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2019 Toyota RAV4 Will Take You to the Great Outdoors

In the first episode of our “He Said, She Said” video series, we get behind the wheel of the all-new 2019 Toyota RAV4 and give our personal take on this new, dominating force of a vehicle. We hit the road in the XLE model, and later, took the Adventure trim to the great outdoors, offering an in-depth look at all things RAV4. Style, performance, mechanics … we’ve got it covered for you.

Toyota certainly knows when it’s doing something right, which explains why the RAV4 is the best-selling crossover in America. Just when you think it can’t get any better … well, it does. The all-new 2019 Toyota RAV4 has arrived and it is ready for the road or off the road if that’s your preference.

Our Blueprint blue RAV4 XLE in FWD configuration.

Our Blueprint blue RAV4 XLE allowed us to make a very tight 180-degree turn on a narrow trail exiting Durant Nature Preserve.

Before we dive further into the 2019 model, let’s go down memory lane for a bit. We’ll begin with the name. Does RAV4 mean anything? Yes, it actually does have a meaning. Recreational Active Vehicle with 4-wheel drive and it made its U.S. debut in 1996 as a two-door and 4-door, powered by a 120-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder gas engine. As the years passed, The RAV4 grew in size, offered a third-row seat option and even a V6. came. Today, 23 years after its U.S. launch, this five-passenger compact SUV proves just why it has remained a dependable and fully capable Crossover Utility Vehicle.

Toyota calls this hyper-blue paint color "Blue Flame." We love it.

Toyota calls this hyper-blue color “Blue Flame.” We love it. We also love the family resemblance to Toyota’s venerable 4Runner.

Pages in the RAV4’s history book are being filled up at this very moment because this all-new model brings a whole new look with new design elements that somewhat mimic the RAV4’s big brother, the 4Runner. For the new fifth-generation RAV4, five model trims are available, including the LE, XLE, XLE Premium, Adventure, and Limited. Hybrid models will also be available coming soon in spring 2019. The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrids will be available in LE, XLE and Limited models.

Mud, snow, sand, rock? No problem, with the selectable terrain control in the Toyota RAV4 Adventure trim.

The Adventure model is our favorite of the bunch and definitely lives up to its name with an exterior that was built for the off-road experience. Features include Adventure roof rails, larger over-fenders, a unique, aggressive grille, 19-inch five-spoke alloy wheels and orange accents throughout the interior. The Adventure model adds Hill Descent Control All-Wheel Drive, allowing you to gear down when descending a hill. The Multi-Terrain Select, new to the RAV4, gives you the option to select maximum traction in snow, mud, sand, rocks or dirt, and backs it all up with standard Hill Ascent Control with torque vectoring. This really is the most capable Toyota RAV4 ever.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 becomes the first Toyota nameplate to get Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD with Driveshaft Disconnect. It is standard on the Limited and Adventure AWD trim levels – sending up to 50 percent of power to the rear wheels when needed, as well as to the individual wheel that needs it most. Driveshaft Disconnect stops power from going to the rear when not needed, automatically making the vehicle a more fuel-efficient front-driver. Lower trim levels get an AWD system without torque vectoring, and the hybrids have the updated AWD-i system.

The orange interior accents and AWD controls in the center console tell you that Adventure is waiting at the nearest trailhead.

It doesn’t take long after holding onto the RAV4’s nice, beefy steering wheel to feel the power and better handling in the 2019 edition. The new generation 2.5 liter, 4-cylinder Toyota engine delivers 203 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque. Also new to the 2019 Toyota RAV4 is an eight-speed transmission which replaces the six-speed automatic in the last generation model. You can expect smoother shifts and improved fuel economy that’s estimated by Toyota at 26 city/35 highway /30 mpg combined average.

Rock mode and hill start assist control, (HAC) proved quite useful on our backwoods trail.

We could go on and on about the all-new RAV4, but what better way to get to know everything it has to offer than to take it out on the road yourself? Get behind the wheel and see what it’s like to drive. Take a seat and feel how comfortable it is and how much space is available for all passengers – front and rear. Bring your mobile devices too, there are five USB ports to plug ’em into. Go ahead, the new 2019 Toyota RAV4 is ready to roll at Leith Toyota in Raleigh.

Written by Leith Media for LeithCars.com