2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Road Test and Review

The hottest segment in the automotive industry is the compact crossover, which brings a near-perfect balance of utility, driving experience, fuel efficiency, and affordability. The hottest compact crossover on the market is the redesigned 2019 Toyota RAV4, which outsells every competitor. And the best RAV4 is the gas-electric RAV4 Hybrid.

Toyota has offered a fuel-sipping RAV4 Hybrid since 2016, providing the appealing combination of extra power and outstanding fuel economy. The redesigned 2019 model is a giant leap forward, hitting a whopping 40 miles per gallon in mixed driving compared to the older model’s already-excellent 32 mpg. Except for plug-in models, it’s the most fuel-efficient SUV ever sold in the U.S. What’s more, the new model year also brought improved driving dynamics, an upgraded interior, more handsome styling, and superior crash protection. Here’s the full rundown on the greatly improved 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.

The RAV4 Hybrid now outsells the iconic Toyota Prius to be America’s favorite hybrid, and its technology is similar. An electric motor helps the vehicle accelerate, which saves fuel because the gas engine doesn’t have to work as hard. And sometimes the engine can shut off and let the RAV4 Hybrid operate on purely electric power — coasting or accelerating gently without burning any gasoline. A second electric motor powers the rear wheels to provide the extra traction of all-wheel-drive. The gasoline engine and energy recaptured from braking friction recharge the electric battery; you never plug it in.

This wizardry results in class-leading EPA fuel economy ratings: 41 mpg in the city, 38 mpg on the highway, and 40 mpg overall. The RAV4 Hybrid is especially efficient at lower speeds because its electric motor can take over more often, but the redesigned model now offers some electric capabilities even at highway speeds. For comparison, the base RAV4 with all-wheel drive has EPA ratings of 25 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and 28 mpg overall. We achieved 46 mpg in a week of eco-minded driving.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is priced from $27,850, which is $2,200 more than the cheapest gas-only RAV4. That can sound like a lot, but the RAV4 Hybrid does come standard with all-wheel drive — which costs an extra $1,400 on the gas-only RAV4. That cuts the cost difference to $800.

The RAV4 Hybrid is available in four trim levels: the base LE ($27,850), the more generously equipped XLE ($26,850), the sport-themed XSE ($33,850), and the luxurious Limited ($35,850). Every model comes generously equipped with a well-designed infotainment system, automatic climate control, a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot, and a suite of advanced safety features. However, we’re tempted to upgrade to the XLE for keyless entry with push-button starting, a moonroof, and five USB ports instead of just one; it’s also available with a desirable package that bundles a power driver’s seat, heated front seats, and a power liftgate. The XSE and Limited bring leatherette upholstery along with a wide range of luxury and technology features, but they can get pricey. Our XSE test vehicle hit $38,175 with options.

You have to squint to tell the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid from the standard RAV4. The Toyota badges are tinged with blue and there’s some subtle “hybrid” badging — and that’s about it. But that’s good news, because every 2019 RAV4 is a looker.

Many crossovers try to look sporty or fancy, with flashy lines and elaborate curves. Others just look like taller hatchbacks. Not the new RAV4. Toyota borrowed design cues from its hardy 4Runner SUV and Tacoma pickup, and the result is a crossover that looks more rugged than most competitors. Its upright front end, angular headlights and taillights, and flared fenders signal that the RAV4 belongs to a family of trucks, not mere cars. It’s not over the top, though. And it’s more cohesive than last year’s RAV4, which couldn’t decide between its boxy all-business rear end and its sporty-looking headlights. However, you can’t get the RAV4’s off-road-ready Adventure trim level with the hybrid powertrain.

The rugged vibe continues into the redesigned RAV4’s cabin. It’s hardly bare-bones, but it doesn’t try to be posh like some competitors. You get textured rubber rather than shiny woodgrain trim, and a simple user-friendly dashboard without lots of flashy shapes. It feels sturdy, and it looks the part of a modern SUV. Poke all the plastics and you’ll find some that feel a little basic for the price, but the ambiance remains pleasant — particularly given that it doesn’t pretend to be extra-fancy.

The 2019 RAV4 also boasts a greatly improved infotainment system compared to last year’s model. A 7-inch touchscreen is standard on the LE and XLE, while an 8-inch unit is optional on the XLE and standard on upper-trim models. All have crisp, clear graphics and quick responses, and they support Apple CarPlay integration that lets you use some iPhone apps through the screen. It’s missing Android Auto, though, the equivalent feature for Google-based phones. The hybrid includes an energy flow display — showing whether the engine, the electric motor, or both are powering the car at a given time.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 is slightly less roomy than last year’s model, but it remains one of the most spacious and comfortable compact crossovers. And unlike many hybrids, the electric batteries don’t rob any space from the cabin; Toyota hides them under the rear seat. Cargo volume behind the rear seat is up slightly from last year’s already-outstanding model, at 37.5 cubic feet. That’s more than some mid-size crossovers. However, folding down the rear seat opens up a less outstanding 69.8 cubic feet, which trails several competitors and the old RAV4.

The front seats are well-shaped, and front passengers enjoy abundant storage space for small items. The rear seat is also comfortable, though it could be higher off the floor. Last year’s RAV4 was slightly better. There’s no longer a flat floor in the back, which means a center-rear passenger now has to straddle a center hump, like in most competing compact crossovers.

Every 2019 Toyota RAV4 drives better than last year’s model. The steering feels more responsive and connected to the wheels than before, and the handling is more composed, all without hurting the vehicle’s smooth ride. We still prefer the agile, fun-to-drive Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 and the extra-smooth, quiet Chevrolet Equinox, but the new RAV4 is a great step forward.

The RAV4 Hybrid also has a stronger powertrain than the gas-only model. Combining the 2.5-liter gasoline engine with two electric motors, it makes 219 horsepower — compared to 203 hp for the gas-only 2019 RAV4 and 194 hp for last year’s RAV4 Hybrid. Best of all, because the hybrid’s powertrain doesn’t have to work as hard as the gas model’s, the RAV4 Hybrid is the quickest and the quietest RAV4 you can buy. The RAV4 Hybrid can also tow a trailer of up to 1,750 pounds, which is 250 pounds more than the gas model. This is all great news even before factoring in the hybrid’s fuel savings. 

Like most Toyotas, the 2019 RAV4 Hybrid comes standard with a suite of advanced safety features that are pricey options on many competitors: a forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, a lane-departure warning with autonomous steering corrections, and radar-based adaptive cruise control. All but the base LE model add a blind-spot monitoring system with a rear cross-traffic alert, while available equipment on high-end trim levels includes rear emergency braking, a surround-view parking camera, and a rearview camera mirror.

The RAV4 earned top marks in every Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash test (an upgrade over last year’s model, which had weaker passenger-side protection in some frontal crashes), and its National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ratings also improved slightly.

The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid has few direct competitors. The Nissan Rogue Hybrid, which gets 7 mpg less than the comparable RAV4 but costs just as much, is being discontinued. Similarly, the Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain are dropping their optional diesel engine, which rivaled the RAV4 Hybrid for highway mileage but not in the city. And the 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid is a promising new model, but it won’t be available until the fall, and early estimates suggest that Toyota edges out its fuel economy.

The top alternative to the RAV4 Hybrid for many buyers will be the standard RAV4 — and to us, the RAV4 Hybrid is the better choice for most buyers despite the higher price. It’s quicker, it’s quieter, and it can tow more — and, of course, more efficient. And it costs just $800 more if you already wanted all-wheel-drive. (The front-wheel-drive RAV4 saves a bit of money and gasoline.) Budget-minded buyers could also consider some other excellent compact crossovers that tend to cost a little less than the RAV4: the Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, and Nissan Rogue, or the extra-affordable (but less efficient) Hyundai Tucson.

Every RAV4 is a well-rounded vehicle that’s competitive in the high-stakes compact crossover class — roomy, pleasant to drive, and decently fuel-efficient, if a little pricey. The RAV4 Hybrid costs another $800, but it’s worth it. This is the most fuel-efficient crossover you can buy, and it also resolves the gas RAV4’s middling engine noise and performance.

Overall, the 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is a useful vehicle that can carry your family, haul your stuff, and sip fuel while doing it. Pleasant, capable, and economical, it’s a standout that buyers shouldn’t miss.