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By Jeff Teague Sep 6 2019 - 12:14pm

Why 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is So Popular These Days

Sales for the 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid are skyrocketing. Find out the factors that account for this nationwide Hybrid buying frenzy.
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America’s best-selling SUV is the Toyota RAV4 and sales continue to grow at an electric pace. Overall 2019 RAV4 sales were up 17.2% for August, marking a best-ever month for the popular small SUV.

However, it is the RAV4 Hybrid that is really enjoying eye-popping success that is causing a nationwide buying frenzy. Sales for 2019 RAV4 Hybrids were up 174% from August 2018. Yes that’s right – 174%.

Let’s explore what is making the RAV4 Hybrid so darn popular.

2019 RAV4 Hybrid is a winner with gas mileage

Let’s face it – the primary reason most of us put a Toyota Hybrid on our consideration list is because of the great gas mileage. This is probably the chief objective for RAV4 Hybrid buyers.

The 2019 RAV4 Hybrid has an EPA-rated 40 miles per gallon, which is 41mpg in the city and 38 on the highway. Many new owners are reporting higher fuel efficiency, which only adds to the country-wide hysteria to get their hands on one.

2019 Toyota RAV4 XLE Hybrid Nutmeg Interior

Everyone meet Keith. Keith is one of my “Toyotajeff” YouTube channel viewers who recently told me about his adventure to find a 2019 RAV4 XSE Hybrid. He flew from New York City to Raleigh, North Carolina to purchase his new car and then just drove it back home yesterday. He reported back to me this morning that his new Hybrid was “smooth, fast and amazing on gas” during his road trip back home.

The 2019 RAV4 Hybrid is very challenging to get in many parts of the country, including the West Coast and Northeast. Some people have reported back that they are on a several month waiting list for their specific one.

Because of this, car shoppers are more than willing to travel to get what they want when they can get it.

Horsepower and acceleration for 2019 RAV4 Hybrid

A 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine powers the 2019 RAV4 gasoline models. This produces 203 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. torque. It is matched with a direct-shift 8-speed automatic transmission with intelligence and sequential shift mode.

2019 Toyota RAV4 XLE Hybrid Ruby Flare Pearl Profile

A big benefit to choosing the RAV4 Hybrid is a big increase in horsepower and acceleration ability. When the gasoline engine works in combination with the Hybrid electric motors, it delivers 219 horsepower. The Hybrid engine and electric motors are partnered up with an electronically controlled CVT with sequential shift mode.

Drivers will notice a big difference when merging on to a highway, passing slower vehicles and climbing hills. Big score for RAV4 Hybrid here.

RAV4 Hybrid is budget-friendly

When researching new vehicles, buyers must balance not only the perfect car for them and their families, but also the budget must make sense. This is a major reason to choose a RAV4 Hybrid.

All 2019 RAV4 Hybrids are all-wheel drive, as opposed to front-wheel drive. This allows drivers to travel both on city streets and highways and also off the road on remote trails and sandy beaches and in the snow.

To compare pricing versus the gasoline RAV4s, it is only fair to match an all-wheel drive gasoline RAV4 against the RAV4 Hybrid. Every Hybrid is priced less than $1000 more than its equivalent gasoline all-wheel drive companions.

For example, a RAV4 LE Hybrid has a factory MSRP of $27,850 while the AWD LE gasoline is priced at $27,050.

Also, a gasoline Limited AWD RAV4 comes with a $35,050 price tag, but the Limited Hybrid model is only $800 more at $35,850.

Watch what makes the 2019 RAV4 Hybrid the top selling green car in USA and click to subscribe to Torque News Youtube channel for daily Toyota and automotive news analysis.

You can find great variety with 2019 RAV4 Hybrid

Whether you are going for less standard equipment or if you want more luxury or sportiness in your driving life, the 2019 RAV4 Hybrid has just what you need.

There are 4 different trim levels for the RAV4 Hybrid, and they include the LE, the XLE, the Limited and the very unique XSE. At the lower end of the budget scale, buyers might be choosing between LE Hybrid and XLE Hybrid, while at the higher end you might have a tough decision between the Limited and the XSE.

My video review compares the RAV4 XSE Hybrid vs. Limited Hybrid

Time for your thoughts on RAV4 Hybrid

Do you own a 2019 RAV4 Hybrid and what are your thoughts and impressions so far? How is your mpg? Also, do you think you will be in the market for a new RAV4 Hybrid in the near future and what factors are most important to you when making your final choice?

Thanks for reading everyone. See you next story.

Bookmark Jeff Teague's Toyota News and Reviews at Torque News Toyota. You can follow Jeff on Facebook and Instagram. Twitter @toyotajeff1 and tweet him tips for new stories.Please Subscribe to Jeff's "Toyotajeff" YouTube channel for the latest Toyota news and reviews.

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Comments

Digitaldoc wrote on September 6, 2019 - 2:11pm
The simple answer why the hybrid is popular is that the regular one needs just a little more power, and this is the only way to get it.
Wayne Beamer wrote on September 6, 2019 - 9:50pm
Hey Toyota Jeff! Your videos about the RAV4 hybrid were enough to convince my wife and I to buy one, and we beat the rush too! I took us 24 days from ordering to receiving it. Our mileage has varied from 42.5 to a high of 47.5 mpg over the first three months as we’re nearing our 5K service visit. My only complaints: 1. The AWD drive feels different than it did with our 2004 Forrester. Maybe, it’s the height difference. Not sure. 2. The Entune system really stinks, but I’m glad we have access to Apple Car Play. I would’ve been concerned if we owner Android phones. We haven’t made a long trip yet, or driven over the winter in this car yet, but we will do both soon. So far, it’s been grand. Thanks again for serving the brand and your customers near and far! Wayne
Digitaldoc wrote on September 7, 2019 - 12:41pm
The Forester has a more standard, mechanical AWD system. The Toyota AWD is really FWD, with the rear wheels on demand able to be driven by an electric motor system. This type of setup is also used for the Highlander Hybrid with AWD. Supposedly this is better for fuel efficiency, but inferior for use in the snow as with prolonged usage the electric can run out of power, and the rear wheels cannot be powered on a prolonged basis. Still, for routine, nondemanding AWD use, this RAV4 setup may be adequate for most.
Hansen Baumer wrote on September 7, 2019 - 4:43am
It's simple really. There is absolutely no value in the gasoline version of the RAV4 unless you're buying it for your grandmother. If you want a car that competed in this tough market as a Toyota CUV, them the hybrid is the only way to go. It's kind of a bad mark on Toyota.
Jeff Knutson wrote on September 7, 2019 - 8:01am
Bought 2019 Rav-4 xle in May, ordered 2 months earlier, it got he'd up from Trumps Teriffs. MPG is up to 45, got alot better after 5,000 mile breaking period. Fantastic car with only 2 problems, seats are uncomfortable they curve your back into a C shape. Can't find plug outlet to plug it in, planing on buying PHEV as soon as they come out. Hope it has 50 miles electric range.
Thu Nguyen wrote on September 7, 2019 - 9:15am
I'm owner of 2019 Toyota RAV4 gasoline model, as soon as I got the car I had noticed the transmission problem ,when car slow down from 5 to 8 miles/hrs for red light or traffic then suddenly accelerate to move forward; the transmission so confused to hunting for appropriate gear and its decided to go with first gear that made the car jumped up abruptly strong so scary and uncomfortable. Talked to Toyota company and was referred to dealership for test ride with final conclusion from dealership's master mechanic : it's the nature of the car. Should I believe him for Toyota's engineering and superior quality. Any comment would help.
Newboy wrote on September 8, 2019 - 2:00pm
When your foot leaves the gas pedal it should be on top of the break pedal. It’s normal because as your car is decelerates, it’s transmission is switching from low gear to high gear. When you’re fast and hitting the brake hard, it’s transmission is switching from low gears and skipping other gears into first or second gear which you will feel like it wants to take off. You need to step on your brakes aggressively when you are decelerating quickly or lightly when slowly and avoid varying it or stepping and releasing repeatedly like in a conventional braking system. Does your RAV4 have abs?
Willis wrote on September 9, 2019 - 10:27am
oh no..Rav4 4 2019 gas version - its not a braking issue....its a speed issue. I rented one and drove it about 500 miles. When we were slowing down to turn slowly into parking spaces or driveway the transmission was stuck in wind down mode. the JERK to get it out of what we call " gas save idle mode" was terrible. If the hybrid has this issue...I'll keep my 2017 a few more years
Len H wrote on September 7, 2019 - 8:48pm
We own a 2019 RAV4 hybrid Limited and really like it. Smooth riding, comfortable seats. Wife gets 44 mpg back and forth to work in cityish driving. Drove 282 miles today from our home to Brunswick, Ga. and was driving 85 mph there. Still getting passed by others. About 33 mpg and filled up there. 80 mph coming home. Have not filled up yet. It will still be in the 30 mpg range. At 80 mph and in the right hand Lane I needed to speed up so I would not get boxed in. In what seemed like 2 seconds I was at 90 mph and got to 95 mph once. I wish the rear cargo area was as big as my Subaru Outback but it has more cargo space than the previous models. Filling the gas tank to being completely full is a pain and many others have the same issue. Not a problem if you are the kind that lets the gas handle kick off and you drive away but for the large majority, I believe, of us that actually fill the tank up, top it off, you won't be too happy. I filled up my RAV4 today and the gas pump clicked off at just over 8 gallons. I then pulled the nozzle out of the gas tank tube and out in 2.7 gallons more. And it was STILL not topped off. But that in no real way stops us from enjoying this vehicle. I also like how it Lane centers itself while on radar cruise control and goes around the deepest curves with NO hands! Toyota has made great strides with this vehicle. Hope they fix the gas tank issue. See the Toyota forums about this issue. Doesn't matter which station or pump you use. A pain to too it off!
Willis wrote on September 9, 2019 - 10:30am
Since this is made from the old Camry chassis.....were are the hybrid batteries located? We have a 2014 Camry and the batteries eat into the trunk space....
Luis chacon wrote on September 15, 2019 - 10:28am
I'm getting between 41 MPG to 51 MPG City driving depending how I drive and 42.60 on the highway doing about 65 miles per hour