While you make America’s best-selling crossover, strain is excessive to make sure the substitute does not lose any of its buyer attraction. After a media drive occasion close to Monterey, California, it is clear that the 2019 Toyota RAV4 improves on its predecessor in practically each manner — even when it nonetheless most likely is not my first decide within the compact-crossover class. Model-new platform New from the bottom up, the 2019 Toyota RAV4 rides on a model of the TNGA-Ok platform used for the most recent Camry and Avalon. Briefly, Toyota guarantees the brand new platform has 57 p.c higher rigidity than the previous RAV4’s chassis, whereas additionally permitting the drivetrain to be mounted decrease and thus maintaining the middle of gravity low. In contrast with its predecessor, the brand new crossover has extra floor clearance however is decrease in peak, and has an extended wheelbase however a shorter total size. That helps give the mannequin harder, extra SUV-like proportions. The styling follows go well with, with virtually 4Runner-like cues, together with a brasher grille and fascia and squared-off fender openings. Brisker designs inside and outside In each trim degree, the RAV4 seems to be much less forgettable and an entire lot smarter than earlier than. Nineteen-inch wheels are supplied for the primary time, and the colour palette has extra attention-grabbing shades, together with numerous two-tone choices for the Journey grade. The within of the RAV4 can also be a nicer place to spend time, with loads of soft-touch supplies and thoughtfully organized controls. In typical Toyota style, the secondary controls are large, chunky and legible, so figuring them out is intuitive and utilizing them with only a look whereas driving is straightforward. My Restricted tester has plush choices like a panoramic sunroof, heated and cooled seats, a heated steering wheel and even a button to electrically warmth and deice the windshield wipers.The RAV4 additionally has 5 2.1-amp USB ports and eight cupholders. A wider heart console means the 2 entrance cupholders could be facet by facet; Toyota says prospects complained in regards to the earlier association, which had the cupholders separated. The middle-console compartment, door pockets and glove field are solely modestly sized, although there’s a small shelf constructed into the sprint above the glove field that may maintain small, mild gadgets. An area forward of the shifter can optionally be outfitted with a wi-fi telephone charging pad. Cabin usability, visibility and design are all very spectacular.
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Relocated mirrors and bigger rear quarter mirrors are meant to enhance outward visibility. For the primary time for this mannequin, there are climate-control vents aimed on the again seat.Again-seat house is beneficiant sufficient for adults; with the driving force’s seat adjusted for a way I sit, I’ve acquired plentiful legroom and headroom within the second row. There’s little or no intrusion from the middle exhaust tunnel, too, so middle-seat passengers ought to handle OK on longer journeys.Disappointingly, cargo quantity really declines barely in comparison with earlier fashions, although Toyota notes the load flooring is 2.5 inches longer than earlier than. Fashions with a panoramic sunroof now have 37 cubic ft of house behind the again seat. Nonetheless, that is an excellent determine that compares nicely with rivals just like the Honda CR-V (37.6-39.2 cubic ft, relying on trim) and Nissan Rogue (39.three cubic ft). The cargo flooring is reversible, with one facet carpeted and the opposite rubberized for once you’re carrying soiled gear. It may be set right into a decrease place that gives an additional 2.2 inches of peak in case you want more room. Competent, if loud, powertrain Beneath the hood of the 2019 RAV4 is a 2.5-liter inline-four engine, utilizing each direct and port injection. It is rated for 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, large enhancements over the prior RAV4 and among the many strongest engines in its class. An eight-speed automated transmission is customary. Being naturally aspirated, the four-cylinder engine delivers predictable and deliberate energy throughout its rev vary, with no hesitation and nice in-gear passing efficiency. It lives as much as chief engineer Yoshikazu Saeki’s promise that he strove for natural-feeling acceleration. Precise acceleration is about on par with rival crossovers: lots to bomb previous slow-moving site visitors or hustle up a hill.More often than not the eight-speed automated’s clean shifts enable it to fade into the background, which is an efficient factor. It isn’t massively amenable to sporty driving, although, and sometimes it downshifts harshly after I ask for extra energy. It additionally hunts badly when driving up a reasonably steep grade of switchbacks. Cargo house is beneficiant and practically best-in-class.
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The engine and transmission are literally very satisfying to drive total, however the former is loud. It sounds tough and gravelly underneath even average acceleration, and is certainly louder and harsher on the ear than the hushed nature of some rival crossovers’ engines. Gas economic system figures have vastly improved although they do not eclipse one of the best within the section. Entrance-wheel-drive RAV4 XLE and XLE Premium fashions return EPA rankings of 27 miles per gallon metropolis and 34 mpg metropolis, whereas the LE and Restricted ship 26/34 mpg. Evaluate that with the Honda CR-V, which returns 28/34 mpg in most trims. Nonetheless, the thriftiest 2018 RAV4 you could possibly purchase posted EPA rankings of simply 23/30 mpg, so it is a large enchancment.A RAV4 Hybrid may even be supplied, as soon as once more with customary electrically powered all-wheel drive. It provides rankings of 41 miles per gallon metropolis and 37 mpg freeway. We’re trying ahead to driving the brand new hybrid at a later date. The RAV4’s seats are comfy and its again seat lots spacious for grownup passengers.
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Rides higher than it sounds The brand new RAV4 additionally drives very nicely in different respects, displaying all of the maturity and poise of different automobiles on this platform, like the brand new Camry. Pure-feeling steering is completely easy to make use of in every single place from metropolis parking heaps to winding coastal roads, with not one of the vagueness that has troubled some older RAV4s. The suspension settles simply after crests, dips or fast lane-change maneuvers. All instructed, it is a driving expertise that provides a whole lot of confidence. Experience high quality can also be excellent, with the chassis dispatching bumps earlier than I really feel them — even my tester’s 19-inch wheels have comparatively beneficiant sidewalls, with 275/55-series tires (get a proof of what these sidewall numbers imply right here). Sadly the cabin does not do pretty much as good a job of muting the sound of these impacts. Each little suspension ping and knock makes itself audible, and there is ample tire noise on each street floor. Pair that with distinguished wind noise — even at simply 55-60 miles per hour on the Pacific Coast Freeway — and the RAV4 appears a few ticks louder than its competitors. We’ll wish to drive the crossover on our native roads, and back-to-back with rivals, to make a full judgment, however preliminary impressions are this crossover might use a bit extra sound deadening. A number of technologyThe Toyota RAV4 provides 7- or Eight-inch touchscreen infotainment programs. The function set varies wildly relying on trim degree. Base fashions, as an example, lack HD Radio and SiriusXM satellite tv for pc, whereas built-in navigation and an upgraded JBL sound system can be found as choices.The touchscreens are extremely purposeful however not as fairly or as feature-rich because the competitors.
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Toyota’s Entune three.zero software program works simply effective for telephone calling, music choice and extra, with immediate responses to onscreen pushes. Bodily buttons across the touchscreen and actual quantity/tuning knobs ease operation. However the onscreen graphics are plain and the shows aren’t significantly brilliant or crisp. The navigation maps particularly look dated, although they do provide pinch-to-zoom performance.Commonplace connectivity options embrace Apple CarPlay, a Wi-Fi hotspot (with six months/2GB of free entry earlier than it is advisable pay to your personal information plan) and Amazon Alexa integration. As ever, Toyota doesn’t provide Android Auto, although says it is “investigating” including it. A four.2-inch colour journey laptop is customary, although you too can go for an 7-inch colour model that replaces the speedometer, whereas the tachometer, gas and temperature gauges stay analog. The show provides a lot of info and you’ll swap between a digital and nearly rendered analog speedometer, however its matte-finish show washes out simply in brilliant daylight. Security tech contains this camera-based rearview mirror, which helps eradicate blind spots.
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Each RAV4 comes customary with a raft of security tech bundled underneath the Toyota Security Sense 2.zero banner: precollision braking with bike owner and pedestrian detection, lane-keep help, auto excessive beams, adaptive cruise management with freeway steering help and street signal recognition. Blind-spot monitoring, a 360-degree digicam and parking sensors are non-obligatory.Probably the most attention-grabbing new security function is an non-obligatory camera-based rearview mirror, which works equally to the programs we have seen in Cadillac and Nissan fashions. Flip the mirror down and it exhibits video output from a digicam mounted on the prime of the rear window. It permits a a lot wider area of view and avoids obstruction by passengers’ heads or cumbersome cargo. Competitively pricedThe 2019 RAV4 has solely about half as many orderable configurations because the final model, which Toyota says simplifies issues for patrons and sellers. Nonetheless, there are six trim ranges for the non-hybrid mannequin, working from the $26,545 (with vacation spot) LE as much as the $34,545 Restricted. Including all-wheel drive to any of these choices prices $1,400.Heading off-road or anticipating a lot of snow? The Journey trim degree’s upgraded all-wheel-drive system could also be what you want.
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The brand new 2019 Journey trim seems to be a play for the hearts and of Subaru and Jeep consumers. Aesthetic enhancements embrace a brand new entrance fascia that modestly improves the method angle, distinctive 19-inch wheels, raised roof rails, chunkier overfenders, orange inside accents and rubber all-weather cargo liners. Mechanically, it makes use of a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system (additionally featured on the RAV4 Restricted) that may shuffle torque side-to-side on the rear axle, or disconnect the rear driveshaft in low-load conditions for gas economic system. Particular drive modes enable the automotive’s computer systems to mix that rear differential with brake software to enhance snow and off-road traction. However most of all, it simply seems to be cool. It will value $33,945, or a smidge lower than a Restricted AWD.A noticeable step forwardWith its lackluster infotainment, louder-than-expected cabin and not-class-leading gas economic system, the 2019 Toyota RAV4 does not instantly leap to the highest of what’s an more and more aggressive class. A Honda CR-V feels extra well-rounded and a Mazda CX-5 is livelier to drive, as an example. Nonetheless, the RAV4 is a marked enchancment over final 12 months’s mannequin and a genuinely satisfying crossover. Remarkably nice to drive, very purposeful for on a regular basis life and generously outfitted with security know-how, the 2019 Toyota RAV4 would make an important addition to anyone’s storage.Editors’ be aware:Journey prices associated to this function had been lined by the producer. That is frequent within the auto business, as it’s miles extra economical to ship journalists to automobiles than to ship automobiles to journalists. Whereas Roadshow accepts multiday car loans from producers with the intention to present scored editorial evaluations, all scored car evaluations are accomplished on our turf and on our phrases. The judgments and opinions of Roadshow’s editorial workforce are our personal and we don’t settle for paid editorial content material.
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