The RAV4 has been going through a growth spurt lately, coming into its own in the midst of a compact crossover segment that it helped create back in 1994. Flash forward to 2018 when Toyota, at the peak of the RAV4’s popularity, ushered in this current iteration – a fresh retooling both inside and out. To say that the compact crossover market is crowded is an understatement but Toyota’s little “crossover that could” has remained at or near the top of sales lists. Toyota has earned a reputation for reliability and while the RAV4 carries on the tradition of this reputation, there has always been something lacking in the RAV4 – perhaps a sense of fun and spontaneity.
The 2019 Toyota RAV4 is here to spice things up a bit with it’s fresh new look and a dose of spunk that it’s predecessors only hinted at. While not a total departure from its former self, this refresh goes a long way toward building a new persona of sophistication and adventure. It’s familiar enough that it won’t be mistaken for a CR-V or Rouge but it has certainly switched lanes and headed in a new (possibly off-road) direction.
What I Dig About the 2019 Toyota RAV4 Limited
Is “Electronic” a Style? – Sleek and a bit “electronic” in style, the 2019 RAV4 still maintains its blocky design nature but it’s now nicely subdued in a refined manner. From nose to tail, there are visual cues taken straight from the 4Runner and Tacoma which bring the RAV4 more in line with its “older siblings.” The snub nosed grille with hexagonal patterns and the wide, curled-up front bumper give the front facia a welcome ruggedness. The grill on the Limited trim RAV4 I tested came with a chrome hexagonal pattern that feels right at home in an urban setting. The matte black fender flares are wonderfully fit for off-road fashion and there is a leanness to the center of the vehicle that give it visual agility. The rising roofline leads the eye towards a classically chunky rear end that seems to stretch the enter body into a toned version of the 2018 RAV4. There are still angles that jut out from the RAV4 body like some futuristic motor carriage and they feel rightfully like Toyota’s trademark. This is without a doubt a RAV4 but a stylish rad one.
An interior that pops – There is something special about a vehicle when even the door handle on the inside of the cabin is a work of art. The entirety of RAV4 interior is modern, attractive and can be customized based on the trim level you choose. I reviewed the Limited trim which brought some classy leather trims throughout the cabin, especially across the dash. The hulking infotainment screen is thoughtfully placed above the air vents and allows for the lower portion of the middle dash to be less cluttered. There are still touches of classic Toyota ruggedness all around, particularly in the rubbery, protruding fan adjustment knobs. I appreciate that Toyota also retained the short storage space that runs the length of the dash. While we’re on the dash, the Limited trim leather material coupled with the new design is brilliant; at certain angles it looks like the dash could have gone on forever. Toyota calls this year’s RAV interior refined and I’m inclined to agree. What’s even cooler is that certain trim levels add striking touches to the interior aesthetics; for instance the Adventure trim comes with orange accent stitching that really pops.
Can a door design be a work of art? 
This sexy dash goes on forever. 
Rugged knobs that scream “Toyota.”
Excellent Fuel Economy – The all-wheel drive Limited trim of the 2019 RAV4 gets a fuel economy rating of 24 mpg city, 32 highway, 27 combined but the front wheel drive version receives an 26/34/29 mpg. These are impressive numbers for an SUV of this size and should add a check in the pro column for any adventurous drivers. If you want to get crazy with fuel economy, the RAV4 has an option for you – the RAV Hybrid is rated at 41 city, 38 highway and 40 combined.
An appropriate driving experience for the Limited Trim – Setting your expectations appropriately is important when considering the performance of the 2019 RAV4. For instance, I wasn’t planning on reaching 0-60 from a dead stop in any sort of earth-shattering time frame. However, in the “urban-minded” sophistication of the Limited trim I did expect an enjoyable drive that was both fun and confident. I got both. The RAV4 handled with ease and accelerated with a surge of energy when called upon to do so. The 2.5-liter inline-4 engine produces a respectable 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. This is more than enough for paved roads; the all-wheel drive would most likely be key to any off road adventures. Driving in the city and on the highway is where the RAV4 Limited feels most at home.
A Polished Tech Experience – Its evident that Toyota has been around the block a few times not only with the RAV4 but also with the technology they’ve included in this vehicle – and all it’s vehicles for that matter. Most of the tech experiences in the RAV4 feel polished and sharp, including the Rear-Cross Traffic alert system and the lane tracing assistant. While I’m not entirely a fan of the Toyota Entune system installed on it’s infotainment system, it has improved in recent years and it all works seamlessly with the safety tech onboard. Nifty features like the Hands-free power liftgate worked effortlessly every time and just adds icing to the cake.
What Made Me Say “Meh” in the 2019 RAV4
A Noisy Cabin – It’s easy to be spoiled by a quiet cabin these days so the slightly noisy cabin of the 2019 RAV4 is difficult to ignore. Engine and wind are not noticeable at lower speeds but once you’re above 50 miles per hour or so on a highway, you’ll hear the gush of wind and the whining of the engine. Not a deal breaker but it did cause me to crank up the music a few notches to mask the sound.
A Lower Roofline means Less Headroom – Maybe it’s that I’ve grown accustomed to my wife’s 2014 Toyota RAV4 but I can’t help but notice that the new sloping roofline took off about an inch or two in headroom within the cabin. You won’t notice much in the front seat, but rear passengers certainly beware, especially if they’re tall.
So Many Options Can Drive A Price Up – It’s understandable why Toyota would see the benefit in offering so many trim levels; with such a popular vehicle as the RAV4, it behooves a brand to allow it’s customers to choose a form of the SUV that best suits them. However, creating a spectrum of choices that result in “prestige” trims means also producing “prestige” pricing. The 2019 RAV4 Limited I tested starts at $33,650 and can go up from there depending on options; the Limited Hybrid is the highest ranking trim which starts at $35,850. While you do get a lot of bang for your buck, the Limited price range can be a few thousand dollars more expensive than the competition’s top tier trims. On the flip side, RAV4 does enjoy a nice resale value.
A Step in the Right Direction
It’s difficult to argue with progress because, well…its progress. I mentioned earlier that my wife drives a 2014 RAV4 and even though there’s only a 5 year difference between the two models, the 2019 model is improved by leaps and bounds. Toyota is definitely heading in the right direction with the RAV4 and there is certainly enough in this model year to warrant an upgrade. If for nothing else, the sexy new look of the 2019 model is reason enough to warranty consideration. The 2019 Toyota RAV4 is smoking hot and makes me yearn for adventure; that’s an emotion that a quality vehicle should elicit.
