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2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid by Torque News
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By Jeff Teague May 8 2019 - 9:43am

The 2019 RAV4 Hybrid Buying Criteria Every Toyota Enthusiast Should Know

So you have decided the 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is for you. But how do you pick the right one? Here is the criteria that every car buyer or a Toyota enthusiast should know.
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RAV4 fever is sweeping the nation. America’s best-selling SUV was re-designed for 2019 and with that comes the all-new RAV4 Hybrid. If you’ve been car shopping in this market the last few months, you may have discovered just how challenging it is to get your hands on one. In fact, Prius, Corolla Hybrid, Camry Hybrid, and RAV4 Hybrid, each are outselling every affordable Electric Vehicle In America.

Once you’ve made the decision that 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is for you, you’re left with an even more difficult dilemma. How do you pick the perfect one for you and your family? Here’s everything you need to know:

How the 2019 RAV4 Hybrid attracts:

MPG: Fuel estimates for the new RAV4 Hybrid are an amazing 40mpg. That’s 41 in the city and 38 on the highway. I’ve read from my readers and YouTube channel viewers that based on their driving habits so far (we all know driving style definitely affects actual mpg), they are seeing anywhere from 37mpg to 45mpg combined. That’s reason alone to consider Hybrid!

Ride quality: I’ve test driven this model many times, and it’s fun and enjoyable to drive. The 2.5-Liter 4-cylinder engine, when combined with electric power, delivers 219 net horsepower. That’s higher than 203 horsepower in the gasoline version 2019 RAV4. One aspect that makes ride quality so nice is the multi-link rear suspension. This gives you the best of both worlds – smooth gliding ride while on city streets and highways, but tight, responsive handling while going around curves and turns. It’s standard with electronic on-demand all-wheel drive.

Easy on the budget: In the past, hybrid vehicles would cost thousands of dollars more than their gasoline equivalents. This made it tougher to justify buying a hybrid. For most RAV4 Hybrid trims, the cost to go Hybrid vs. their equivalent gasoline all-wheel drives is less than $1000 difference. Easier choice!

RAV4's Four Different Trim Levels: (Read my previous story comparing ALL 2019 RAV4 Hybrid Trim Levels)

- LE – This is Toyota’s entry level RAV4 Hybrid. At a retail price under $30,000 this is an excellent value. It comes with 17” alloy wheels, LED headlights with automatic high beams and LED taillights and stoplights. Inside you’ll find fabric seats with manual driver’s seat, backup camera with projected path, and 7” multimedia touch-screen. It has one USB port.

- XLE - This level upgrades to power moonroof, Smart Key push button start and five USB ports. Like the Hybrid LE, the XLE has a 4.2” multi-information display near the speedometer to give you valuable information about your car.

- Limited – You’ll find more luxury features in the Limited. It comes with 18” super-chrome-finished alloy wheels and chrome-accented outside door handles. SofTex-trimmed heated front seats with power driver’s seat, along with 8” touch-screen with Entune 3.0 Premium Audio and Dynamic Navigation, are standard. Limited comes with 7” multi-information display.

- XSE – The XSE is “the odd one” of the bunch – AND the most popular. It’s known for its unique black accents, including 18” black alloy wheels, badging and side mirror covers. Seating is SofTex-trimmed heated front seats with blue stitching and fabric inserts. For multimedia and information, you’ll have an 8” touch-screen with Entune Audio Plus system and 7” multi-information display.

The 2019 RAV 4 Option Packages:

You’re going to be hearing terms like convenience package, weather package, panoramic glass roof and others.

- Convenience Package: On the XLE you can upgrade to power driver’s seat with heated front seats and power liftgate.

- Weather Package: Heated steering wheel. Rain-sensing wipers with de-icer function. On Limited you get cooled front seats and heated rear seats.

- Panoramic Glass Roof: This Toyota moonroof extends all the way to the back seats. You can open the glass for the front half.

- Technology Package: Depending on trim level, this includes Intelligent Clearance Sonar with Rear Cross-Traffic Braking, Qi wireless smartphone charging, digital rearview mirror. Limited adds Bird’s Eye View Camera, hands-free power liftgate and Smart Key easy open on all doors.

- Entune Premium Audio with JBL: Experience concert-like performance in your RAV4 Hybrid with 11 speakers including subwoofer.

RAV4 Hybrid Colors:

- Hybrid LE, XLE and Limited: These have many traditional colors to choose from: Midnight Black Metallic, Blueprint, Lunar Rock, Ruby Flare Pearl, Blue Flame, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Silver Sky Metallic, Blizzard Pearl and Super White.

- Hybrid XSE: This is available only in two-tone with 4 color choices: Blizzard Pearl, Silver Sky Metallic, Magnetic Gray Metallic and Blueprint – all with Midnight Black Metallic Roof.

I am curious for your feedback and would love help. Have you been shopping for a 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid? Have you bought yours yet? If so, what trim level, option packages and color did you choose? Are you on an order waiting list? I’ll use your answers in an upcoming story on RAV4 Hybrid demand. Thanks for sharing your opinions in the comments section below for discussion.

Jeff Teague is a Toyota news reporter at Torque News. You can reach Jeff on Facebook and Instagram. Twitter at @toyotajeff1 and tweet him tips for new stories. Jeff also shares Toyota news videos on his Youtube Channel at Toyotajeff.

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Comments

Anri wrote on May 8, 2019 - 5:00pm
Hi Jeff, what's a reasonable price for the 2019 RAV4 hybrid?
Jeff Teague wrote on May 9, 2019 - 11:36am
The retail prices start with the LE Hybrid which is just under $30k and can go all the way up to $40k if completely loaded out on the Limited and XSE. Lots of room along the spectrum. This is a huge range. I would say for reasonable price....if you can get even a few dollars off the price that is a victory. They are the hottest vehicle right now and supplies are extremely limited. I hope this helps and please stay tuned so you can get further updates. Jeff
Braden wrote on May 9, 2019 - 1:20am
Put a deposit on an XLE magnetic Gray with black interior and convenience package on April 4. It arrived in port on April 17 and has not yet (as of May 8th) been delivered. Hopefully by the end of next week!
Jeff Teague wrote on May 9, 2019 - 11:37am
Hey hey Braden! You're gonna love your XLE when it comes in. I like the convenience package alot. It adds essential options. Let me know when you get it! Jeff
David wrote on May 10, 2019 - 8:03am
Started wanting CRV. Waited for the redesign and liked the look but not the CVT. Then heard about oil dilution and nixed that idea. After that, I thought maybe the new Honda Passport. When it came out, and I took a good look, it was huge for me. Seemed VERY big and unwieldy. Two Honda dealers, both not so helpful. All this time people kept telling me that Toyota is the most dependable but I didn't really like their angular styles and the side mirrors lower on the door. But I went to check the new RAV4 in person and damned if I didn't like it a lot, side mirrors and weird wheel well trim and all. The dealer was the opposite of what I encountered at Honda--very easy to work with, no pressure, really nice salesmen at the two dealers I visited. And then, first I wanted the LE trim, to avoid leather and a sun roof. But that trim has steel wheels, which I didn't like, and no push-button start, no fog lights . . . so I went with the XLE in Silver Metallic, three weeks ago. LOVE IT! Best car ever.
Jeff Teague wrote on May 10, 2019 - 9:46am
Hey David that's a great story! It blows my mind that any car dealer would be anything other than 100% amazing when dealing with potential car buyers. That type of blow-off really hurts the car sales reputation. On another note, I loved hearing how you narrowed down your choices and what went into your search process. That's fascinating. You're going to love that XLE for a long time man! Jeff
Antony wrote on May 10, 2019 - 8:03am
I had some criteria that was probably quite different than others aside from some obvious ones. I am not a tech person and dislike electronics and bells and whistles so none of that mattered. Number one criteria was reliability, which Toyota is known for. Then in no order really were these ones. Ability for both myself and my gf to sleep in the back. Gas mileage. Ability to go off road to a degree (locker, angles, hill assist, downhill assist). Cargo room. These were my main criteria.
Jeff Teague wrote on May 10, 2019 - 9:48am
Hey Anthony! That's awesome hearing about the criteria that's important to you. You're a very common customer type for this market. Just want something dependable over the long haul, comfort and mpg. well and some off-road too :) Thanks for reading and I hope you stick around to read more of my stories as they come out. Jeff
Liz wrote on May 12, 2019 - 11:23am
Hey, I arrived at 2019 RAV4 hybrid by upgrading from my 2017 Prius for cabin and cargo room for our 15 month old toddler and a 90 lb dog. I had been eyeing crossovers for some time but it is hard to go from 57.5 mpg Prius got me to <30 mpgs of most crossovers when I have 50-120 mi daily commute. I was checking out the latest Prius when a RAV4 caught my eye. I loved its space, AWD, eager pick-up, etc, etc and 40 mpgs closed the fuel efficiency gap that kept me in a “barely fitting” vehicle. Just put down a deposit on an XLE in lunar rock with convenience and weather packages. I didn’t realize how recently the vehicle had been released until after the fact but I still managed to get a steal of a deal (as a repeat customer). Can’t wait for it to arrive!
Karen wrote on May 27, 2019 - 1:04pm
Hi, I got on a waiting list back at the beginning of April and my wait time was going to be 4-5 months is what they told me. I wanted a White SXE with the JBL package. Those were my must haves. Seems like that was a popular color because no one had them with that upgrade. I was half way through my wait time and got impatient and started reaching out with other dealers. One had me come in to see if they could do better. They actually found one exactly with what I wanted. We have to get it here from another state but I should get it in a few weeks. I also know this one is mine since we did all the paperwork and contract ahead of time instead of just being on a list like with the first dealership. I have to mention also there are A LOT of dealerships who are putting big markups on these cars. Anywhere from $5000-$10000 because they are so hard to get and because I live in California and the gas prices were on a up tick. There are a few who are not doing this but you have to really to your research.
Kenney wrote on May 29, 2019 - 8:55am
We are now into a month waiting on delivery of our Limited hybrid. It is loaded, about all of the options. We were told probably the end of May for delivery, it's doubtful we will see it till sometime in June.
Kathleen Fueger wrote on May 29, 2019 - 6:49pm
Thank you for your reviews and articles! They've been extremely helpful during my decision making. I'm abandoning my 2005 Matrix (best car ever!) and just put a deposit on a XSE in blueprint today. This will be our second Rav - we had a 98 for close to 20 years. The dealer told me the wait would be about six weeks.
Robert Caroti wrote on May 30, 2019 - 7:16am
I decided we wanted a Rav-4 back in February but could only test drive the gas model. Revisited in early May and was able to test drive an LE. I wanted a XSE in the new blue but was told that I would have to order it built and wait until late June or July. There was one XLE in red in Connecticut and I jumped on it. Had it a week later and have been super excited with the car and it's performance! Missing a few bells and whistles but more than happy!
Julie wrote on July 20, 2019 - 10:50pm
I ordered the xse loaded model on May 13. I am in PA. It was built on May 22 and arrived in CA on June 24. It was held at port for about a month. I’m expecting it by the end of the month(July). There are several XSE’s at dealers in the Pittsburgh area but I want the panoramic moonroof.