Review: 2019 Toyota RAV4

Then there’s the small matter of the RAV4’s reputation and history. It was the world’s best-selling SUV in 2017 and some 25 years and nine million sales on from the original, that success shows no sign of letting up, despite its much increased levels of competition in recent years.

You could have forgiven Toyota for perhaps resting on its laurels, but instead this new RAV4 has a much more purposeful look than before that certainly makes it less car-like. The sharp-edged styling might not be to everyone’s tastes but we rather like it, and it certainly looks better in the metal than in pictures.

Given the larger numbers of rivals out there, it’s a surprisingly simple line-up, with just a single engine choice – a petrol-electric hybrid. The only choices open to buyers are between the four different trim levels and front or four-wheel drive – the latter option bringing with it a minimal increase of power under the driver’s right foot.

The engine itself consists of a 2.5-litre petrol engine linked to an electric motor (two with 4wd) to produce a total of either 215bhp in the front-wheel drive model or 219bhp in the four-wheel-drive car. Both also get a CVT automatic gearbox as standard. The 0 to 62mph sprint is covered in 8.1 seconds in the four-wheel-drive car with a 112mph top speed, while the official average fuel economy is 51.2mpg and emissions in the range start from just 102g/km – a creditably low figure given the Toyota’s size. Even on some challenging hill roads and with plenty of motorway driving, we still managed 41.5mpg without even trying.

While hybrid technology is undoubtedly in demand at present, there’s no question that the RAV4’s range is distinctive for that lack of choice. In the UK, there are no other petrol engines available, no diesels and no manual gearbox. There’s also no plug-in version either, although Toyota admits that if demand is there for the technology, then it will be easy to develop the RAV4 accordingly as it has for the Prius.

On the road, the Toyota is certainly refined enough when it comes to wind and road noise. It’s comfortable cruising on the motorway (something the engineers have concentrated on), while the engine remains relatively quiet at part throttle. Where the problems come though are with the CVT automatic gearbox. It’s certainly improved, but it’s far too boomy when accelerating hard. Anything more than gentle inputs from the driver’s right foot are met with soaring revs and a mechanical cacophony to match. It’s undoubtedly the weakest part of the RAV4 package.

That’s a shame, because otherwise there’s a lot here to like. This latest RAV4 might not boast the same fun-to-drive elements of the original, but there’s a good amount of grip and little body roll through bends. Having said that, it doesn’t feel all that manoeuvrable on narrower roads, as the car can feel wide and slightly cumbersome.

Although most owners are unlikely to venture much further off-road than a muddy puddle in a supermarket car park, Toyota has also worked on the RAV4’s 4x4 ability. According to Toyota, cars in this sector costing more than £30,000 are primarily four-wheel-drive, and with only an electric motor driving the RAV4’s rear wheels (i.e. there’s no mechanical link to the engine) it has enabled the Japanese firm’s engineers to tune its off-road ability accordingly. It may not be a match for a Land Rover Discovery Sport, but it should be better than the RAV4’s more lifestyle-orientated rivals.

Inside, it’s obvious that the RAV4’s interior packaging has improved too. The driver and front passenger seats feel a little too high even when in their lowest positions, but otherwise it’s relatively easy to get comfortable especially with the height and reach-adjustable steering wheel. There’s plenty of head and legroom for adults in the rear, as well as a larger 580 litre boot (1690 litres with the seats down).

The build quality and materials used throughout the cabin are excellent and while the satnav isn’t the most intuitive system to use, the rest of the controls are well laid out, though it’s a shame that buyers will have to wait a further year for Apple Carplay or Android Auto connectivity. We especially like the rubberised finish on the heater controls, inside the door handles and at the base of the storage pockets to stop things sliding around on the move. There’s also up to five USB points in the cabin, but unlike some new models being introduced they’re all traditional USB-A sockets rather than the smaller USB-C ones that are becoming increasingly common.

It’s hard to come away from the new RAV4 without a good degree of respect. It may not be the most exciting crossover on the market but it’s hard to argue with the sheer number of them leaving showrooms, or Toyota’s total commitment to hybrid technology. Plus, that CVT gearbox aside, it does everything well, not excelling or falling short in any particular area. Don’t expect that RAV4 success story to be ending any time soon.

Stat Attack: All-wheel-drive

Price: £29,635

Engine: 2.5-litre petrol in-line four, one electric motor

Transmission: CVT automatic, two-wheel-drive

Total system power: 215bhp

Engine power: 176bhp @ 5,700rpm 

Engine torque: 163lb ft @ 3,600rpm – 5,200rpm

Electric motor power: 88kW

Electric motor torque: 149lb ft

0-62mph: 8.4 seconds

Top speed: 112mph

Weight: 1,590kg

Stat Attack: Front-wheel-drive

Price: £33,430

Engine: 2.5-litre petrol in-line four, two electric motors

Transmission: CVT automatic, four-wheel-drive

Total system power: 219bhp 

Engine power: 176bhp @ 5,700rpm

Engine torque: 163lb ft @ 3,600rpm – 5,200rpm

Electric motor power (front): 88kW

Electric motor torque (front): 149lb ft 

Electric motor power (rear): 40kW

Electric motor torque (rear): 89lb ft

0-62mph: 8.1 seconds

Top speed: 112mph

Weight: 1,650kg