The standard RAV4 is powered by a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine sending power to either the front or to all-four wheels via a new 8-speed automatic transmission. Hybrid models all come in all-wheel drive, thanks to the rear wheels being powered by an electric motor. Expect the hybrid model to return around 34 mpg in the city.
RAV4s come in five basic trim levels, SE, XLE, XLE Premium, Adventure and Limited, with prices starting at around $25,500 for the SE.
The base SE trim comes standard with 17-inch wheels, LED daytime running lights, LED taillights, power folding mirrors, a backup camera, remote keyless entry, power windows and door locks, a USB input port, Toyota's Entune 3.0 System with a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth music streaming.
The XLE adds dual-zone climate control, a smart key system, a blind spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert, alloy wheels, automatic headlights, fog lamps, heated mirrors, a moonroof, a 60/40 split folding rear seat and five USB ports.
The Premium version of the XLE gets 19-inch wheels, a power liftgate, seats trimmed in Toyota's SofTex faux leather, an 8-way power adjustable driver's seat and a leather trimmed steering wheel.
The Adventure trim looks a little more butch with its own unique set of 19-inch wheels, along with a split bar front upper grill not shared by any other trim level. It also gets unique badging and roof rails. Inside the Adventure gets a nicer, panoramic backup camera, a digital speedometer, orange stitching throughout the interior and a bigger 8-inch touchscreen.
The top of the line Limited model comes with additional exterior chrome, puddle lights, heated front seats, a dark brown accented interior, a digital rearview mirror and blue ambient lighting for the interior.
Aggressive Styling, All-wheel Drive, Practical In The City
Good Ground Clearance
Fuel Efficient Drivetrains
The RAV4 gets a full redesign for 2019. The small SUV has gradually increased in size over successive generations, and the latest one continues that tradition, growing by an inch or two. Interior space is up over the previous model, particularly in the back seat, while under the skin the new RAV4 gets a more capable all-wheel drive system and a hybrid option. While previous generation RAV4s have had friendly styling and a cheerful demeanor, the latest version of the compact SUV appears to have grown up and gotten a little bit more serious. The styling is now bold and aggressive, matching the rest of the Toyota lineup with a big grille and available blacked out wheels, making the new RAV4 a standout choice for those in the compact SUV market.
The RAV4 aims to be the "Goldilocks" of crossovers; its big enough that it doesn't simply feel like a lifted compact car, but also small enough that its size never really gets in the way during everyday driving. It's short enough that it makes perfect sense in the city, but it isn't in any way simply pretending to be an SUV, when the need for off roading arises. Toyota has also made a serious push for fuel economy with this generation. Even the all-wheel drive non-hybrid version of the RAV4 is rated at 30 mpg in combined city and highway driving.
