This is how much it'd cost to own a Tesla Model Y, a Chevrolet Silverado and a Toyota RAV4 over 10 years and there's key differences

We worked out how much it’d cost to run a Toyota RAV4, a Chevrolet Silverado, and a Tesla Model Y over 10 years to see the difference.

Now that fuel prices are going up, these comparisons are becoming increasingly important.

We picked three largely different vehicles that do have one thing in common: they’re all quite popular.

And there’s an extra element at play here.

When it comes to fuel costs, there’s a clear winner

The first and most obvious benefit of owning a Tesla Model Y is that it’s a lot cheaper to run.

Figures from the Department of Energy put charging costs for the Model Y at between $6,500 and $8,500 over a decade, which equals around $650 to $850 a year.

That’s nothing compared to internal combustion cars, including the Toyota RAV4 – which is relatively economical to run – and the Chevrolet Silverado, which is a bit thirstier depending on which model you pick.

On top of that, the Tesla Model Y doesn’t require much maintenance.

You have to make sure the brakes and tires are up to par, but other than that, there are no spark plugs or oil changes to worry about.

Assuming the car is driven 150,000 miles – which is roughly the U.S. yearly average times 10 years – you’re looking at around $4,000 in maintenance over that decade.

In terms of insurance, premiums vary significantly based on a few factors – chief among which is your location.

You’d be spending around $3,000+ per year under a best-case scenario, or upwards of $6,000+ in a worst-case scenario.

The Toyota RAV4 has one ace up its sleeve

We mentioned an extra element to consider – the X-factor, so to speak – and the RAV4 has it.

It’s a solid buy, holds its value well, and is available as a hybrid.

While it’s more expensive to run than the Tesla Model Y, it isn’t by much.

But its real ace in the hole is insurance: it’s very cheap to cover.

Insurance premiums are driven strictly by data, and the data shows that Toyotas in general – and the RAV4 in particular – are virtually bulletproof.

They rarely break down, and when they do, repairs are straightforward.

For context, a Model Y’s best-case insurance scenario almost matches an RAV4’s worst-case: around $3,000 to $4,000 per year.

More realistically, a decade of RAV4 premiums will set you back anywhere from $15,100 to $19,500 total, which is significantly cheaper.

On the fuel front, EPA figures estimate running an RAV4 over a decade costs between $17,500 and $19,500 (or $1,750 to $1,950 annually).

Maintenance is its main trade-off against an EV

While highly reliable, a gas or hybrid engine still requires routine fluid exchanges and mechanical upkeep, with figures from CarEdge and Consumer Reports putting 10-year maintenance costs between $5,834 and $7,636.

What about the Silverado?

In theory, the Chevy Silverado could be competitive on cost, but only under specific circumstances – like opting for the efficient turbo-diesel engine and living in an area with low fuel prices and low insurance rates.

Fueling a full-size truck over 10 years (or 150,000 miles) is a major expense, easily setting you back between $22,000 and $30,000.

Maintenance and repairs will add roughly another $10,000 to $11,000 over that same decade.

When it comes to insurance, the Chevrolet Silverado lands in the middle – more expensive to cover than the RAV4, but cheaper than the Model Y – with 10-year premiums ranging from $20,000 to $25,000.

Those are the cold, hard facts.

But people don’t always buy based strictly on data – and the Chevrolet Silverado, probably more so than the Toyota RAV4 or Model Y, remains an American icon.

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