Hybrid Alternative Energy Car

2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Ownership Review

 

We’re spending 12 months with this Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, reviewing the full ownership experience with ongoing updates.

Heading into overtime

by Matt DeLorenzo on August 25, 2020
Price: $38,038 | Price yours
Current Odometer: 12,726 miles
Latest MPG: 28.9 mpg
Lifetime MPG: 35.3 mpg
Maintenance/Service Costs: $57.76
Days out of Service: 0
It’s been over a year since we’ve taken delivery of our 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and normally we’d be doing our wrapup having covered over 12,000 miles over 12 months. But as we earlier mentioned, we will soon get a gas tank retrofit that will result in more complete refills of the 14.5-gallon capacity and hopefully extend the range to over 400 miles. We will hang onto the RAV4 until October to see how it fares.
But over the course of the time so far, the RAV4 has proven dependable, fuel-efficient with our lifetime economy number seemingly fixed on 35-36 mpg. A side note is that Toyota is selling more RAV4 Hybrids than standard models. So, I think even though gasoline prices are down, buyers still want to maximize mileage. And why the gas tank retrofit dovetails nicely since part of that equation is not just lower aggregate fuel costs, but also being able to go fairly long distances between visits to the pump.
During this period, I also experienced the new 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime, the plug-in hybrid version. I was favorably impressed not just with the mileage and all-electric range of 42 miles (I managed to eke out 45 miles), but also with some changes that the Prime represents. It’s primarily in the area of making the cabin more serene. The Prime benefits from additional insulation and laminated glass on the front doors. It’s not only quiet but also reminds me how much more road and wind noise intrudes on the hybrid and standard models. Hopefully, that approach from the Prime will filter its way across the RAV4 lineup.

Summer vacation

by Matt DeLorenzo on July 13, 2020
Price: $38,038 | Price yours
Current Odometer: 12,199 miles
Latest MPG: 31.8 mpg
Lifetime MPG: 35.6 mpg
Maintenance/Service Costs: $57.76
Days out of Service: 0
It’s been almost a year and we’ve logged just over 12,000 miles on our long term 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. The time has passed quickly and the car is still fun to drive and practical for plenty of purposes. However, recently I tried to put a bike rack on the rear hatch. But I found that the attractive spoiler atop the hatch and other bits of cladding kind of get in the way of hooks and other attachments for the rack. Instead of risking damage to these bits, I opted to put the rack on our family car instead.
This points to the fact that when you get aftermarket accessories, you need to research more than just the piece of kit you are looking to spec. Go to the forums and other resources on the web to find what works best for your vehicle. No sense in ruining your vehicle with cheap gear that will damage your paint. Also, my bike rack experience points out the wisdom of getting a trailer hitch receiver with your vehicle purchase. Not only does a receiver work well you’ll also find yourself well-positioned to get that lightweight trailer you’ve been eyeing.
The RAV4 is perfect to do some lightweight road work. With its towing capacity of 1,750 pounds, it easily pulls small campers, boats and trailers. Speaking of vacations, I’ll be taking a little break from RAV4 stewardship. I’m getting into our other SUV long term vehicle, a 2019 Honda Passport. It’s the bigger twin of the RAV4 with its dark blue paint scheme and black wheels. The RAV4 will be staying local, while I take the Passport on a road trip to Chicago. Check out that trip on the Passport’s long-term page.

Little details pay big dividends

by Matt DeLorenzo on June 29, 2020
Price: $38,038 | Price yours
Current Odometer: 11,676 miles
Latest MPG: 32.8 mpg
Lifetime MPG: 35.7 mpg
Maintenance/Service Costs: $57.76
Days out of Service: 0
Life is returning to the new normal after our trip to Sedona. We find ourselves doing short hops, no daily commutes, a lot of mixed city and some freeway driving. As a result, our most recent fill-up showed almost a 6 mpg drop. Still, the overall fuel economy remains in the mid-30s, which is great considering the size and comfort of the RAV4.
It’s the little details that add to the desirability of a RAV4 as family transport. The rear seats are comfortable with a reclining feature. The handle at the top of the seat also makes it easy to flip down to open up the cargo area. That makes it easy to load in a long dolly I borrowed to move around some appliances at the home. There are also thoughtful touches like the power release for the rear liftback and the easy-access USB ports in the center console.
As for other features like the lane departure warning and assist, lately, I’ve taken to driving with the system deactivated. While it can be handy on a long road trip, the warning and steering assist can be a bit intrusive. This is especially true in settings where there are multiple lane markings. On the other hand, the blind-spot monitoring remains a must-have.

Sedona send-off

by Matt DeLorenzo on June 15, 2020

Price: $38,038 | Price yours
Current Odometer: 11,331 miles
Latest MPG: 38.8 mpg
Lifetime MPG: 35.8 mpg
Maintenance/Service Costs: $57.76
Days out of Service: 0
Looking to add miles to our long-term 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, we embarked on a journey to Sedona, a roundtrip of over 1,000 miles including a stop in Mesa, just east of Phoenix. The scenery in Northern Arizona is spectacular with red rocks contrasting with greenery that includes pine trees and cacti, which were still flowering. We took full advantage of the opportunity to hike, bike, and actually eat in a restaurant.
The RAV4 did its job, transporting us with no drama and providing plenty of rear-seat comfort for our son and his girlfriend on our scenic drives in and around Oak Creek Canyon. We also did a bit of shopping coming home with an electric bicycle, which fit handily in the cargo area with the rear seats folded down.
Fuel economy was up significantly despite the higher 75-mph limits in Arizona. We saw 38.8 mpg on our return trip. Gas is also considerably less expensive in Arizona than it is in California–at one stop we filled up at 2.19 per gallon. It is almost a buck more per gallon in the Golden State. Upon our return, we’re also scheduled to get a preview of the upcoming RAV4 Prime, the plug-in hybrid version, so it will be interesting to do a compare and contrast of these two alternative-power compact CUVs.

More miles to go

by Matt DeLorenzo on May 28, 2020

Price: $38,038 | Price yours
Current Odometer: 10,226 miles
Latest MPG: 35.2 mpg
Lifetime MPG: 35.6 mpg
Maintenance/Service Costs: $57.76
Days out of Service: 0

We’ve been rolling up miles slowly on our long-term Toyota RAV4 Hybrid because of our continued work-from-home regimen. However, visions of future road trips are dancing in our heads as we weigh a jaunt to Salt Lake City (and the more-open Utah) or trek to the Grand Canyon with a swing by Sedona and Phoenix. We’ll keep you posted.
In our suburban meanderings, fuel economy continues to hold steady at about 36 mpg in mixed stop-and-go city and some relatively uncrowded blasts on the freeway. We recently got some news on the gas fill situation. Evidently, Toyota has an interim fix and a more permanent remedy that may come later this summer. As a result, we’re going to hang onto our RAV4 beyond the July I-year anniversary of its joining our fleet. We want to get the fix and then have some real-world experience in how being able to use the full 14.5-gallon capacity affects our range.

Routine service

by Matt DeLorenzo on May 13, 2020

Price: $38,038 | Price yours
Current Odometer: 10,095 miles
Latest MPG: 34.2 mpg
Lifetime MPG: 35.6 mpg
Maintenance/Service Costs: $57.76
Days out of Service: 0

The odometer finally rolled over 10,000 miles and we took our long-term 2019 RAV4 Hybrid in for regularly scheduled maintenance. Even though much of California remains locked down, Irvine Toyota had a near-normal feel to it. The service bays are open, there are plenty of signs around cautioning patrons to social distance. And everyone, employees and customers alike, wore masks. The waiting room was also filled, with ample space between those deciding to wait for their vehicles.

As for me, I was picked up and dropped off by my son–I decided to forgo the complimentary local shuttle offered by the dealership. The 10,000-mile checkup is pretty straightforward: oil and filter change, tire rotation, checks of the brakes, battery, and other fluid and inspection checks. The RAV4 now sports a freshly washed exterior, gratis.

Toyota covers the first two services and while we paid for the first one, which was just an oil change, this $99.80 service was free, a pleasant surprise. This scheduled maintenance routinely costs $69 for labor and $30.80 for parts and materials. Also, the inspection includes a check of your floormats (part of an earlier Prius recall when it was discovered that drivers were stacking up the mats for some odd reason, which in turn interfered with accelerator pedal return.) Anyway, it’s not a problem with the RAV4, but it’s interesting to see Toyota’s vigilance on this matter. Other than that, there were no issues with the car and we were able to collect it within three hours of dropping it off.

Our next regularly scheduled maintenance is at 15,000 miles. So far, the RAV4 continues to perform flawlessly.


Long road ahead

by Matt DeLorenzo on April 27, 2020

Price: $38,038 | Price yours
Current Odometer: 9,840 miles
Latest MPG: 34.2 mpg
Lifetime MPG: 35.6 mpg
Maintenance/Service Costs: $57.76
Days out of Service: 0

We are still locked down at Casa DeLorenzo for the duration, so the mileage has not exactly been piling up on our long-term 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. As we inch closer to the 10,000-mile reading, we’re looking forward to a service visit as a reason for getting out of the house. For now, it appears we’ll be here until mid-May and not back in our Irvine offices for Kelley Blue Book before June 1.
What limited excursions we have been able to take include trips to the grocery store, Home Depot, and a local nursery. A lot of gardening is on our agenda. The RAV4 is up to the task of hauling home food, plants, and other household repair items. Fuel economy remains in the mid-30s and I hope to find a place to get the RAV4 washed soon.

Sheltering in place

by Matt DeLorenzo on April 10, 2020

Price: $38,038 | Price yours
Current Odometer: 9,494 miles
Latest MPG: 33.5 mpg
Lifetime MPG: 35.6 mpg
Maintenance/Service Costs: $57.76
Days out of Service: 0

Not much is going on as we finish our third week of sheltering in place. That includes running up the mileage on our long-term 2019 Toyota RAV4. Our travel is confined to just essential trips to the grocery store and the garden nursery (which fall under agriculture as an essential business).

Our fuel economy remains stable and the RAV4 in the mid-30s. It probably won’t change much with a reduced duty cycle. The RAV4 is serving us well, in bringing home the groceries and a few plants we’ve added to our garden.

The lockdown will end soon, we hope, and we can get back on the road. It’s not many more miles when we’ll be taking the RAV4 in for its 10,000-mile service, so we’ll have much more to report then.


Wine country safari

by Matt DeLorenzo on March 19, 2020

Price: $38,038 | Price yours
Current Odometer: 9,142 miles
Latest MPG: 35.6 mpg
Lifetime MPG: 35.2 mpg
Maintenance/Service Costs: $57.76
Days out of Service: 0

We were able to escape town just as the extent of the COVID-19 Coronavirus was becoming known on a planned trip to visit some friends in Los Olivos just north of Santa Barbara. I’d already been told to work from home for the rest of the week (it would soon turn into the rest of the month) so a few extra days on the trip were tacked on.

Friday saw very little traffic as we headed north to the sleepy village in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley wine country. The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is a great freeway cruiser thanks to its relatively high seating position. I also appreciate the ease of entry and exit, especially after spending a bit of time in a low-slung Honda Accord Hybrid. While the Accord is fun to drive and comfortable, I didn’t realize how accustomed I became to the RAV4’s easy step-in height until I had to get down to get into the Honda.

In addition to the upright driving position, the RAV4 had plenty of space for our stuff, including a case a wine we picked up over our meanderings from winery to winery. We were at the Firestone vinyards picking up our wine club shipment when the order came down to close all tasting rooms, bars, and later restaurants. Fortunately, our trip was coming to a close. Monday’s cruise home took only three hours as we breezed through the Los Angeles Basin in record time smack dab in the middle of the day.

The RAV4 proved itself as the perfect weekend getaway machine. We hope to make more use of it as a way to occasionally escape our homebound existence.


Settling into the old routine

by Matt DeLorenzo on February 28, 2020

Price: $38,038 | Price yours
Current Odometer: 8,485 miles
Latest MPG: 34.2 mpg
Lifetime MPG: 35.2 mpg
Maintenance/Service Costs: $57.76
Days out of Service: 0

We’ve settled into the ownership experience with our 2019 Toyota RAV4. The fuel economy remains solid in the mid-30s. The driving experience is comfortable, composed and well-suited to everyday driving.

We’ve adapted to some of the minor annoyances. Among them are the spaceship sounding back-up tone and the difficulty in getting a full fill on the tank. There are other things that we’ve come to truly appreciate. These include the ease of getting in and out of the vehicle and the flexibility of the cargo area. The RAV4 does everything that a midsize Camry can do with the bonus of a taller ride height and decidedly cool styling.

The black over dark blue paint scheme also has another benefit in that it does an admirable job of hiding dirt. We do wash the RAV4 regularly and one of the great things about the black wheels is that they are easy to clean and don’t show brake dust as a satin silver alloy would.


Your wish is my command

by Matt DeLorenzo on February 12, 2020

Price: $38,038 | Price yours
Current Odometer: 8,141 miles
Latest MPG: 34.0 mpg
Lifetime MPG: 35.2 mpg
Maintenance/Service Costs: $57.76
Days out of Service: 0

Our recent road trip to Phoenix did its part to boost the overall fuel economy numbers of our long-term 2019 Toyota RAV4. While we did see a per tank high of just over 39 mpg on the way out, the swifter return trip saw the average drop back down into the mid-30s. Still, the overall fuel economy remains a strong suit for the RAV4. It is a comfortable cross-country vehicle with supportive bucket seats and room behind the second row for multiple bags including a full set of golf clubs.

While on the trip, I had the opportunity to again check out the voice command system with mixed results. Generally, it could find contacts in my connected phone, but occasionally it’s easy to stump the system, especially when my son Stephen’s number is listed under Stevo. It took several tries, including a couple of unsuccessful attempts to spell it out, before it caught the gist and gave his number as one of my options.

The same goes for the nav system. It did a stellar job in finding several specific street addresses and even a point of interest in the form of a Holiday Inn Express in Scottsdale. It failed, however, when the simple command for Sky Harbor Airport called up Goderich’s airport in Ontario, Canada rather than the Phoenix one. This goes to show that while voice recognition has come a long way, it still has plenty of room for improvement.


Your mileage may vary

by Matt DeLorenzo on January 29, 2020

Price: $38,038 | Price yours
Current Odometer: 7,031 miles
Latest MPG: 32.4 mpg
Lifetime MPG: 33.1 mpg
Maintenance/Service Costs: $57.76
Days out of Service: 0

Just when I’ve been praising the fuel economy consistency of our long-term 2019 Toyota RAV4, I handed off the keys to some other, shall we say more enthusiastic, members of the staff. The results, a noticeable drop in fuel economy, are predictable. Our lifetime fuel economy dropped about 2 mpg and the metronomic 35-36 mpg per tank dropped to just over 32 mpg.

Still, more than 30 mpg for a vehicle with the size and utility of the Toyota RAV4 is commendable. However, it shows that if you want to reach the upper ranges of its efficiency, you’re better off leaving it in Econ mode and motor with a relatively light foot. On the other hand, the staffers who’ve taken this baby on joy rides were impressed with its quickness in Sport mode.

Fuel economy issues aside, I had an opportunity to check out the emergency rear automatic braking. A lot of these systems are great for saving you from that pole you might not see or other obstructions behind the vehicle. However, this time, I was backing up and fully aware of the vehicle crossing my path. I was just beginning to slowly back out of my space while letting the vehicle pass by. The 2019 Toyota RAV4, of course, wasn’t able to read my intention and immediately slammed on the brake with a large emergency brake signal flashing on the center infotainment screen. Glad to know it works, even though its engagement caught me off guard. With the proliferation of this technology, one has to wonder how body shops are going to fare in the not too distant future.

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Consistency pays

by Matt DeLorenzo on January 14, 2020

Price: $38,038 | Price yours
Current Odometer: 6,336 miles
Latest MPG: 36.1 mpg
Lifetime MPG: 35.8 mpg
Maintenance/Service Costs: $57.76
Days out of Service: 0

While we are still awaiting further info on the fuel tank fill mystery, our long-term 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid continues to deliver amazingly consistent fuel economy. It clocks in right around 36 mpg. Interestingly, the numbers have not varied much despite a wide mix of simple city driving during a ridiculously short daily commute by L.A. standards (4 miles) to freeway cruises and short road trips.

This is due primarily to the way that the hybrid powertrain works. In urban driving situations, it uses the electrified portion of the drivetrain as much as possible to raise city fuel economy. At the same time, it retains the long-legged efficiency of the gas engine during higher speed, steady-state cruising. If you look at the fuel economy ratings of most hybrids, you’ll find near parity between city and highway (in some cases city mpg may be higher).

Seamless operator

Beyond the fuel economy, the RAV4’s hybrid system itself is seamless and consistent in operation. The engine stop-start function is barely noticeable and, better yet, the regenerative braking is well controlled. This is a big thing because when you pull your foot off the throttle in some systems, it feels as if a boat anchor’s been tossed out. Not so with the RAV4. The only indication you have of regen braking is the readout in the instrument cluster.

Another area where Toyota has done a great job is balancing the regenerative forces with braking feel. Again, in other systems we’ve experienced, there’s a vagueness in the brake feel to where you don’t know if you’re applying enough pressure or what amount of regen the vehicle is using. The RAV4’s braking is consistently linear and predictable.

This illustrates what makes the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid so special. It feels quite ordinary in everyday use.


Tank refill mystery solved…sort of

by Matt DeLorenzo on January 2, 2020

Price: $38,038 | Price yours
Current Odometer: 5,539 miles
Latest MPG: 35.5 mpg
Lifetime MPG: 35.8 mpg
Maintenance/Service Costs: $57.76
Days out of Service: 0

In our early reports on our experience with the 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, we complained about an inability to get a full load of fuel onboard after running the vehicle to where the fuel warning light would come on. The specs say the RAV4 like its non-hybrid sibling, has a 14.5-gallon tank. But, we were unable to put more than 12 gallons in the tank, even when the distance to empty was reading less than 30 miles. We attributed it to perhaps an overly cautious fuel gauge/low fuel warning strategy on the part of Toyota. In any event, on a vehicle with an EPA rating of 41 mpg city/38 highway on a combined 40 mpg you’d expect a range more than 500 miles.

We never got anywhere close to that on a full tank and with most fill-ups, we’d be clicking the pump handle repeatedly just to get 10 gallons in. Turns out we’re not the only one. As a result of multiple complaints, Toyota is investigating the fuel system of its RAV4 Hybrid model. Of interest is the shape of the fuel tank which differs from the longitudinal mounted “papoose” style tank used on the previous model of the hybrid. The new setup is a saddle bag type transverse tank ostensibly designed to accommodate the rear battery pack.

According to a statement sent to Automotive News, Toyota said it is  “investigating a fuel tank shape issue on certain RAV4 Hybrid vehicles. In these cases, variations in fuel tank shape may prevent a full refill by up to several gallons. This condition may impact the vehicle’s total available driving distance. As a best practice, customers should refuel before or when the low fuel light illuminates, to prevent running out of fuel.” We’ve contacted Toyota PR seeking a further explanation of the situation and hopefully will have more answers soon.


First Service

by Matt DeLorenzo on December 19, 2019

Price: $38,038 | Price yours
Current Odometer: 5,169 miles
Latest MPG: 39.3 mpg
Lifetime MPG: 35.8 mpg
Maintenance/Service Costs: $57.76
Days out of Service: 0

The odometer on our long-term on our 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid ticked over the 5,000-mile mark and the driver information display informed us it was time for service, our first. It was simple to make a reservation on the website for AutoNation Toyota Irvine. The whole service process took about an hour, so I decided to wait for the car even though the dealership has a shuttle for local runs.

Most buyers get the first two service visits free, but since ours was acquired through the Toyota fleet, Kelley Blue Book would pick up all the maintenance costs so we’d be able to accurately gauge an owner’s out-of-pocket expenses. The first visit is fairly rudimentary, basically, tire rotation and inspection of wear items like the brakes and wipers as well as checking fluid levels and tire pressures. A standard RAV4 inspection on this order costs just under $40, but our bill came to $57.76 because hybrid models require a cleaning of the battery cooling intake filter. No oil change, that will come at the 10,000-mile visit.

The experience was quick, efficient and all the employees from the service advisor to the cashier were very polite, friendly and able to explain all the aspects of the visit. The only disappointment was the lack of a complimentary car wash, something we have come to expect thanks to our experience with other makes.

DID YOU KNOW? With State Farm, great coverage doesn’t have to cost more. (sponsored) Advertisement


Return to duty

by Matt DeLorenzo on December 2, 2019

Price: $38,038 | Price yours
Current Odometer: 4,462 miles
Latest MPG: 35.7 mpg
Lifetime MPG: 36.1 mpg
Maintenance/Service Costs: $0*
Days out of Service: 0*

After nearly two months in the shop, our long-term 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XSE has been returned to service following its untimely encounter with a deer in North Dakota. While the extent of the collision appeared to be confined to the front fascia and other plastic bits including the grille and the right front fender flare, closer inspection at the body shop revealed more extensive damage beneath including some broken mounting tabs on the apparently intact and still functioning headlamps as well as some parking sensors and a fog light that needed replacing.

Lengthy repair

We put asterisks by the days out of service because the downtime was not the fault of the vehicle itself. It should be noted that the insurance-covered bodywork which totaled about $8,000 and nearly 60 days of waiting due to back-ordered parts underscores that even minor hits that don’t deploy the airbags can be very expensive in both time and money.

While the vehicle itself is equipped with amazing technology like forward collision mitigation, park distance warnings and the like, these sensors are expensive and often include a trip to the dealership for recalibration. Fortunately for us, the main radar unit used for the adaptive cruise control was unscathed.

In any event, we’re happy to have the RAV4 back in service, and after its repair, looks and drives like it did the day we got it. After sliding behind the wheel and familiarizing myself with the controls, the comfortable seats, and the great outward visibility, I was reminded how much I missed this compact crossover and how much I look forward to the miles ahead.


Road Trip Part V: The long ride home

by Matt DeLorenzo on October 11, 2019

Price: $38,038 | Price yours
Current Odometer: 4,462 miles
Latest MPG: 35.7 mpg
Lifetime MPG: 36.1 mpg
Maintenance/Service Costs: $0
Days out of Service: 0

The morning dawned with drizzle in Deadwood, South Dakota. I looked over the damage to our long-term 2019 Toyota RAV4. Other than the big piece of missing front fascia and miscellaneous bits that I managed to throw in the back seat, other critical parts, like the front headlamps and more importantly the radar unit for the cruise control, seemed intact.

With the weather and news that the visitor center at Mt. Rushmore was being renovated so access to the monument was limited, I decided that it was time to be homeward bound. The first leg would be a 640-mile stint to Salt Lake City and my sister’s place. With the gaping hole in the front fascia, I knew fuel economy was bound to take a hit and it did. Over that leg with two fill-ups, fuel economy worked out to 34.6 mpg.

Homeward bound

After a great dinner and overnight stay, it was time to press on for the final 685-mile slog from Salt Lake to Irvine. Using duct tape, I was able to reattach the broken piece of fascia, which helped improve airflow a bit. In 100-plus degree temps outside Las Vegas, I had to stop for some more duct tape, this time a hardier all-weather variety that could take the heat. A little over 10 hours from Salt Lake brought me home. The duct tape magic had its effect on fuel economy—I registered 36.2 mpg on the last two tanks during the return.

The trip had covered 3,098 miles and other than the deer incident, the RAV4 performed flawlessly. I came to appreciate the adaptive cruise control and its effect on reducing fatigue during long days in the saddle. And the saddle itself, the supportive bucket seats, proved comfortable and supportive, a definite plus not only for extended trips but also in shorter, daily commutes. This is a vehicle you can own for a long time and not tire from its seating position, looks or performance. The RAV4 is off to the body shop for some much-needed rest and repairs. I can’t wait for it to rejoin our long-term stable.

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Road Trip Part IV: Oh, deer

by Matt DeLorenzo on September 27, 2019

Price: $38,038 | Price yours
Current Odometer: 3,046 miles
Latest MPG: 32.5 mpg
Lifetime MPG: 36.7 mpg
Maintenance/Service Costs: $0
Days out of Service: 0

Driving east from Billings into North Dakota in our 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid with an eventual destination of Deadwood in the Black Hills of South Dakota, was not the most direct route, but it would fill in another state box on my personal checklist. It was late in the day and as dusk approached, I could still see the rolling grasslands that are unique to this region. I also understand why they call it Big Sky Country. Because of the lack of the huge mountain ranges to the west and desolate landscape, your eyes are naturally drawn upward to the billowing clouds set against the blue skies. It gives new meaning to the word vast.

As the sun dropped below the horizon, however, a new concern popped up, one that I hadn’t considered when planning the trip. Driving at night, especially on rural roads has its own dangers, mainly wildlife. More particularly, deer. Outside of Bowman, North Dakota, I had my first sighting, a rather large buck that was standing the middle of the road, almost ghost-like. I was able to slow and avoid him, but it put me on notice to be more aware. I began to see other deer later, feeding by the side of the road. I’d honk or flash the lights and they’d get out of the way.

Sudden impact

Then it happened. About 10 miles south of Bowman, a deer in full stride appeared out of nowhere and I was unable to swerve out of the way. It hit the right front corner of the RAV4 taking the worst of it. The RAV4 had a broken front fascia, a fractured grille, but the headlamps were unscathed. Pulling the broken pieces of the fascia off and putting them in the back seat, I called in the deer strike and found out that because they are so numerous, the highway patrol no longer takes reports. They just wanted a location to send someone to collect the remains. Shaken, I headed on towards Deadwood. The RAV4 tracked straight, the adaptive cruise and lane-keeping assist still worked, but the parking sensors on the right front were broken, which flashed a warning on the dash.

I made it to the hotel late and decided to wait until morning to further assess the damage and my next move on the trip.


Road Trip Part III: Taking the high way

by Matt DeLorenzo on September 20, 2019

Price: $38,038 | Price yours
Current Odometer: 2,741 miles
Latest MPG: 44.8 mpg
Lifetime MPG: 37.4 mpg
Maintenance/Service Costs: $0
Days out of Service: 0

So far, the road trip in our 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid has been pretty uneventful, lots of interstate and backroad two-lane miles and some fairly interesting scenery, but nothing that will take your breath away. That changed leaving Jackson, Wyo., for a drive up through the Tetons and into Yellowstone National Parks.

Breathtaking not only for the scenery but also for some of the roads, especially the Beartooth Highway, out of the northeast corner of Yellowstone, which summits at nearly 11,000 feet. While I had been making great time out on the open road, in the national parks, you need to be patient, take your time and take in the sights. The southern leg up through Grand Teton featured a variety of road surfaces including dirt and gravel, an environment perfectly suited for the RAV4. The raised driving position and large glass area of the greenhouse (including the panoramic sunroof) allow you to take it all in, including the towering mountains still wearing snow in late August.

Patience, patience

On into Yellowstone, the traffic builds, so again, patience is the key. I stopped at Old Faithful and contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t go on at regular intervals, but rather it’s called that because it’s one of the most active geysers in the park and will spout in intervals ranging from 35 minutes to 2.5 hours. A check of the Yellowstone website lets you know the approximate time (plus or minus 10 minutes) of the next eruption.

Meandering out of the park will take you several hours, and you’ll see a lot of wildlife. A traffic jam on one of the roads was not caused by summer construction (check the park handout before you go to avoid those man-made jams) but rather by a pair of Bison that were walking nose to tail down the double yellow line.

Taking a pass

A friend recommended taking the Beartooth Highway out of the park on the way to Billings, Mont., and it was truly a spectacular ride. The RAV4 was easy to pilot through the switchbacks and thanks to the hybrid powertrain, it didn’t ever really feel winded at all as we hit the summit. I, on the other hand, did feel a little light-headed, kept drinking plenty of water and felt a lot better once I got down to a more manageable 6,000-foot altitude. Still, it was a most memorable daylong drive.

Because of the relatively low speeds in the park and then the steady-state level cruising from the Beartooth Highway to Billings, I recorded the highest fuel economy readings of the trip so far, 44.8 mpg. I was able to go 463.4 miles on the tank (the Distance to Empty was reading single digits when I pulled into the gas station east of Billings).

06 2019 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid Update 4
05 2019 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid Update 4
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Road Trip Part II: Cruising down the highway

by Matt DeLorenzo on September 13, 2019

Price: $38,038 | Price yours
Current Odometer: 2,277 miles
Latest MPG: 37.1 mpg
Lifetime MPG: 36.1 mpg
Maintenance/Service Costs: $0
Days out of Service: 0

After spending the evening in St. George, Utah, I set out for Jackson Hole, tracking along I-15 to Spanish Fork, where 89 would lead through Sundance, past Park City and on into Wyoming. The great thing about Western road trips is the speed limits—Interstate limits are 80 mph in more places than you think and even the back-road two-lane highways have limits approaching 70 mph, so you can definitely make time.

Already with more than 800 miles under my belt, I’ve become a big fan of the RAV4’s radar-controlled adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist. For the longest time, I remember preferring to not use standard cruise control, because I felt I was always fiddling with it. Especially if you run into any kind of temporary congestion when making time on the freeway. You know, when that 18-wheeler pulls out to pass another and traffic begins to stack up. When using conventional cruise control you’d have to disengage it and reengage it when the road cleared.

With these new adaptive cruise control systems, you can set the speed and forget it. You can also set your comfort level of how close you want to get to traffic in front of you and the lane-keeping assist on the RAV4 was highly accurate in keeping the vehicle in the center of the lane. Only occasionally did I feel the need to intervene. While the lane-keeping assist would also track on the gentle curves, it’s not hands-free driving (the system will warn you to put your hands on the wheel if it senses no feedback after 20 seconds or so).

Flawless adaptive cruise

The adaptive cruise worked flawlessly and even brought the RAV4 down to a halt in stop-and-go traffic, though you have to hit the throttle to get going when traffic moves.  It was also able to maintain a reasonable distance at the closest follow setting. It wasn’t too close to where you felt you were on someone’s bumper, but also near enough to make that right lane denizen think twice about slotting in between you and the car in front.

After 8 hours when I pulled into Jackson Hole, I didn’t feel worn out and I attribute that to the comfortable and supportive seats as well as the adaptive cruise. I was doing much less work than if I were actively regulating the speed and had a tighter grip on the steering. Both the seats and the cruise control were ready and able to handle the long miles ahead.

A note on fuel economy: The fill-up in Cokeville, Wyoming, included 10.143 gallons of fuel having traveled 376.1 miles—the Distance to Empty said I could go about another 30 miles, but I wasn’t sure how far the next services were. When I gassed up that morning in Cedar City, Utah, I’d been able to travel 457.7 miles on the previous tank of fuel. The DTE meter said I had 4 miles of range left. When I filled up, DTE read 496 miles after putting 11.75 gallons into the 14.5-gallon tank. Again, it points to a conservative approach in dealing with low fuel.


Road Trip: Part 1

by Matt DeLorenzo on September 6, 2019

Price: $38,038 | Price yours
Current Odometer: 1444 miles
Latest MPG: 37.8 mpg
Lifetime MPG: 35.2 mpg
Maintenance/Service Costs: $0
Days out of Service: 0

There’s no better way to get to know a vehicle than to take it on an extended road trip. With this most recent fill-up at the local Shell station about a half-mile from our Irvine offices, I’m setting out on a circuitous trip. The itinerary includes a stop in Las Vegas for my brother’s bachelor party. It’s followed by a flight to Michigan for some golf. Then I return to the desert to pick up the RAV4 and head north.

The destinations include the Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, a blast through Montana hooking the corner of North Dakota (because I’ve never been there) and then on to Deadwood, S.D. Also on the route are Mount Rushmore and a stop in Salt Lake City before heading back to Orange County.

Fuel fill woes

One of the aspects of our 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid that I’m getting a handle on it’s the disparity between the low fuel warning and the inability to put more than 12 gallons into the 14.5-gallon tank. I’ve concluded that Toyota is conservative when it comes to its DTE (Distance to Empty) readings. On a full tank, the DTE will read more than 400 miles range. But by the time the low fuel light comes on and the distance left is showing under 50 miles. The trip odometer usually reads in the mid-300-mile range. You expect a vehicle returning between 35 and 40 mpg with a 14.5-gallon tank to have a range upwards of 450 miles.

In loading it up for the trip, there are a few nice features. There’s plenty of room for golf clubs and bags in the cargo area behind the second row. The security shade is easy to put in and take out. I like the RAV4’s combination of large touchscreen and controls like volume and station knobs. There are also manual buttons for the climate controls. This setup helps to keep distractions to a minimum. And a run-through of some verbal commands with the navigation system reveals a setup that is easier to use than most. It is fairly accurate in its understanding of places as well as names for placing phone calls through the hands-free setup. More reports to follow from the road.


Eco vs. Sport mode

by Matt DeLorenzo on August 23, 2019

Price: $38,038 | Price yours
Current Odometer: 948 miles
Latest MPG: 34.6 mpg
Lifetime MPG: 36.2 mpg
Maintenance/Service Costs: $0
Days out of Service: 0

We’re still getting to know our 2019 Toyota RAV4 XSE Hybrid, more through experiencing its features firsthand than drilling through the 5-inch thick owner’s manual. And what we’ve discovered so far is pretty cool, like the difference between Eco and Sport mode.

There’s a rotary dial on the console—twist it left and the RAV4 goes into Eco mode, twist it right for Sport mode. Pushing the button down engages the Normal mode. Most of the time, I’ve been content to leave it in Eco mode for my leisurely drive on surface streets between home and the office. Acceleration is acceptable and the stop/start feature not too obtrusive. This approach has netted earlier fuel economy around 37 mpg.

Get sporty

Recently, we’ve begun to play with the Sport mode, which turns the scale on the speedometer from green to red. But that’s not all. It does transform the RAV4—throttle tip-in is more immediate, the acceleration more urgent and the fuel economy has taken a decided hit, dropping below 35 mpg. That’s still not a bad figure for a vehicle the size of this compact SUV. The hybrid does have more power than the standard 4-cylinder model, making 219 horsepower versus the standard 206. And while torque is actually down for the hybrid (163 lb-ft vs. 184), the immediate response of the electric motor more than makes up for that deficit. So, our RAV4 Hybrid does have a dual nature that can either sip gas or step off the line smartly.

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Getting to know you

by Matt DeLorenzo on August 9, 2019

Price: $38,038 | Price yours
Current Odometer: 723 miles
Latest MPG: 36.7 mpg
Lifetime MPG: 37.0 mpg
Maintenance/Service Costs: $0
Days out of Service: 0

So far, our 2019 Toyota RAV4 XSE Hybrid has seamlessly slotted into our long-term test fleet. It has impressed with its upscale appearance, comfortable ride and effortless performance from the hybrid powertrain. The only thing one editor misses is ventilated seats, but then again, you can’t have everything.

The RAV4 is still delivering a bit below the advertised 40-mpg combined fuel economy. We attribute it in part to the break-in period for the normally aspirated 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. As it runs in, we’ll keep close tabs on the fuel economy to see if it gets closer to the EPA ratings.

Fuel tank conundrum

In the two fill-ups we’ve done so far, the only concern is that the low fuel warning has come on and the vehicle shows about 50-odd mile-range to empty. Still, we were only able to pump about 9 gallons into the tank. The specs show a 14.5-gallon capacity, so we’re a bit puzzled by the disparity. Perhaps a few more trips to the pump will sort this oddity out.

The other debate is whether to keep or remove the roof rack cross beams. They tend to generate wind noise that can be annoying when the sunroof is open. We’ll keep you posted on what we decide to do. For now, though, the RAV4 Hybrid is proving to be a comfortable, competent crossover that’s both handsome and pleasant to drive.

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Introduction

by Matt DeLorenzo on July 26, 2019

  • Price: $38,038 | Price yours
  • Powertrain: 219-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder hybrid
  • All-wheel drive
  • EPA fuel economy: 41 mpg city/38 mpg highway

We’ve been around long enough to remember when the first Toyota RAV4 models were dubbed sport/cutes for their diminutive size and relatively puny performance. My how times have changed. The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is not only a luxuriously appointed compact crossover SUV, but it also has a cutting-edge powertrain that delivers impressive fuel economy.

Styling on the RAV4 has evolved. In its earliest iteration, the SUV-inspired looks primarily came from its body cladding and rear-door mount of the spare tire. Later versions were more modern crossovers with more car-design cues. This latest take moves it back to the realm into a more rugged, off-road inspired look. The 2019 RAV4 has a bold grille, muscular wheel arches, a roof rack, and big 18-inch alloy wheels.

Adding to this more macho appearance of our Blueprint blue RAV4 is the Midnight black roof, roof rack, and black wheels. The effect is quite stealthy.

Hybrid powertrain

A 2.5-liter normally aspirated 4-cylinder engine with two electric motors provides power. The system has a combined output of 219 horsepower and 163 lb-ft of torque powers our RAV4. The powertrain drives all four wheels through a continuously variable transmission. Combined fuel economy of 40 mpg is based on 41 mpg city and 38 mpg highway.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid in XSE trim comes with plenty of equipment for its $33,700 base price. It includes a power rear liftgate, power tilt-slide moonroof, integrated fog lights, LED headlamps, heated outside power mirrors and a roof rack. The interior features an 8.0-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay compatibility and smart key with push-button start. There’s also a 7-inch digital instrument cluster display, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat.

Standard safety features include Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 with pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, full-speed range radar cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, lane-tracing assist, automatic high beams, road sign assist and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

Options

We also have an upgraded infotainment system (a $1,620 option) with integrated navigation and a premium 11-speaker JBL audio system. It also includes voice recognition, 4 USB charging points, Wi-Fi hotspot, and satellite radio. A $640 technology package adds Intelligent Clearance Sonar with Rear Cross-Traffic Braking and Qi wireless smartphone charging. A larger panoramic sunroof replaces the standard moonroof as a $200 option. It also has $315 crossbars on the roof rack. Carpeted floor and cargo mats add $269 and a door sill protector is $199 extra. Including $1,095 delivery, the all-in price for our 2019 Toyota RAV4 XSE Hybrid is $38,038.

Upscale allure

Our initial impressions of the RAV4 Hybrid is that it lives up to Toyota’s reputation for building solid vehicle. The gaps and seams are tight; the doors close with an authoritative thunk and the ride is controlled and comfortable. In addition to its handsome, rugged looks, the cabin has a premium feel to it. There’s plenty of soft-touch materials and even the knobs and the door pulls have this knurled rubber surface. This detail adds to the feel that is a go-anywhere, do-anything vehicle.

The Toyota RAV4 has come a long way. Over the next year, we hope to see how much further it can go in satisfying our wanderlust.

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