2019 Toyota RAV4 Review
The RAV4 is one of the best-selling vehicles in the country and has even usurped the Toyota sales throne from the Camry. But coming later this year is an all-new RAV4, designed with a higher level of athleticism and charisma – a bolder, tougher SUV that’s ready to go beyond the mall parking lot. Listening to RAV4 owners, Toyota relocated the side mirrors lower on the door for better forward visibility, lowered the beltline for increased side visibility and enlarged the rear quarter glass for better diagonal visibility. Inspired by a confident and natural driving experience, engineers worked for about 4 years to fine-tune the RAV4’s performance, handling, stability and ride comfort. Two powertrains are available – a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission and a gasoline-electric hybrid model with the same engine. As a matter of fact, the XSE Hybrid is being billed as the sportiest RAV4 with enhanced power and acceleration and a sport-tuned suspension for what Toyota says is the quickest and best-handling RAV4 in the lineup. Specific outputs have yet to be released. And then for the off-road types there’s the RAV4 Adventure with its distinguished rugged exterior and an all-wheel drive system with a rear driveline disconnect for fuel savings and torque vectoring for improved handling. Then there’s the RAV4 Limited. As the top grade, it comes with a newly-designed multi-information display and a digital display rearview mirror a la Cadillac among other luxuries. Every RAV4 is equipped with Entune 3.0 multimedia including Wi-Fi, Amazon Alexa and Apple CarPlay with up to 5 USB ports and optional wireless device charging. Limited and Adventure gas models benefit from the torque vectoring all-wheel drive system while hybrid grades and core gas grades get their own unique AWD setups. Pricing will be announced closer to its 4th quarter launch.
2019 Toyota RAV4 Limited Review
The RAV4 is one of the best-selling vehicles in America and has even usurped the Toyota sales thrown from the Camry. And this all-new RAV4, designed with a higher level of athleticism and charisma, is a bolder, tougher SUV ready to go beyond the mall parking lot.
The RAV4 is one of the originals. Spanning 22 years and 5 generations, it’s a vehicle we’re all familiar with. So can this new model keep the masses happy? Automakers are getting better at really differentiating their trim levels in order to appeal to a wider audience and that’s certainly true here. From the no-nonsense LE priced from $26,545 to this fully loaded Limited at $39,479, Toyota has crafted various RAV4 grades, each with their own distinct flavor, including an Adventure model with a more robust appearance and greater towing capability to a new Hybrid that’s as much about added zip as it is 40mpg.
On the spec sheet, the RAV4 has been stretched between the wheels adding to rear seat legroom. Its height has been reduced while ground clearance has been raised by over a half an inch, which leads to a new all-wheel drive system with Multi-Terrain Select that provides this RAV4 with an added dose of off-road spunkiness. Other than Jeep, this class generally puts 4-wheeling on the back burner so having mud and sand and rock and dirt modes is really cool. With advancements in powertrain electronics, the RAV4 can be fuel efficient and demure as well as capable and sporty. The 8-speed auto does offer ECO, Sport and Snow modes to further fine-tune the driving experience. That starts with a very sophisticated but very noisy 2.5-liter 4-cylinder producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Zero-to-60mph in 8.2 seconds doesn’t accurately communicate the feeling of acceleration from behind the wheel, which in around the town driving is more than sufficient to zip in and out of traffic. Plus, it sounds fast which creates the sensation of speed. But everyone I’ve had in here this week, myself included, has immediately mentioned how loud this motor is. And it’s not the kind of sound you’d crave, either. From a driving standpoint, it’s clearly evident that this new RAV4 platform knows driving dynamics. More precision and smartness in the way it moves, the suppleness of the ride quality, the more engaging steering and handling – it’s what Honda has done so well with their new CR-V platform and Honda closely matches that here. What the RAV4 loses to the CR-V in on-road drivability it more than makes up for in its newfound, adventurous spirit.
When I first took delivery, it felt like the RAV4 was just another Johnny-come-lately in a sea of competent SUVs. But, as the week has worn on, I’ve not only come to appreciate what it has to offer but I’m thoroughly enjoying it. I think it’s really cool that Toyota has toughened this one up by giving it these off-road drive modes. It’s got a bit of Subaru in it now and that’s a nice get in this segment. So whether you’re traversing an icy trail or simply going deeper into the woods you can have the confidence that this vehicle will get you there. And then on the rear axle there is torque vectoring for the all-wheel drive system which will improve on-road handling. The ride quality, the body control and the steering have all been significantly upgraded, too. But what is with this gruff engine noise? It’s the very first thing you’ll notice when you drive the RAV4 and it’s far too much bluster for a vehicle that really isn’t very quick.
This Limited grade with the highest level Advanced Technology Package impresses with its level of features as it should for nearly $40,000. Standout items include the rear view mirror camera, a la Cadillac, projecting a video feed of what’s going on out back. If you don’t like it, just flip it to its original mirror duties, an improved Entune experience with Apple CarPlay but not Android Auto support that’s customizable, easy to use, feature-laden and best of all not slow or glitchy. It is prone to glare, however as is the new customizable gauge display. The 360 degree camera is a great get…if you’re ever confronted with tight parking spots this will become your best friend. Wireless device charging, road sign recognition, auto high beams, dynamic radar cruise control, memory settings…it’s all in here including a hands-free liftgate. If this wasn’t a prototype, items such as ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats would also be included.
For a range-topping Limited trim this cabin feels well-stocked but not necessarily upscale. The big knobs and rubberized surfaces are very cool but perhaps they would’ve been best left in the Adventure grade. The cabin is a little noisy but quite comfortable and the ergonomics are excellent unless you’re in this passenger seat which has no height adjustment; a penny-pinching move that is definitely a fail.
Reclining rear seats, a longer cargo area, more storage cleverness and respectable though not class leading fuel economy of 28mpg keeps the family unit happy. And that’s the new RAV4 in a nutshell; not particularly flashy but more capable and simply stated: really good at its job.
The RAV4 is one of the originals. Spanning 22 years and 5 generations, it’s a vehicle we’re all familiar with. So can this new model keep the masses happy? Automakers are getting better at really differentiating their trim levels in order to appeal to a wider audience and that’s certainly true here. From the no-nonsense LE priced from $26,545 to this fully loaded Limited at $39,479, Toyota has crafted various RAV4 grades, each with their own distinct flavor, including an Adventure model with a more robust appearance and greater towing capability to a new Hybrid that’s as much about added zip as it is 40mpg.
On the spec sheet, the RAV4 has been stretched between the wheels adding to rear seat legroom. Its height has been reduced while ground clearance has been raised by over a half an inch, which leads to a new all-wheel drive system with Multi-Terrain Select that provides this RAV4 with an added dose of off-road spunkiness. Other than Jeep, this class generally puts 4-wheeling on the back burner so having mud and sand and rock and dirt modes is really cool. With advancements in powertrain electronics, the RAV4 can be fuel efficient and demure as well as capable and sporty. The 8-speed auto does offer ECO, Sport and Snow modes to further fine-tune the driving experience. That starts with a very sophisticated but very noisy 2.5-liter 4-cylinder producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Zero-to-60mph in 8.2 seconds doesn’t accurately communicate the feeling of acceleration from behind the wheel, which in around the town driving is more than sufficient to zip in and out of traffic. Plus, it sounds fast which creates the sensation of speed. But everyone I’ve had in here this week, myself included, has immediately mentioned how loud this motor is. And it’s not the kind of sound you’d crave, either. From a driving standpoint, it’s clearly evident that this new RAV4 platform knows driving dynamics. More precision and smartness in the way it moves, the suppleness of the ride quality, the more engaging steering and handling – it’s what Honda has done so well with their new CR-V platform and Honda closely matches that here. What the RAV4 loses to the CR-V in on-road drivability it more than makes up for in its newfound, adventurous spirit.
When I first took delivery, it felt like the RAV4 was just another Johnny-come-lately in a sea of competent SUVs. But, as the week has worn on, I’ve not only come to appreciate what it has to offer but I’m thoroughly enjoying it. I think it’s really cool that Toyota has toughened this one up by giving it these off-road drive modes. It’s got a bit of Subaru in it now and that’s a nice get in this segment. So whether you’re traversing an icy trail or simply going deeper into the woods you can have the confidence that this vehicle will get you there. And then on the rear axle there is torque vectoring for the all-wheel drive system which will improve on-road handling. The ride quality, the body control and the steering have all been significantly upgraded, too. But what is with this gruff engine noise? It’s the very first thing you’ll notice when you drive the RAV4 and it’s far too much bluster for a vehicle that really isn’t very quick.
This Limited grade with the highest level Advanced Technology Package impresses with its level of features as it should for nearly $40,000. Standout items include the rear view mirror camera, a la Cadillac, projecting a video feed of what’s going on out back. If you don’t like it, just flip it to its original mirror duties, an improved Entune experience with Apple CarPlay but not Android Auto support that’s customizable, easy to use, feature-laden and best of all not slow or glitchy. It is prone to glare, however as is the new customizable gauge display. The 360 degree camera is a great get…if you’re ever confronted with tight parking spots this will become your best friend. Wireless device charging, road sign recognition, auto high beams, dynamic radar cruise control, memory settings…it’s all in here including a hands-free liftgate. If this wasn’t a prototype, items such as ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats would also be included.
For a range-topping Limited trim this cabin feels well-stocked but not necessarily upscale. The big knobs and rubberized surfaces are very cool but perhaps they would’ve been best left in the Adventure grade. The cabin is a little noisy but quite comfortable and the ergonomics are excellent unless you’re in this passenger seat which has no height adjustment; a penny-pinching move that is definitely a fail.
Reclining rear seats, a longer cargo area, more storage cleverness and respectable though not class leading fuel economy of 28mpg keeps the family unit happy. And that’s the new RAV4 in a nutshell; not particularly flashy but more capable and simply stated: really good at its job.
2019 Toyota RAV4 XSE HV Review
As the all-new 5th generation RAV4 rolls into showrooms, a lot of buzz has been generated by the Hybrid version and in particular the XSE trim which Toyota says is the sportiest RAV4 you can buy. While the 4 Hybrid grades are the acceleration leaders in the RAV4 lineup, dispensing of 60mph in 7.8 seconds, it’s this XSE model that has the moves to go with it. Tauter spring and shock absorber tuning combined with 18” wheels and tires underpin the sport tuned handling package that Toyota says makes this RAV4 hungry for the corners. The look is unique, too, with piano-black accents, projector-beam LED headlamps and unique signature daytime running lamps. A two-tone exterior paint scheme gives the RAV4 XSE HV a distinguished personality. Its exclusive interior comes mono-spec with black SofTex material trim and blue accents throughout. A new 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gas engine is paired to a duo of electric motors working through an electronically controlled CV transmission returning an impressive mileage rating of 41mpg city/37mpg highway. A nickel-metal hydride battery pack is used to store the hybrid system’s energy. Total system output is 219 horsepower. All-wheel drive is standard on the Hybrid models and has been enhanced to produce 30% more torque to the rear wheels when needed. This helps suppress front-wheel slip for optimal acceleration and for better hill climbing off-road. A driver-selectable Trail Mode helps make it possible to get unstuck by braking a spinning wheel and sending torque to the wheel with traction. New to the 2019 RAV4 hybrid models is Predictive Efficient Drive which essentially reads the road and learns driver patterns to help maximize efficiency. Pricing for the XSE HV starts at just under $35,000 including handling. Look for it at dealerships next spring.