Toyota RAV4 2019 review: GX 2WD

The previous RAV4 was quite boxy and '80s looking. This one has been updated to a sleeker, more modern design with angled edges at the back and the front.

It’s still not the best looking SUV in this category, but at least it can now compete with other cars like the Mazda CX-5, Honda CR-V and Suburu Forester, tested in our Best mid-size SUV comparison.

The inside is well designed, and even though this GX is the bottom of the range, it doesn’t feel like Toyota's skimped on anything because I felt pretty good in the driver’s seat.

There are fabric seats which feel nice and are comfortable, a non-leather steering wheel that also feels good and an industrial finish on the accents which actually really works.

There are fabric seats and a non-leather steering wheel.

A rugged, rubber trim on climate control knobs, volume knobs and inside the door handle looks great and is tactile so you enjoy touching it. There are similar trims inside the storage compartments which completes the look.

They’re at the premium end of affordable finishes and it feels good to drive.

This GX model is a hybrid which means it runs on battery electric and petrol power, and you can see when it’s running on what, and how the battery is charged, which is pretty cool.

Whilst on battery it’s silent, and I wasn’t sure it was even on when I first started the car.

It’s smooth to drive and handles well. There’s a 2.5L engine so it zooms up hills quickly and cruises along highways. This one is a 2WD but it also comes in an AWD option.

Fuel consumption is a low thanks to the hybrid engine.

There’s a decent reverse parking camera that isn’t super high res, but is clear enough and parking was easy because the steering is lovely to turn. I had absolutely no qualms driving it all over Sydney this week.  

There are two cupholders in the front, a spot to throw keys and a phone, a large centre storage bin, bottle holders in each door, and then extra bits of storage: a long shelf in front of the passenger and a mini one in front of the driver, which is handy.

Rear passengers get two cupholders in the centre armrest, their own air vents and a pocket on the back of one front seat.

The front seats are manually adjustable, but the park brake turns on and off automatically which is a huge feat for this spec, and everything else works really well.

The RAV4 comes with advanced safety as standard like auto emergency braking, lane departure alerts and rear cross traffic alert, and scores a full five-star ANCAP rating.

There are seven airbags, and two ISOFIX points plus three top tether points to fix kids car seats in.

The Toyota RAV4 GX 2WD hybrid petrol, comes in at $35,140, before on-road costs.

The paint costs an extra $600 taking this car to $35,740. Fuel consumption is a very low at a claimed 4.7L/100km thanks to the hybrid engine.

The RAV4 is covered by Toyota’s five year/unlimited km warranty.

It’s covered by Toyota’s five year/unlimited km warranty which can be extended to seven provided your car has “logbook servicing” which doesn’t have to be performed at a Toyota service centre.