	156.8
Years to avoid	2012, 2013, 2014	2017, 2018, 2019
Value retained · 3 yr	94.5%winner	71.7%
Value retained · 5 yr	75%winner	55.1%
Value retained · 7 yr	62%winner	45%

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Toyota RAV4	Nissan Rogue
Engine	15.5%winner	16.2%
Electrical	12.7%	7.7%winner
ADAS	9.7%winner	16.2%
Brakes	5.8%winner	6.4%
Suspension	2.9%	—winner
Steering	3.9%	1.8%winner
Fuel system	7.9%	3.4%winner
Tires/Wheels	2.1%	1.0%winner
Glass/Windows	5.1%	4.0%winner
Airbags	7.8%winner	8.9%
Seatbelt	—winner	1.3%

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 RAV4	Nissan Rogue
Avg annual premium	$1,990	$1,984winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Toyota RAV4

$429/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Nissan Rogue

$467/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

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.

How we calculated this. Maintenance costs and reliability scores from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →