2019 Toyota RAV4 first drive review

The Toyota RAV4 is back. Some 25 years after it was first introduced, the fifth generation of Toyota’s SUV is here, with hybrid power and some bold new styling. But can it compete in a very competitive SUV market? Phill Tromans heads to Spain to try it, and find out.


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[Meijimack]

This is a good review and covered the essentials in 5 minutes. The comparisons to Mazda and VW are appreciated.

[munkisbeprotis]

I don't know what Toyota was thinking when they decided to ship cars to Europe without Apple CarPlay in 2019. Especially when it IS available in US. If it is not updated via software update it's gonna be a dealbreaker for a lot of buyers.

[JimmyMakingitwork]

“Not on par with Volkswagen Quality, ” I lol’d.

[fundiver]

I rented an Auris with the 1, 8 liter hybrid system a month ago, and the driving experience was much better, than what car reviews had led me to expect. Sure the engine revs up under hard acceleration, so it sound different from a turbo charged diesel or petrol.

But its just a sound, and how often do you actually accelerate hard? Maybe 1% of the time or even less. The vast majority of the time, you are NOT accelerating hard, and then the CVT put the engine at low revs, and its all very relaxed and quiet. After a while you also start to adjust your driving style to avoid hard acceleration a little bit, which is probably not a bad thing at all.

And unlike what many reviewers claim, the CVT is actually very quick to respond to throttle inputs. Last summer I drove a VW with the DSG for a few month, and while I prefer the feeling of the DSG on open roads, its clunky in stop and go traffic, and therefore the CVT of Toyota is a much better system for city driving.

Finally there is the environmental aspect. I got 20 km/l from the Auris, which is on line with similar diesel powered compact cars. However a liter of petrol contain less energy and emit less CO2 than a liter of diesel, and then there is the whole issue of diesel emissions lets not forget.

So as far as I am concerned, these Toyota hybrid systems are an absolutely fine intermediate solution, until you are ready for your first fully electric or plug in hybrid car. They are not that expensive to build, they dont poisen the air in our citys, and they are reliable and durable enough, that a lot of taxi drivers use them here in Sweden, where I live.

[jackhammer]

Not the quality of a VW....Really ever is paying you to review vehicles is getting ripped off.

[marcelprinsen]

Plugin = flexibility? Stupid conclusion. This hybrid system is a far better solution before the nirtogen fuelcel solution will be common.

[MatrixDiscovery]

LOL...1:17...quality of not up there with VW? Is he joking?

[robertl]

One of the most honest reporters thanks

[deadkemper]

Ordered my new work car in khaki TODAY ! delivery end of May

[vpvalev]

Very nice, well-rounded review. Specific about many features of the car... great job! You earned me as a sub

[hrh]

If all models would get electrically adjustable memory seats, then I would call it a perfect step forward in auto industry optioning. Such options should be basic in 21st century.

[mmymhashemi]

I personally test drove 2019 RAV4 two weeks ago to buy the XLE-premium trim just to get the blind spot monitoring system. Just few seconds after we started, I got disappointed! The engine noise was so horrible that I asked the dealer guy whether or not we could go back to the dealership right then ! I have no idea why the new RAV4 engine is screaming so loud during the initial acceleration. Also, the driver seat cushion was slightly short for me as a 6’ tall man. On the positive side however, the suspension was great. It could dampen the bumps even better than 2018 Cadillac XT5 I had some experience with earlier. At the end I ended up in another SUV, mainly because of the aforementioned noisy 2.5L engine and slow acceleration. My final word: make sure you test drive it carefully before making up your minds. Don’t spend ~ $ 30k of your money without test driving 2019 RAV4.

[Kakataeh]

I seriously need advice.... Toyota Rav4 Hybrid or Peugeot 5008 ? =)

[stavrou]

You never mentioned the reliability of Toyota's! You only commented on VW's "superior quality" Such a shame!

[DanielsMusicVideos]

Maybe for the UK version but for continental Europe yes, there is Apple Carplay and it's on all models. Check the website ... Also, the digital display is not on all models, and the infotainment system is 7 on most of the models and 8 if you pay more 😆

[jomojigz]

What did Toyota comments regarding that growling drone like sound of the engine during hard accelerations? Any explanation from Toyota?

[jacobbio]

I would get the xle, in metallic grey

[chrisherring]

Love the look (such a refreshing change from some of the other bland suv’s out there today) and most importantly as a company car user it will save me from paying the robbing bar stewards at the HMRC thousands of pounds in tax over a 3 year lease. Just a shame its a CVT and comes without apple car play, however the standard spec is still very good. If you want a low emission suv under £40k what are the alternatives? Not many right now I can tell you.

[valdius]

How the noise on the motorway compares to CX-5 diesel and Outlander PHEV? I was considering CR-V but I don't like the visibility.

[richray]

I love Toyotas, stylish, reliable, great materials used, Interiors well thought out and tasteful. The hybrid system is faultless. VW LMAO....Skoda Kodiaq...LMFAO