2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XSE Review and Off-Road Test

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid introduces a new trail button. How good is it when the pavement ends? Ryan takes it onto a challenging forest road to see how it can handle the hard stuff. Plus: a full rundown of the XSE model features, 0-60 time, adaptive cruise control tested and more.
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[@515ventures3]

Hey at 40mpg, I was very satisfied with the trail/rock/off road test. I won’t ever be doing that much off roading.

[@Andrew714oc]

All terrain (more aggressive) tires for off roading would help but I also think just lowering your tire pressure would actually do wonders. Looks like you had about 30 psi or higher which is normal road psi. I've gone off roading w/ my family and my brothers always air down to about 10-15psi for off roading then air back up for the road to about 35-40psi. This rav4 hybrid is pretty sweet! If you mainly need the interior space and great mileage and do very occasional off roading for camping, hiking, etc, then it's perfect. Great review.

[@kelvintung587]

I use to drive a Subaru STI so I am familiar with how a capable AWD system does in the Canadian winter. Got the 2019 XSE since June and for sure the system isn't as capable but it is pretty damn good for what it is. It has constantly surpassed my expectations of what a inferior system is like. Considering i'm averaging about 47mpg (50mpg highest so far) in a car that has lots of space, awd and cost around the same as other crossovers this car is a beast.

[@James-rd9mo]

Ground clearance is actually 8.1" in that Rav4 XSE, Trail/Adventure model has 8.6" clearance.

[@drivingsports]

Yup. Error. At least it’s over 8 and better than last year’s model.

[@hotrodmercury3941]

That trac on gravel pull was one of the best I have ever seen. Its like the car had clawed its way through the gravel.

[@Joe-ip2ky]

What really matters for me is to know how the hybrid can do in winter conditions. I never go off-road trails or stuff like that, if you want to, buy something else. The mpg is impressive, XSE looks good

[@James-rd9mo]

@@matwxx $800 more to go from AWD gas model to hybrid (all hybrids are AWD).

[@jackholland5675]

It's actually really good, even when fitted with a good all season tire, but felt better with all weather tires. Normal drive like normal with minimal slip and trail was more on top of stuff when on ice and snow. Texas snow and ice.

[@sgcole111]

Please put some snow tires on and try in the winter. Very curious about winter-equipped perfomance. Thanks!

[@jerryrn5571]

Because of this review. It’s one of the reasons I just bought a RAV4 AWD hybrid Limited trim. The model 1 step above that was tested on this video. Thanks 😉👍

[@vprrealtor6244]

How much did it cost you?

[@fernieegure6760]

One of the best RAV4 XSE review I've seen

[@alexyakuba2805]

I was waiting for this review for a long time. You showed everything I wanted to see. Thank you very much!!

[@vinr]

me too, thanks a lot

[@superlight47]

Like wise here to. Every day I was checking KZbin for this video notification.

[@liuleo66]

same here.

[@sudhirraom]

So did you go with this or something else ?

[@alexyakuba2805]

@@sudhirraom Going for it in September, planning to take XLE Hybrid

[@philipbanks7730]

Mr Douthit, thanks for a detailed review. One of reasons I bought this car and model was seeing how it did with you on the mountain trail. I have discovered one thing that you might find interesting - yes the Hybrid lacks the Descent Control the petrol adventure model does. But it does have something that can help. In drive mode you can shunt the mode selector to the side and pick the virtual gear set that the drive considers itself to be in. If you shift this down to S1 then the car will limit it's downhill speed to effectively the top of what first gear would do. Agreed it isn't as nice as picking a speed and the car just maintaining it. But if you need to control the speed to allow more time for attention to the steering on the trickier bits it does help.

[@josiahbjertness1083]

I have a 2011 RAV4 and deeply falling in love with the new hybrids. I'm hoping the next 5 years will show their longevity. For now I'll just have to play the waiting game.

[@kristianmurin3696]

Enjoyed and subscribed. Keep up the great off-road reviews.

[@got_to_roll]

Great review. Nice to get the perceptions of a reviewer who drives the way I do! I appreciate that no changes were made to boost offroad prowess, you showed how it performs as equipped. Thank you~ *subscribed Update- my 2020 limited hybrid will be built in Japan October 31. Panoramic sunroof equipped is built in Japan, adaptive headlights is built in Canada. Can't have both at this time.

[@ooops15]

Awesome video. I love the way you test all this cars in different off roads. I will watch all the episodes :)

[@bisweb]

I actually just bought this same model last week right off the lot and it wasn't even the model I was shopping for but it just stood out and I'm so glad I got it.

[@robertharvey3469]

Great review thank you. Would love to know how it goes on the beach in soft sand and some challenging beach entrances/ exits.

[@baldheadlogic]

Great Review. Great to see a positive Toyota review. Let alone a Hybrid Rav.

[@cjoe6908]

Thanks for showing the limits of what this Rav4 can do, in terms of climbing the uphill gravel path. I am past my youthful days and only occasional do this off road stuff so this SUV seems to fit well for my purpose as I mostly drive on paved roads but need that off-roading capability when I am a bit adventurous. For me good cars should be able to help us explore the less trodden places. Will get this car in a few months. Subsribed and liked.

[@burningdinosaurs801]

Love your stuff! Looking forward to see more!!

[@CK-ok4uj]

He is one of the best. Very informative and true to the fact

[@xerox-0579]

An AWD Limited/SE trim RAV4 is my actual dream car. I’ve gotten pretty close so far with a ‘17 RAV4 XLE FWD. They are very practical, reliable, and fun when you want them to be.

[@ShawnPena]

Hope Toyota is watching. Great review!

[@TWARDOWSKY.]

Shawn P yes hope Toyota is watching and they make some software modifications because the rear axis isn’t working like Toyota show on all videos and presentations! Is way to week!

[@JalipeJude]

Great review! Thanks. This helps in deciding which way to go with a new SUV. Thank you.

[@jzimmer0408]

thank you so much! As a new 19 Rav4 Hybrid owner, I was trying to understand the differences. I had an 18 Lexus NX300h and I was sold, but this little guy is very solidly comparable, without the extra 10K for the Lexus brand.

[@sacredsleeper]

Great review sir...have the previous gen 2016 Rav4 Hybrid...still not broken in only 43K miles. No complaints with my decision, thou the new one looks mighty nice!

[@TwinsFun]

sacredsleeper Same with mine!

[@alexmac4039]

Whats your mpg?

[@alexmac4039]

@@TwinsFun what's your mpg like?

[@ifazer8akathedoctor275]

Really impressed with the RAV4 so far.

[@ironmultimedia4255]

Great review! . Before purchasing this model, and because of this video, 4 Michelin CrossClimate SUV tyres were mounted on my unit. Still waiting, here in Spain, for Android Auto; 2019 units have to be updated, but who knows the date due to the COVID19 lockdown. Thanks for your videos, they're great!

[@Kingcolumbian]

Nice review Very neat. Comprehensive and concise. Unlike those others

[@CPAD]

a clever testing video ever, thanks!

[@peterward1698]

Great reviews. I live in Canada so sometimes packaging is different but generally the same. One thing I would like is to know is if android auto is included. You always mention airplay but not everybody has apple products (85% of the world doesn't in fact) Keep up the good work. Love the real world awd tests. Agree with James snow and ice is important here in the great white north.

[@James-rd9mo]

Forget the Offroad testing we need a snow and ice test. Many more people use their SUV's ok poor road conditions, not off-roading.

[@drivingsports]

No snow and ice in the Pacific Northwest this time of year. We do what we can with what we have. If you look at our videos from a few months ago you’ll see several snow videos.

[@pbear216]

The 2019 RAV4 does amazing in snow, better in fact than my 2007 Chevrolet Suburban

[@rncondie]

Dual Sport Numbskullz , Hybrid 2019 didn’t come out until March. Not much snow where I live in March.

[@sgcole111]

@@drivingsports second the request. Please update with winter tires when you get some snow up around Crystal Mountain or Mt Baker!

[@drivingsports]

sgcole111 We don’t usually get any usable driving snow around here until after Thanksgiving. Note that we do feature the RAV4 in winter tires on snow in our Toyota AWD Explained video. If you haven’t watched that one yet, you should.

[@johnl119]

Usually it takes me weeks of watching a channel before I subscribe....but u know where this is going....I subscribed to you on the the very first video I watched on your channel. Good job. Very detailed, clear, and relevant information provided in a pleasant manner. Thanks.

[@richardlapointe9602]

Loving my RAV4 Hybrid! Never bought it to do off-road, I have my truck for that. Incredibly impressed with it so far and look forward to seeing how it will do in our cold snowy Canadian winters.

[@quin-lin]

Have you had a chance to drive it in snow, deep snow, ice yet? Can you provide some real world information about stability, uphill, or getting out of parked situations?

[@andreytkachenko5485]

My opinion that reviewer did not discover full off-road potential of the vehicle, because obviously wheels would spin, but he remove power from wheels and roll back.

[@phillipbeharall6271]

Great review thank you from the uk I have just taken delivery of RAV 4 Excel AWD yesterday . Yes you are right 99% of owners will not go on hill climbs like that . Here in the uk 7 months waiting list for the RAV4

[@justabrake]

I'm glad you showed the bottom of this I didn't know it had all that plastic air deflection underneath it's good to know for people that do their own oil changes

[@heritageofhastur]

Thank you for such a well presented review!

[@yk2081]

Thank you for the great review and the little offroad demonstration. Forrester or Rav4. Thats the question!

[@kartboarder22g17]

If your gonna do a trail like what he did then you won't be getting the hybrid

[@EndlesSuffering]

My dad has a 2011 rav4 LE with 125k miles. He bought it when it had 12k miles. I drive it when I can get my hands on and I love the cross over vibes. I can’t even imagine how this new rav4 feels to drive..

[@allbest2477]

I really enjoyed this video. Subscribed !

[@prakashgunjari1986]

I like the presentation and you get the point across correctly. when can we expect the video on CRV Hybrid?

[@drivingsports]

We plan to film that when it’s available.

[@MoeMoe-nu7vt]

Great review so much better than all the others thank you

[@varonecl]

I've had mine for less than 500mi, but loving it. First Hybrid and it makes me nervous at times. Great review.

[@bob15479]

You'll love it, we have a 2006 hy-hi and it is fantastic. It's not a beat off road but it's good enough and it's very quick and fun on road.

[@scrubsz]

Excellent review. Loving my RAV4 XSE Hybrid

[@tsmith7119]

Andy Schwartz Me too!

[@marioayala5881]

A set of all terrain tires and lower air pressure would make all the difference

[@deadkemper]

I got this car....it would

[@marioayala5881]

@@deadkemper I have the adventure model and I'm beyond happy. 2019 is a great rav4 year

[@jamesschoemaker2931]

also having the added weight from cargo that youd likley have on a trip like this might help too

[@robertraman6307]

And a transfercase with low range.

[@solarfry]

An Xmode with Lockers front and rear..@@robertraman6307

[@nickmudd]

Great review. I'm disappointed with it's traction. I really thought they would at least make the rear drive lockable being that it's separate from the front drive

[@derkjanveneberg9311]

A Subaru Forrester makes de trail 10 times better

[@jeremyslade7839]

Excellent review. Thx

[@ZakElbas]

Fantastic review.

[@ThisOrThat13]

Bless you for making this video! Helps calm my nerves a bit. I just bought a 2020 Rav4 Hybrid and I haven't experienced winter yet. We really need a snow and ice video!!

[@alexyakuba2805]

I actually expected less from RAV4 Hybrid, since the previous model had no power at all on the rear excel. It was nice to see that now its even powerful enough for an over-steer. It didn't do very good there on rocks when it came to diagonal elevation, but seems like the rear motor was strong enough to give it a good push, if both rear wheels were on a ground.

[@James-rd9mo]

Read power looks pretty good in this video. Biggest cause of wheel spin are the factory eco-focused tires. Put some AT tires on and traction with improve greatly!

[@alexyakuba2805]

@@James-rd9mo On this video it does even better than CRV with the conventional AWD (even though CRV is also Hybrid): kzbin.info/www/bejne/p2WWl51qqbWgerM

[@EndlesSuffering]

I think Toyota is one of the best car companies out there in terms of reliable and not been to expensive. I come from a family of Chevy, GMC and ford owners, trucks, suvs. I’m the first of my family to ever own only Toyota products and I don’t think I’m ever going to switch. I own a 2013 4Runner and a 2011 rav4 limited. I always preferred cross overs and suvs over sedans because I’m 6 foot and I feel like sedans are way too low to the ground.

[@frankieruiz1555]

We had a fun time pulling a Rav4 out of a sound bog, in Anza Borrego State Park, in our Jeep Compass trailhawk. It was a fun opportunity to use our traction boards, trail shovel, and tow strap.

[@lizzichi86]

Lol. I really miss my jeep. And I had a renegade desert hawk! Got the 2021 rav4 xse hybrid. 😔

[@joelzedler38]

Good one Ryan. One other aspect you might look at is what can it tow/haul?

[@typhoon5789]

Can you do a RAV4 Adventure vs a Mazda CX-5, off Road and space challenge please?

[@ericmiller7022]

used to be my ride in europe : Sierra Cosworth , nice T-Shirt , alltho this RAV4 is way more practical and made by Toyota

[@dilumwimalaratna4149]

Thanks for the vid. Subbed you deserve it!

[@robc8593]

On cars with a this sort of electronic traction vectoring using braked wheel methods, slip has to occur for a surprisingly long time before kicking in, you seemed to back off as soon as it slipped possibly negating it. I think you need to keep just a light slip going for far longer before the software wakes up and kicks in. Not good for tyre wear but you have to live with it to get you moving when stuck. The time limit for how long before the car realises your going nowhere and intervenes is set pretty long.

[@alliecody7807]

Such a great review!! Love this car and definitely want it as my next car. By any chance do you know when the RAV4s and the other Toyotas will be getting the army green color like the Tacoma or Tundra?? I absolutely love it!

[@drivingsports]

Sorry, not sure about colors. However new colors are usually announced every year - so maybe this fall for 2020?

[@uzairh2768]

Great review

[@dawn-moon]

Put some off-road tires on, lower the pressure, and it will go fine. Maybe smaller wheels, 17" and higher tires ?

[@sharbellethirdyandkristof6706]

They should put a crawl control like the 4runners.

[@mikelong2282]

Great review thank you

[@juddrizzo]

I just bought one yesterday. We put 230 miles on it. It’s great. 😃👍🏻

[@CatNMrDJ]

Did you buy a 2019 or 2020? I'm hitting dealers this Saturday and the next two Saturdays for a 2020 Hybrid Limited; best deals are made at the end of the month; they want to make their bonus by making their quoter. Mr DJ of Cat N Mr DJ - Filipina American Vloggers...

[@mcwarska]

I’ve experienced pretty good off-road traction by using the manual selector and selecting a lower gear like fourth fifth or sixth

[@gorditaz8728]

A more aggressive tires would do the job much better for sure. With the factory tires it came with, it did the job but not good as good.

[@jaybou007]

I got a Woodland edition (that wasn’t available at that moment) and the more agressive tires are making a huge difference off-road. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still an soft roader. But for my personal use (snowy winters and trips to the cottage), it does just fine.

[@515ventures3]

This is a winner crossover! 💯💯💯💯 I would deff buy one!

[@TemoTemo1995]

you should watch his Passport review

[@pipin447]

Super me encantan tus vídeos, saludos desde Puerto Rico.

[@robbilton9006]

Any plans to test the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV? Seems to be a close contender. At least in Canada, where we don't get the Rogue hybrid.

[@noobwow2009]

I really hope Toyota will take notes. the rav4 prime have a very powerful motor. Toyota can program the rear motor to engage more aggressively to mimic power send to the rear wheels. that will be fun

[@RedXcz]

nice review, pleasant presenter!

[@Albuermeduardo]

I will like to see the Forester on that trail. I saw the video on snow with the new x mode system, but this is a different scenario. Also, what about the Rav-4 adventure? Would be more capable than this one or the Forester?

[@spursdynasty7378]

I want one ! Saving my pennies for a used one next year.

[@JJustinXu]

J Garza there won’t be a Hybrid in less than a year that’s used.

[@jio-lito]

That’s going to be tough, but be on the lookout, i got the hybrid xle trim model for 31... missing some aesthetics but the hybrid performance is there.

[@TWARDOWSKY.]

So like everything today in computer world also in the car world depends on the optimal software code not on the hardware ? So maybe will Toyota improve (reprogram as you said) the AWD software and in the next 3 year you get to your 2019 RAV4 software update and the rear ox will work as it should?

[@swatkatz777]

Very good review..

[@ning7091]

Nice work

[@alexyakuba2805]

I saw your review of the RAV4 Limited, and it seems like Hybrid did a little better on the S test, what's your opinion between those two?

[@aninvisibleape279]

Great review. You showed everything I was curious about. Thank you!

[@user-on2vu1jk1c]

Great job!

[@MrPeteJMc]

Can you review the RAV4 prime PHEV when it's released.

[@quikgt]

Trail mode engaged gave much less wheelspin- seems similar to engaging/locking rear diff(activating rear electric motor?)

[@toninocars]

Hey great video, glad I find u. Now for the car. Hybrids are great cars but I think they have not grown enough for off-road even soft road. I love this new Rav but if I need to drive on terrain like that daily or weekly the non hybrid version 4wd will be way better.

[@DANBOY89GYM]

Not exactly, if you are a trail driver you would have proper tires! Even the regular one with these tires would do the same.

[@lenguyenvu4171]

Great video. Could you ellaborate how "upto 80% of power sent to rear wheels" when the power from the engine and front electric motors do not send any torque to the rear wheels?

[@HunterXray]

I wonder if you could take an Adventure front and put it on the hybrid, will it work?

[@bisweb]

BTW, would the test have done better with the shift lever in Drive S mode?

[@StarryTemplar]

Awesome Video! Have you try 2017 Hybird Rav4 ???

[@drivingsports]

Yes, we even made a video. (2018 is basically the same as the 2017.) The new one is MUCH better.

[@richardfuller4765]

Nice job

[@erichtisnado1536]

I have an R4P, and the lane assist is more annoying than helpful. The one you're testing seems to be doing way better. Mine basically gets fooled by any cracks in the road, mistaking them for lane stripes. It often ends up following the wrong lines, and pushes and pulls all over the lane... ping ponging, as you say. It causes me more stress than it relieves.

[@rotorwind177]

I’d like to see the adventure rav on the same trail

[@KawaiiAznPanda7]

Fellow Washingtonian here, which trail was this? I’ve been looking into this car recently and I’m liking it for the most part.

[@agenttnega6173]

3:00 it all starts very well, because the rear wheels are working, just look at the front of the car - it lifts up when starting that is, the rear axle drives the vehicle.

[@zmirc]

Good observation

[@andrewzhuk8713]

It may sound crazy, but I swear my rav4 hybrid performed better off-road. I had mountain climbing on trail similar to this one, the main problem was clearance. I hit some stones several times, thankfully didn’t damage the car. Also it was even harder to go downhill, i had to constantly apply brakes. They started smelling like hot ironing device. But I never had the problems like here. Oh, I didn’t use trail mode, all the time I was in sport mode. My tires were dedicated Bridgestones summer tires.

[@rncondie]

I thought about this video when I encountered a reasonable grade dirt road yesterday in Utah. My XLE hybrid 2019 went right up it with no problems and I went at least one mile making turns navigating washed out parts of the road etc. I don’t question you had issues, but you don’t stop on a hill. Just keep moving a little faster than you were driving and you will be just fine. Lowering the tire pressure for rocky terrain like you were driving makes a huge difference. An experienced off road driver is just as important as the automobile. If you are a passive driver you will get stuck.

[@DavidWebbWriter]

Number of people buying a Rav4 Hybrid as a rock-crawler: zero. Number of other sub-$40k vehicles on the road that can make it up this trail, do 0-60 in 7.5 secs and score 40+ mpg: also zero. Which is why he's likely saying it's one of his favourite crossovers on the market. I think it's as close to a game-changer as I've seen in a while... a truly singular vehicle of which there is no direct competition. That's why i bought one, anyway. ;-)

[@qwertzylkjhg]

David Webb Word!! Same here!

[@point4894]

Killer cheap RAV4. NEW CR-V Hybrid. Soon.

[@ff11dream]

Thank You

[@CoreyMorris1]

I wonder how this compares to the forester for the same off road test and in snowy or wet conditions.

[@newchannel1231]

Excellent review overall...reviewer, video n sound, location. Thanks

[@user-ei9yg5wj9n]

I would be curious how the Rav4 hybrid would do with better tires. It would be fun to see that video, maybe with the Rav4 Woodland edition?

[@krisk1547]

its good city car. my friend is buying one but dealer is pushing non hybrid version on him saying there is 2 months wait time for hybrid.

[@Alex_564]

So no Adventure or TRD Hybrid model?