Toyota RAV4 2019 Review

Toyota’s RAV4 has built itself a rusted-on following in Australia, redeeming itself as a default selection in the same way you might upgrade your Apple iPhone.

Across 25 years, Toyota’s mid-size SUV has found favour with tens of thousands of buyers, trading largely on car-maker’s long-held reliability and dealership reach – not necessarily because it is best in class.

Now, Toyota has released its fifth-generation RAV4 into Australia. Priced from $30,640 and available in 11 different models, Toyota has ditched diesel and introduced a swag of hybrid variants.

Moreover, the RAV4 is bigger, safer, rides on a new platform and features a fresh design.

But what really separates the 2019 Toyota RAV4 from its predecessors is that its appeal now extends far beyond simply wearing a Toyota badge. This may be the most complete, well-resolved vehicle in Toyota’s current line-up – can it finally test segment leaders on its own merits?

Changes to the RAV4’s successful template are extensive, beginning with the adoption of the car-maker’s Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform.

Embracing the new underpinnings aligns RAV4 with other Toyota models such as the Camry, facilitating the adoption of a hybrid drivetrain and future-proofing the model for a potential plug-in hybrid variant or even an electric or hydrogen variant down the track.

The emphasis on clean technology sees the eradication of diesel altogether, while a manual transmission is strictly limited to the entry-model GX.

Entry into the 2019 range has risen $1200 to $30,640 (plus on-road costs) for the GX manual, while automatic adds a further $2000.

From there, the RAV4 moves through GXL, Cruiser and Hybrid grades, before topping out at the Edge variant, priced at $47,140 (plus on-road costs).

The RAV4’s equipment has risen considerably from the predecessor. Seventeen-inch wheels, cloth seat trim, dual-zone climate control, keyless ignition, Bluetooth connectivity, digital radio, satellite-navigation, wireless phone charging and voice recognition are now standard at base level, with a host of those features now projected on an 8.0-inch touch-screen.

Toyota Australia has confirmed the RAV4 will be the first recipient of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in its line-up – though the change won’t come online until September. Customers who purchase before then will qualify for a free software upgrade to install the technology.

Elsewhere, the RAV4 moves ahead on the safety front courtesy of more driver aids: active cruise control, pre-collision safety system with autonomous emergency braking, lane departure alert, road-sign assist (speed sign only) and automatic high beam. These features are in addition to seven airbags, front and rear parking sensors, blind spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert and reversing camera.

All RAV4s are equipped with a space-saver spare tyre save for the fleet-friendly GX, which gets a full-size spare to meet fleet requirements.

Towing capacity is a mixed bag, rated at 480kg in two-wheel drive hybrid variants, 800kg in regular petrol variants, and 1500kg in all-wheel drive hybrid and Edge variants.

The RAV4 is backed by Toyota’s fresh five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, while regular servicing costs are capped at $210 annually for the first five years, across 12-month/15,000km intervals.

What initially strikes you about the RAV4 interior is its sheer size. Front seat space is strong, second row space is easily big enough to accommodate a couple of child seats, or adults, and the boot will swallow large suitcases, or a pram and a couple of overnight bags.

Our initial seat-of-the-pants feel is supported by Toyota’s claims. The new underpinnings bring a 30mm increase in wheelbase and a wider track, which translates to 40mm more width across the cabin and a rear footwell that measures 49mm larger.

Meantime, rear load space increases 65mm – taking official luggage capacity to 580 litres (542 litres for the full size spare-equipped GX). There’s also a rear roller shade to keep objects out of sight and sun.

The broad, comfortable driver’s chair is purposed around practicality foremost, offering a perched position that enables excellent outward vision. Large side mirrors and the clear reversing camera only reinforce this sentiment, though a bulky C-pillar does pose something of an anomaly – restricting rearward vision mildly when merging lanes.

The RAV4’s interior is premised on durability, comfort and practicality – but it looks and feels nice while doing so. Soft-touch plastics adorn the key touch points, while mid-to-high-spec variants feature stitched leather at a visual level to lend the car a more sophisticated vibe.

The RAV4 is full of open cubbies, compartments and storage spaces and younger generations and families will appreciate its five USB ports spread across the two rows of seating. The rear seat specifically features a flip-down arm rest with two cupholders, and bottle-friendly door pockets, while on the child seat front there are two ISOFIX points on the outer pews, and three top tether points altogether.

The revised proportions have also resulted in a larger glasshouse than before, which means the RAV4’s rear seat has a strong outlook for little ones. And in another boost for motion sickness, all models receive rear air vents as well.

Toyota’s Achilles ’ heel at the moment seems to be their infotainment systems, and the RAV's still lacks the intuitiveness and tactility of rivalling units on first impression.

However, the impending adoption of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will go a long way in addressing the issue.

The hardware looks up to scratch however, comprising an eight-inch centre display that is matched by either a 4.7-inch or 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster depending on variant.

Toyota has been driving the hybrid bandwagon ever since the original Prius lobbed in October of 2001.

While the Prius, Camry and Corolla hybrids have helped change perception, it is the new petrol-electric variant of the RAV4 that promises to make the technology viable for Aussie families.

Across our two-day drive, the hybrid is the standout engine package in the revamped RAV4 range. Quiet and smooth at low speeds yet perky enough to shift the RAV4’s 1700kg kerb weight when pressed, the 2.5-litre’s 163kW/221Nm outputs are matched by a claimed fuel consumption of 4.8L/100km in all-wheel drive guise.

We are pleased to report that, initially, our average fuel consumption tallied 5.5L/100km on 91 RON unleaded – a feat made more impressive by the fact the RAV4 uses traditional nickel metal hydride batteries in place of newer, more effective (and more expensive) lithium-ion units. In this case, there’s little argument.

The hybrid can be driven on electricity only below 40km/h, and the battery packs are automatically charged – negating any need for messy cables in the garage or range anxiety.

The hybrid simply works. It’s certainly not the sportiest unit in this segment – possibly denoted by an absence of steering wheel mounted paddle shifters – but as a daily family car, it is the standout of the RAV4’s trio of petrols and makes light work of urban and highway duties alike.

Elsewhere, the new 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol found solely in the flagship Edge works well; we just wish the price of admission ($47,140) wasn’t so high. Developing 152kW and 243Nm, the petrol offers a linear, predictable spread of torque and feels refined, eschewing the thrashy high-rev tendencies of earlier Toyota four-cylinders.

The latter feature is owed in part to a conventional eight-speed torque converter automatic, which cycles through its ratios adeptly and makes the most of the engine’s moderate low-end torque.

The entry 2.0-litre four-cylinder feels adequate but hardly enamouring by comparison. Its 127kW/203Nm outputs get the job done, albeit without the ease of use of the 2.5-litre petrol and the outright efficacy of the hybrid (managing 9.0L/100km). The matching CVT (continuously variable transmission) softly transitions between low and high-speeds, with an air of refinement and composure that only begins to lose appeal when you put the hammer down.

Toyota reckons on two per cent of RAV4 buyers will opt for the standard manual transmission fitted with the 2.0-litre. There’s a lot to like about the slick shifting action, light clutch take-up and spread of ratios; it’s a shame more buyers don’t opt for the manual.

Irrespective of powertrain, the RAV4 makes a clear step forward dynamically on its predecessors.

Toyota has struck a really neat balance in ride and handling duties, settling on a tune that is perhaps a tad sportier than RAV4s of the past yet still amenable to family duties.

There’s a controllable amount of body roll upon entering tighter, faster turns, and the RAV4’s 1700kg mass is composed through directional changes.

Even when riding on 18 or 19-inch wheels, the RAV’s front MacPherson strut/rear multilink suspension manages to iron out harsher bumps on b-grade roads. Some might argue it’s a tad busy over pitter-patter imperfections, but the sportier, more controlled trade-off is one we’d happily live with.

The steering, throttle and braking controls still lack the tactility and engagement of rival offerings including the Mazda CX-5 and Volkswagen Tiguan – but to the lay family buyer, it’s a moot point. The RAV4 is quiet, refined and comfortable, and is easy to manoeuvre at low speeds.

A token off-road drive of the RAV4 reveals there’s an added degree of utility in the updated model, particularly in the case of the all-wheel drive’s electronically-controlled limited slip differential and Trail Mode, which uses the rear electric motor to shuffle up to 80 per cent of available torque to the rear wheels.

Off-roading still isn’t likely to become the RAV4’s forte, but winning sales in the competitive mid-size SUV segment should be. For the first time in many years, this is a RAV4 you’d buy not simply because it’s a Toyota but because it’s bloody good.

Oh what a feeling.

2019 Toyota RAV4 pricing and specifications:
Price: $30,640-$47,140 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol/2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol-electric hybrid/2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 127kW/203Nm, 160-163kW/221Nm, 152kW/243Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual, continuously variable, eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 6.5-6.8L/100km, 4.7-4.8L/100km, 7.3L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 147-155g/km, 107-109g/km, 166g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

Also consider:
>> Mazda CX-5 (from $28,690 plus ORCs)
>> Volkswagen Tiguan (from $42,490 plus ORCs)
>> Hyundai Tucson (from $28,290 plus ORCs)