2019 Toyota RAV4: Is the new model better?

It is no secret that the customer interest in the automobile industry is shifting towards the SUV and crossover segments for quite some time now. To catch up with the drifting interest and meet the expectations,

different manufacturers from around the world are not only coming up with new offerings but are also upgrading their SUVs which have already tasted success. And Toyota, the Japanese auto giant, has done just that.

While the automobile manufacturer is not only coming up with newer vehicles like the Rush but is also upgrading the already proven ones like the RAV4. Ruling the roads across the world since 1994, RAV4, while had done great for the years it lived, it was certainly due for an overhaul to keep up with the evolving market. And in the quest, Toyota unveiled the 2019 RAV4. But does the new SUV has what it needs to step into the shoes of the outgoing model which have already been a proven SUV? Let’s find out.

The design

Curves might have been a thing of beauty in the past. In today’s world, however, the conquerors are the chiselled ones. While the outgoing RAV4 had the looks to allure customers in its days and gave a tough fight to the competitors like the Chevrolet Trax and Nissan Juke, the 2019 RAV4 is bigger and better.

The new model is not only much more muscular, but the sharp edges which replace the gentle curves do their job really well too. Up front, the 2019 RAV4 features an inverted trapezoidal grille with a sleek horizontal line right above it. Equipped with LED DRLs and an auto levelling system is a pair of triangular parabola headlamps.

If you thought the outgoing RAV4 was sporty enough, the 2019 RAV4 is a menace to look at. Enhancing the aggression further is the raised body cladding on the SUV. When looked from the sides, the sharp creases provide the car with a modern and trendy appeal. Talking about the rear end of the SUV,

a larger than before bumper and slimmer wrap-around style LED taillamps are nothing short of a treat. And in case you like numbers, while the older RAV4 measured 4605 mm in length, 1845 mm in width, and 1685 mm in height, the newest iteration stands 4600 mm long, 1855 mm wide, and 1685 mm tall. The ground clearance is also more than enough at 176 mm.

The inside

Just like the outside, the inside has also gone under the hammer quite a bit. We are not saying that the interior of the last-generation Toyota RAV4 was bad, but who denies another piece of cake? Stuff like three-spoke multi-functional steering wheel, leather-wrapped comforting adjustable seats, and stylish instrumental binnacle was seen on the outgoing RAV4. And yes, the room inside was sufficient, and there was also a touchscreen audio system.

However, the newer RAV4 gets a large, colored LCD MID and the touchscreen infotainment system is now of floating-type. The dashboard features an angular theme and the cuts & creases around the AC vents and below the infotainment system compliment the overall look and feel of the cabin.

Bluetooth, cruise controls, push-button start with keyless entry, dual zone climate control, panoramic moonroof, steering mounted audio controls, wireless smartphone charger, 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat, and leather upholstery are all present inside the SUV. We already like the new RAV4 over the previous one, what about you?

Under the hood

Power had never been an issue with the Toyota RAV4, has it? However, the rattling noise and low fuel economy did not please all. But Toyota has claimed that not only the 2019 RAV4 packs a bigger punch under the hood but also provides with better fuel efficiency than the outgoing SUV.

Talking about the powertrain on the last-generation RAV4, the SUV was powered by a 2.5-litre Dual VVT-i four-pot engine which produced 180 PS of maximum power and a peak torque of 233 Nm. A six-speed automatic transmission took care of delivering the power to either the front or all four wheels depending on the variant.

On the 2019 RAV4 specs sheet though, we see a 2.5-litre DOHC four-cylinder 16-valve gasoline-fed mill tuned to pump out a maximum power 205 PS and 243 Nm of peak torque. Along with the better performance figures, the top speed of the SUV is also up to 190 kmph. We hope that the claims made by Toyota are worth believing and the newer RAV4 deliver an improved performance without compromising on the fuel efficiency.

Should you get the new one?

Why not? With pretty much every aspect of the 2019 RAV4 better than the last version, there should be no reason not to bring the newest iteration of the Toyota RAV4 home. Dynamic looks, better and feature-laden interior, a much powerful engine,

and ample safety features are just what make it the SUV to go for. The 2019 Toyota RAV4 price range of Php 1.64 to Php 2.19 million also makes sure that the SUV is pretty in your parking lot than heavy on your pocket.

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