2019 Rav4 Hybrid review with periodic updates

our son just picked up an xle. lunar rock w/ charcoal interior. very happy so far.

 

We got it at Larry Miller/Liberty Toyota in CO Spgs. All we've done is drive it home where it's sat in the garage. I clay barred it and gave it two coats of wax in preparation for the clear bra. The clear bra was half done Tuesday but it's been too cold to finish the job until today. The clear bra installer is a guy I've used for many years and many cars. His company is "Ace Clear Bra" and he installs it in your garage. We found him on the 3M site years ago. 3M listed him as the certified clear bra trainer for CO, NM and UT. He does a great job at a very reasonable price. As our RAV4 is (as yet) unused, we haven't noticed any clock, tire pressure or seat heater issues. We're scheduled to have the dealer install BSMs, mud flaps and door sill protectors, along with all weather mats, next week. Then my wife will feel safe to drive it. I'll post impressions as soon as we have some.

 

drove my sons today, nice vehicle. very hycam like. lane keep assist on back roads was 'entertaining'.

 

Wow. 42 mpg is outrageous.


I love the digital display for the speed.

 

I am definitely in the RAV4 market for Gen2 trade-in if MPG is better...I got the impression til now MPG was ho-hum low 30's.
Do we have EPA MPG comparison 2019 vs. 2018?

My oither prob is my wife likes a sedan like Camry but I have placed the RAV4 seed in her mind, which is not growing well but it is there.

 

That's part of the Pre-Delivery Inspection, hopefully the only thing they missed. Does it have a spare tire? I would check it's pressure too.

Another common PDI item is that there's a couple of oblong openings on the underside, just forward of the rear wheel wells in reinforced plate zone. I believe in shipping they're used for locking pins. They should have plugs in them, put in at the dealership. Sometimes owners find those plugs in the glove box, when the dealership has dropped the ball.

 

Yes, the previous gen got low thirties. The new one is rated 40mpg combined.
Compare Side-by-Side

 

my son is getting 40 on the gom, we'll see what happens at the pump.

 

I am curious what others are paying/leasing the hybrid for.
I just got a quote that was 466 month with 2k down on an XSE hybrid AWD. 36 months, 12k miles per year. in Minnesota.
I believe XLE trim was 390 month with same options. I wish they had an XLE with the soft-tex seating as I really prefer that to cloth.

 

Still in short supply but discounts are available if shopping in the right place. And fuelly MPG reports are still limited to a few reporters and a few tanks but 38-41 averages seem typical of what has been reported. I'm about a week from ordering. Because of my config, I envision a multi week wait.

Reading two online forums devoted to the Rav3h, I see no fatals and few nits. Of course early adopter enthusiasm is coloring the reporting still.

I've driven a '19 h twice and have been blown away by the power and smoothness.

 

I have checked rav 4 world but have found only total msrp cost out-the-door fees. Haven't been able to find much info as far as leases are concerned. Thanks!

Which model are you going to order? Which state, city are you in?
I have heard amazing things about the hybrid vs the regular gasoline model.
be sure to post your thoughts and reviews once yours arrives please.

 

It was to be my wife's car and replace a 2011 Avalon plushmobile which she loves and I hate. Ponderous but comfortable. But she hasn't even sat in it due to several weeks of pneumonia. So I'm forced to wait till she feels up to it and at least rides in it. I'm quite willing to abandon my Tesla want and buy one myself to replace my v. Tesla's long term support worries me and it requires a entry fee premium that I've resisted with other products (see Apple)

My spec is Limited with ATP. That means all the electronic nannies, Entune 3.0, Adaptive headlights and weather package. No sunroof. Lists at $41k or thereabouts with mats, etc. Since it isn't something I need. I'd be quite willing to wait even a few months to get the right color (white with light grey, I live where it will be 95 or so tomorrow) and options. And I'm willing to drive a few states over to get the right deal.

 

I hope she feels better soon!
I love Tesla, but I would also be concerned with their service. I have heard things about that department that it can take quite a while. I am too busy raising two little kids to deal with that kind of inconvenience. I need my car to be as reliable as my fridge or a light switch. Hence, why I am always a Toyota & Honda man myself.

 

From news reports here - the viability of TESLA in the long-term could be a concern. At least in the USA, there should be spares at wrecking yards, but here, I think there are only 2 "dealers", the website is weird, doesn't say a lot, unlike other manufacturers which post lost of information, specifications etc. And I've only seen a couple up close, the quality is nothing like TOYOTA quality.

Hope the pneumonia is conquered quickly - it can be very, very serious.

 

The thing with leasing is that there is no generic answer - it depends on your financial situation, previous financial history etc - they assess the "risk" to them and offer you a personal price.

I leased 2 cars a decade ago, so I've experienced that. Some dealers will quote you a figure, as well as finance companies.

 

Early reports on the TOYOTA RAV4 FORUMS are reporting that the dash MPG display is UNDER-REPORTING MPG which is interesting - first car I've known to do so. It'll be interesting to see later reports after the first couple of fills.

 

Does it auto stop at slow speeds in both directions? My Highlander does not. Also my 360 camera has very poor wall distance recognition and the side and front sensors are missing which the 2016-2019 Prius has.