2019 Toyota RAV4 XSE HV Offers Suburban Function with a Side of Adventure

It has been 22 years since Toyota disrupted the SUV segment with the first RAV4. And now, the highly-talented and creative Toyota engineers are again changing the game as to how a compact crossover SUV should look and act with the all new 5th generation RAV4.

Versatility is Key

Back when engineers would sit down to design sedans, the formula was pretty simple. It needs to have a comfortable interior, good looking style, and a refined ride. A sedan was a very limited utilitarian vehicle as the daily commuter vehicle, the family grocery getter, or the occasional date night ride. If you were an outdoor adventurous type of person, you would have to buy a car for your daily commute and a truck or large SUV to pull your boat, camper, or trailer. Now, with the advancement of technology and materials, specifically in frame weight and gas milage, you no longer need to choose between a sedan, truck, or large SUV. You can get it all in one vehicle today. That type of vehicle was my press loan for the week. The all-new RAV4 has been redesigned to be a compact crossover SUV that will still handle daily suburban chores, but also act like a full-size SUV for great outdoor adventures without giving up comfort, style, or segment-leading fuel efficiency that the RAV4 has become known for.

XSE Hybrid: More Power and Efficiency

To meet the new requirements consumers are looking for in their vehicles, the RAV4 has been upgraded in some key areas and completely changed in others. At the heart of the changes for the hybrid is an upgraded powertrain technology that will not only improve the XSE Hybrid's performance, but also its overall fuel consumption. The engine that will come standard with the XSE hybrid is the Dynamic Force 2.5-liter inline four cylinder. This engine is capable of producing 176 horsepower by itself; and when combined with the hybrid power, it will jump to a combined 219 horsepower. The upgrade will also allow the hybrid SUV to produce a class leading 41 mpg city, 37 highway, and 39 combined.

I made a run to a lake that was over an hour away from my home to see for myself how easy 37 mpg could be had in a vehicle the size of the RAV4. It's not a full-size SUV, but it's no Prius either. It was a typical Texas summer day with the thermometer over a hundred; and when you toss in the humidity index, it was closer to 108 degrees. I had the moonroof shade open, the air conditioner on max cool, and was driving Texas interstate speeds. I was trying real hard to put as much Texas pressure on the overall system as I could. After we finally escaped the Dallas traffic and were on the open road, the miles per gallon started to rise. It eventually topped out at 41.3 mpg, which beat the highway registered of 37 by 4 mpg. I wasn't able to trailer anything to test what the fuel economy would have been like under that load, but I bet donuts to dollars it beats any truck on the market.

Hybrid Torque

The RAV4 XSE is a front-wheel-drive SUV hybrid; so to generate rear wheel torque, it will come standard with a separate rear-mounted electric motor. This rear motor is electronically monitored and will turn on the rear wheels adding more power or torque, depending on the need of the vehicle at the time. This unique system is not new, but has been upgraded to increase total torque to the rear wheels by 30 percent. That is enough to pull a trailer of jet skis, small camper or bass boat.

Transmission

Because of the unique way the hybrid RAV4 creates power and torque, the engineers didn't utilize the traditional transmission found on the gas powered RAV4s but rather the Toyota Hybrid System II (THS II) with the electronically-controlled continuously-variable transmission (ECVT). This ECVT allows the hybrid to accelerate 0-60 in 7.8 seconds which is quick enough to cause all of your grocery bags to spill out all over the new larger rear cargo area while jumping on a city on-ramp. With the acceleration and power generated by this new hybrid, it is now the top performing RAV4 in the fleet.

City Adventure

The XSE has been designed for the owner who not only wants to chase adventure off the beaten path but also desires a quiet and comfortable ride for their Monday morning commute. For the city drive, the XSE Hybrid has a sport tuned suspension, tauter spring setup, and shock absorber tuning which is attached to the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA-K) platform. The TNGA platform is made with high-strength steel which is the first defense against reducing cabin noise. The use of steel also reduces the body weight and powertrain placement for a lower center of gravity than the RAV4s of the past. This platform, along with the steel body construction, allows the XSE to perform in the city like a sedan. It can handle the everyday utilitarian functions with a quiet-confidence and comfort.

Off-Road Adventure

This new updated RAV4 was not only designed to be more reliable, comfortable, and efficient for the weekly chores, but also designed to instill a stable but adventurous confidence while trekking along as many weekend adventures as possible. Because of TNGA platform and a unibody structure that is 57 percent more rigid than the previous models, the RAV4 will have a longer wheelbase, wider footprint, and shorter front and rear overhangs. Also, the ground clearance has been increased by more than a half inch, giving the RAV4 XSE not only a sporty aggressive look but the ability to change up and cover a lot of different terrains.

Extra Room for More Interior Comfort

The all-new interior design for the RAV4 is a direct result of the wider and longer TGNA steel platform the RAV4 sits on, so now second row passengers will get extra leg and elbow room. The center console is wider by roughly 1.5 inches, and the center armrest is almost 3/4” inch higher to match the door armrest height. This extra room gives the RAV4 more of a full-size SUV feel that will allow for a more natural and comfortable sitting position for those long daily commutes or long trips to the coast or mountains. The new platform also provides more cargo space for sports gear or items for outdoor activities like camping or mountain climbing.

Sporty Yet Refined

The XSE is considered one of the sportiest RAV4s to date, but it is still refined and comfortable enough to be driven for a swanky dinner date on the town. The exterior theme was derived from the Toyota truck line especially the front clip and grill area. The overall appearance mirrors the attitude that this SUV is designed for rugged outdoor fun. It has an athletic stance with its 18-inch five-spoke, black-painted sport alloy wheels with 225/60R18 tires that seem to say, Let's go do something fun today. The fleet of new RAV4s will be available in nine different colors; but if you decide to purchase the sporty XSE package, it will have an exclusive two-tone exterior paint scheme that accents the XSE's sportier appearance. As you can see from the pictures, the primary color will cover the body with the roof painted black metallic. Whether you are wanting a sporty feel or a rich refined look the black metallic accents help define whatever appearance you like. View the RAV4 color palette that is available for the fleet including the XSE two-tone combinations.

Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.0

Toyota's commitment to offer their Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) system throughout the entire Toyota vehicle fleet, no matter the price point, is proof of the commitment Toyota has made to eliminate vehicle related deaths. The 2019 RAV4 line will come standard with the new upgraded second generation Toyota Safety Sense (TSS 2.0) system. This upgraded system will build upon the successful 1.0 system and offer new active-safety technologies that will try to help prevent vehicle collisions, or at the very least mitigate their impacts. I am not going to list all the safety features here that are now offered by the TSS 2.0, but I will give you a couple of my favorites and also provide a link with the extensive list.

• Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD)

  This safety feature is important because if a vehicle cannot detect a pedestrian or bicyclist then it will be impossible to have autonomous vehicles.

• Road Sign Assist (RSA)

  The RSA is a driver support system that uses a forward facing camera in conjunction with the navigation system to find speed limit signs, stop signs, do not enter signs, and yield signs in order to display them on the MID. I like this technology because I'm usually too busy looking at the scenery and historic buildings when rolling small towns in East Texas, and I don't always pay attention to the speed limit signs.

The whole RAV4 line will have a number of the upgrades I discussed; but if you are wanting adventurous fun and excitement on a budget, you should stop into a dealership and look at all the other new features (like the impressive infotainment system) and then test drive the XSE hybrid for yourself.

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Toyota | RAV4 XSE HV