2012 Toyota RAV4 MPG and Fuel Cost

The 2012 Toyota RAV4 is rated 22 to 24 mpg combined across 4 EPA-tested gas versions, plus an electric version; the best is the 2.5L 4-cyl · FWD · 4-speed automatic.

EPA fuel economy

2012 Toyota RAV4 · 5 EPA-tested versions

Best EPA rating

24MPG combined

21 city 28 highway

$2,800 a year to fuel

2.5L 4-cyl · FWD · 4-speed automatic

Best version costs $2,000 more in fuel over 5 years vs the average new vehicle (EPA)

Fuel cost: 15,000 miles a year at EPA's $4.47 a gallon (regular gas).

Data: US EPA, fueleconomy.govUpdated Sep 30, 2026

At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $2,800 to $3,050 a year. New for 2012: an electric version.

Fewer complaints than a typical RAV4 year

The 2012 drew 81 owner complaints in its first three years, against 130 for a typical RAV4 year. Best years are picked only from 2016 on, since counts for older years say less: owners filed fewer complaints in the early 2010s.

Years to avoid: 2019; best year: 2022. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.

Every RAV4 year ranked The 2012 RAV4's recalls and problems

Every 2012 RAV4 version

EPA's ratings for each version it tested. Fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current prices.

Version	Combined	City / Hwy	Fuel / year
Gas
2.5L 4-cyl · FWD · 4-speed automatic Best EPA listing: RAV4 2WD	24 mpg	21 / 28	$2,800
2.5L 4-cyl · AWD · 4-speed automatic EPA listing: RAV4 4WD	23 mpg	21 / 27	$2,900
3.5L 6-cyl · AWD · 5-speed automatic EPA listing: RAV4 4WD	22 mpg	19 / 26	$3,050
3.5L 6-cyl · FWD · 5-speed automatic EPA listing: RAV4 2WD	22 mpg	19 / 26	$3,050
Electric
Electric · FWD EPA listing: RAV4 EV · 103 mi range · 44 kWh/100 mi	76 MPGe	78 / 74	$1,000

Fuel cost at your prices

EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $4.47 a gallon for regular gas and $0.15 per kWh. Change the numbers to match your driving.

Version	Per year	Per month	5 years
2.5L 4-cyl · FWD · 4-speed automatic	$2,794	$233	$13,969
2.5L 4-cyl · AWD · 4-speed automatic	$2,915	$243	$14,576
3.5L 6-cyl · AWD · 5-speed automatic	$3,048	$254	$15,239
3.5L 6-cyl · FWD · 5-speed automatic	$3,048	$254	$15,239
Electric · FWD	$990	$82	$4,950

At the default settings the results match EPA's annual cost before EPA rounds it to the nearest $50.

Toyota RAV4 MPG by model year

The best-rated version in each model year; the highlighted year is this page. Gas: 24 to 30 mpg (2010 to 2025); 30 since 2019. Hybrid: 32 to 43 mpg (2016 to 2026); highest in 2026.

Best gas version
Best hybrid version

2012: gas 24 mpg · hybrid not offered

Show as a table

Toyota RAV4 best combined mpg by model year
Model year	Best gas version	Best hybrid version
2010	24	–
2011	24	–
2012	24	–
2013	26	–
2014	26	–
2015	26	–
2016	26	32
2017	26	32
2018	26	32
2019	30	40
2020	30	40
2021	30	40
2022	30	40
2023	30	40
2024	30	39
2025	30	39
2026	–	43

Every RAV4 year's ratings in one table

How the 2012 RAV4 compares

2012 compact SUVs covered on this site, ranked by their best combined rating. Fuel cost is for each model's cheapest version to run, at EPA's prices.

2012 model	Best combined	Best gas	Fuel / year
Ford Escape Best: hybrid	32 mpg	25 mpg	$2,100
Honda CR-V Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,600
Chevrolet Equinox Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,600
GMC Terrain Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,600
Nissan Rogue Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,700
Hyundai Tucson Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,700
Kia Sportage Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,700
Jeep Compass Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,700
Toyota RAV4 This page Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$1,000
Subaru Outback Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,800
Volkswagen Tiguan Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$3,400
Subaru Forester Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,900

2012 RAV4 recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 266 owner complaints for the 2012 RAV4.

Owners most often describe unintended acceleration (29 complaints, 11%). NHTSA's overall crash rating: 4 stars.

See the 2012 RAV4 recalls and problems

Questions

Does AWD lower the 2012 Toyota RAV4's gas mileage?

Sometimes. On versions that differ only in drive, the gap ranges from 0 to 1 mpg combined: the 2.5L 4-cyl gets 24 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 23 with AWD.

Does the 2012 Toyota RAV4 need premium gas?

No. EPA lists every 2012 Toyota RAV4 version on regular gasoline.

How does the 2012 RAV4's MPG compare with the 2011?

For 2012, the best gas version is rated 24 mpg, the same as the year before.

Sources and method

US EPA and Department of Energy fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov), file dated Sep 29, 2026.
EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.47, midgrade $5.07, premium $5.48, diesel $6.38 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Oct 2, 2026 and complaint file dated Oct 2, 2026.

Ratings are EPA estimates. Real-world mileage depends on how, where and in what weather you drive. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.