2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid marked a return to a more rugged and adventurous design, reminiscent of Toyota's classic trucks. The front fascia featured a big flat slab of trapezoids and flexing surfaces, while the hood had a milder angle compared to previous models. The fenders and wheel wells had hard creases, and the side glass reclaimed the original RAV4's large greenhouse. The XSE trim, exclusive to the Hybrid, boasted glossy black trim on the roof, A-pillars, mirrors, fender flares, and 18-inch wheels, giving it a sporty and upscale look. Inside, the cabin quality was several grades higher, with padded dash and door trim, blue stitching, and large, easy-to-use knobs and buttons.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid continued the tough and angular design introduced in 2019, with a front fascia similar to the 4Runner. Stacked, trapezoidal apertures and a perforated grille gave it a mean and mechanical look. Dark trim around the wheel wells and doorsills added to its adventurous appeal. The RAV4 Hybrid was available in four trims: LE, XLE, XSE, and Limited, with 17-inch wheels on lower trims and 18-inch wheels on the XSE and Limited. Inside, the design was simple and functional, with tasteful shiny bits of trim. While leather upholstery was unavailable, the Softex seats and interior plastics were uniformly nice, though not as luxurious as some competitors.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with two electric motors and a 1.6-kilowatt battery to produce 219 horsepower. This setup provided a surge of torque missing from the regular model. The RAV4 Hybrid used older nickel-metal hydride batteries, which were reliable and consistent, especially in cold weather. The hybrid system operated seamlessly, making it difficult to notice when the engine was on or off. The CVT didn't strain the engine at high revs, but the AWD was sometimes slow to counter wheelspin. Braking was a weak point, with a squishy pedal feel. However, the RAV4 Hybrid's stable handling and connected steering were impressive, especially in the XSE trim with sport-tuned dampers and springs. Fuel efficiency was exceptional, with an average of 36 mpg over 400 miles and EPA ratings of 41 mpg city, 38 highway, and 40 combined.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid also produced 219 horsepower and had an EPA fuel economy rating of 40 mpg combined. The powertrain combined a 2.5-liter, 176-horsepower four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, delivering up to 118 hp to the front wheels and 54 hp to the rear wheels. This setup eliminated the need for a heavy driveshaft, making the RAV4 Hybrid only about 200 pounds heavier than the non-hybrid model. The hybrid system provided plenty of instantaneous electric power, making it quicker to accelerate than the non-hybrid model. Regenerative braking was smooth, and the electric motor assist was nearly seamless. The RAV4 Hybrid could tow up to 1,750 pounds and had standard trailer sway control. The steering was light, and the suspension was soft, ensuring a comfortable ride.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered excellent sightlines and generous cargo space, with 37.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 70 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The second row had generous legroom and manually reclined. The air conditioning was effective, quickly cooling the cabin even on hot days. The big knobs and switches were ergonomic, though the controls for windows, locks, and mirrors weren't illuminated at night. The infotainment screen, climate controls, and steering-wheel controls were easy to use and read.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid had excellent ergonomics, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen (an 8-inch screen was optional) positioned prominently atop the center dashboard. The climate controls were simple and well thought out, and the center console had ample storage space. The cabin could be quieter, but the hybrid system mitigated engine noise. The rear seat was spacious, with impressive legroom, and the cargo compartment was capacious. The hybrid model didn't compromise interior or cargo space, offering the same 98.9 cubic feet of passenger volume and 37.6 cubic feet of trunk capacity as the standard RAV4.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid's infotainment interface was user-friendly, with clear menus and customizable home screens. However, the maps looked dated, and Toyota's Entune 3.0 required a smartphone connection for apps. Apple CarPlay was standard, but Android Auto was not. The JBL stereo was adequate, and the lane-keep assist reacted too late. Toyota offered standard stolen-vehicle alerts, automatic crash notifications, and SOS assistance for three years, with a 6-month trial for WiFi and Remote Connect.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid introduced Android Auto, joining Apple CarPlay and SiriusXM Radio as standard features. The infotainment system was superior to Toyota's Entune software, and navigation with the premium JBL stereo was available. WiFi Connect was offered with a 3-month, 2GB trial. The RAV4 Hybrid had multiple USB-A ports but no USB-C. Standard Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility were included, along with Predictive Efficient Drive technology to optimize hybrid efficiency. Drivers could select Eco, Sport, or Trail modes to adjust performance.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid earned a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with 4 stars for the driver's-side frontal crash test and rollover resistance. The IIHS rated the standard RAV4 its top Good rating in all six crash tests and Superior for collision-avoidance. Toyota Safety Sense included forward emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise, traffic-sign recognition, and auto high beams. Unique features included a front passenger seat cushion airbag and a driver's knee airbag. Rear emergency braking was optional.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, including a pre-collision system with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, automatic high beams, lane-tracing assist, and road-sign assist. Safety Connect offered a 1-year trial. Standard safety features included stability control, LATCH anchors, and eight airbags. Blind spot monitoring and front and rear parking assist with automated braking were optional. The NHTSA gave the 2020 RAV4 Hybrid a five-star rating, with four stars in the frontal crash test, five in the side crash test, and four in the rollover test. The IIHS awarded the standard RAV4 a Top Safety Pick designation. Two safety recalls were issued for the 2020 RAV4 Hybrid.