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glamarche

We are hesitating between these two cars. Same price ($32k) same mileage (~45k) very close overall rating, but wondering about running cost over 5 years+. Any idea which one would be dearer and by how much?

ABayliss

Neither of these cars would be super fuel efficient and their overall running cost wouldn't be too dis-similar. They both fall into the same bracket in our running cost calculations at 79c per km. That includes all costs, including purchase price, depreciation, tyres, rego, insurance, etc etc.
While they fall into a similar bracket, the Outback has a particular reputation for being thirsty and I'd guess it would be the thirstier of the two. Also, being 2012, the Rav4 is still covered by the manufacturer's warranty, whereas the warranty on the 2010 Outback has either just expired or about to expire.
On that basis, I'd say the RAV4 might be the better bet.