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2019 RAV4 has it all except one important thing.
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By John Goreham Nov 21 2018 - 8:37am

New 2019 Toyota RAV4 Has It All - Except This Feature Important To Android Users

The all-new 2019 Toyota RAV4 has everything a buyer could ask for. Unless they use an Android phone.
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Toyota's RAV4 is the company's top-selling vehicle in America and one of the top-selling vehicles overall in the United States among all brands. The RAV4 enters its next generation with the all-new 2019 model. For the new year, the RAV4 gets a new platform, a new drivetrain, new exterior, new interior, and new infotainment. All are improvements over the previous generation. However, if you use an Android phone you should be aware that there is one feater that the new RAV4 does not have that pretty much every other vehicle in its class offers, and pretty much every top-selling vehicle in America offers. Android Auto.

RAV4 interior

RAV4 Drivetrains
The new RAV4 will have Toyota's new Dynamic Force 2.5-liter inline-four-cylinder engine paired with an 8-speed Direct-Shift Automatic Transmission. Here, Toyota departs from the mainstream a bit by not offering a CVT transmission. Most buyers will not mind the old-school geared transmission and many may prefer it. Toyota says the new engine offers more performance and uses less fuel than the prior RAV4.

The hybrid RAV4 will have a Toyota Hybrid System II (THS II) with Electronically-Controlled Continuously-Variable Transmission (ECVT) making it the efficiency leader of the lineup with preliminary manufacturer estimated Combined mpg of 39.

RAV4 Platform, Body, and Suspension
The mew 2019 RAV4 has a 57% stiffer structure than the outgoing RAV4, uses more high-strength steel, and has a lower center of gravity, which improves handling. The RAV4 also has a longer wheelbase and a wider track front and rear. Outside, the dimensions of the RAV4 are basically unchanged. Toyota says that the handling of the RAV4 is improved in every way. Specifically, Toyota says the RAV4 "...offers crisper on-road handling and an even more accommodating and quieter ride than its esteemed predecessor."

RAV4


RAV4 Infotainment
The new RAV4 has Apple CarPlay and Alexa, but not Android Auto. That means if you are one of the roughly 50% of adults who uses an Android phone, it will not integrate fully with the screens. Why Toyota does not offer this feature that pretty much every competitor does, and has offered for many years, is a total mystery. We have asked Toyota directly and they will only reply that they have not forgotten about Android users.

The new RAV4 will have a vast array of grades. The 2019 gas models will be offered in five grades: LE, XLE, XLE Premium, Adventure and Limited. RAV4 HV will be offered in four grades: LE HV, XLE HV, XSE HV and Limited HV. Look for the 2019 RAV4 to arrive at dealers before Christmas.

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Comments

DeanMcManis wrote on November 21, 2018 - 8:12pm
No android phones or tablets here, so no worry about that. The big thing that caused me to lose interest in the last RAV-4 was the styling. I do not know what the designers were going for, but it didn't work for me. The RAV-4's new design looks more truck-like to me, which is good. It is aggressive and bold, but not too weird. Combined with good power, fuel economy, and a clean interior design, it looks like a real contender again.
KJ Miller wrote on January 11, 2019 - 11:28am
When will the RAV4 Hybrid be Android compatible?
Wallace Tomkins wrote on March 7, 2020 - 6:16pm
I have auto android in my 2020 rav4 hybrid leif this answer your question
Mary Barrier-Coyle wrote on July 14, 2020 - 7:23pm
I am so mad, I just bought a Android Motorola Supra 7g cell phone, and it won't work in my new RAV4. It keeps going in and out of Bluetooth. I called Toyota and they said my phone wasn't compatible with my Toyota. I said WHAT I've never heard of that in my life, no one EVER told me I had to buy a phone to be compatible with my car. I'm out alot of money, and Toyota could care less and wouldn't help me out at all. Very Upset!!
Debbie wrote on July 18, 2020 - 1:14pm
I sooooo agree with you. When I bought my 2019 RAQV 4 the salesman had my phone in his hand and told me all I had to do was plug it into a particular USB port and it would "mirror" my phone. Well, that is true if you have an apple phone, but like you I have an android. Shame on Toyota for mis-leading buyers.
Melissa Sharp N... wrote on November 10, 2020 - 11:15am
I to was mislead about my Android phone hooking up to my 2019 rav4. It has caused more trouble than its worth. 2 trips in to salinas Toyota for leaks that compromised all electrical. It’s a lemon even though I love the car. Very disappointed.
Mary Barrier-Coyle wrote on July 14, 2020 - 7:26pm
I am so mad, I just bought a Android Motorola Supra 7g cell phone, and it won't work in my new RAV4. It keeps going in and out of Bluetooth. I called Toyota and they said my phone wasn't compatible with my Toyota. I said WHAT I've never heard of that in my life, no one EVER told me I had to buy a phone to be compatible with my car. I'm out alot of money, and Toyota could care less and wouldn't help me out at all. Very Upset!!
Melissa Nielsen wrote on December 2, 2020 - 5:13pm
My first new car was supposed to last for the rest of my life. Very disappointed, salesman didn’t tell me that it wouldn’t work with my android. On top of that it has had a water leak in the sunroof since I bought it causing major electrical problems and they are unwilling to get me into a new rav4 that hasn’t been compromised. Praying that Toyota Motor Sales will make this right. I’m elderly and partially handicapped and thought this was the answer to my prayers.
Jason Salazar wrote on April 1, 2019 - 11:01am
I recently purchased a 2019 toyota rav4 and a android user, the function of screen projection isn't compatible, hopefully toyota makes a update or change to allow andriod users to access this app screen projection, other wise that accessory is worthless. Plus it would be discriminating for android user.
Brian Gibson wrote on April 14, 2019 - 12:58pm
Main reason I won't buy a Rav 4. Hard to understand why they left off Android Play.
Debbie Ruiz wrote on April 30, 2019 - 11:51am
I just bought on a few weeks ago and ws told I could project my s9+. I have been trying to do it, but it won't. I am very disappointed. I too hope Toyota does an upgrade to their system.
Cathy Burgdorf wrote on September 12, 2019 - 10:38pm
Every time we get into the car it wanted an update. We spoke with the dealer about this problem. They never seen this before. So today we took it in at their request to fix it. They finally fixed the updating problem by downloading the update to and usb device and installing through the usb port.
Mia wrote on April 13, 2019 - 12:22am
This sucks big time! I am returning the SUV.
Chinny wrote on July 11, 2019 - 11:58pm
I made a big mistake but Rav4 2019. I have been a Toyota loyalist since 1980 and have always kept three in the family, I needed to replace two aging 2003 Highlander and a Camry . I took in the Highlander for a 2019 Rav4, and came away with a big regret. The infotainment system is horrible. Of course as an Android user, it made matters worse. When I finally got bits of the system working, I could not understand what Toyota makers saw good in Scout GPS. That scout is like a blind leading a blind,.This scout thing doesn't seem to have a clue of its location. It is constantly searching, with the orientation pointing left to right or sometimes backwards. I was so fed up with the system, I decided to replace my other old Camry with a Nissan Maxima SL. The infotainment system is very intuitive, and works seamlessly. Better still, it works so well too with Android auto. Went on trip, using Waze, Pandora SirriusXM. Nissan it for me.
BT wrote on September 13, 2019 - 9:04pm
I rented a 2019 RAV4 from National Car Rental this past week. I drove it from Milwaukee, WI to NC. It averaged 38.2 mpg. That included lots of start and stops through Chicago and through the mountains of WV. I had the cruise set on 74 as much as I could - whenever the speed limit was 70. I was quite impressed!!
Jim Johnson wrote on September 29, 2019 - 10:45pm
Bought a 2019 RAV4 hybrid LE in May. Have not reset the mpg calculator on the display unit since new. Averaging 41.9 mpg so far at 3,500 miles on the odo. About 50/50 highway and around town. Very impressed. Prior commitments on the Scout GPS app are interesting. Mine works fine, except in my Android dead zones. Also, safety features are incredible. Was on a 300 mile round trip to Marin County from Auburn, CA this weekend. Traffic on I-80 was horrible. Had the adaptive cruise control set and wanted to see how slow the car got before it kicked off. We'll, even after coming to a complete stop numerous times, when the car ahead of me started moving, so did I. I didn't touch the brakes or accelator once for over 90 miles of stop and go traffic. I had my foot poised to hit the brakes each time but never had to intervene once. Nissan advertises this feature, but not Toyota. Give it a try.
JOHN FOGARTY wrote on November 8, 2019 - 2:36pm
WILL TOYOTA MAKE A FIX FOR ANDROID AUTO FOR THE RAV 4 2019
Gloria Harrison wrote on November 18, 2019 - 7:35pm
Im not happy with my new toyota rav4 multimedia system. It doesnt download the entune 3.0 app suite. I read a comment on here where someone had same problem n were told to bring it in to toyota to be fixed. They fixed the updating problem by downloading the update to a USB device n installing thru the USB port
Martin Reilly wrote on December 14, 2019 - 8:18am
I bought a Rav4 Sol back in March, Reg is 191 D 40707. Love the car but.................The phone system is driving me crazy!! I synced my Huawei P30 with the car but its so problematic.... For example, when i select a contact from my favourites list it will ring the number, connect, disconnect, ring again, connect, disconnect etc etc, eventually it will connect but wow!!!!!!!!!! Could you tell me, is it the phone?, the kit?, ME!? please help. cheers Martin
Onyih wrote on January 2, 2020 - 10:03am
Just gave myself a Christmas present with the 2019 RAV4 LE from Toyota Bowie, MD. Great car!
J james wrote on July 14, 2021 - 10:46pm
Luke others here,, love my 2019 rav4,,,except the infotainment system. Slow, u nreliable gps etcetera. There is a thread on Reddit, and petition on Change.org with 2000 signatures and need more. Just so disappointed Toyota would leave so many drivers with this admittedly lousy head unit.