2019 Toyota RAV4 SUV gets new engines, safety kit and styling

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 SUV has finally been revealed at the 2018 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS), bringing a new face inspired by the FT-AC concept of last year.

Using Toyota’s TNGA K platform, the fifth generation RAV4 rides on similar underpinnings to the Camra, C-HR SUV and Corolla hatch, meaning it gets multi-link rear suspension, Toyota’s new safety assistance program (called Safety Sense 2.0) plus plenty of other goodies.

A new 2.0-litre petrol engine will be available, which you can have with both manual and automatic transmissions, but in this form will only drive the front wheels.

But headlining the RAV4’s changes is a new 2.5-litre inline four-cylinder petrol engine, which can be had on its own, or combined with electric power to create a hybrid drivetrain – the first time such a setup has been offered in the RAV4. It’s a similar setup to the powertrain found in the Lexus NX 300h.

The petrol models can have an eight-speed “direct-shift” automatic gearbox which is said to lock up the torque converter from second gear onwards, however the hybrid variants will still use a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

For those wanting the hybrid, you’ll will have to wait a little while; it will only be available early next year.

You can see the dimensional changes in the chart below, but the car is now 4.6m long, 1.85m wide and 1.7m tall, with a wheelbase that’s now 30mm longer, at 2.69m.

Toyota claims that the chassis is now 57 per cent more rigid, and that’s despite rolling on (up to) 19-inch wheels. Toyota also says that the new RAV4 is definitely able to head off road, thanks to wider front and rear track widths, as well as “Multi-Terrain Select”.

This couples the all-wheel-drive system to the stability control and dynamic torque vectoring to ensure the maximum grip on any surface. Shorter front and rear overhangs, plus 25mm more ground clearance also enable better approach and departure angles.

Fuel economy is not only assisted by the hybrid driveline, but the rear axle is able to be disconnected to save extra drag on the engine and transmission.

Inside, the mirrors have been shifted forward, the glass house is bigger and thanks to the longer wheelbase, there’s more room.

The new SUV also gets new active safety tech, such as a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), radar-based cruise, lane departure warning with steering assist and automatic high beam to prevent blinding oncoming cars.

Eight-way electrically-adjustable seats, a Digital Display Rearview Mirror and a brand new 7.0-inch infotainment screen can all be had, and options also include heated and cooled front seats, wireless charging, 800 watt premium audio and a gesture controlled tailgate.

European versions of the 2019 Toyota RAV4 have a few slight design alterations, with areas like the headlights gaining integrated LED daytime-running lights (DRLs), thanks to different design rules. These changes are likely to carry into some Asian markets also.

Inside, the European RAV4 gets a redesigned steering wheel to suit market tastes.

The same 2.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid powertrain will also be available in Europe, as well as the new 2.0-litre petrol engine seen in the Lexus UX.

Unlike the US-spec RAV4, however, the European version will get a choice of both manual and automatic for the 2.0-litre engine – the hybrid will only come with a CVT.

Pricing will be announced later on, but check out the video below (though it is silent) to see the RAV4 in a bit more detail.

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