Tesla model Y vs Toyota RAV4 2026, which car to buy?

[Anonymous]

OP, it’s mainly a question of whether you can afford to get a Tesla and not be judged by friends and neighbors. The Model Y is obviously far superior to the RAV4, and those who say otherwise are lying — to themselves and everyone else.

I drive a Model Y, and it’s fantastic, but our neighbors literally stopped talking to us after we bought it (not that I care). Be prepared for some hostility from flaming political activists, similar to what you can see in this discussion.

Funny enough, I think they’re just jealous and secretly want one, but can’t have it without hurting their reputation. So they’re trying to convince themselves — and everyone around them — that Tesla is a bad and unreliable car. It's not.

[Anonymous]

OP, is your commute in traffic? What I would strongly recommend is booking 24hr test drive with Tesla and taking it through the commute route. Make sure to try FSD. I have to go from VA to MD a lot and I can no longer imagine myself doing it without FSD.

[Anonymous]

OP, it’s mainly a question of whether you can afford to get a Tesla and not be judged by friends and neighbors. The Model Y is obviously far superior to the RAV4, and those who say otherwise are lying — to themselves and everyone else.

I drive a Model Y, and it’s fantastic, but our neighbors literally stopped talking to us after we bought it (not that I care). Be prepared for some hostility from flaming political activists, similar to what you can see in this discussion.

Funny enough, I think they’re just jealous and secretly want one, but can’t have it without hurting their reputation. So they’re trying to convince themselves — and everyone around them — that Tesla is a bad and unreliable car. It's not.

This. OP, keep your mind open. It's a car. You will love FSD. It's a big stress reducer on the beltway. So much safer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, it’s mainly a question of whether you can afford to get a Tesla and not be judged by friends and neighbors. The Model Y is obviously far superior to the RAV4, and those who say otherwise are lying — to themselves and everyone else.

I drive a Model Y, and it’s fantastic, but our neighbors literally stopped talking to us after we bought it (not that I care). Be prepared for some hostility from flaming political activists, similar to what you can see in this discussion.

Funny enough, I think they’re just jealous and secretly want one, but can’t have it without hurting their reputation. So they’re trying to convince themselves — and everyone around them — that Tesla is a bad and unreliable car. It's not.

No, your neighbors and former friends are not jealous of your Tesla, nor do they secretly want to buy one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you get a Model Y, you’ll never want to own or drive anything other than a Tesla. I’ve seen it happen to most people, including my family. Our gas car now just sits in the driveway. Seriously, nobody wants to drive it.

The same thing happened to us, but we have another EV. I think this is a function of EVs in general, not a Tesla in particular.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For a 40-minute daily one way commute. Please recommend one.
The prices are in the same range.

Thanks

Also look at the 2026 Honda-CRV hybrid. I have the Sport-L and get 450-75 miles for a full tank. Def. more comfortable than the Teslas I've been in. Ofc, the self-drive and other features in a Tesla can't be beat, if that's your thing.

If you really want a Model-Y or an EV, look at 2 year old EVs. Most of the available stock is lease returns and they are some of the best deals around.

[Anonymous]

Lots of great non-Tesla EVs. Don't support Musk

[Anonymous]

Lots of great non-Tesla EVs. Don't support Musk

True, but you won't have FSD available to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Lots of great non-Tesla EVs. Don't support Musk

True, but you won't have FSD available to you.

Drove behind a Tesla in FSD mode the other day. Frustrating as hell. Much worse than being behind an 85 year old blue haired driver.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Lots of great non-Tesla EVs. Don't support Musk

True, but you won't have FSD available to you.

Drove behind a Tesla in FSD mode the other day. Frustrating as hell. Much worse than being behind an 85 year old blue haired driver.

THIS! The lack of awareness of other cars on the road is completely maddening. Cars in FSD mode should be banned from driving in the left lane of a highway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Lots of great non-Tesla EVs. Don't support Musk

True, but you won't have FSD available to you.

Really don’t care about FSD

[Anonymous]

I am a Toyota loyalist but FSD is amazing

[Anonymous]

Tesla has the highest fatality rate of any car brand.

[Anonymous]

I like my Tesla, but the voice won’t shut up about how Helen of Troy can’t be black.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Toyota hands down, all day, every day.

This how it even a question. The new RAV looks pretty good. Tesla is like a cheap Hyundai now.

No need to be rude to Hyundai. They are nice cars. Especially at the higher trims.