2019 (19) Toyota RAV4 2.5 VVT-i Hybrid Excel 5dr CVT

Toyota's RAV4 tries to reinvent itself in sixth generation form. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Review

The sixth generation RAV4 has been reinvented by Toyota for a new era - but not beyond recognition. There are sharper looks, more efficient Hybrid drivetrains and a much more sophisticated cabin. Which mean that the RAV4 is once again a mid-sized SUV to be reckoned with.

Background

New model launches don't come much more significant than when they concern the third best-selling car in the world. That's what Toyota's RAV4 is globally, a model line success story for this Japanese maker that stretches right back over three decades, since when RAV4s have found over 15 million customers worldwide. The first generation model of 1994 redefined what a compact SUV ought to be, pioneering a car-like monocoque body instead of the clunky ladder-framed platform construction then common in the segment. The second generation design of 2000 and MK3 of 2005 moved the RAV4 into the mid-sized SUV sector, while the MK4 version of 2013 introduced Hybrid power to that segment. Petrol / electric drivetrains were standardised by the MK5 version of 2019, which also gained a PHEV variant. Which brings us to this sixth generation design, announced in mid-2025. It gets a sharper look, a much more advanced cabin and a stronger PHEV drivetrain. And it's new Arene software development platform allows it to be what Toyota calls 'a software-defined vehicle', which allows safety and tech systems to be more easily updated over the ownership period. Sounds promising.

Engines and Tech Spec

Toyota has engineered this MK6 model like its predecessor, to run with both Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid drivetrains. Those are necessarily weighty, which obviously has an effect. Not since the original MK1 RAV4 of 1994 have we had a version of this car that's genuinely interesting to drive. And it would have been unrealistic to expect Toyota to replicate that little original three-door model's infectious joie de vivre in a car that these days is a much larger and heavier thing aimed at an older demographic. But, given that the previous MK5 model had all the driving involvement of a domestic appliance, there was certainly a need for a little R&D development here to match now-sharper looks. Those few RAV4 customers who care about such things will be directed to the top 'GR Sport' version, which gets high performance dampers, retuned springs, strengthened rear bracing, revised power steering and 20mm- more wheel track width. Now to those drivetrains. For the most affordable versions of this MK6 model, Toyota has engineered two self-charging Hybrids. There is a front-driven version with 181bhp and a 4WD variant with 188bhp. In both cases, the engine used is basically the same 2.5-litre four cylinder unit as before, but with a revised electrical system. Also as before, that powerplant forms the basis for the PHEV version which can now, for the first time, he had in more affordable front-driven form (with 264bhp) - or in 300bhp 4WD guise. Both variants now use a larger 22.7kWh battery (up from 18.1kWh) boosting EV range to 62 miles (up from 46 miles). Toyota says drive dynamics on all models will be enhanced by the way that the battery pack is mounted under the floor of the cabin (like an EV), rather than being slung out over the rear axle. This benefits weight distribution, centre of gravity and structural rigidity.

Design and Build

Not since the first generation model of 1994 have we had a truly distinctive-looking RAV4, but this sixth generation design might be it. Everywhere you look, there are sharper, more angular, more aggressive lines and the new 'hammerhead-style' front and rear lights bring the styling into line with the design language seen on recently introduced models like the Prius and the C-HR+. Particularly unusual is the undulating swage line that flows down from high in the D-pillar to the bottom of the front wheel arch. This MK6 RAV4 measures in at 4,617mm long, 1,879mm wide and 1,686mm tall and is larger in every direction than its predecessor. Finishing touches include chunky squared-off wheel arches, a contrast-coloured roof and a black 'RAV4'-branded trim strip between the rear lights. Where change was really needed though, was inside and, sure enough, the cabin's been completely redesigned. It's still quite different from anything you'd find elsewhere and you wouldn't mistake the interior for that of a premium brand model - but Toyota has the Lexus LX to deliver that in this segment. Instead, the design focuses on user-friendliness and technology, aided by the adoption of the brand's new Arene operating system, which has bought with it a 12.9-inch central touchscreen more advanced than anything we've previously seen in a Toyota. Everything about that media set-up is better - the menus, the navigation and the over-the-air updates, all as part of what the brand calls an 'in-car digital environment'. And the voice control is far cleverer, able for instance not only to program navigation instructions but also to open the windows and change whatever media source you're listening to. The voice system can additionally be used for adjusting cabin temperature, though there are also physical buttons under the centre screen for doing that. Instrumentation is provided by a separate 12.3-inch combimeter. As before, the RAV4 remains a five-seater with decent rear seat space. But Toyota claims that there is 17-litres of extra boot capacity this time round, which in the PHEV version equates to around 537-litres of total luggage room.

Market and Model

Expect prices to start from around £40,000 for the Hybrid and from just over £45,000 for the front-driven Plug-in Hybrid. A better-specified AWD Plug-in Hybrid variant is likely to be close to £50,000. The least you get plenty of equipment for that. All models get Toyota's latest media system with its 12.9-inch central touchscreen, which incorporates functions like navigation, media, climate and vehicle control commands, along with 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' wireless connectivity and a more intelligent voice assistant. Most models now get an improved panoramic view monitor to help with manual parking - which offers a big improvement on the rather pixelated old camera's resolution. As you'd expect from Toyota, there's a wide range of 'Safety Sense' features, including some fresh ones for this MK6 model, including front cross traffic alert, blind spot monitoring and a rear vehicle approach indicator. The car also now has a more advanced lane change assist function, which works in conjunction with the blind spot monitoring system. And the pre-collision autonomous braking set-up has also been upgraded, with further scope for collision detection and enhanced recognition, along with braking assistance. Toyota says that all the 'Safety Sense' systems now operate more quickly and will be gradually enhanced as you own the car with the Arene software development platform's over-the-air software. At the top of the range, the 'GR Sport' trim level gets you the engineering enhancements we detailed in our 'Driving' section, along with lightweight 20-inch black alloy wheels that are exclusive to this model, as is the eye-catching front grille with its hexagon mesh design (which is supposed to create a deep 3D effect).

Cost of Ownership

As we told you in our 'Driving' section, the changes made to this MK6 RAV4's self-charging Hybrid drivetrain are very much of the detail kind, so don't expect much change in the previous model's efficiency stats - which, for reference, were around 50mpg on the combined cycle and around 130g/km of CO2. But as we also told you in our 'Driving' section, the differences made to the PHEV powerplant are very much of the more fundamental kind - primarily the installation of a 30%-larger 22.6kWh drive battery allowing for up to 62 miles of electric-only range. That's not the only efficiency-orientated difference with this revitalised RAV4 PHEV. To ensure that the quoted EV range figure (or close to it) is achievable all the year-round, there's improved cooling compared to the previous generation model, along with a revised thermal management system to keep the powertrain at an ideal operating temperature for better efficiency and charging performance. The Plug-in Hybrid system can now accommodate a 50kW charge, meaning that it can restore 10-80% of its energy in around half an hour. In addition, there is a new 11kW AC charger which is twice as quick as the previous version, allowing for a 10-80% battery top-up in about three hours. As usual with Toyotas these days, if you keep the car serviced at a franchised dealer, the warranty can be extended up to a maximum of 10 years.

Summary

Though opinion may be divided as to whether the original RAV4 invented the soft roading SUV segment, no one doubts that, more than any other, this model was the first to define it. In our market, the RAV4 these days no longer epitomises this kind of car, but in this sixth generation form, it does now usefully develop the genre that Toyota says it created. No other brand has so much of an overwhelming emphasis on Hybrid power, which arguably makes this Japanese maker more in tune with the current environmental zeitgeist than its rivals. That gives this MK6 RAV4 a key attribute it'll need in such a crowded segment. But, as later versions of the previous generation model showed, Hybrid technology isn't enough on its own to attract the conquest customers the brand needs. So the additional changes made here are important - the extra space, the higher quality cabin, the better safety provision and, probably most significant of all, the more arresting looks. All these things are important reasons why we might recommend this car to you. But will they be enough to restore Toyota to prominence in this crucial segment? It'll be interesting to see.