Details Emerge on the 2019 Toyota RAV4

Since its triumphant debut earlier in 2018, Toyota has gone radio silent on the details surrounding the 2019 RAV4. Finally, after a long wait, more information on the redesigned 2019 Toyota RAV4 is here.

Let’s first dive into the powertrain department, as there is curiosity whether the RAV4’s bite will be as mean as its bark. The answer is sort of. The standard engine will remain a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, but like the all-new Corolla sedan, this is a new Dynamic Force engine, so the power is up a little.

In the standard RAV4 models, this 2.5-liter four-pot will inject 203 horsepower, which is a 27-horsepower boost. The RAV4 Hybrid will use the same 2.5-liter engine and the Toyota Hybrid System II to push power to 219 ponies — a 25-horsepower gain. A nice change of pace will be the standard gasoline-only models will switch from a six-speed automatic transmission to an eight-speed unit. The RAV4 Hybrid will continue with a CVT.

Fuel economy also will get a massive boost in the 2019 Toyota RAV4. In its gasoline-only format, the 2019 RAV4 has a manufacturer-estimated fuel economy rating of up to 26 mpg city, 34 highway, and 29 combined, which is a boost of 3 mpg city, 4 mpg highway, and 3 mpg combined over the highest-rated 2018 RAV4 model. The Hybrid model has manufacturer-estimated ratings of 41 mpg city, 37 highway, and 39 combined, which is a boost of 7 mpg across the board.

Front-wheel drive will be standard on the 2019 Toyota RAV4, but it will also have two available all-wheel-drive systems. On gasoline-only models, Toyota will add a new Dynamic Torque Vectoring All-Wheel Drive with rear-driveline disconnect to save fuel. This system can transmit up to 50 percent of the engine’s power to the rear wheels and shift the power left or right. The standard Multi-Terrain system will allow the driver to switch modes to handle mud, sand, rocks, dirt and snow.

Like the 2018 RAV4 Hybrid, the 2019 RAV4 Hybrid’s all-wheel-drive system will use an electric motor to power to run the rear axle. This year, though, it will boast a 30 percent increase in torque.

While this all amounts to a decent crossover with a respectable 8.2-second 0-to-60 time, the real performer is the Hybrid XSE trim, which drops the sprint time to 7.8 seconds and includes a sport-tuned suspension for enhanced handling. It also includes 18-inch black wheels, piano-black exterior accents, and much more.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 will range from $25,500 in its base LE trim to $34,900 for the Limited all-wheel-drive model. The RAV4 Hybrid will range from $27,700 for the LE to $35,700 for the Limited trim. The 2019 RAV4 will hit showrooms in December 2018, and the RAV4 Hybrid will arrive in March 2019.