2019 Toyota RAV4 Review: Can It Actually Go Off-Road? 

Best looking Rav4 to date.

I watched 5 RU-vid reviews of the new Rav4. Nathan's review was, by far, the most informative & entertaining of them all!

Take it up Gold Mine already!

And Toyota's do not leak fuel into the oil like the 1.5 T Honda CRV motors do.

A two wheel drive SUV is like buying an orange and eating the peeling.

This looks so much better than the previous one

Yeah yeah.. new Rav4... can we acknowledge how great Nathan's videos are?! I personally think Nathan makes the best videos on TFL, and the best "average car"(non-super car) reviews on RU-vid!

Hmmm, nice Rav4 advert, that's all this is. The queston "2019 Toyota RAV4 Review: Can It Actually Go Off-Road?" is never really tested or answered.

Great Job Nathan. I was dreading Roman’s bias.

“I can do this in my civic” - internet guy who secretly wants the RAV

Best looking rav4 to date...especially the adventure model, it actually looks badass when offroading.....

AWD should be standard on all models/versions of the RAV4. Also, a 3.5L V6 with 300 hp.

Excellent review Nathan, the Adventure would be my pick, thank goodness it has an 8 speed trans and not a P.O.S. C V T like the Subaru and Honda. The looks are much better than the previous generation, I’m guessing they will sell very well.

I like these a LOT more than the outgoing models. Hopefully by the time the 2020's roll out I'll be in a position to be able to afford a new vehicle. Will definitely test drive one of these.

This is the best looking RAV4 ever made so far.

Lovely Carmel. Lovely new RAV4 Adventure. It's going to be tough choosing between that and the 2019 Cherokee. But I think I have my final two candidates. Fun fact: the Aisin gearbox in the new RAV4 is the same found in the BMW X1, X2 and Volvo XC40.

Bring back the V6 because #MyAdventureIncludesTowing

These look awesome, especially the Adventure model, but imo it should come with 17” rims: better selection for all terrain tires. I have a 2009 RAV V6 with Nitto Terra Grapplers and it was tough to find a good set of all terrains with the stock 18” rims that would fit the wheel wells, let alone 19” rims.

Rocky, the flying squirrel lost his bomber jacket!

Watched so many channel's Rav4 reviews today, TFL made it the best way, thumbs up!

Hey Nathan, enjoyed your review, like that Adventure AWD for sure.

Thank you for doing a segment on the Adventure. Every other car review channel totally skipped over reviewing that trim.

Love this new design. I prefer body on frame so I will patiently wait for what the new 4Runner design holds

I think this is a hit out of the park! That said, how bad is the turning radius? Why do they not affer adventure with a limited trim package? Future TRD PRO contender? Put the extra coolers and whatever else allows for 3500#towing on all non-hybrid trims (at least as a build option). I am currently on my 2nd Rav, its a 2018. They have been great! I look forward to upgrading into the new generation in a couple of years! Great job, Nathan!

Baby 4Runner? And Lexus RX/NX rear end?

Put the torque vectoring option in lower trims. Off-roaders don't need posh seats, dual climate zones, heated /cooled seats. sunroofs and power tailgates. Also tow hooks please.

Being a current 5th gen 4Runner owner I like the Adventure model for folks who don't want an old school real SUV but still wana hit some back roads every weekend.. but why the hell would they go for a 19" wheel lol? Not only is tire choice way more limited, it's less tire between your wheel and the rocks. Odd choice

Yeah I'm getting the hybrid version

"Toyota first, all new AWD system" - I was thinking of getting a new rav4 until i heard that : D

need to see an ACTUAL off-road test with mud, and steep approach.

14:30- "This thing has a lot of get-up-n-go." 14:55- Gets passed by a golf cart... :D

I missed you Nathan!!! Glad to see your reviews! Love FLC and FLC crew but just glad to see ya again!

First, this is not comparable to a "true" 4WD vehicle--if you need a 4WD vehicle for off-roading, this isn't the good choice. That said, the 2019 RAV4 is aimed directly at competing with the Subaru Forester and Outback. Subaru should be worried. The Subies are a generally good AWD for mild backcountry use, EXCEPT that they are equipped with the unreliable and expensive to repair Jatco (owned by Nissan) CVT. Funny how no one in the auto journalism field mentions that the Subie CVT is made by the same company that builds the CVT with a horrible reputation in Nissans. With the 2019 RAV4 Adventure, Toyota has 1) made the ground clearance competitive with the Subies; 2) built an AWD system competitive with Subaru's X-Mode; 3) achieved fuel economy numbers competitive with the Outback or Forester; and 4) done all that with an automatic transmission that should be way more pleasant and reliable than Subaru's CVT. Oh, and the 2.5 Toyota 4 is a very bulletproof engine; the Subie's boxer continues to have oil consumption issues for some owners. As for the Honda CR-V, they are still trying to solve the fuel-in-oil issue in their turbo 1.5. Too bad about that, otherwise it's a pretty good vehicle.

I went from a Corolla to a 18 RAV4 and it drives and handled just like my old car I adjusted to it in one day.

snow+ rav4 2019 . Awaiting your real rav4 snow test in the mountain

I never go off reading but I really like the look of thoese beefy tires. Will thoese tires be good for just traveling on the freeway and to use it as a daily driver? is there any downsides of having these tires as opposed as the ones that come with the suv? Also did u lifted it? Thank u Will I loose a lot of mpg?

Offroad possibilities of Hybrid were not fully shown. Waiting for real tests

Btw when you do your offroad/snow review of rav4 do not forget three important things: 1. Diff locked 2 ESP off 3 Put on “Sport Mode” ( this is what you didnt do when testing the prev. gen in comparison with the bmw x3. Sport mode give u a lot of power and the auto transm/ CVT acts in a different way

Why put a 19 inch wheel on a ''adventure'' model ?

Much better looking, adding this to my 'to be considered' list

Snow offroad please!!

I’ll take the Rav4 adventure because of the way it looks like and it’s practically and off roaring capability, it’s the best in fuel economy than the Tacoma, 4Runner, tundra, highlander, land cruiser, and sequoia. It has the best technology of driving modes like mud and sand, and rock and dirt, and the wheel traction display unlike the crv, passsport, Forester, escape, Cherokee trailhawk, and cx5. And it’s interior than it’s competitors.

I bellieve the fastest Rav4 was the previous older models that had the camrys 3.5 v6 with 270hp....

It's pretty good looking but I went through the timeline of the video and found no real off roading. What's its 4WD for?

2012 Rav 4 V6 269 hp. Miss it

great job Nathan.. went out looking this weekend for an Outback 3.6R and ended up at the RAV4 Adventure & Hybrid (HV) XLE. You’re dead on with the immediate off-line torque of the HV and getting on the Interstate at 70 is no problem. A quiet and nice ride the HV was nicely equipped. Only got to look at the Adventure but I gotta tell ya, that orange highlighted interior is great! Coupled with the rubber knobs and off-road settings- we NEED to drive one and see how it compares ride wise against the HV. My buddy (car salesman) just smiled and said- I know you weren’t really looking at RAV’s just Subies but, I figured I’d work in the RAV4 just to have you take a look- the car sells itself.

Definitely a likely contender for purchase in 5-10 years when they’re dirt cheap and still going strong :D

I'm so happy Nathan is doing the review.

Nice looking Rav4 but remodel the 4runner already!

Pro Active Torque Vectoring may be a Toyota first but Mitsubishi has had that for years. I do like the looks, though.

Are you serious? They made a SUV that looks like a SUV? What was Toyota thinking?

Acura has used s system like that too. Years ago

Best looking suv for Toyota

Not knocking the new RAV4, but this is some of the best unintentional humour I’ve seen in ages. 3min to 6min or so, where Toyota Guy drones on about the Dynamic handling advantages of the new AWD system while the car oooozes round corners and over dead-smooth dirt roads? Priceless. Toyota commercials should all be this funny!

it will sell like crazy. can't wait for the EV version in the future.

Great review Nathan. The only downside so far is the adventure model price point. For the money, a 4Runner is a better adventure vehicle. So the choice is better gas mileage and reduced capability or worse mileage and go anywhere your heart desires.

Love your reviews, as usual.. You guys answer all the right questions. I hate the background music. I could barely hear Nathan talking through most of the video. Please stop with the loud, annoying music. It adds nothing interesting to your videos.

Really like the styling. Unique look to it. Not as bland as the old ones.

Hybrid has combined 39mpg!! Yes please!

Looking good! Will see how it will perform during upcoming winter ❄️ season.

Please take it up to Goldmine Hill.

If you've never take the Toyota factory tour in Georgetown Kentucky I'd highly suggest it, they make a solid well built vehicles and their commitment to quality shows in the plant.

Great job guys 👍 love the RAV4

I’m sure Nathan and the Fast Lane Car Crew will put it to a better off-road test than what Toyota provided. Once they get their hands on one I’m sure they’ll take it to Gold Mine Hill for a quick test. Keep up the great work guys!

Sure it can go off road. It can go on your lawn, it can certainly go in the ditch next to the paved road. It can go on gravel roads as long as they're not too rough. Oops, that's not technically "off-road", is it? I kid because I care. A Rav4 is NOT an SUV, obviously. An SUV has a full frame like a pickup truck. It has lots of ground clearance so you can go over rocks or deep snow. It has a transfer case with a low range, because if you actually go "off-road", you need to be able to plow through snow and crawl up hills and over rocks at very low speeds. A uni-body like the Rav4 would literally break in half if it spent much time off-road. So a Rav4 is a station wagon, or maybe a hatchback. It's a car, in other words.

They play the Chevy commercial where they say everybody gets the employee discount on a new Chevy EVERY time I click on one of these videos. I laugh every time!!

bring back the Manual Transmission on the Rav 4 & 4Runner.

The 2012 V6 rav4 limited is my favorite, but these new ones look good.

Race the old V6 Rav4 and this new Hybrid one!

Some people questioning why T didn’t produce a V6, a TRD version? Maybe you can stir and look at their other suv:4runner, sequoia, or land cruiser.

Hybrid sounds pretty good. Music when not talking only please.... Thats the Geico Gecko bomber jacket....

You had me at 8 speed automatic! Cant wait to trade in the rouge

So tell me again why I would buy a Subaru?

The king is back.

I really like the new look for 2019. Less of a delicate lady face on the grill. It's too bad that you have to jump to almost top of the range before you can get the Adventure package. Not everyone wants to spend an extra $7K to get a better looking grill and larger tires. The demo was a bit weak. I get that it was supplied by Toyota, but realistically the TFL Pontiac Aztek could do it. A groomed dirt road is not "off road".

Finally a video that explains the hybrid rav4 awd mode compared to the adventure awd model

will there be a 2019 RAV4 TRD option? it would be nice...

Finally a good video from the "beard". And finally, some truckiness in a small truck.

this is perfect i dont want turbo! adventure trim here i come!

So when do we get Colorado off-road testing of the Adventure model? I'm guessing with current projected snow storms, Gold-mine hill is done until the spring....

Kelly Blue Book also released a video about the new Rav4 exactly 11 minutes ago and so did you guys !!

Awesome! Toyota FJ Cruiser 2007 owner + my Brother In Law has a super old 4Runner that he's older now & wants to get a new Rav4 ADVENTURE for Tucson, AZ driving.

Love the Adventure model!

Everyone is in love with the Rav4 Adventure mainly, because they are expecting it to be much cheaper then the 4 Runner.. IT'S ALMOST THE SAME PRICE. 34,000??? Toyota what were you thinking

I recognize the beautiful coast around Monterey : )

No competition for a 220+ HP AWD crossover with 8" ground clearance and 39 MPG

I would like an adventure but it's too expensive... 35K for a rav4 isnt worth it.

Glad to see this video. I've been tossing around the idea between this vehicle and the Subaru Crosstrek XV. I really enjoy the idea of the Crosstrek, but way too many issues with oil consumption. Have had a few Toyota's from new to 200k+ miles, never had to do anything but add fuel. I still feel the AWD might be superior on the Subaru, but the quality of the engine is just, if not more, important.

Seeing what Toyota are doing lately, can't wait for the new 4runner

it is still sluggish and this 4 cyl. noise it's really loud . Does the cry faster 0 to 60? I've heard it goes in 7.5 sec... I wish the V6 option was still available it would have been a killer SUV

Nathan getting that beard going

Greetings from Germany. When will you test the hybrid version at Gold Mine Hill? In Germany we don´t have the Adventure-version (look alike 4runner)!

Toyota! Please do a TRD Pro version of the new Rav 4!!!!! That would be awesome!!!!

If your looking for a Rav4 the 2019 will help you get a great deal on one. We have been watching for peoples reactions to the 2019 rav4 redesign. The response has been GREAT. There are a ton of people in line to see it, drive it and buy it. If your looking for a great deal on a Rav4 this will help you. People are so excited and like the 2019 so much that the sales of 2018 models have slowed way down. So what happens is when the 2019 is being delivered to dealers there are still a lot of 2018's on the lot. The price on the 2018 will start getting cut before the 2019 arrives. You want them gone before the 2019 gets there but they will not be. If you have a ton of 2018 and 2019 models on your lot you really start to discount them to get rid of them. The more old models you have the more you have to discount them. We have 67 Rav4's on our lot right now. We have Rav4's sitting at close to $5,000.00 under the MSRP right now. Once the 2019 hits you can expect to find dealers who have a lot of Rav4's running some BIG markdowns on 2018 models. A Rav4 Limited Edition with an MSRP of $33,752 get to 6 and 7 thousand dollars under the MSRP rather quick. I know we will have some of those Limited models go from $33,752 down to $25,752 or lower. So, if a great deal on a Rav4 interests you then this is your year. If the deals get really crazy I will buy one myself. I'm a Tacoma and 4Runner guy but the Rav4's are fun to drive. I have 6 Toyota mid-size trucks and 3 4Runners so I guess I really like them. I enjoy restoring them.

Toyota just brought me back to thinking about a rav 4. the last generation turned me off. I loved my fathers 2010 V6 but when I was looking at a 2016 for my wife, I went with a CX-5 because it had a real automatic. I refuse to buy a CVT and so does my wife. Even women hate them.

Good job Nathan. I like this better than other Toyotas.

That smile tho at 8:17 😂

I have Adventure 2021 model and for me is the best design SUV in this category and all the offering is a good choice! Love my RAV4 Adventure!!

Tflc whats you really think of it? Should i go a give up my outback and get the toyota adventure?

That Toyota marketing guy looks like he wants pictures of Spiderman.