Toyota RAV4 (2019) Review

Toyota RAV4 (2019) At A Glance

Efficient hybrid crossover available with two- or four-wheel drive. Spacious and robust interior. Very quiet and refined to drive.

Not everyone will like how it looks. No seven-seat option. Expensive compared to rivals like the Skoda Karoq.

Real MPG average for a Toyota RAV4 (2019)

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

Satisfaction Index

Reviews for Toyota RAV4 (2019)'s top 3 rivals

Honda CR-V

Excellent Hybrid model is the pick of the range. High quality and well finished interior. Usefully large...

Kia Sportage

One of the best crossovers on the market, well-equipped, seven-year warranty, practical and spacious.

SEAT Ateca

Very comfortable and refined with impressive ride quality. Lots of room for those in the back along with...

Ask Honest John

I bought a new car remotely and it was driven erratically on the way to my house. Where do I stand?

"I completed the purchase of a new Toyota RAV4 solely by telephone calls. The Toyota Dealer is based in Liverpool and I live in Essex. I made an extra payment for the vehicle to be transported to my home address, direct from the dealer. Imagine my complete surprise to find my vehicle had been driven an extra 20 miles from the dealership to I presume the delivery driver's home address at erratic speeds (71mph+), harsh braking and using fuel. Not once did the dealer state the car would be driven. Where do I stand with this? Many thanks and kind regards."

If you really want to, it classes as a distance sale (as you haven't visited the dealer) so you can reject the car under Distance Selling Regulations. It must be within two weeks of delivery, with limited mileage added and you'll be liable for transport costs. If you're otherwise happy with the car, though, there's little to be gained by doing this. Driving the car an extra 20 miles won't have caused it any long-term damage.

Answered by Andrew Brady

Can you recommend a hybrid estate that'll be suitable for dogs and towing?

"I'm looking to replace my Mistubishi Outlander PHEV. I need an estate car with hybrid/plug-in, large boot (I've got dogs) and, ideally, occasional 4WD. I do sometimes use the car to pull a caravan, and I do sometimes do long journeys - but not all the time, and I'm still not convinced about an all-electric car (doubtful about the infrastructure). I don't want anything too expensive either! I wondered about another Mitsubishi, a Honda or a Skoda - but would really appreciate some advice."

There are some great plug-in hybrid estate cars on the market. We'd recommend the new Skoda Octavia iV or the bigger Superb, if you need more space. Both are very practical, will be cheap to run and should comfortably tow a caravan (provided it's not too big and heavy – the Octavia has a braked towing capacity of 1500kg while the Superb can tow 1600kg). Alternatively, consider a hybrid SUV – the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V are two very good choices.

Answered by Andrew Brady

Should my next car be electric or petrol?

"I will be without a car for 6 months as the police are kindly looking after my licence. I currently have a diesel Kia Sportage, which I will sell. I want a 4x4. What fuel type should I buy? From doing 20,000 miles per year, I think it will be well less than 10,000 as the pandemic has made a huge difference in the way people meet. I'd appreciate your advice."

It depends on your needs, really. If most of your journeys are relatively short and you can charge a car at home, an electric vehicle might suit. Electric 4x4s are quite expensive, though –so depending on budget, you could consider cars like the Polestar 2 or Jaguar I-Pace. As a compromise, consider hybrid vehicles like a Toyota RAV4.

Answered by Andrew Brady

What hybrid should I replace my Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV with?

"I have a 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. I have been happy with it, with the exception of the battery mileage - which dropped from 30 to 24miles within 2 years. I would like another hybrid. What would you recommend?"

The plug-in hybrid market has grown considerably since you bought your Outlander, so there are quite a few good replacements available. We'd recommend the Peugeot 3008 Hybrid or the new Toyota RAV4 Plug-in. You could consider upmarket alternatives like the Volvo XC40 Recharge PHEV, too.

Answered by Andrew Brady

On the inside of an Toyota RAV4 (2019)

• Boot space is 733–1690 litres
• Euro NCAP rating of five stars

While the RAV4's cabin isn't as well-polished as a Volkswagen Tiguan's, everything feels well made and logically laid out. Excel and Dynamic models take a premium approach, with lots of leather and ambient lighting.

All models get an eight-inch touchscreen display, perched slightly awkwardly on top of the dashboard. Its position means it's easy to glance at during driving, which mean you can take-in the map and directions with the briefest of glances. 

Navigating the menus of the media system will require a little more patience and, at the time of writing, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto isn't available. That seems an oversight when it's available on many of the RAV4's rivals.

Sitting between the Skoda Karoq and Kodiaq in size, the RAV4's very spacious, but there's no seven seat option. Up front, there's plenty of space to keep two adults comfortable on long journeys, helped by the supportive seats. You get a commanding view, too, meaning the RAV4 feels more like a full-size SUV that crossover rivals.

Two adults will also fit comfortably in the rear, while a third could also sit in the middle if required. There's plenty of headroom and legroom, with rear-seat passengers given a good view out of the side windows.

The boot's big and a useful shape, with the rear wheelarches only intruding slightly into valueable luggage space. Dropping the rear seats provides even more room, although they don't quite fold entirely flat.

Specification (from launch):

Icon models feature 17-inch alloy wheels, Toyota's Safety Since inc Pre-Collision System (including cyclist detection, night-time pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control), eight-inch touchscreen media system with DAB radio, Bluetooth, reversing camera, rear parking sensors, black roof rails, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, LED automatic headlights, black fabric seats, electronic parking brake, heated auto-retractable door mirrors, rear privacy glass.

Design adds 18-inch alloy wheels, navigation, front parking sensors, smart entry, electric tailgate.

Excel features full leather interior with heated front seats and power-sliding driver's seat, ambient lighting, blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert, puddle lights on door mirror, LED headlights, heated steering wheel and windscreen wiper de-icer, headlight cleaner.

Dynamic comes with black exterior highlights (including 18-inch alloy wheels, roof, rear spoiler, antenna and door mirrors), dynamic sports heated front seats, ambient lighting, blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert, puddle lights in door mirrors, LED headlights.

Child seats that fit a Toyota RAV4 (2019)

Our unique Car Seat Chooser shows you which child car seats will fit this car and which seat positions that they will fit, so that you don't have to check every car seat manufacturer's website for compatibility.

Which car seat will suit you?

Driving Toyota RAV4 (2019)

• Engines range from Hybrid 2WD to Hybrid 4WD
• Readers report Real MPG to be between 35–59 mpg

Toyota describes its RAV4 as a 'self-charging' hybrid, meaning you don't have to plug it in. Its electric range is limited, meaning you can only travel for very short distances under electric power, but the electric motor does mean it's considerably more efficient than you'd expect for a 2.5-litre petrol SUV. Officially, the RAV4 returns a minimum of 47.8mpg depending on trim level.

It uses a CVT automatic transmission, which traditionally is a robust yet slightly unrefined type of gearbox. It's pretty good in the RAV4, though, with stepped ratios designed to prevent that horrible drone associated with CVT gearboxes of old. Floor the accelerator and you'll still get a fair bit of engine noise, but only for short periods. And the hybrid setup's generous amount of torque means you don't have to work it hard just to get up to motorway speeds.

The RAV4 is in its element around town, stopping and starting with little noise. The hybrid system means you don't get the rumbly start up you get from a conventional petrol or diesel fitted with stop-start, instead it rolls away silently before the petrol engine seamlessly kicks in.

At speed, the RAV4 is a quiet and refined SUV. There's a little wind noise caused by the chunky door mirrors, but nothing too intruding. 

Through the bends, there's plenty of grip available and little in the way of lean. Its steering is well judged - not too light nor too heavy and communicative enough for an SUV. It's not a sporty choice but the RAV4 handles surprisingly well.

One criticism we do have is the RAV4's ride quality. It's not bad, but it's not as supple as you might expect from a family SUV. Hit a pothole or a stretch of broken tarmac and it soon becomes unsettled and jittery - especially on the 18-inch alloy wheels fitted to higher-spec cars.

While the 4x4 version isn't a mud-plugger, it's capable enough for tackling a muddy farm track or snowy road. The front-drive model will be sufficient for most buyers, however.

Toyota RAV4 (2019) Models and Specs

Good

Bad

What to watch out for

Recalls

Model History

• March 2018: Fifth generation Toyota RAV4 launched
• December 2018: Prices announced for Toyota RAV4
• July 2020: Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Black Edition announced
• December 2020: Toyota RAV4 Plug-in priced from £47,395