Used Toyota RAV4 2019-present review

Consistency is something many of us will be looking for given the constant uncertainties of our modern world, so it's nice to know that the two previous generations of Toyota RAV4 are amongst the most dependable used cars you can buy, according to our What Car? Reliability Survey data.

What's more, the refinements made to this latest 2019-onwards Toyota RAV4 make it an even more compelling used option against its fellow large SUV rivals than its predecessors were.

What differentiates the RAV4 from most of its rivals is that it is available as an ordinary hybrid with a single 2.5-litre petrol engine option or as a 302bhp plug-in hybrid version.

The regular hybrid has 215bhp in front-wheel drive form or 219bhp with four-wheel drive. Each is paired with a CVT gearbox that works well at town speeds, but can send engine revs soaring when accelerating hard outside the city limits.

There are five different trim levels starting with Icon that has 17in alloys, LED headlights, auto emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, plus an 8in infotainment system with a reversing camera. Mid-range Design unlocks sat-nav on that screen and adds front parking sensors, an electric tailgate, and bigger 18in wheels.

Excel has larger still 19in wheels plus heated front seats and steering wheel. But the important bits are the extra safety tech such as blindspot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Dynamic is a sportier version of this with more heavily bolstered front seats and a black roof.

Finally, Black Edition would be Bruce Wayne's family car because it's only available in black with matching colour wheels and exterior trim. There is also a 360deg camera system, an upgraded sound system and an auto brake feature added to the rear cross-traffic alert system.

While there is a dedicated EV (electric vehicle) button, don't expect to get all that far on electric power alone in the regular hybrid version. However, driven smoothly, you should be able to filter through heavy traffic without using the engine much, thus saving fuel and keeping things nicely hushed.

The electric motor in the plug-in hybrid is powerful enough to take the RAV4 to motorway speeds without the petrol engine joining in, and we managed more than 30 miles on volts alone during our varied test route (Toyota claims 46 miles, further than the equivalent Ford Kuga and Range Rover Evoque). The regular hybrid version won’t take you far on electric power alone. Even with its electric vehicle (EV) mode selected, you’ll be lucky to go more than a few hundred yards before the 2.5-litre petrol engine takes over.

Ride comfort isn't brilliant in either, mind, because it tends to thud over potholes and expansion joints, and never feels as well controlled as the Honda CR-V - a fellow rival that can also be had as a hybrid.

Also, the CR-V is less bothered by the additional weight of its battery pack, an issue in the RAV4 that makes it feel less willing to change directions on a twisty road than its rival. The RAV4 also isn't as quiet once up to speed on the motorway compared with the Honda due to higher levels of wind and road noise.

It's not all doom and gloom because the sat-nav system, various trip computer functions, and hybrid displays in the RAV4 are far easier to operate than they are in the CR-V. Plus the RAV4 has plenty of pleasingly chunky controls that feel unbreakable.

Visibility is generally excellent and the standard reversing camera is a boon for parking. Only the tallest of people will have issues finding a comfortable driving position, and there are lots of storage spaces to take your detritus. There's more rear leg room than you'll find in a Mazda CX-5, and it's broad enough for most. If you need more room, you'll need a Peugeot 5008 with its three individual rear seats and the added benefit of two flip out seats in the boot.

Speaking of the boot, while the CR-V has a flatter load area than the RAV4 with the seats folded, but the Toyota has a bigger boot overall.

If you're interested in finding a used RAV4, or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at great prices.

Around £25,000 will get you a 2019 RAV4 hybrid with less than 40,000 miles on the clock. Higher trims will send prices north of £28,000, while 2020 and 2021 models cost around £30,000 and £32,000 respectively. Spend upwards of £32,000 on 2022 cars.

If you desire a plug-in hybrid, have a budget of £35,000 or more.

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MPG

There isn't much difference, on paper, between the economy figures for a front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive RAV4. The former has a combined figure of 50.4mpg, while the latter gets 48.7mpg.

The plug-in hybrid has a much higher figure of 282.4mpg, but this will require you to charge it regularly and use the petrol engine sparingly in order to achieve anything close to that.

Road Tax (VED)

All versions of the regular RAV4 will be subject to a slightly discounted annual car tax bill thanks to it being classed as an alternative fuel vehicle. The plug-in hybrid, however, gets hit with a luxury car tax bill because it costs over the £40,000 threshold, and applies from the second year of registration until the vehicle is six years old. Current rates are £165 a year for the regular petrol and diesel cars and £155 a year if your car is a hybrid. The luxury car tax is £355 a year. To find out more about the current road tax costs, click here.

Servicing

No RAV4 of this generation is old enough (over five years of age) yet to qualify for discounted servicing at a Toyota dealer. There are service plans you can buy online to help spread the costs, though. Servicing is required annually or every 10,000 miles.

Engine

Although we love the plug-in hybrid version, it is still pricey on the used forecourts, which would drive us towards the regular version. You can opt for front-wheel drive for better economy on the regular 2.5 RAV4, or four-wheel drive if your circumstances require the additional traction that this model provides in slippery conditions.

Trims

We'd suggest going for the Design model to get a little bit more kit and, above all else, get front parking sensors. This is a big car to have to fit into a car park.

Our favourite Toyota RAV4 2.5 Design

The closest rival to the RAV4 would be the Honda CR-V because it can also be had as a spacious five-seat hybrid. The CR-V is the nicer of the two to drive due to a more progressive feeling brake pedal and consistently weighted steering that allows you to accurately place the vehicle in a bend. It'll be no good for towing a big caravan, though: its limit is only 750kg.

If fuel bills aren't too much of a concern, petrol models of the Mazda CX-5 have proven to be very dependable. So while you will fork out more in running costs, the CX-5 should be a very reliable choice, plus it has a plusher interior and easier to navigate infotainment system.

If you're interested in finding a used RAV4, or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at great prices.

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