Why settle for just one 2019 Toyota RAV4 review when we have collected all of the UK motoring publications reviews into one handy place? After being invited to test-drive our new Toyota RAV4 in Barcelona, the national motoring press has had its say. Scroll below to see who said what about our latest car.
Toyota RAV4: Autocar
“That hybrid powertrain is usefully potent and more than capable of dispatching overtakes with little bother… Around town, it makes for smooth progress, particularly when running on electricity alone.”
Click here to read the full Autocar review
Toyota RAV4: Auto Express
“There’s much to like about the new Toyota RAV4 – an excellent chassis, decent practicality, impressive efficiency and strong BiK figures… As comfortable family transport, it should find plenty of customers, particularly among those choosing their next company car.
“We also tried a four-wheel drive edition on some pretty badly rutted and muddy terrain. It acquitted itself well – enough to persuade us that this RAV4 has more than enough ability off-road… There’s no discernible pay-off in on-road performance either.”
Click here to read the full Auto Express review
Toyota RAV4: CAR
“Producing a medium-sized SUV that’s somehow new and different from the rest may seem like an impossible task in today’s market, but Toyota has had a damn good go.
“There’s plenty to like about the RAV4, from its economical low CO2 hybrid powertrain to the impressive practicality, standard-fit safety kit and near-faultless reliability record.”
Click here to read the full CAR review
Toyota RAV4: Motoring Research
“The steering has a meaty directness and the car turns in keenly, gripping hard and cornering with composure, particularly if you chose the 4WD version. Double wishbone rear suspension, a lower centre of gravity and a 57% stiffer chassis all help here. Crucially, such relative dynamism doesn’t come at the expense of ride quality. Supple, measured damping smoothes out all but the largest potholes and ruts.
“The new, fifth-generation RAV4 is faster, roomier, quieter, more efficient and better-equipped than the car it replaces… Its triple-whammy of bold styling, a satisfying drive and hybrid tech makes a compelling argument for choosing [one].”
Click here to read the full Motoring Research review
Toyota RAV4: MSN
“This new RAV4… [has] been the recipient of a serious rebirth, aimed at making it a true alternative to the most popular petrol and diesel SUVs in driving dynamics, interior ambience and cost of ownership.
“We tested the all-wheel-drive RAV4 on a short off-road course, more challenging than anything most owners will put it through. It should be able to cope perfectly well with the occasional muddy lane or steep driveway. As for road handling… it’s up there with some of the best competitors. The RAV4 handles directly, without too much body roll. Decent grip levels and a late-acting ESP system actually make it quite fun in the corners.”
Click here to read the full MSN review
Toyota RAV4: Top Gear
“Its design is all about facets and creased octagons… No one’s going to be scared by it, yet you’ll find interest and distinctiveness if you look.
“Actually it’s more of an SUV than a crossover… The black lower-body cladding and wheel arches are all part of SUV semiotics. A ‘Trail Mode’ button in the centre console activates a brake differential and different ESP strategy. It might just get you out of a slightly more challenging off-road hole than before.
“As a family wagon, it is… appealing. It’s roomy, comfortable and nice to be in. And as a financial and fuel-saving choice, it really does take some beating.”
Click here to read the full Top Gear review
2019 Toyota RAV4 review: What Car?
“The RAV4’s trump card is the potential for exceedingly low running costs. Company car users will find the benefit-in-kind rates very enticing, with CO2 emissions as low as 102g/km – far better than anything in the class.
“Private buyers are looked after, too, with what are predicted to be gold standard resale values. And while overall fuel economy is unlikely to match the best diesels, we managed a respectable touring figure of around 48mpg; and if you live in the city, that’s where hybrids are notoriously frugal. More than ever, that’s why the new Toyota RAV4 shouldn’t be overlooked.”
Click here to read the full What Car? review
All information is correct at the time of publishing.
What size tyres are fitted to the RAV4 Design Hybrid AWD with 18″ alloys please?
Hi Tony,
Thanks for getting in touch. The tyre size for the 18″ alloys is 225/60R18.
Thanks.
Hi, I ordered an Excel model through my local dealer 3 weeks ago but have yet to get a delivery date. My dealer isn’t able to get more information. Do you have any insight on timelines? Thanks
Hi there,
Thanks for getting in touch, it’s great to hear that you’ve ordered the new RAV4. Customer deliveries are due to start from April. However, for a specific timeline, we can only advise for you to liaise with your centre again at a later date.
Thanks.
There is still no full brochure for the rav4 not even one to download. Why is this? Surely with specific versions of the car being in production the factory know what goes into what so it should be easily possible to publish a proper brochure.
Hi Alan,
Thanks for getting in touch. We have spoken with the team and this will be available from the beginning of April – there will be a downloadable pdf that will contain specification, equipment, prices etc.
Thanks.
Just got the full brochure from my dealer and the interactive version is available online (https://live.editiondigital.com/e/192vvbtgm/rav4-interactive-ebrochure) but could you let your web admins know the download link from the interactive version takes you to the brochure for the previous model.
Any news on an update to the live brochure download so it doesn’t link to the old model? I like to keep PDF versions of brochures for my cars.
Hi Paul,
Thanks for getting in touch. This is something that the relevant team are currently working on and will be fixed as soon as possible.
Thanks.
Could you tell me the bik ratings on the RAV4 2019 please
Hi Kevin,
Thanks for getting in touch. The rating is 21% or 22% depending on specification. Which grade are you interested in?
the new Excel – Pan roof AWD
The rating for this vehicle is 21%, Kevin. We hope this helps.
Thanks.
Hi, one of the options on the website is ‘long life body protector’; my local dealer had not heard of it and it was not an option when ordering a car. Is this a factory version of the Super Guard / Guardex that they try to sell as a dealer option.
Hi Martin,
Thanks for getting in touch. The long life body protector aims to add a further layer of protection to the paint and provide a barrier to the effects of sunlight etc. This is not a factory option, rather a dealer application. Could you please let us know your local dealership and we can look into this further for you.
Thanks.
Thanks, it was Inchcape in Sandhurst; I was offered Guardex at £625 but they were unaware of the body protector
I currently have the 2.2 diesel invincible Rav 4, thinking of moving to the excel and. What is the towing comparison please.
Hi Bob,
If you could please provide a registration or VIN number for your current RAV4, we will be able to assist you further with a comparison of the towing capacity.
Thanks.
Hi,
On Dynamic model can I have a heated steering wheel and windscreen wipers?
Good morning,
Thanks for getting in touch. The Dynamic grade doesn’t have these features, however does have auto folding heated mirrors and front heated seats. The Excel grade features a heated steering wheel and windscreen wiper de-icer.
We hope this helps.
Hi again,
Quick one on Dynamics Rav4 can I have heated steering wheel and heated windscreen wipers?
Hello Sergejs,
The Dynamic grade does not feature a heated steering wheel or heated windscreen wipers.
Thanks.
Can you please advise which of the two tow bar options are better suited to a tow hook mounted cycle carrier. Horizontal or vertical? I still need the ability to tow a 500kg trailer.
Hi Keith,
Thanks for getting in touch.
As we do not offer a Toyota genuine tow hook mounted cycle carrier, unfortunately we cannot advise on compatibility. However, we can inform you of the tow bar manufacturer to help you make an informed choice:
Tow bar manufacturer: Brink
Tow bar: Detachable Horizontal
RAV4 model: 2018/11 FMC
Thanks, we hope this helps.
Many thanks for that. I will get in touch with Brink for more information.
Hi Just a quick question re my RAV4 Hybrid AWD – if I move the gear lever back to Drive, it can also move to the right where there’s a S + and – sign.
What’s this for please, as I can’t see anything about it in the manual?
Thanks
Hi there,
Thanks for getting in touch. The ‘S’ on the leaver stands for sequential. When the shift lever is moved to the sequential shift position, engine braking force is increased and, because engine rpm is kept higher than when the transmission is in the standard D lever
position, throttle response is sharper.
We hope this helps.