2019 Toyota RAV4 Review: An Affordable and Reliable Compact SUV

Gilbert Smith
Sep 17, 2021

An excellent compromise between fuel-efficient daily driver and entry-level off-roader, the 2019 Toyota RAV4 may be the best compact SUV of its type and for the price.

VehicleHistory Image
likeFilled The Good
A surprisingly capable off-roader and a very efficient daily driver, the RAV4 has lots of gasoline and hybrid options available, and plenty of room inside for a compact.
dislikeFilled The Bad
The entry-level LE offers a solid suite of safety and entertainment tech, but that doesn’t leave the other trim levels a lot of space to improve. So, while the Hybrid XSE is $9,000 more expensive than the Hybrid LE, it doesn’t quite feel $9,000 more expensive.
checkCircleAlternativeBold The Bottom Line
This is perhaps the very best entry-level adventure vehicle on the road today. If you want the Jeep experience without the Jeep price tag, this isn’t quite it. Jeeps make no sense as daily drivers, and this is a lot closer than you expect to get for under $30,000.

Positive Owner Reviews

accountCircle Hannah W
2019 rav4-just what we were looking for.
We recently purchased this vehicle as certified pre owned. No problems so far. Performance is great and features are modern: rear backup camera, blind spot monitors, stereo system is Bluetooth, press engine start, 8 airbags for safety (this was our main concern for getting a new car), tinted back seat windows for privacy, sleek design, sunroof, ac, rear wipers. Comfort is excellent with fabric seats. Automatic and smooth drive. 100% would recommend.
accountCircle Ylen C
Perfect car for me and my kids!
I have had this car for a year now. So far I haven't had any issues with it. The only thing I would change is the leather seats.:/ because they get so hot. Other than that it is perfect for me and my kids! And it is great on gas. With all the driving I do a tank lasts me almost a week. 160 miles a day.
accountCircle Alisha B
Cruising in a rav4... The vehicle is pretty great with a few issues.
It seems to have some issues, I have had 2 flats so far. There’s an issue with the door cosmetically. It is interior is cloth and lives stains. The care is overall reliable. I love it and it rides smooth. It is a family car, it is not too large or small. The trunk is big, but I wish it was automatic.
accountCircle Joanne L
Fuel efficient must buy vehicle for everyday use.
The vehicle seems to be relatively slow. Takes some time to break. Pretty reliable car. Fuel efficient! Love how spacious the vehicle is. Definitely love the lane departure setting, as well as the sleep detection feature which keeps car automatically in the center of lane. Love the Bluetooth or USB outlet. I do not however like how you cannot use the GPS unless you connect your phone. Definitely a bummer right there.
accountCircle Jordi M
Toyota rav4: the best car I have ever had.
I have never had any problems with my Toyota rav4. The performance is excellent. I have an 11-month-old and I have never felt safer in a car than I do in this one. The leather seats make it very easy to clean up. The room in it is not too big and not too small. Perfect size.
accountCircle Yohannis S
Amazing vehicle with great qualities.
This is the best vehicle I have ever driven. I do not have problems with anything. The comfort level of his vehicle is 10 out of 10. I am able to adjust seats as I like and it is super specious. The interior is very nice and luxurious. This vehicle is better than the ones I have had in the past.
accountCircle Joanna C
Toyota rav4 best comforts.
Love that I can change the mode when driving the car. One of the best features are the lane departure warning with steering assist to warn you that someone is next to you. Love the automatic high beam headlights when driving in the night. Seats are super comfortable.
accountCircle Emily M
The rav4 XLE has amazing comfort and comes with a sunroof!
The Toyota rav4 has a lot of features that I love. The driver seat has automatic controls. The vehicle features a sunroof. The seats are cloth and the driver and passenger side both have a heated option. Both the passenger and driver can control their temperature on their sides. It rides smooth and is comfortable. The rav4 is an overall great vehicle.

Negative Owner Reviews

accountCircle Janet Wilkinson
Loyal RAV4 Rethinking Next Purchase
2019 RAV4 - Great size vehicle, comfortable, lots of bells and whistles, lots of room. Serious unresolved issue since purchase and apparently in others. It makes a terrible noise when decelerating and accelerating, moos like a cow, has been going on for 10 months and they are unable to figure it out. Will it be on the 2020? They are currently trying to sell off 2019 so buyer beware. I called Customer Care in Toronto and they took my concern and told me not to expect to hear from anyone so Customer Care really is only an issue logging phone line. The local service manager has his hands tied waiting for the solution. This has been a very disappointing experience and would not consider purchasing a 2020 or a 2019 clear out deal until it is known the issue has been resolved.
accountCircle Janet W.
Unresolved Issue
Has all the bells and whistle, great size for vehicle. Buyer beware there is an issue with the 2019 Rav4 that has yet to resolved. It makes a loud squealing noise when accelerating and coming to a stop at 30 kms/hour, extremely annoying. This has been going on for 9 months without resolution. It is not just my vehicle. The local service manager has been good but his hands are tied waiting for the engineers to figure out. I called Toyota Customer Care, they took my information but told me not to expect a call from anyone. Not high on the Customer Care sale! I see ads on TV for the 2019 clearance so good for people to know of this issue. If unresolved on 2019 will 2020 have same issue.
accountCircle MSP
UNRELIABLE
My new 2019 vehicle bought a little over a year ago has had the battery just die 4 times so far! Toyota has no solution except to “drive it around” more....absolutely absurd to pay so much for a vehicle that just dies on you whenever! Definitely do not recommend anyone get this car!!!!
accountCircle STEPHANIE C
Slow and Noisy
I like the safety of pull back when swerving into another lane, I like the color. I don't like that it sounds like the windows are always down. I don't like that its slow to start up at take off. I don't like that it drives like I have a bad fuel injector, that they're looking into now Never had any of these problems with my 2016 Rav4.Cant wait to trade this one in, I've taken it back at least 11 times to be worked on.
accountCircle Guy Montminy
Terrible Engine Noises
Make loud sound accelerating and sounds like a Motor cycle down shiftIng. Very disappointed.
accountCircle Artus VanBriggle
Serious manufacturer defects effecting most 2019 models
Virtually all of the 2019 and 2020 RAV4 hybrids have the dreaded fuel tank issue, in which no more than 10 or so gallons go in, or in extreme cases (like mine) the tank only takes THREE gallons. And the advertised 40 mpg can be as low as 26 mpg, which is what I got in my first 5k of driving. Toyota calls even extreme cases like mine “normal operating characteristics” so refuses to fix them. Thus, buyers may get a vehicle with less than a 100 mile range, which makes it not a useful vehicle for those of us in the Midwest with a long commute each day - I literally have had to fill up my tank three times in one day of normal driving. So buyer beware, especially since Toyota is fraudulently (depending on the state you’re in) failing to disclose these substantial ways in which the vehicle fails to conform to specifications.
accountCircle Lulu E
Problem since day 1
Bought new 2019 rav 4 adventure.Now two years old.Has been in shop three times for transmission shift problems with no resolution.Had to replace my battery less than two years old at my cost,because car went dead after sitting for two days.Toyota told me to drive the car more and i would not have a problem.Steers funny,maybe I should go to driving school at NASCAR.I am on a first name basis with the complaint department.Lucky to live in MA where I can Lemon Law this vehicle
accountCircle Matthew
Fuel Sensor Defective on new 2019 Rav4 hybrid XSE
Can only pump 37-38 Litres of gas into vehicle. Spec says that it has a 55 litre tank. Toyota customer service says this is normal... Had the car for 3-4 weeks, and the vehicle has been in Toyota's garage for 5 full days. First and last Toyota that I'll ever buy. Very poor customer service.

2019 Toyota RAV4 in Brief

2019 Toyota RAV4 - Photo by Toyota

  • The RAV4 is one of the highest-rated SUVs on the market for safety, with the Hybrid Limited earning a perfect score from top to bottom with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
  • Toyotas are slow to depreciate, and the RAV4 is no exception. You can expect to pay nearly-new prices for a three-year-old RAV4, but you can expect it to hold the money you put into it for a long time, too.
  • Starting at just under $32,000, the Adventure model is a perfect synthesis of off-roader and daily driver, and without the steep $40,000-plus price tag you expect to find on an AWD rock climber.
  • The only engine options are a 2.4L and a hybrid variation on the 2.4L, but that should be more than enough to deliver what drivers expect from a RAV4.
  • The Hybrid XSE has one of the most impressive safety tech suites available right now, with more sonars and sensors than you can count one one hand, and a camera on all four sides of the SUV.
Front passenger 3/4 w/ wheels turned.
2019 Toyota RAV4
$27,050-$35,850
MSRP
gasLoadMPG 25-41 City/ 33-38 HWY
gaugeDashboard Horsepower 203-219
seatSeats 5
trunkCargo Capacity 37.6 cubic feet
towingMax Towing 1,500 lbs
payloadPayload 1,120 – 1,240 lbs

2019 Toyota RAV4: Available Trims

Toyota offers the RAV4 in a wide range of trims. The LE, XLE, and Limited are available in hybrid, which when combined with the five standard gasoline-powered options and the Hybrid XSE, comes out to nine options total, from the basic LE to the premium and eco-friendly Hybrid Limited.

LE

The entry-level trim may be the most basic of the lineup, but it’s not bare-bones. It features some gadgets and luxuries that you usually expect to see on the next trim level up, like a second LCD screen up front, voice activation, and a whole suite of Entune safety and entertainment apps.

It may seem like a small thing, but it’s one of those small things that has you choosing a RAV4 over a competing SUV. There’s no reason a 2019 vehicle’s onboard tech should be at least as good as what you’re getting from a mid-range smartphone, and Toyota deserves some praise for not charging you an extra $5,000-$6,000 for basic functionality.

XLE

For a $5,000 price bump, the XLE delivers what you get from an LE, plus a handful of little bonuses throughout, like blind spot monitoring, Toyota Smart Key, heated side mirrors, and a moonroof. We’re not quite at the luxury trim level here, but you’ll know what you’re getting for the price bump. However, if you’re considering an XLE, our advice is to skip ahead and go for the XLE Premium.

XLE Premium

In the Kelley Blue Book, the XLE Premium is estimated to cost around the same as the XLE, but you get more leather and metal-look trim throughout the interior, a gorgeous three-spoke leather steering wheel, lane departure alert, and SofTex seat trim. It’s a modest improvement over the XLE, but at roughly the same price, why wouldn’t you take the slightly better version? The only downside: This one’s not available in hybrid.

Adventure

The RAV4 is often listed as a potential alternative to off-roaders like the Jeep Cherokee and the Land Rover. The Adventure is Toyota leaning deep into that with standard all-wheel drive, a terrain management system, and more rugged styling throughout the interior and exterior. Add to that heated side mirrors, front fog lamps, and a power liftgate, and you’ve got a pretty darn solid camping tripper.

Limited

The Limited is packed with all of your standard luxury upgrades: eight-inch touchscreens, heated seats, premium audio, leather, aluminum, and metal-look trim from front to back, chrome door handles, and a full suite of safety features like blind spot monitoring and lane departure alert.

The Limited is a fine luxury trim for the RAV4, but be warned that some of the fanciest features, like the heated leather steering wheel and panoramic camera view, are locked behind optional packages. You might want to budget a couple extra grand to make sure you can get one with everything.

Hybrid XSE

If you want to drive something that feels as powerful and high-tech as the Batmobile, and with interior and exterior styling on par with the Batmobile, the Hybrid XSE delivers. The AWD 2.5L engine delivers 219 horsepower at 41 mpg city and 38 mpg highway. It packs three LCD monitors in the front, advanced safety features like pre-collision and rear cross-traffic alert, cameras on all four sides of the SUV, and there’s plenty of leather and metal-look trim throughout.

The XSE is just a really good all-arounder. It is not the fastest, toughest, cheapest, or comfiest SUV on the market right now, but an excellent compromise if you want a vehicle that does a little bit of everything.

Hybrid Limited

For the most part, the hybrids are the same as the gasoline-powered RAV4s, just with hybrid engines instead of the standard 2.4L. They gave the Hybrid Limited a little extra oomph in the features department, so we’re counting it as its own trim level.

Essentially, the Hybrid Limited does everything the Hybrid XSE does, but minus the Scout GPS and sport-tuned suspension, and with perimeter/approach lights. It’s typically priced around the same as the XSE in the Blue Book, so it’s splitting hairs for which one is the best of the best.

car
car
Hybrid XLE
219 HP 40 MPG
car
XLE Premium
203 HP 28 MPG
car
car
Hybrid XSE
219 HP 40 MPG
car

What Will a 2019 Toyota RAV4 Cost You?

2019 Toyota RAV4 - Photo by Toyota

Neither a budget car nor a luxury vehicle, the 2019 RAV4 ranges from $23,829 to $26,478 if you’re buying a base LE from the previous owner, up to $38,206 for a Certified Pre-owned (CPO) Hybrid Limited.

Toyotas in general are slow to depreciate, so if you’re waiting for a steep price drop, you’re going to be waiting awhile. After five years, assuming average use, regular maintenance, and around 12,000 miles a year, a RAV4 will only depreciate to around 64% of its sticker price. After 10 years, the SUV still holds 36% of its original value, according to the depreciation calculator at Car Edge.

The Toyota Certified Used Vehicles program is one of the best in the used auto industry today, including screening with a 160-point inspection, full warranty including powertrain coverage and roadside assistance for seven years, and limited comprehensive coverage for the first year. The peace of mind you buy with Toyota CPO is worth the price alone.

Powertrain Options in the 2019 Toyota RAV4

Toyota kept things nice and simple in the engine department for 2019. You’ve got the standard, gasoline-powered, 2.5L inline-four engine, and a hybrid variation on the same engine, and that’s it.

The engine is part of the Toyota Dynamic Force family, with this model in particular being shared by current Camry, Avalon, and Highlander offerings, as well as the Lexus ES and NX, making it a cornerstone of Toyota’s current global strategy.

In the gasoline-powered RAV4s, you’re getting an eight-speed automatic transmission with overdrive, and in the hybrids, you’re getting a one-speed continuously variable transmission (CVT). That may be a deal breaker, if you’re considering a hybrid but hate the feel of a CVT.

You might want to give Toyota CVT a try before you dismiss it. Newer Toyotas use what they call a “Launch Gear” system in order to mimic the feel of a conventional automatic during acceleration, with the efficiency of a one-speed once you’re on your way. It’s not for everyone, but you might as well take it for a test-drive if you think you’d like driving a hybrid.

How Fuel Efficient is a 2019 Toyota RAV4?

2019 Toyota RAV4 - Photo by Toyota

Even in the non-hybrid variations, the 2019 RAV4 is nothing short of impressive when it comes to fuel economy. The standard 2.5L will get you 26 mpg city and 35 mpg highway. A hybrid delivers 41 mpg city and 38 mpg highway.

Given that these SUVs are AWD-capable, you should expect to burn through your fuel a little quicker if you’ve got all four wheels engaged for rock climbing and mudding. Even so, it’s nice to know that you can hit the woods without asking accounting for an advance.

Regardless of trim level or whether you’re driving a standard or hybrid, the 2019 RAV4 comes equipped with a 14.5-gallon tank, which with these specs, should be plenty to get you where you’re going.

2019 Toyota RAV4 Driving Performance

A fuel-efficient SUV sounds great on paper, but if it feels kinda wimpy, like a compact car with an SUV body slapped on top, then it’s kind of a bamboozle, right? If you want a real off-roader, fuel efficiency is just a bonus; it’s performance that counts.

Luckily, with AWD and a set of all-terrain tires, the RAV4 can go toe-to-toe with similarly priced Jeeps and Fords. The standard engine cranks out 203 horsepower with 184 lb.-ft. of torque, while the hybrid delivers 219 horsepower and 163 lb.-ft. of torque. The 2019 Wrangler tops that, starting at 270 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque, but not by as wide a margin as you might expect.

The SUV’s 0-60 won’t dominate the drag strip, at 8.5 seconds in an Adventure model, according to Motor Trend, but it’s far from sluggish. The only real disappointment in terms of performance comes down to towing capacity.

You generally expect that an off-roader can handle at least some light-duty towing, but the RAV4 tops out at around 1,500 pounds in a standard model, or 1,750 in a hybrid. That’s enough to tow a dirt bike, maybe a small Jet Ski, but you can forget pulling a camper out into the woods. The chassis simply isn’t built for heavy-duty hauling. This is why we call it an “entry-level” off-roader. It’s not a substitute for an F-150 Raptor or a Wrangler Rubicon, it’s just really good at all-terrain driving for a compact family car.

How Big is a 2019 Toyota RAV4?

2019 Toyota RAV4 - Photo by Toyota

Size classifications like “compact” and “midsize” are kind of arbitrary these days. It seems like interiors are getting roomier, while exteriors are getting smaller, so all we can really do is count up the inches and cubic feet.

  • Length: 181″
  • Width: 73″
  • Height: 69″
  • Ground Clearance: 8.4″

Inside, you get front and rear headroom space at 37.7″ and 39.5,” respectively. And front and rear leg room is 41″ and 37.8,” respectively. You have about 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space with all the seats up, and up to 69.8 cubic feet with all the seats down. That’s not quite a cargo van, but it’s plenty of storage space for an SUV that’s technically classified as a compact crossover.

How Safe is a 2019 Toyota RAV4?

We generally perceive larger vehicles to be safer than smaller vehicles. It stands to reason that a full-size SUV simply provides more steel between you and the point of impact, so of course, bigger is better, right?

There is some truth to this theory, but despite its classification as a compact SUV, the 2019 RAV4 is about as safe as consumer vehicles get, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), who awarded the SUV their highest honor, the Top Safety Pick +, and gave it what amounts to a perfect score in every category.

The only area where the 2019 RAV4 scored anything less than a G for Good (their top rating) was headlights, where the score varied by trim level. The Hybrid Limited earned a G, meaning that this trim level is as safe as anything the IIHS has ever reviewed. The headlights in the standard trims and the Hybrid LE earned an M for Marginal, and the other hybrid trim levels earned a P for Poor.

Extra praise was heaped onto the SUV’s LATCH child seating system, which earned a G+, and the SUV’s collision avoidance system, which earned a rating of Superior.

The 2019 RAV4 earned similar praise from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), where it was granted a perfect five-star rating overall, but with some not-quite-perfect ratings throughout. Rollover only earned a four (it’s exceedingly rare for SUVs to earn five stars for rollover, given their top-heavy design), as did front driver side and overall front impact, but the SUV otherwise earned nothing but fives across the board.

Between the five-star crash ratings and safety tech like lane departure alert and blind spot monitoring, the 2019 RAV4 is about as safe a car as you’re going to find on the road today. In fact, the 2019 RAV4’s IIHS ratings put it just a hair ahead of that year’s Volvo XC40. You never see an automaker beat Volvo at safety, but Toyota managed to pull it off.

Tech and Gadgets in the 2019 Toyota RAV4

2019 Toyota RAV4 - Photo by Toyota

If the 2019 RAV4 can be faulted in the tech department, you might say that the entry-level LE comes with enough features that there’s not a lot of room to upgrade from there, so the bonuses are spread a bit thin across nine trim levels. That’s not a bad problem to have, as you can buy any RAV4 and be pretty happy with what you find in the dash and the center console.

At the base LE level, the 2019 RAV4 comes with a pair of seven-inch touchscreens with Apple CarPlay, Siri Eyes Free, a USB port, and Toyota connected services. The radio has voice activation and steering wheel controls built in, basically everything you expect in a 2019 SUV entertainment system.

The Adventure and Limited trim levels upgrade the touchscreens to eight inches and give you four USB charging ports, and the Hybrid Limited and XSE add a third eight-inch screen to the front.

Safety features start with Toyota Safety Sense, with lane keep assist, departure alert, and a backup camera in the LE. The XLE adds blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, the Limited adds clearance sonar and parking sensors, and the Hybrid XSE adds front, left, and right cameras.

You could say that the entertainment and safety features in the 2019 RAV4 are robust. Everything you need is here, plus some extra safety tech in the higher trim levels. There are not a lot of bells and whistles, just good, functional, sensible tech that makes driving easier and safer.

2019 Toyota RAV4: Interior and Exterior Colors

The 2019 RAV4 offers the same range of toned-down colors you expect to see in modern cars, shades like Magnetic Gray and Midnight Black. These colors do a good job of hiding dirt, but aren’t that exciting to look at. However, unlike many other SUVs, stock colors do include some flashier shades like Ruby Flare Pearl and Blue Flame, if you want something that will stand out.

Interior colors, on the other hand, are all monochrome and earth tones. They are not that exciting, but they are tasteful, and you won’t have to shampoo the carpets twice a week to keep them from looking dingy.

LE and Hybrid LE come in Black and Nutmeg, while XLE, XLE Premium, XLE Hybrid, Limited, and Hybrid Limited come in Black, Light Gray, or Nutmeg. As for XSE Hybrid, only Black is offered, and the Adventure trim comes in Black or Mocha.

Is a 2019 Toyota RAV4 Easy to Maintain?

2019 Toyota RAV4 - Photo by Toyota

No matter how safe, comfortable, or capable a car may be, it doesn’t count for much if you can’t keep it on the road. Can you count on the RAV4, or is it a money pit that’s going to spend more time at the shop than in your garage?

Good news: It’s one of the more reliable SUVs in its class. Repair Pal gives the RAV4’s reliability an overall star rating of four out of five, ranking it in the third spot out of 26 for compact SUVs, and estimating an average annual repair cost of $429. That comes out to less than $10 a week. Combined with the RAV4’s incredible mpg, that makes this one of the most affordable SUVs to keep on the road today.

Common repairs mainly come down to routine replacements for things like the fuel filter (around $327 to $373) and brake pads ($262 to $312), but with regular oil changes and safe driving, those fixes should be few and far between.

What Critics Say

Car and Driver

Toyota’s perennially popular RAV4 is all-new for 2019, and its more truckish look makes it easy to tell apart from last year’s model.

U.S. News

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 finishes in the top half of our compact SUV rankings. It isn’t the most athletic small crossover, but it’s roomy, comfortable, and loaded with technology.

Motor Trend

As America’s best-selling SUV, you can’t get any more bread-and-butter than the Toyota RAV4.

Consumer Reports

Toyota changed the RAV4’s proportions with the redesign, drawing styling cues from its truck-based vehicles to craft a more rugged appearance.

Kelley Blue Book

For 2019, Toyota improves on what buyers already like about the RAV4, while improving handling, and adding ground clearance and convenience features.

Recalls and Complaints for the 2019 Toyota RAV4

2019 Toyota RAV4 - Photo by Toyota

The NHTSA complaints page for the RAV4 lists 16 reports on file for the hybrid, while the standard gasoline-powered RAV4 has 405 complaints. That’s fewer than 500 complaints total for a car that sold almost half a million units that year.

The most common complaints have to do with propulsion, with 221 complaints filed in this category. Several of these complaints point to the car shutting down at highway speeds and stalling at lower speed. Many of these complaints may have to do with the fuel pump recall issued in late 2020.

This recall affected over 1,500,000 Toyotas across the Lexus, Camry, Avalon, Corolla, Highlander, Tacoma, basically all of their flagship nameplates. The fuel pump would stall while driving, resulting in stuttering, stalling, or total loss of power. The recall was issued on November 4.

There were six other recalls for the 2019 RAV4, ranging in severity from loss of power steering assist (affecting just 46 units), down to incorrect load capacity labels (affecting just over 1,000 units).

Most of the major issues with the 2019 RAV4 have already been addressed by recalls. Recalls are always paid for by the manufacturer, and they’re always valid, so there’s no reason not to use our VIN lookup tool and make sure that your RAV4 is clear of any necessary work.

While the RAV4 currently has a clean bill of health, remember that this car is only a few years old right now. There may still be some issues that have yet to be discovered, and all we can really do on that front is wait and see. Still, with some of these SUVs now hitting 50,000-60,000 miles, and with no major reports of transmission failure, it’s probably a safe bet that they’re built to go the distance.

Ranks #14 Compact SUV by Owners

1
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4.75
2
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4.74
14
Tie
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4.49

2019 Toyota RAV4 vs. the Competition

2019 Toyota RAV4 - Photo by Toyota
2019 Toyota RAV4

The SUV marketplace is getting a bit crowded these days. The 2019 RAV4 is a great little compact that can run all day on a single tank, but there are a dozen other SUVs that you could say that about. How does it compare to the competition?

What we’re looking for in this range is a fuel-efficient compact SUV at a fair price. That would make the Honda CR-V, the Subaru Forester, and the Nissan Rogue three of the RAV4’s top contenders. Let’s see how they fare.

2019 Toyota RAV4 vs. 2019 Honda CR-V

2019 Honda CR-V - Photo by Honda
2019 Honda CR-V

The 2019 Honda CR-V is based on the Honda Civic platform, and the Honda Civic is considered to be one of the most reliable vehicles ever made, no matter what the model year. However, as the CR-V is literally an SUV body on a compact car’s frame, it comes up just shy of the RAV4’s off-roading power, at 190 horsepower and 179 lb.-ft. of torque at the very peak of its output in an AWD Touring model.

If you’re mostly going to be driving around the city and on the highway, that might not bother you. The RAV4 may be preferable if you have to contend with some rough weather, broken roads, or muddy hills.

To see a more detailed side-by-side comparison between these vehicles, check out this Vehicle History coverage.

2019 Toyota RAV4 vs. 2019 Subaru Forester

2019 Subaru Forester - Photo by Subaru
2019 Subaru Forester

The 2019 Subaru Forester is a capable compact, with specs comparable to the CR-V, and it stands in roughly the same price range as the CR-V and the RAV4. It’s AWD-standard, and the 2.5L inline-four DOHC engine has plenty of get-up-and-go. The RAV4 boasts slightly higher horsepower, but if you’re looking for an adventure vehicle, the Forester can go just about anywhere you can take a RAV4.

What may be the deal breaker here is that it is only available in CVT, while the RAV4 offers plenty of trim levels with conventional automatic transmission. Some people don’t mind it, but others would rather buy a bus pass than deal with a CVT.

To see a more detailed side-by-side comparison between these vehicles, check out this Vehicle History coverage.

2019 Toyota RAV4 vs. 2019 Nissan Rogue

Nissan Rogue - Photo by Nissan
2019 Nissan Rogue

The 2019 Nissan Rogue is the most budget-friendly option on this list, coming in at around $3,000 under the average. The question is if it’s actually a bargain, or if you’re getting what you pay for.

Well, it’s CVT-only, and the entry level S Sport packs 141 horsepower and 147 lb.-ft. of torque. It’s not a bad daily driver, but you probably won’t want to take it on any camping trips. It does feature an all-wheel-drive option on most trim levels, but with just 141 horsepower, that’s only going to get you so far.

To see a more detailed side-by-side comparison between these vehicles, check out this Vehicle History coverage.

Best Option Between the 2019 RAV4 and its Competition

Based on the Honda Civic, the CR-V might be the best car on this list. That’s if we’re just going by the numbers. You can count on a CR-V to get you where you’re going, and it’ll probably fly right past its estimated 250,000-mile life expectancy.

If you’re looking for something more outdoorsy, that extra horsepower in the RAV4 really makes you feel like the king of the jungle, and without having to spend the extra money you’d need for a full-size truck or a Jeep.

We’d bet on a CR-V outliving a RAV4 by a few years, but you’ll have more fun in a RAV4. If you want to get out there on sand dunes, creek beds, and broken roads, the 2019 RAV4 is probably the best way to do it.

Is a 2019 RAV4 a Good Purchase?

2019 Toyota RAV4 - Photo by Toyota

Starting at under $25,000, the RAV4 might be the best entry-level adventure vehicle on the market today. The SUV’s 203-horsepower inline-four engine may not be a V6, but it feels the part, and the 219-horsepower hybrid variant may make the XSE the cleanest-running AWD available for the 2019 model year.

It won’t compete with a 2019 Wrangler or an F-150 in terms of sheer strength, but a Wrangler Rubicon starts at around $50,000, it barely gets over 20 mpg, and it’s estimated to run you about $700 a year for basic maintenance. Compared to that, the compact-sized 2019 RAV4 is surprisingly potent for the price, cheap to keep on the road or off it, and serves as a more practical daily driver than a Jeep or a full-size truck, to boot. As fun as a RAM 1500 may be to drive around town, you don’t always want to spend $10 on gas to pick up $5 worth of snacks at the corner store.

If you’re looking for a sensible family wagon that doubles as an outdoorsy adventure vehicle, this is about as good at it gets for under $30,000. It’s roomy, it’s comfortable, it can climb hills and march right through mud, gravel, and snow, and it’s exceedingly fuel efficient, even for its class. Simply put, there’s very little to complain about with the 2019 Toyota RAV4.

Photos: Toyota; Nissan; Subaru; Honda

Frequently Asked Questions

Jan 10, 2022

How reliable is the 2019 Toyota RAV4?

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 has an above-average reliability rating from J.D. Power where it gets an overall score of 3.5 out of 5. This is a slightly lower score than the previous generation and it is primarily because the 2019 model was a complete redesign. The horsepower and fuel economy were increased for 2019, and there was a lot of new technology added. Since these are relatively new vehicles there are not many high-mileage examples to judge their reliability with.

If you are a fan of Toyota then you know that they have been building some of the most reliable cars for decades, and if their trend stays true then the 2019 RAV4 should still be extremely reliable. Review companies tend to just be cautious when vehicles are redesigned because there can be more issues that pop up.

Overall if you are in the market for a reliable compact SUV then the RAV4 is a great option to go with. These have been improved and offer the latest safety technology from Toyota and that makes them a worthwhile vehicle to check out.

Are there any problems with the 2019 Toyota RAV4?

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 is a relatively new vehicle and there are not a lot of problems that have been reported yet with it, however, there is one issue that keeps popping up amongst owners. These vehicles are known to have some transmission problems. Owners report that the vehicle hesitates and feels like it is lurching at low speeds. Toyota has made a note of this and has a service bulletin to install new software on the transmission control module to fix the problem.

Another issue that owners have reported with the RAV4 is common across all Toyota vehicles and that is excessive oil consumption. Toyota is known to be very liberal with the amount of oil that they allow their engines to consume because the extra oil can help reduce wear and tear on the engine components and help them last longer. Overall if you have a Toyota you should make sure to check the oil regularly.

If you're in the market for a used SUV and want to save some money over buying one new then a 2019 RAV4 can be a great choice. This is the first year of the latest generation so it offers all the same technology and styling that you will find on a brand new one.

Is the 2019 Toyota RAV4 noisy?

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 has had several complaints of it being noisy over the years. Owners have reported that there is often excessive engine noise while accelerating and the main reason for that seems to be a lack of insulation. The 2020 and 2021 Toyota RAV4 SUVs come with extra insulation around the engine compartment to help reduce the sound in the cabin.

The RAV4 also is known to be a little bit loud at highway speeds. These are built to be affordable vehicles and they do not have the same level of sound deadening throughout the cabin that you would expect to find in a luxury vehicle. The more aggressive styling can also lead to them being generating more turbulent air which can increase wind noise.

Overall the 2019 RAV4 is a bit noisier than the earlier models, but they are still well within the normal range you would expect from a car. If you notice that your RAV4 is excessively noisy it would be a good idea to contact Toyota and see if they can inspect the car for any issues causing the noise.

Is the 2019 Toyota RAV4 expensive to maintain?

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 has a very low cost of maintenance with an estimated annual cost being only $400 to $425. This is significantly lower than the national average of $500 to $700 per year across all makes and models. One of the main reasons that the RAV4 is cheap to maintain is that it has a 4-cylinder engine which requires less fluid, and they are simple to work on so owners do not get hit with excessive labor bills.

The 2019 RAV4 is also cheap to maintain because it is a Toyota. These are known to be very long-lasting vehicles that are not known for having serious problems. This reduces the overall cost of ownership significantly since they will not need to have major components replaced like some of their competition.

The RAV4 is a great vehicle to look at if you want to keep your overall ownership costs low. These are a great SUV for someone on a budget since they are well made and affordable.

How does the 2019 Toyota RAV4 compare to the Honda CR-V?

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V are direct competitors to each other. These are both known to be long-lasting reliable compact SUVs that are both made by brands that are known for making great powertrains. Overall choosing between the two comes down to what is most important to you.

The CR-V is more affordable than the RAV4 which makes it an easy choice for people that are on a budget. The Honda also has more space and is sportier than the Toyota. The Toyota though has a more bold exterior and better technology than the Honda. The Toyota also uses an 8-speed automatic transmission compared to the CVT that is found in the Honda. This can be a positive since CVTs are known to be more fragile than traditional transmissions.

Overall if you are in the market for a compact SUV these are both vehicles that should be on your shopping list. The RAV4 and CR-V are known for being two of the best compact SUVs on the market and choosing between the two often depends on personal preference.

Owner Reviews

accountCircle Ray Korpela on September 18, 2021
2019 Rav4 trail edition.
What attracted me to the vehicle was the mild off road capability, ground clearance and the all wheel drive system. I have about 1000km on the vehicle and so far so good. The vehicle handles great, confortable to drive and gets decent gas milage. The one SIGINIFICANT oversight on the canadian model for those who intend to use the vehicle on roads where there is a possibility of getting stuck - there is no place provided to attach a emergency tow rope. I contacted Toyota Canada and they confirmed the canadian model does not have the tow eye shown on the U.S. Model. Further more there appears to be no other place to hook up for an emergency tow with out damaging body work. Potential buyers should be aware of this issue if you intend to drive to remote locations with the possibility of getting stuck. Not providing a tow eye is obviously a cost cutting measure and a major disappoint on an otherwise great vehicle.
accountCircle Steve Clarke on September 18, 2021
Not happy with the 2019 Rav4
We bought a 2019 XLE Premium Rav4 .They problem that we are having with our 3 week old car is the windshield is distorting the view so you do not see things clear. It feels like I need to get my eyes check to see if I am having issues. But I am not. There is something wrong with the windshield. I took it to the dealer and they got another new one and it has worst issues than I have with mine. They are going to get back to me about the problem. They think even if the order a new one it will be just like it. They tried to tell us that no one else is having that problem but that is not true. These car are so expensive anyway you would think the quality control would be better than this. I have seen 5 car with the same problem I am hoping that they can make this right.
accountCircle Joyce M on September 19, 2021
Car starter doesn’t work properly because of Toyota settings
I purchased my new RAV4 I 2019. I ordered a remote start with it and was told it would take 1 week to come in . That turned into a month and In 9months I finally got it in . It does not work on defrost settings and I brought this to my dealers and to Toyota Canada attention . The answer I got is that is how their vehicles work .. Why would anyone buy a remote start that doesn’t work on defrost settings . You can put your settings on defrost before shutting the vehicle off but when you start it with the remote defrost doesn’t come on only the fan and vents that facing the cabin . Hoping this review saves some dissapointment for others . Even the people that installed the starter said that’s not the way it’s supposed to work buy it’s Toyota’s issue.
accountCircle K Maitro on September 17, 2021
Serious Battery/Electrical Issues
My 2019 rav4 Limited has been in the shop 5 times in the past 4 months for battery issues. Bought in August 2019 Jan 2020 - Battery dies (bad cell according to the dealer) March 2020 - Battery dies again (bad battery according to dealer) April 2020 - battery dies (AC amplifier bad due to driver seat heater). Car at dealership 4 days. April 2020 - battery dies again a week and a half after getting it back. (AC amplifier bad due to driver seat heater again eventhough I hadn't used it). Car at dealership 11 days. May 2020 - battery dies again exactly one week after getting it back. Been a week and no word from dealership as to what's wrong. Case now open for lemon law. Note that this car is driven daily and sits for no more than 2-3 days tops.
accountCircle Janet Wilkinson on September 17, 2021
2019 RAV4 - Great size vehicle, comfortable, lots of bells and whistles, lots of room.
Serious unresolved issue since purchase and apparently in others. It makes a terrible noise when decelerating and accelerating, moos like a cow, has been going on for 10 months and they are unable to figure it out. Will it be on the 2020? They are currently trying to sell off 2019 so buyer beware. I called Customer Care in Toronto and they took my concern and told me not to expect to hear from anyone so Customer Care really is only an issue logging phone line. The local service manager has his hands tied waiting for the solution. This has been a very disappointing experience and would not consider purchasing a 2020 or a 2019 clear out deal until it is known the issue has been resolved.
accountCircle Kamilah H on September 17, 2021
Noisy and lacking in features that should be standard 2019 vehicle.
I am extremely disappointed in my purchase of the 2019 Toyota rav4. There is no button inside the vehicle to pop open the trunk ( a feature I have had in older model cars.) It runs very loud. At times, I barely place my foot on the gas pedal for acceleration, and it sounds like the engine of a sports car revving up! The ride is noisy and not as smooth as you'd expect with an SUV. If I had a chance to do it over again, I would not choose Toyota's rav4 for my choice of an SUV. This is saying a lot, since I have never owned any other make of vehicle other than Toyota. Unfortunately, after this purchase, it is highly probable that I will be looking elsewhere!
accountCircle Artus VanBriggle on September 17, 2021
Serious manufacturer defects effecting most 2019 models
Virtually all of the 2019 and 2020 RAV4 hybrids have the dreaded fuel tank issue, in which no more than 10 or so gallons go in, or in extreme cases (like mine) the tank only takes THREE gallons. And the advertised 40 mpg can be as low as 26 mpg, which is what I got in my first 5k of driving. Toyota calls even extreme cases like mine “normal operating characteristics” so refuses to fix them. Thus, buyers may get a vehicle with less than a 100 mile range, which makes it not a useful vehicle for those of us in the Midwest with a long commute each day - I literally have had to fill up my tank three times in one day of normal driving.
accountCircle Emerald V on September 17, 2021
Great size SUV and great price!
I really love my 2019 rav4! It is really good on gas for an SUV and the price was great! The leather seats are comfortable and there is a lot a foot room on the front and back. I almost purchased the highlander because of the third row but it looked very cramped with the third row. I have two kids so the rav4 was the better choice for me. The only thing I do not like about it is when you slow down and accelerate again it jerks at times like the shifting is off. The 2019 was a new body style and I believe they have adjusted that issue since. But overall I would definitely choose it again!
accountCircle Mary G on September 18, 2021
Likes and do not likes for 2019 rav4.
I have only had my car for 4-1/2 months and only have 3400 miles on it. The car rides good, it is pretty comfortable although, the cabin is a little tight, not much room to move around. Not a lot of headroom. I do not like the Entune radio system. Not crazy about the push button start, but I think most every car has that and you just have to get accustomed to it. Unfortunately, there is already a recall on this car regarding the engine block. That makes me very unhappy, but I truly do not believe there is an automotive company that does not have a recall of some sort.
accountCircle Katelyn K on September 19, 2021
Awesome, safe, reliable and comfortable 2019 Toyota rav4 XLE.
I own a white Toyota rav4 XLE. It is wonderful and reliable. It is safe and comfortable as well. The Toyota rav4 is AWD with the option to put it in 4 wheel drive in the snow and ice. It handles wonderfully through all the seasons and I feel safe driving in inclement weather. The safety features in the Toyota rav4 are impeccable and keep up with other competition technology including smart cruise control, blind spot monitoring and a backup camera. The XLE is the perfect package with the sunroof, heated seats and heated steering wheel, Bluetooth, automatic windows.
accountCircle Hannah W on September 18, 2021
2019 rav4-just what we were looking for.
We recently purchased this vehicle as certified pre owned. No problems so far. Performance is great and features are modern: rear backup camera, blind spot monitors, stereo system is Bluetooth, press engine start, 8 airbags for safety (this was our main concern for getting a new car), tinted back seat windows for privacy, sleek design, sunroof, ac, rear wipers. Comfort is excellent with fabric seats. Automatic and smooth drive. 100% would recommend.
accountCircle Ciara S on September 17, 2021
An interesting detail is that this car is amazing on gas.
Purchasing my 2019 rav4 XLE was an amazing decision I made. It's a beautiful dark blue color and is black inside. All wheel drive, sunroof, heated seats, and heated steering wheel are just some of the awesome features this car has. It is reliable and extremely safe! It also has lane assist, and a back up camera on the huge screen the car has. I would 100% buy this car again and have recommended friends to buy the same (which one has!).
accountCircle Richard on September 18, 2021
QUALITY ISSUES
2019 Rav4 Limited AWD. Have owned Rav's for decades. Never had issues with any of them. This 40K car has lurching, vibration felt in accelerator, remote car start, door unlock etc., has never worked(4,000 miles), paint is coming off by both roof rails and seam where upper panel meets lower part of door. This car has a VIN showing it was built in Japan. Won't go with Toyota again unless their quality issues improve.
accountCircle Nana D on September 17, 2021
High performance with great features.
The 2019 rav4 is unique. The trim is different from all other Toyota rav4. The technology level is really fancy. It performs very great. It is reliable. Comfortable when using the car. I drive the XLE and it comes with lane assist, blind spot which help prevent accidents, it has different drive modes. Snow, normal, sports, mud. It has sunroof and it is spacious.
accountCircle Mildred M on September 18, 2021
2019 Toyota rav4. Great gas mileage and looks fantastic.
Extremely comfortable and great gas mileage. The blind spot monitor is fantastic, and so it the beep when you go over a line on the road. It has a lot of speed to it without any effort. The only thing missing is that the passenger side does not have a power seat. The radio has a great sound and the navigation system is a-1.
accountCircle Jim C on September 18, 2021
Evaluation of our 2019 Toyota rav4.
No issues so far. Only 4000 miles so not enough time for an evaluation. But the styling is great it looks good. The gas mileage is much better than our 2016 model. It seems to have less interior and cargo area. Expect to have good reliability. Took a 2000 mile trip and was very comfortable, averages over 30 mpg.
accountCircle Ryleigh M on September 17, 2021
Lunar rock grey 2019 rav4 XLE.
It is very comfortable. It will not fit 3 car seats in the back seat. The trunk is too small sometimes. It is not quiet while driving. The CarPlay feature is very nice but there is not XM option on the radio itself. The built in software (not CarPlay) sometimes appears outdated and could be more modern.
accountCircle Alexi B on September 18, 2021
The awesomeness of a 2019 rav4.
I have not had any difficulty with my rav4. The rav4 can be driven in manual setting as well as automatic. The sound system in the car is awesome. I have had it for a year and it is extremely reliable and comfortable. I love it. I am thinking of keeping it so my kids will have it as it a reliable car.
accountCircle Jen T on September 17, 2021
So far so good with my first rav4.
So far I am pleased with my decision to lease a new 2019 rav4. It is stylish and comfortable and has a lot of great features including keyless entry and keyless start, automated trunk, blind spot detection, heated seats, and apple CarPlay. The only thing I do not prefer is the led headlights.
accountCircle Kendra B on September 19, 2021
2019 Toyota rav4 XLE front wheel drive car.
This is a great car, just wish the tow capacity was more! Other than that the car is great, it is good sized, dog friendly and big enough for a road trip. The car is super quite, reliable, and the oil only needs changed every 10,000 miles per recommendation of the Toyota manufacturer.
accountCircle Shawn Fauvelle on September 18, 2021
Serious Transmission/Transfer Case Problem
Have a 2019 RAV4 Trail Edition barely 3 months old, experiencing noise and rough shifting/jerky motion off start. Took it into the dealer Toyota is apparently aware of a problem with the transfer case and currently has no fix. I'd expect way more from a brand new Toyota.
accountCircle Jordon T on September 19, 2021
2019 Toyota rav4 is amazing!
The car is very reliable and has great performance. I think it is comfortable but my husband does not think it has enough room. The only thing I wish it had was ac vents in the back seat. Other than that I love my 2019 Toyota rav4! And would recommend a person to buy it!
accountCircle Julia S on September 19, 2021
2019 Toyota rav4 is a jerky ride.
The car is very jerky when pressing the gas after a complete stop. The car is a good size. Can be loud on highway. Has great gas mileage for the size of car it is. I wish it had ac vents in the back seat area, passengers have said car traps heat back there.
accountCircle Holden T on September 17, 2021
2019 limited rav4 jerk start.
Car runs really well and is very comfortable to drive. The only issue I ever have with the car is the delayed start that happens with a complete stop of the car. It is like a sudden jerk. Other than that all of the features of the car have been excellent.
accountCircle Sarah M on September 17, 2021
2019 Toyota rav4 updated!
Great size, though more difficult to park that earlier model. Attractive to look at. Features and updates are good. Assisted driving and cruise features are nice. Not the greatest acceleration... Lacks get up and go. But seems to handle well on wet roads.
accountCircle Paul on July 15, 2021
Great car but....
Great car but one of the reasons I bought it was to be able to use Apple Car play. From day 1 this is giving problems and the dealer just gave up... This really puts to overall statisfaction a lot down...
accountCircle Mary C on June 26, 2021
The metallic navy blue color with white pinstripes really shines
Our car is comfortable, easy to drive and very good on gasoline. It has a lot of room in the back for large boxes and lots of luggage. The back seat in the car has good legroom and is very comfortable. The engine is very quiet. The car has a great aerodynamic design which is why it gets great gas mileage.
accountCircle Sarah M on June 25, 2021
My Toyota rav4 is amazing! Highly recommend!
I love my vehicle. The only issue I have had I had a leak from my roof rack. But outside of that I have had no other issues. It is super great on gas and has apple carplay and so easy to use. It is comfortable on long car rides and has amazing safety features and a backup camera. Definitely an ideal car for a parent due to the safety features and spacious back seat.
accountCircle Jessica G on June 25, 2021
I really like this car but definitely lots of room for improvement.
I really like my car. However I do not like it does not have heated seats, and my steering wheel squeaks when I turn left or right on cold mornings. It is comfortable rides smooth. I really think they could have made it have better gadgets for the cost if I would have done it all over I would of done more research before I purchased it.
accountCircle Stephen W on June 25, 2021
2019 Toyota rav4 XLE prem—loud but reliable.
I bought this car mostly for its excellent safety features, good gas mileage, and all wheel drive. The only downsides are the cabin noise and the fact that it is quite slow. Furthermore, with Toyota, I know this car will last me a long time. Dependability was extremely important to me. I rate it 4/5 but honestly regret not getting the hybrid.
accountCircle Nicole C on June 24, 2021
I love the light leather interior and features.
The rav4 is very comfortable. It has enough space for my family but is not too big. It rides smooth and is great on gas. It also looks sleek and not like a “regular” Toyota. I had an older rav4 and the new one looks completely different. It looks sleek but you pay a reasonable price.
accountCircle Kara H on June 21, 2021
Toyota rav4: the family car.
My vehicle performs well. And handles very nicely. Smooth riding. Nice sound system factory installed. Verisafe. I feel very comfortable having my two-year-old son in his car seat in the back. Radio system very nice radio. The security system on it is excellent also.
accountCircle Dave L on June 20, 2021
Great road guidance control.
The windows are great but thump loud when open a certain way, super annoying. I have never been stuck in the snow though and the camera system is amazing. I also really like the automatic drive control I cannot tell you how many times it is saved me from hitting the soft shoulder of the road while fiddling with the radio or just a small district action.
accountCircle Samule B on June 17, 2021
Vehicles performance and feature.
The vehicles problem seemed less for me. Performance is a lot. Reliability is much more and I feel comfortable and better features. The performance of the car was the best to look at and it feel good to me. The best feature of my vehicles. The vehicles looks a lot better in reality.Forever it is the best feature of my vehicles.
accountCircle Joanna C on June 15, 2021
Toyota rav4 best comforts.
Love that I can change the mode when driving the car. One of the best features are the lane departure warning with steering assist to warn you that someone is next to you. Love the automatic high beam headlights when driving in the night. Seats are super comfortable.
accountCircle Jay B on June 15, 2021
The vehicle is a red rav4 with standard rims on the le model.
Rav4 is a fun car and that is very maneuverable with a lot of bells and whistles and technology. In addition, it is absolutely wonderful and gas mileage. I truly appreciate having the ability to speak on the phone and communicate through the car itself. Rav4 seems to be a very reliable car.
accountCircle Madison H on June 13, 2021
It has different modes for sand, mud, ice, snow, and rough terrain.
It jerks when you try to take off but overall runs super smooth, it has many bells and whistles that will keep you safe and it is a compact vehicle. Parking is no issue and the mileage is pretty good getting around 26.5 miles per gallon. It handles highways very well and can handle long distances well too.
accountCircle Lisa Y on June 12, 2021
Feels like driving a car and not a huge SUV.
It still kind of feels like I am driving my old corolla. I wish it had a bit more power to it. It is very reliable though! It does not feel like I am driving a huge car which I like since I live in a bigger city. The gas mileage is pretty good for its type of vehicle.
accountCircle Lulu E on June 10, 2021
Problem since day 1
Bought new 2019 rav 4 adventure.Now two years old.Has been in shop three times for transmission shift problems with no resolution.Had to replace my battery less than two years old at my cost,because car went dead after sitting for two days.Toyota told me to drive the car more and i would not have a problem.Steers funny,maybe I should go to driving school at NASCAR.I am on a first name basis with the complaint department.Lucky to live in MA where I can Lemon Law this vehicle
accountCircle natalie C on June 10, 2021
Great reliable car with minimum bells and whistles.
This car is very easy to drive and reliable. It has great basics and is comfortable. Everything fits in it and the gas mileage is amazing. It never has issues in weather and the different gas settings really do work. Everything on the inside is either voice controlled or at your fingertips. Happy now.
accountCircle Josh M on June 5, 2021
Toyota rav4: a car for people who need to drive.
It is an extremely smooth ride. Feels like riding on air, even at top speeds. That is another thing, even though the engine is not large, it has more than enough acceleration power so that you can be making great time and not feel like you are driving over 45 mph. It gets great gas mileage. The seats are very comfortable. The factory sound system couldn't sound any better if I custom installed a new one myself. Over all we have been very pleased with this car! Oh and it looks great too!
accountCircle Melanie B on June 2, 2021
Awesome: Toyota rav4 fun to drive.
None that I can really think of. My Toyota rav4 is great, I love that it is all wheel, different terrain drive depending on circumstances. I believe that auto start should be standard on all Toyota rav4 and you shouldn't have to purchase the yearly plan to have it.
accountCircle Alexander M on June 2, 2021
All the things I love about my rav4.
I have not had any problems with this vehicle, albeit it is fairly new. Performance is excellent. I believe vehicles by Toyota are in general very reliable. I love the comfort of driving a compact SUV compared to my previous Buick car. And I love the features as well. My previous car was a 2006 Buick lacrosse. So in my rav4, I really enjoy the moonroof, heated cloth seats, hatchback, Bluetooth for music and phone calls. I especially enjoy the dynamic radar cruise control feature for long freeway driving.
accountCircle Hgandhi G on May 30, 2021
Toyota rav4 is fuel efficient SUV.
The front windshield glass shattered very easily when a rock hit it. Otherwise I have had no problem with it. It is very comfortable. I love using it. Love the space in the driver's side. Love the apple car play. It gives me 40 mpg on the highway which is very fuel efficient.
accountCircle Marissa L on May 26, 2021
I love the Toyota rav4 XLE!
I really love all of the features of this car, especially the auto-correcting steering and the apple CarPlay capabilities. It really makes for a good driving experience. I have never had any issues with this vehicle and I feel very comfortable taking it for long trips. My whole family uses this vehicle and none of us have had any complaints about it. The drive is smooth and comfortable.
accountCircle Gabby C on May 25, 2021
A great, modern, technologically-advanced car.
It is a really nice car. It is comfortable, modern, and runs smoothly. Sometimes it goes into park when you stop to save energy, and it is a bit had to get it rolling again. I also wish that you could connect your phone to the car without plugging it in. Other than that, it is a great car!
accountCircle Emily M on May 23, 2021
The rav4 XLE has amazing comfort and comes with a sunroof!
The Toyota rav4 has a lot of features that I love. The driver seat has automatic controls. The vehicle features a sunroof. The seats are cloth and the driver and passenger side both have a heated option. Both the passenger and driver can control their temperature on their sides. It rides smooth and is comfortable. The rav4 is an overall great vehicle.
accountCircle Mir J on May 22, 2021
Reliable SUV that runs smooth.
I really like my Toyota rav4. It runs smooth. I feel like I get a decent amount of miles per gallon. It has really cool safety features. I love that it has things my previous car didn't like charging at the front, warm seats, and Bluetooth. I wish that it had a big touch screen. But Toyota has been really reliable. It comes in many colors for outside and inside of car.
accountCircle Kendal K on May 19, 2021
The rav4 is an overall great vehicle for everyone!
There are so far no problems with my rav4. It performs very well and has great gas mileage for an SUV. It has several safety feature like a back up camera and lane assist. I also love the touch screen dashboard where I can plug my phone in and have apple carplay which allows me to have my maps, texts, phone, and music all available. It also has eco, normal, and sport mode to help save gas or if you want the car to be more reactive.
accountCircle Jamal S on May 15, 2021
Efficient family vehicle truck.
The car is really efficient on gas and has enough space for our entire family. The ride is smooth with enough alerts that keep you driving safely on the road. I really appreciate how efficient it is on gas especially when driving locally. I would recommend this vehicle to anyone that has a family.
accountCircle Krystal A on May 4, 2021
Great vehicle, just loud.
This vehicle is very spacious, and has a ton of great safety features. There has been an issue with the transmission that the company knew about and has corrected. But the only thing I do not love about it, is that it is loud. Especially on the highway. If I am in the back with my daughter it is very hard to hear anything someone in the front is saying.
accountCircle Crystal C on May 1, 2021
Gas saver and cost efficient and beautiful decor.
Very spacious car. Very good on gas. Very affordable. Love the color of this car. The car drives very smooth. Car has power lock and power steering. My car is gray. My car has the child safety lock which is great feature for my four-year old. Everyone that ride in my car tell me how much they really love my car.
accountCircle Sea K on April 29, 2021
It is great for young women to drive!
I like the handling of car. It is easy to drive. I have two kids and it is easy to maintain them. I love the feature that I can connect my phone to the screen directly and access them. I can use map on my phone to the screen and also music apps. Overall, I love it. This is my second rav4.
accountCircle Luis on April 26, 2021
Alarcon
I love the car, but it has a couple of issues. First, the gas tank is filling to its full capacity. It only takes around 11 gallons and it gives around 270 miles to empty which is very low for an SUV.
accountCircle Kasidi G on April 25, 2021
Sporty, reliable, and cute! Best vehicle I have owned!
My rav4 is very comfortable and suitable for short and long trips. I feel very safe in it as well. I love my lane assist and when I am on cruise control my car will automatically slow down if the car in front of me is slower than me. It is super reliable and gas mileage is really good as well!
accountCircle Bethany L on April 24, 2021
Great driving experience!
My car gets great gas mileage. I love the look and the technology included. My rav drives smoothly and always get me to where I need to be. I feel confident and safe driving my car at all times. There is tons of room for passengers and three adults fit comfortably in the back seat. There is also plenty of room in the trunk to haul just about anything.
accountCircle Silvia A on April 23, 2021
I can let it know what kind of road I am driving on.
This is my favorite car. It runs really smooth and has different features depending on what road you are driving on for example dirt and rock, snow, rain, it has an eco friendly button for gas and our gas can last for about a week and a half depending on how much we drive. We have taken it on short road trips that are 3-4 hours away and it has not given any issues at all.
accountCircle Brooklyn H on April 21, 2021
The Toyota rav4 brings a sporty look to the SUV industry.
Problems: drives loud inside when on highway. Reliability: very reliable. Comfort: this vehicle is very comfortable with deep seats and spacious leg space. The leather seats are flawless and make cleaning very easy. Features: the heated seats and sunroof are my favorite features. In addition, air/heat can be controlled by each person for the best comfort.
accountCircle Alyson F on April 19, 2021
My amazing Toyota rav4 gets me where I need to be!
My SUV is very reliable and has many amazing features such as apple carplay, leather seats, sunroof. It runs very smoothly and gets amazing gas mileage. It has eco, standard, and sport mode. In all three modes it runs smoothly and so far has had no issues. The only thing I do not really like is it does not display my tire pressure like my old vehicle did but I believe with some models it does.
accountCircle Jennifer W on April 18, 2021
Overall a good car, good value for the price.
It is a good car. Smooth ride, decent power. It could stand to be a little more rugged for off road travel, and I do not like that it does not have air conditioning vents in the backseat, but overall it is a good value for the price. I like that it has an eco and sport mode to adjust the performance output of the engine. Backseat is spacious enough for two large adults to sit comfortably.
accountCircle Callie M on April 18, 2021
My favorite detail is the sound system.
I love this vehicle! It has great interior with comfortable and spacious seating. It also has an amazing sound system. But my favorite part is the updated technological capabilities that it has. It actually updates on its own, which I find to be very useful and convenient. Any Toyota vehicle that I have had has been a great experience and I love the company and the products they make.
accountCircle Kathleen M on April 16, 2021
Love my rav4 — my favorite car.
I have had my Toyota rav4 for 1 year. It came with 2 years of service and I have used that service for a year. The maintenance has been great. No issues with my car at all. The car handles well. I had a highlander before and love that the rav4 is easy to parallel park as I am often parking on a busy street. The car has a smooth ride, agile handling, and gets up to full speed quickly. It is my favorite of all the cars I have owned. And I love the lunar rock color.
accountCircle Jessica L on April 16, 2021
The new rav4 is very sleek and beautiful!
It drives very good! I have no problems with it. The gas mileage is great, it is about 30 miles to the gallon. The seats are cloth material and stain very easy. Other than that the interior is very nice. The screen inside is also very nice and easy to use. There are a lot of different apps you can download and use.
accountCircle Kay H on April 13, 2021
2019 Toyota rav4 1 year review.
The car is very nice. I enjoy all the features that were included with the trim I purchased. It is very good on gas mileage for and SUV. It is the ideal car for road trips as there is plenty of storage space. The only issues I have are very minor. I do wish that you could connect the apple CarPlay without having to plug your phone into the USB port. I would recommend this model to anyone looking for a car with more space but does not want too bulky of a car.
accountCircle Aaron K on April 9, 2021
It is capability of going off-road.
Have really enjoyed owning this vehicle. The vehicle is very capable and all sorts of weather and terrain. The gas mileage is phenomenal and currently average close to 30 miles per gallon. I would highly recommend this vehicle to anybody including families, business use, or just a fun car to drive for anyone.
accountCircle Jennifer M on April 9, 2021
I like the overall look of the vehicle.
I love the comfort of the leather heated seats. I love the features like how many miles to empty gas tank, the outside temp, I like the fact the hands free cell phone use. I've had the vehicle for a year and a half and haven't had any issues. This is my fourth Toyota and have never had any issues my son and husband also have Toyotas.
accountCircle Wellem C on April 8, 2021
Windshield issues
I’ve been a loyal Toyota customer for years. I’ve had Camry ,Corolla before and in 2019 I gifted myself my dream car which was a brand new RAV4. I loved everything about this car but it has become a nightmare! After 4 months of purchasing it, a small rock hit the windshield and cracked it! I had it replaced and I thought it was just bad luck! But last month it happened again and I replaced it for the second time! Driving today, 10 DAYS after replacing my second windshield, the same thing happened! My windshield is broken and it will be replace for the third time within two years of owning this car. And all you customer service can say to me is that I’m out of luck! I’ve done some research online and a lot of people are having the same issue with this car. It won’t surprise me if they have a recall in a near future.
accountCircle Patricia S on April 6, 2021
Love the new rav4! Reliable and stylish.
I have not had any problems with my rav4. The new design of the rav4’s are more stylish and sporty. I love having apple play and the lane assist. No issues with reliability and the rav4 makes the bumpiest roads very smooth. I have taken it on many adventures and plan on taking it on many more. The back seats have plenty of legroom and the trunk is very spacious. The only thing I wish I did more research on was the towing capacity. My XLE can only tow 1500. I wish I either had spent a little more money on the adventure model or a 4runner.
accountCircle Howard D on April 3, 2021
The vehicle performs well on all road conditions.
Vehicle is very reliable, fuel efficient with smooth driving experience. The rav4 is eco friendly and provides a lot of space for people who have families and like to make road trips. The car comes with the apple play feature so no navigation is required. You can just plug in your phone and get turn by turn navigation.
accountCircle Corey C on April 1, 2021
The Toyota rav4 is an amazing car that I would recommend to anyone!
No problems, great performance has had no major issues. Has been completely reliable. We take our 3 dogs on trips across the country with no issue and we love how we do not have to refuel the car very often. It is great for camping as well, we can just go to the campground open up the back and camp right there. The dogs love the amount of room they have while we drive, no one ever feels cramped.
accountCircle Yolanda H on March 31, 2021
Such an awesome family car!
I love my Toyota rav4!! All of the safety features such as the back camera, side camera, as well as the extra sensors really help me feel safer on the road. As a grandmother, the safety and comfort of my kiddos is my number one priority!! While shopping for a car I test drove many cars similar to this one but this one was the one!! It is very spacious and roomy on the inside and I love the truck space, it holds way more than any other car I have own. I also love the feature of having the button to help assist with closing the trunk when your hands are full. This is the perfect car for a smaller family!
accountCircle Alexa A on March 30, 2021
The best car for a new mom.
I have had no problems from my rav4. The assisted driving and lane control settings could be tweaked a little bit. They're a bit too sensitive for me. The car is well made and is not cheap or appear to be cheap. I love my interior the most. It is a sleek and cool looking mom car for sure.
accountCircle Jack K on March 30, 2021
Amazing safety features which is great for new drivers.
The Toyota rav-4 is great and extremely safe. It is a good car for new drivers. The apple CarPlay is very helpful when driving long distances. The car runs amazing and can go very fast. The car is extremely gas efficient. My specific model looks like it is a high end SUV and is very worth it for its price.
accountCircle Yohannis S on March 29, 2021
Amazing vehicle with great qualities.
This is the best vehicle I have ever driven. I do not have problems with anything. The comfort level of his vehicle is 10 out of 10. I am able to adjust seats as I like and it is super specious. The interior is very nice and luxurious. This vehicle is better than the ones I have had in the past.
accountCircle Nina M on March 28, 2021
It is a good choice for new drivers who like svu.
I share the car with my sister but I am a new driver and do not know much about cars. I will say that it is comfortable to drive and I have had few problems so far. Also, there’s Bluetooth in the car and leather interior. Personally I like driving sedans and I think svus feel heavy. The braking system is good and smooth.
avatar Gilbert Smith
Gilbert Smith is a New Mexico-based automotive journalist who enjoys writing about cars, trucks, and SUVs. He is a longtime contributor to Vehicle History and a member of the site's original content team when it launched.
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