2019 Toyota RAV4 Review

Detailed Review

Toyota RAV4 first debuted in the mid-1990s. The initial model the XA10 was produced from 1994 to 2000. The second generation known as the XA20, was produced between 2000 and 2005 while the third edition known as the XA30, was produced between 2005 and 2012. The fourth generation, known as the XA40 was manufactured from 2012 to 2018, and the fifth model known as the XA50, has been in production since 2018.
The fifth-generation RAV4’s unibody is more rigid than prior generations. This model features a newly developed four-wheel drive system that distributes torque to the left and right rear wheels independently based on the driving terrain.
For petrol vehicles, there is a standard AWD system with and without torque vectoring.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 comes with an option of 3 engines which include;
1. 2.0 L (petrol) M20 AFKS
2. 2.5 L (petrol) A25
3. 2.5 L E4 Hybrid

The engines are linked to a 6-speed manual and an 8-speed “direct shift” automatic (K120 CVT) with physical first gear (e CVT) and sequential shift mode (hybrid). Click here to purchase a copy of the 2019 Toyota RAV4 Buyer’s Guide. 

2019 Toyota RAV4 Grades

1. Toyota RAV4 LE – This is the base package that comes with 17-inch steel rims, steering audio controls, rear parking sensors, cruise control, projector headlights, cloth upholstery, Bluetooth connectivity, roof rails, and cargo net.
2.  Toyota RAV4 XLE – This adds 17-inch alloy rims, fog lights, heated mirrors, a sunroof, a height-adjustable power liftgate, dual-zone automatic climate control, and more aggressively bolstered front seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
3.  Toyota RAV4 Limited – This is a luxury grade that adds 18-inch wheels and exterior trim, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, the Toyota Safety Sense package, adaptive cruise control, a 7-inch higher-resolution touchscreen, a navigation system, and smartphone app integration.
4. Toyota RAV4 SE– This trim adds 8-inch wheels, LED exterior lighting, keyless ignition, and entry, heated front seats an eight-way power driver seat, driver memory settings, synthetic leather upholstery, and steering wheel paddle shifters, a blind-spot warning system and rear cross-traffic alert.
5. Toyota RAV4 Platinum– This trim comes standard with soft seats, paddle shifters, 18-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats and steering wheel, push-button start, LED headlamps and tail lamps, a hands-free power-operated liftgate, and a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic.
6. Toyota RAV4 Adventure– includes 18-inch black alloy wheels, a slightly higher suspension (6.5 inches of ground clearance versus 6.1 inches), fender flares, all-weather floor mats, a leather-wrapped shift knob, and a 120-volt household-style outlet in the cargo area. The Adventure only receives the Cold Weather package, which includes heated front seats, a motorized driver seat, and a heated steering wheel.

Interior
Legroom & Space
The 2019 Toyota RAV4 is a two-row, five-seat SUV. The front seat has plenty of headroom and legroom, and the second row has also a lot of space, making it more comfortable for taller passengers, especially on lengthy travels.

Cabin Storage
The 2019 Toyota RAV4 has a center console, a glove box, two cup holders, and two bottle holders mounted against the door in the first row. The second row offers two cup holders and two bottle holders. These compartments can be utilized to store accessories and beverages.

Boot Space
The 2019 Toyota RAV4 offers 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space when the second-row seats are folded down. With them folded, the boot space is 72.5 cubic feet, which is plenty for a large family.

Exterior
The 2019 Toyota RAV4 features a bold, edgy, and sleek design which makes its exterior go unnoticed. Compared to the other generations, this is the best-looking RAV4. The front is fitted with a grille that incorporates the Toyota logo. It has a longer wheelbase and a stylish side profile. This crossover SUV has roof racks and fender flares. Its rear has a tailgate that is powered electronically.

2019 Toyota RAV4 Safety Features
The 2019 Toyota RAV4 features 8 airbags including a driver knee airbag, anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic brake force distribution (EBD), enhanced vehicle stability control (VSC), brake assist, and traction control.

2019 Toyota RAV4 Fuel Consumption
2019 Toyota RAV4 2.0 L petrol engine consumption-16.7 km/l on average
2019 Toyota RAV4 2.5 L petrol engine consumption- 12.8km/l on average

2019 Toyota RAV4 Acceleration
2019 Toyota RAV4 2.0 L petrol engine accelerates from 0-00km/h in 13.6 secs
2019 Toyota RAV4 2.5 L petrol engine accelerates from 0-00km/h in 11.2 secs

2019 Toyota RAV4 Fuel Tank Capacity: 60 liters.

Ground Clearance
The 2019 Toyota RAV4 has a ground clearance of 8.4 inches.

Service Intervals
Minor Service: At 5,000 km. Requires Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, and Engine Oil.
Major Service: At 10,000km. Requires Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, Fuel Filter, ATF Filter, Cabin Filter, Plugs, Front Brake Pads, Rear Brake Pads, ATF Oil, and Engine Oil.

Spare Parts Availability
The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Spare Parts are easily available in Kenya, especially service and suspension parts. Body components are a mixed bag, with some, such as headlamps, being difficult to come by. Service and suspension parts are reasonably priced. Depending on the item and its availability, body parts might be costly.

Stability & Handling
The 2019 Toyota RAV4 features a multi-link rear suspension, which is said to provide more optimum damping for handling. The RAV4 also debuted a new four-wheel drive system dubbed “Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD.” It is a torque vectoring kind that distributes torque to the left and right rear wheels independently based on driving conditions, hence making it a stable vehicle when navigating various highways under varying conditions. When 4WD is judged unneeded, a disconnect device marketed as “Rear Driveline Disconnect” is incorporated to send driving force just to the front wheels.
All-wheel drive hybrid vehicles use AWD technology. The SUV also has an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), which is designed to prevent skidding, which occurs when the wheels lock up when braking hard.

Reliability
The 2019 Toyota RAV4 is regarded as a dependable vehicle due to years of modifications, redesign, and breakthroughs in safety and technology. Its ground clearance it’s a bit higher compared to the previous generations thus making it suitable to cruise on the off-road terrain comfortably. However, some users have noted that when the back seats are folded down to make greater cargo room, they do not fold flat like the earlier RAV4.

Click here to purchase a copy of the 2019 Toyota RAV4 Buyer’s Guide. 

Resale Value: Good

Toyota RAV4 Competitors: Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, Subaru Forester, VW Tiguan, Mitsubishi Outlander, and Nissan X-trail.

What we like about the 2019 Toyota RAV4
Fuel economy
Comfortable ride quality

What we don’t
Road and engine noise

Conclusion
The 2019 Toyota RAV4 provides a balance of dependability, comfort, and fuel economy, making it suitable for both city and off-road terrain users. The RAV4 has few mechanical problems and requires little maintenance. However, its high acquisition cost limits people on a tight budget from owning it. Click here to download the 2019 Toyota RAV4 Owner’s Manual.