2020 Toyota RAV4 vs 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid rekindled interest in the RAV4 with its striking design. This model brought back the adventurous spirit lost when Toyota removed the external spare tire and side-hinged tailgate. From 1996 until 2015, the RAV4's body was upright and square, reminiscent of a baby Land Cruiser. However, the 2016 model shifted to a softer and contoured appearance, which felt bland and devoid of adventure.

The 2019 redesign, however, hit all the right notes. Its design echoed Toyota's classic trucks, particularly in the front end, which featured a big flat slab of trapezoids and flexing surfaces reminiscent of the 4Runner. The hood had a more subdued angle, making it less extreme than its predecessor. The fenders and wheel wells had hard creases, akin to bolt heads, and the side glass reclaimed the generous greenhouse space of the original RAV4.

Toyota paid meticulous attention to the rear end, with distinct sections for the raked glass that allowed the chiseled taillights to extend past the rear quarter panels. A stylish section of lower black trim rising from the fenders visually lowered the body. The XSE trim—a sport version exclusive to the Hybrid—featured glossy black trim on the roof, A-pillars, mirrors, fender flares, and 18-inch wheels. This cohesive design made hybrids in 2019 appear more appealing.

Inside, the RAV4 Hybrid impressed with oversized knobs and large buttons reminiscent of the Tundra, ensuring excellent cabin quality. The interior had padded dash and door trim with blue stitching, silver trim bands around the center stack, slim air vents, a thick PRNDL gear selector, tall door handles, a soft steering wheel, and snug front seats with blue-striped cloth inserts and shoulder bolsters. These elements gave the all-black interior an upscale look and feel. The RAV4 Hybrid wasn't a hardcore truck, but it certainly looked rugged and sophisticated from every angle.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 continued to build on the bolder, more angular appearance introduced in the 2019 redesign. Traditionally, the RAV4 set the template for all compact SUVs, and the 2019 redesign aimed to reflect its proven toughness and durability. Among the multiple trim levels, the Adventure trim aimed to enhance off-roading capability.

The 2020 model introduced the brand-new TRD Off-Road trim, taking things up a notch. This trim featured smaller, lighter matte-black 18-inch alloy wheels, severe snow-rated all-terrain tires, and a special Toyota Racing Development (TRD) suspension setup. These components provided an excellent ride over various surfaces. The TRD Off-Road trim could be identified by its wheels, tires, and badges, though it otherwise resembled the RAV4 Adventure.

My test vehicle sported Lunar Rock gray paint with an optional white roof, a paint color that effectively hid dirt. Inside, the TRD Off-Road featured TRD logos on the front-seat head restraints and was equipped for dirt with rubber floor mats and a rubber cargo mat. The cabin contrasted between quality construction, plush center-armrest padding, soft-touch upper door-panel trim, and rubberized surfaces against inexpensive-looking plastic.

The TRD Off-Road trim brought the highest specification in the gas-only RAV4 lineup, starting with the LE trim with front-wheel drive (FWD) at $25,950 and stretching to the Limited with all-wheel drive (AWD) at $35,880. In between, the range included the XLE, XLE Premium, Adventure, and TRD Off-Road trims. Potential buyers seeking the best blend of equipment and value might have considered the XLE trim with the top option package, bringing the RAV4's price to around $31,750 for the standard gas engine and FWD, and just over $33,000 as a hybrid with AWD.

My test vehicle, loaded with factory options and dealer-installed accessories, totaled an unusual $42,902, showcasing the range of available features.

The performance of the 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid proved to be surprisingly robust. Despite the eco-minded hybrid designation, it accelerated faster and handled better than its gasoline counterpart. The 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine combined with two electric motors and a 1.6-kilowatt battery to produce a total of 219 horsepower. This delivered a surge of torque absent in the regular model. Instead of using lithium-ion batteries like the Prius, Toyota opted for nickel-metal hydride chemistry in the RAV4 Hybrid. These batteries maintained a consistent charge, especially in cold weather, despite their larger size and weight. They were also cheaper and had a proven track record of reliability over 20-plus years.

Driving the RAV4 Hybrid was an effortless experience. Seamless transitions between engine modes made it difficult to tell when the engine was running or off. Even on highways, where the engine shut off while coasting, it was nearly impossible to discern how the hybrid system allocated power and recaptured energy for the battery. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) minimized engine strain at high revs, although the AWD system occasionally showed hesitation in countering wheelspin. The braking system, however, felt squishy at any speed, leaving much to be desired.

The RAV4 Hybrid excelled in stable, flat-footed handling and connected steering, surprising during test drives and road trips. The XSE trim, with sport-tuned dampers and springs, delivered noticeable improvements without compromising ride quality. The steering was responsive and faithful, a rarity among compact crossovers. Sport and Trail modes offered enhanced steering feel and assistance on slippery surfaces, respectively.

Fuel efficiency was another highlight, averaging 36 mpg over 400 predominantly highway miles. The EPA ratings were 41 mpg city, 38 highway, and 40 combined, making it exceptional for a high-riding vehicle not styled like a Prius.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 featured a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The separate RAV4 Hybrid model, delivering 219 horsepower and up to 40 mpg combined, was not available in TRD Off-Road trim. A high-performance plug-in hybrid model, the 2021 RAV4 Prime, was on the horizon.

The non-turbo, non-hybrid powertrain of the test vehicle provided good performance metrics for its class. The RAV4 felt energetic enough, particularly in Sport driving mode. However, a turbocharged engine, which handles altitude better, would have been preferred. An 8-speed automatic transmission handled power delivery, working well most of the time but occasionally hesitating in gear selection.

The TRD Off-Road trim included unique wheels, all-terrain tires, a TRD suspension setup, and a torque-vectoring AWD system. This system featured Snow, Mud & Sand, and Rock & Dirt multi-terrain select settings, along with Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes. The inclusion of downhill assist control and 8.6 inches of ground clearance made the RAV4 TRD Off-Road aptly named.

The TRD Off-Road felt confident on challenging trails, handling slick mud and steep ravines with ease. In daily use, it demonstrated a comfortable ride, aided by the suspension's ability to absorb road imperfections. The 360-degree surround-view camera made parking effortless, and features like the JBL premium sound system and heated and ventilated seats added to the comfort.

Fuel economy averaged 23.4 mpg, falling short of the EPA estimate of 27 mpg combined. However, the TRD Off-Road handled urban challenges well despite its off-road orientation. The all-terrain tires were less ideal for high-speed mountain driving but suited the SUV's intended use.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered excellent sightlines in all directions. Cargo space was generous, with 37.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 70 with them folded down. A spare tire was located underneath the cargo floor. The second row provided generous legroom and manual reclining. The air conditioning system was efficient, rapidly cooling the cabin even on a 95-degree day.

Ergonomics were well thought out, with large, easy-to-use knobs and switches. However, controls for the windows, locks, and mirrors lacked nighttime illumination. The infotainment system featured straightforward menus, customizable shortcuts, and separate climate controls. The large digital speedometer doubled as an information display, enhancing usability.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 made ingress and egress easy, thanks to perfect seating hip points. Inside, the low and sporty driving position in the 8-way adjustable driver's seat was comfortable. Although the front passenger seat lacked a height adjustment feature, it provided sufficient thigh support.

The TRD Off-Road featured SofTex upholstery, a simulated leather that could trap sweat on hot days. The Weather Package added heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel, enhancing comfort. Generous rear legroom accommodated adults and children, with rear air conditioning vents and USB ports adding to passenger comfort.

Interior storage was ample, with a convenient dashboard shelf running the width of the cabin. Cargo space was marginally larger than the Hybrid model, at 37.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 69.8 with them folded down. A robust roof rack and optional hands-free power liftgate increased utility.

The 2019 RAV4 Hybrid's infotainment interface outshone those in Lexus models with its user-friendly design. The touchscreen supported swiping and pinching gestures, and the home screen could be customized with user-preferred shortcuts. However, the maps appeared dated and lacked features. Toyota's Entune 3.0 included apps like NPR only when connected with a smartphone. Apple CarPlay was standard, but Android Auto was not.

The lane-keep assist activated too late for semi-automated traffic operation. On the plus side, Toyota provided stolen-vehicle alerts, automatic crash notifications, and SOS assistance for three years. WiFi and Remote Connect came with a six-month trial, and the hybrid system's seamless operation was a technological highlight.

The 2020 RAV4 featured useful and user-friendly technology. Depending on the trim, the infotainment system included a 7- or 8-inch touchscreen display. The 8-inch system in the TRD Off-Road suffered from glare but was otherwise easy to use, with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, and multiple subscriptions with generous free trial periods.

The infotainment system's voice-recognition technology was impressive, accurately responding to commands. The Technology Package added features like wireless smartphone charging, a 360-degree surround-view camera, and a digital rear-view mirror showing live video of the rear view.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid earned a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it scored 4 out of 5 stars for the driver's-side frontal crash and rollover resistance. The IIHS awarded the 2019 RAV4 (not the Hybrid) its top Good rating in all six crash tests and the top Superior rating for its collision-avoidance system. However, low headlight scores prevented a Top Safety Pick award. Toyota Safety Sense included forward emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign recognition, and auto high beams. Unique safety features included a cushion airbag in the front passenger seat and a driver's knee airbag.

The 2020 RAV4 came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which offered advanced safety features like Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, radar adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, front and rear parking assist with automated braking, and blind spot assist with rear cross-traffic alert. These systems operated smoothly, encouraging drivers to keep them activated.

Toyota included a generous 1-year free subscription to Safety Connect services, which provided automatic collision notification, an activated SOS emergency assistance button, and enhanced roadside assistance.

The IIHS awarded the 2020 RAV4 a Top Safety Pick rating, but only for models equipped with full LED, curve adaptive headlights. Without these headlights, performance was rated Marginal. Otherwise, the RAV4 received top marks for crash protection and ADAS performance.