2019 Toyota RAV4 vs 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 surprised many with its bold and aggressive styling. The design drew inspiration from the robust Toyota Tacoma pickup, exuding strength and a forward-thinking aesthetic. Its big, chunky form featured sharp edges, consistent in its side-profile styling and rear, where taillights echoed the designs of Toyota’s luxury brand, Lexus. The character line on the C-pillar, while common in new vehicle designs, was less visually appealing to some, often seen as design clutter, especially in monotone color schemes. Half of the RAV4's color options matched the body to the roof, while seven had contrasting-color roofs either in gray or black.

Inside, the RAV4’s cabin presented a simpler and more elegant aesthetic compared to the exterior. The floating touch screen housed many of the car's features, while other controls were neatly organized into a pod that extended from the center dash to the cupholders. The RAV4 was offered in several trims: LE, XLE, XLE Premium, Adventure, and Limited. Each trim level brought varying degrees of refinement and features, from basic inclusions like steel 17-inch wheels and LED headlights on the LE to more luxurious touches like 19-inch chrome-finished alloy wheels, ambient interior lighting, and navigation on the Limited.

In contrast, the 2019 RAV4 Hybrid captured attention by echoing classic Toyota truck styling. Its front design borrowed elements from the 4Runner with a big, flat slab of trapezoids and flexing surfaces. The side glass reclaimed the spacious look of the original RAV4, while the detailed tail sections allowed for the chiseled taillights to stand out. The XSE trim, exclusive to the Hybrid, highlighted glossy black trim on the roof, A-pillars, mirrors, fender flares, and 18-inch wheels, adding a sporty touch. Inside, the Hybrid’s cabin featured oversized knobs with rubber padding, padded dash and door trims with blue stitching, and upscale materials that added elegance and practicality to the interior. The all-black interior with blue-striped cloth inserts provided a plush feel to the cabin.

The 2019 RAV4 was powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission that directed power to the front wheels or the optional all-wheel drive. The AWD came in two flavors: a base version available through most trims and a more advanced torque-vectoring AWD in the Adventure and Limited trims. The torque-vectoring AWD could distribute power to the wheels needing traction in real-time, enhancing the vehicle’s off-road prowess. Despite its capability, off-the-line acceleration felt sluggish, and engine noise was noticeable, particularly in stop-and-go traffic.

Ride quality was generally good but marred by twitchy steering and considerable body roll. The RAV4’s handling fell behind rivals like the Ford Escape and Mazda CX-5. However, its ability to handle off-road conditions offered some redemption. The fuel economy was commendable, with the AWD RAV4 achieving 27 mpg city and 34 mpg highway, with observed combined fuel efficiency around 29.3 mpg. The torque-vectoring AWD version was slightly less efficient at 25 mpg city and 33 mpg highway.

On the hybrid front, the 2019 RAV4 Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle engine with two electric motors and a 1.6-kilowatt battery to produce 219 horsepower. This hybrid setup yielded an impressive thrust of torque absent in the gasoline model. The hybrid system’s nickel-metal hydride batteries were noted for their reliability and performance in cold weather.

The Hybrid’s drive was smooth and quiet, making transitioning between gas and electric power nearly imperceptible. The hybrid’s CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) efficiently prevented the engine from straining, and driving modes like Sport improved steering feel. However, braking felt squishy and lacked the refinement seen in Honda hybrids.

Stability and steering were strong suits for the Hybrid, especially in the XSE trim featuring sport-tuned dampers and springs. Fuel efficiency excelled, with the Hybrid achieving 41 mpg city, 38 mpg highway, and 40 mpg combined. Over a test of 400 highway miles, the vehicle averaged 36 mpg.

The 2019 RAV4’s cabin offered an upscale yet practical environment. The short and stocky shifter design minimized space usage, and the center stack housed climate controls, a large tray for personal items, drive-mode controls, and the shifter. The generous cargo space measured 37.6 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 69.8 cubic feet when folded down, beating rivals like the Mazda CX-5 and Jeep Cherokee but trailing the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester, which offered around 75 cubic feet.

Interior storage was abundant with deep center-control trays and bins in the doors, and the fold-out rear armrest provided additional cupholders.

The RAV4 Hybrid maintained similar practical aspects without sacrificing style or function. Cargo volume stood at 37.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 70 cubic feet with them folded, with the added bonus of a spare tire underneath the cargo floor. Second-row legroom was roomy, and the effective air conditioning system was laudable even on hot days. Big knobs and switches enhanced ergonomics, and while some controls lacked illumination at night, the overall layout and accessibility were praised.

The 2019 RAV4’s technological offerings included a user-friendly Entune 3.0 infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen standard. Apple CarPlay was a significant addition, although Android Auto was notably absent. The LE trim included essentials like Bluetooth, a USB port, and a WiFi hotspot, while higher trims like the Adventure and Limited offered an upgraded panoramic reversing camera, a 7-inch instrument panel display, an 8-inch infotainment screen, and an optional JBL premium stereo.

The infotainment system was straightforward with physical dials for volume and tuning, contrasting automakers' shift towards proprietary controller systems. Apple CarPlay integration was a key update for 2019.

In the Hybrid, the infotainment interface was superior to those in Lexus models, featuring clear menus and touch-responsive swipes and pinches. Despite dated maps, the standard Apple CarPlay provided solid connectivity, although Android Auto was still missing. The JBL stereo performed adequately, and the standard safety features like lane-keep assist had limitations but offered basic functionality. Safety Connect's standard stolen-vehicle alerts, automatic crash notifications, and SOS assistance added to the car's value.

The 2019 RAV4 included comprehensive safety features such as front and side-impact airbags, a reversing camera, traction control, tire-pressure monitoring, and Toyota Safety Sense 2.0. This suite featured forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and dynamic radar cruise control. The second generation of Safety Sense added traffic-sign detection and Lane-Tracing Assist for vehicle stabilization within lanes.

The 2019 RAV4 Hybrid boasted a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, excelling in various crash tests, while also scoring top marks from the IIHS in crash tests and collision-avoidance systems. However, low headlight scores prevented it from being a Top Safety Pick. Safety features included Toyota Safety Sense, with the addition of unique airbags like one mounted in the passenger seat to prevent forward movement in a crash, complementing standard knee airbags for the driver.