New Toyota RAV4 REVEALED – heading for the UK in 2019

The new 2019 Toyota RAV4 has been revealed in New York, built on the TNGA Platform and with a more purposeful look and new engines. Arrives in the UK in 2019.

The Toyota RAV4 is a bit of an old-school Toyota, focussing on keeping a rather older demographic of buyer happy with a combination of great build quality and comfort, but not exactly designed to excite.

But now there’s a new RAV4 – revealed at the New York Motor Show – and it comes underpinned by Toyota’s TNGA Platform – the same as the CH-R, Prius and Auris – and a new look which is both more purposeful and more contemporary. It looks pretty good; good enough to widen its appeal but without alienating traditional RAV4 buyers.

The new RAV4 is only slightly longer than the current model, and slightly wider, but Toyota has given the new model short overhangs and managed to slip an extra 30mm in the wheelbase, which should add a bit more spce for passengers and stuff, as well as a raised ride height for a more SUV look. It’ll definitely be more appealing to a younger, family-focussed demographic.

Under the skin, as well as that new TNGA Platform promising a better drive, there’s a choice of two new powertrains which promise to be livelier and more economical than the current line-up.

A new 2.5 litre petrol hybrid will be available  RAV4 when it arrives in the UK in 2019, and you’ll also be able to opt for Toyota’s new 2.0 litre petrol too and, we’re assuming, Toyota’s new CVT gearbox, at least as an option. The Hybrid version gets a new electric motor drive that’s more efficient with a second electric motor at the back to reduce energy losses and deliver 4WD. The petrol model gets a new mechanical AWD system.

The new Toyota RAV4 will arrive in the UK in the first quarter of 2019.