Tesla Model Y is not cheaper to drive than Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4

[Redaktion]

Tesla prides itself in lower maintenance costs over the lifespan of its vehicles, but that is valid for all electric cars. Its own Model Y vs Honda CR-V vs Toyota RAV4 costs of ownership calculation paints a different picture.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Tesla-Model-Y-is-not-cheaper-to-drive-than-Honda-CR-V-or-Toyota-RAV4.1048472.0.html

[Observing]

I think what differentiates those three for me is that when I request service from Toyota or Honda from a certified shop, I am pretty much assured that I'll get service relatively quickly.  I also have the option to go to any number of local shops in my area, and the same point stands.  The quality is usually (in my experience) top notch for those two, and even 3rd-party shops I have found a few local mechanics that I trust and stand behind their work.  Every mechanic pretty much knows how to work on those two brands.

Tesla, from what I've heard, is just a horror-show in terms of support and service.  Now, granted, I don't have first-hand experience, but I also don't hear regular horror stories from friends/family about Honda/Toyota service.  And getting Tesla serviced from Joe the Mechanic is hit-or-miss.  And getting parts for them is usually a huge miss.

I have a Honda 2000 civic that still works great, with over 215K miles on it.  It doesn't have the latest tech, it isn't fast, but every mechanic knows exactly how to quickly fix it, and usually for pretty cheap.  Sure I sometimes want instant powerful torque, but really, the money I've saved NOT buying a vehicle for 40K+ has paid dividends many times over.

Now, leasing, that is a different story.  If you drive under 12K miles a year and you baby your vehicle, that might make more sense to get a Tesla, and let them deal with the service hassles.  It' sstill their vehicle, after all.

There's also something the report doesn't mention in Tesla's favor:  The time investment in taking your car to get an oil change/serviced versus a Tesla is greater.  Unless you do those things yourself, you are investing hours extra every year for oil/etc on a Combustible engine long-term--something you have less likelihood with a Tesla/EV.

I'm still waiting for the EV market to mature a bit more.  I will invest with a good used 3-5 year old EV, and I'm not paying more than $25K for one.

[ArsLoginName]

If you've waited this long, try to hold out until solid state batteries arrive... or at least by then, these '2nd gen' EV's will be very cheap

[Commenter]

As "Observing" pointed out, saving time with oil changes isn't taken into account.  If you can charge at home, saving time going to get gasoline is a big factor, also.  I haven't been to a gas station in years.  However, if you can't charge at home, charging is more time consuming than getting gasoline.  Home charging or not is a crucial factor.

Also, Elon Musk has stupidly made himself and Tesla unpopular, so the cars depreciated more than they should have.

Lastly, as a more expensive vehicle in general, the insurance is bound to be higher for the Model Y.

So I believe in terms of yearly fueling and maintenance, especially if you can charge at home, the Model Y comes out significantly cheaper, and less time consuming.  Insurance, depreciation, and the higher cost of charging at charging stations makes the bigger cost picture even out.