Compare the2022 Toyota Rav4 PrimeVS 2021 Tesla Model Y

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Payload and Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Rav4 Prime has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Model Y doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Rav4 Prime. But it costs extra on the Model Y.

The Rav4 Prime XSE offers an optional Bird’s Eye View Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Model Y only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Rav4 Prime’s standard rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Model Y doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

The Rav4 Prime has standard Safety Connect™, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Model Y doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Rav4 Prime and the Model Y have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems and rearview cameras.

Warranty

The Rav4 Prime’s corrosion warranty is 1 year and unlimited miles longer than the Model Y’s (5/unlimited vs. 4/50,000).

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Rav4 Prime for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Tesla doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Model Y.

There are over 9 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Tesla dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Rav4 Prime’s warranty.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Rav4 Prime’s reliability 64 points higher than the Model Y.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Tesla vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota 13th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 74 more problems per 100 vehicles, Tesla is ranked 31st, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Tesla vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 78 more problems per 100 vehicles, Tesla is ranked 30th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Tesla vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in reliability. Tesla is ranked 25th.

Engine

The Rav4 Prime’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 31 more horsepower (302 vs. 271) than the Model Y’s standard electric motor.

Fuel Economy and Range

The Rav4 Prime’s maximum EPA estimated driving range on a full tank of fuel and a full charge is 580 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The Model Y’s range is only 326 miles, after which the minimum recharge time is 30 minutes for only a 50% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge at a conventional charging station can take up to 8 hours and 30 minutes.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Rav4 Prime’s standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the Model Y:

	Rav4 Prime	Model Y
Front Rotors	12.9 inches	12.6 inches

Tires and Wheels

The Rav4 Prime has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Model Y; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

For better maneuverability, the Rav4 Prime SE’s turning circle is 3.7 feet tighter than the Model Y’s (36.1 feet vs. 39.8 feet). The Rav4 Prime XSE’s turning circle is 2.4 feet tighter than the Model Y’s (37.4 feet vs. 39.8 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Rav4 Prime SE has a 1.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Model Y (8 vs. 6.6 inches), allowing the Rav4 Prime to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Rav4 Prime XSE’s minimum ground clearance is 1.6 inches higher than on the Model Y (8.2 vs. 6.6 inches).

Chassis

The Rav4 Prime is 6.1 inches shorter than the Model Y, making the Rav4 Prime easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

The Rav4 Prime has .5 inches more front hip room, 1.4 inches more front shoulder room, .1 inches more rear headroom and 2.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Model Y.

Cargo Capacity

The Rav4 Prime has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Model Y with its rear seat up (33.5 vs. 25.1 cubic feet). The Rav4 Prime has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Model Y with its rear seat folded (69.8 vs. 68 cubic feet).

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Rav4 Prime XSE’s available liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Model Y doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Payload and Towing

The Rav4 Prime’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Model Y’s (2500 vs. 0 pounds).

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Rav4 Prime uses the Vehicle Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Model Y doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Rav4 Prime has a much higher standard payload capacity than the Model Y (1295 vs. 954 lbs.).

Servicing Ease

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the Rav4 Prime to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Tesla doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the Model Y.

Ergonomics

The Rav4 Prime offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Model Y doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Rav4 Prime has a standard rear wiper. The Model Y doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

Consumer Reports rated the Rav4 Prime’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Model Y’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Rav4 Prime XSE offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Model Y doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Rav4 Prime’s standard side window demisters help clear frost or condensation from the side windows in the winter. The Model Y doesn’t even offer side window demisters, so the driver may have to wipe the windows from the outside to gain side vision.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Rav4 Prime has standard extendable sun visors. The Model Y doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Rav4 Prime’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Model Y’s power mirror controls are embedded in the infotainment system, seriously distracting drivers who have to adjust them while driving.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Rav4 Prime XSE keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Model Y doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Rav4 Prime’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Model Y doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Toyota Rav4 Prime XSE has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Model Y doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Rav4 Prime XSE offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Model Y doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Rav4 Prime owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Rav4 Prime will cost $620 to $3005 less than the Model Y over a five-year period.

The Rav4 Prime will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Rav4 Prime will retain 55.43% to 55.74% of its original price after five years, while the Model Y only retains 43.54% to 45.06%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Toyota Rav4 Prime will be $8742 to $23375 less than for the Tesla Model Y.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota Rav4 Prime, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Tesla Model Y isn't recommended.

The Toyota Rav4 outsold the Tesla Model Y by over three to one during the 2021 model year.

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