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Toyota RAV4 2019 review

SUV Hybrid

Toyota RAV4 2019 — front three-quarter view

Overview

The fifth-generation (XA50) Toyota RAV4 made its European debut at the 2018 Paris motor show and reached British dealers in spring 2019 — front-drive cars in April, AWD-i models in May — built on Toyota's TNGA GA-K platform. It was a landmark change for the UK range: after 25 years of petrol and diesel RAV4s, Britain now got a hybrid-only line-up — the 2.5-litre self-charging hybrid with 215bhp (FWD) or 219bhp (AWD-i), driving through a planetary e-CVT with no plugs and no home charging. The plug-in version would not arrive until 2021.

UK trims ran Icon, Design, Excel and Dynamic, priced £29,635–£36,640 when new, with AWD-i (an extra rear-axle electric motor instead of a propshaft) optional on the top three. Every car got Toyota Safety Sense 2 — adaptive cruise, pre-collision with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane departure alert — at a time when rivals still charged extra for such kit. The FWD car officially returned up to 50.4mpg with 102-103g/km of launch CO2, and the 580-litre boot sat on a 30mm-longer wheelbase than the Mk4's, with a reclining rear backrest.

Owners report outstanding reliability, 40-50mpg in real-world mixed driving and strong residuals. Toyota's own launch review driving managed 41.5mpg without trying, and early 19-plate Icon cars held around £22.5k retail — depreciation has been kind.

The used-buyer watch-list is specific: seven recalls (eCall, brake-booster pump, suspension arms), coolant bypass-valve failures, and — most expensively — corrosion of the high-voltage cable to the rear motor on AWD-i models, which some dealers quote over £10,000 to fix with patchy warranty cover. US complaints about an 8-speed automatic and hybrid fuel-tank fill do not apply to UK cars. The Touch 2 infotainment also lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in 2019.

UK price from: £29,635

Specifications

Engine	2.5L petrol hybrid (2,487cc)
Power	215 bhp (system)
Torque	221 Nm
0-60 mph	8.1 seconds (FWD)
Top speed	111 mph
Transmission	e-CVT automatic (power-split)
Drive	Front-wheel drive
Fuel economy	48.7-50.4 mpg combined (WLTP)
CO2 emissions	130-132 g/km (WLTP); 102-103 g/km launch NEDC-correlated
Boot space	580 litres
Kerb weight	1,590 kg
Euro NCAP	5 stars (tested 2019)
Insurance group	25
Warranty	5 years / 100,000 miles

Features

2.5-litre self-charging hybrid (215bhp FWD / 219bhp AWD-i), e-CVT automatic
Toyota Safety Sense 2 standard: adaptive cruise, pre-collision with pedestrian/cyclist detection, lane departure alert
AWD-i with additional rear-axle electric motor — no propshaft (Design/Excel/Dynamic)
8-inch Toyota Touch 2 infotainment with 7-inch digital instrument display
Powered tailgate, keyless entry and front parking sensors (Design and above)
Full leather, heated seats and steering wheel, blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (Excel and above)
580-litre boot with reclining rear backrest; 1,690 litres max load; 800kg braked towing

Common parts & prices

Part	Price (GBP)	Notes
Front brake pads (set)	£34.99	Pattern part; OEM specification
Rear brake pads (set)	£29.99	Electronic parking brake — needs EPB service mode
Oil filter	£10.99
Engine air filter	£15.99
Cabin pollen filter	£13.99
Front wiper blades (pair)	£29.99

Prices are typical UK aftermarket/OEM guide prices and may vary by supplier.

Pros

Outstanding reliability reputation; 5-star Euro NCAP with full safety kit standard on every trim
Genuine 48-50mpg real-world economy with around a 600-mile tank range from a 2.5L SUV
Hybrid-only UK line-up: no DPF worries, ULEZ-compliant, low 2019 first-year VED
580-litre boot and roomier rear seat than the Mk4 — a proper family SUV, not a crossover pretender
Strong UK residuals: early 19-plate cars held value remarkably well

Cons

e-CVT drone under hard acceleration — engine holds high revs on motorway slip roads
Touch 2 infotainment is dated and laggy; no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto on 2019 UK cars
AWD-i rear high-voltage cable corrosion can be a £10k+ repair with inconsistent dealer warranty cover
Hard interior plastics in Icon/Design; Dynamic's ~£37k OTR felt expensive against a discounted Tiguan

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 RAV4 ULEZ compliant?

Yes — all 2019 UK RAV4s are Euro 6 petrol hybrids, so they are exempt from London ULEZ and UK clean-air-zone charges.

Do I need to charge the 2019 RAV4?

No — it is a self-charging full hybrid; the battery recharges from braking and the engine. The plug-in RAV4 did not reach the UK until 2021.

What is the real-world fuel economy?

High-40s in mixed use and low-50s around town in a FWD car (48.7-50.4mpg WLTP); AWD-i runs a couple of mpg less. Motorway-heavy use drops into the low-40s.

What should I check on a used 2019 RAV4?

Verify all recalls are done (brake-booster pump, suspension arms, eCall) via a Toyota dealer and the VIN; on AWD-i cars ask about the rear high-voltage cable condition; check coolant level, headliner water staining from roof-rail leaks, and Touch 2 screen response.

Which trim should I buy?

Design FWD is the sweet spot — powered tailgate, 18-inch alloys and keyless entry for £31,190 new. Excel adds leather and blind-spot monitoring; Dynamic is for the sporty bi-tone look.