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2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Craze is Sweeping the Nation and It's Getting Challenging

Customers all over the country and the world are scrambling to get their own 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vehicles. This is proving to be very challenging, to say the least.
2019 RAV4 in a Forest Driving

In 2018 the Toyota RAV4 was already the best-selling non-full-size truck in America. With its 2019 redesign, Toyota expects sales to increase even higher.

When 2019 RAV4 Hybrid was recently released, however, I don’t think even Toyota was prepared for the incredible demand from rabid buyers! I’m getting requests from potential buyers from California to Texas to Wisconsin to New York and everywhere who are feverishly hoping to find when and where they can find RAV4 Hybrids that match their specification wish list. In fact, see the 2019 RAV4 Hybrid buying criteria every Toyota Enthusiast should know about.

Many states are reporting dealership waiting list estimates of 1-4 months to get in specific 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrids!

2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is available in 4 trim levels: the LE, XLE, Limited and XSE.

The most popular trim currently is the XSE. This is the extra-sporty version and the only trim level that doesn’t have a gasoline counterpart. It’s known for its black two-tone roof, black accents all over the exterior and 18” black-painted sport alloy wheels. Needless to say, it’s drawing incredible attention and demand.

Benefits of 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs. Gasoline:

• The proof is in the mpg! While the gasoline version gets very good gas mileage of 26/35/30 for front-wheel drive and the all-wheel drive gets 25/33/28 (LE gets 27/34/30), the Hybrid gets an incredible 41/38/40! Can you say “Savings at the Pump!”

• I feel the need: the need for speed! Gasoline RAV4 gives drivers 203hp, which is improved from 178hp for the 2018 model. When you drive the hybrid, you’ll be taking advantage of 219 net hybrid horsepower. You can feel the improvement when ascending hills, getting up to highway speed, and when needing to pass other vehicles.

• It makes sense in the budget. There’s less than $1000 cost between the all-wheel drive and Hybrid versions of each level. This makes it extremely tempting to bump up to the Hybrid, as the savings in gas is already significant. (LE AWD base price is $26,900 vs. $27,850 in Hybrid LE, while Limited AWD is $35,050 vs. Hybrid Limited base price of $35,850).

What do you think of the 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid? Have you been able to get your RAV4 Hybrid yet? Do you think you would choose the gasoline or the Hybrid version?

You can reach Jeff Teague on Twitter at @toyotajeff1 and tweet him tips for new stories. Jeff also shares Toyota news videos on his Youtube Channel at ToyotaJeff1.

Automotive News
Toyota

Comments

Laura (not verified)    May 6, 2019 - 10:16PM

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This is a great-looking teardrop trailer. And I agree, I have an 18 Adventure grade. If I had to get a new car I'd get the XSE hybrid in a heartbeat.

Emily (not verified)    May 6, 2019 - 10:16PM

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My dad just picked up a new hybrid RAV4 two weeks ago. The dealer had one on the lot for him. He must’ve lucked out!

Owen (not verified)    May 6, 2019 - 10:18PM

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I can’t even test drive one because the 2019 RAV4 hybrids haven’t stayed on the lot for more than a day or have been claimed months in advance. I think the sales numbers are going to blow everything else out of the water.

Patrick (not verified)    May 6, 2019 - 10:20PM

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Toyota nailed the redesign and improved mileage! The more I see the 2019 Hybrid RAV4, the more I am tempted to go test drive one and maybe buy it. The benefits of the Hybrid are there. I’m curious as to how well they last long term though.

Jeff Teague    May 7, 2019 - 8:30AM

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Hi Patrick! I'd love to know how you like it once you test drive it. The hybrids should last for as long as most people would like to own them for all Toyota models. There isn't really any extra maintenance because it's a hybrid either. I know Prius engineers have claimed that a Prius can drive successfully for a million miles as long as it's had all its routine maintenance. Thanks for reading and I hope you follow my articles...Jeff

Linda (not verified)    May 7, 2019 - 8:00AM

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Got our 2019 RAV4 Hybrid XLE on April 16 & were extremely pleased when we got 42 mpg on the first tank of gas. We kept our 2015 PriusV.

Had started contacting dealers about 2 months before the Hybrid became available & we’re happy we didn’t give up & go for the gas or a 2018 Hybrid. It was worth the wait!

Clara (not verified)    May 7, 2019 - 9:23AM

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I got the very first Hybrid to come in from Japan in my region in late March. Loaded XLE in Blue Flame, exactly what I wanted!

David Tindall (not verified)    May 7, 2019 - 10:18AM

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I bought a Limited last week. I got a good deal and gave my 2015 RAV4 to my son. So far I really like it. Pick up is better and 38 mpg doesn't suck. I had no idea they were a "hot" seller.

Jeff Teague    May 9, 2019 - 11:39AM

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Hey David that's great about your mpg so far. Isn't that funny about the "hot" seller part? I'm hearing from people all over the country about how they are on waiting lists and have their cars on order and are waiting weeks and up to 4 months I've heard. Jeff

Jennifer (not verified)    May 7, 2019 - 10:26AM

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We recently bought a 2019 RAV4 Hybrid XSE and are in love! We got 40.6 mpg on the first tank with a good amount of highway driving. It's really a very well designed vehicle. When we got ours it was the one of only two that they had and they only had those because they had come in very late the night before and we were there first thing in the morning. We didn't even get to see it or test drive it before purchasing - although we did get to test drive an LE Hybrid, but there were quite a few differences from the XSE.

Harry (not verified)    May 7, 2019 - 11:15AM

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Ordered the XSE black over white March 1st. Took 9 weeks to arrive but it was worth the wait! Love it, averaging 42 mpg my first week.

Faizal (not verified)    May 7, 2019 - 11:28PM

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Jeff,
Very simple nice comparison to understand the difference between each version. I must consider to buy Limited version of the RAV4. Thanks for the information.

wendy spillum (not verified)    May 8, 2019 - 4:06PM

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Jenifer -
A customer just sent this article to me - gives good insight on the RAV hybrid craze.

Mitch (not verified)    May 27, 2019 - 10:11PM

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I have searched CA for an xse w/ clarify and panorama roof. Nope. My dealer is looking for me and placed an order. They guesstimate 2-4 month wait. Silver/Black/Black. The only other car tempting me is the highlander hybrid...just a little too much coin for me. I haven't bought a new car since 1986, though...so that says a lot.

Aaron (not verified)    May 29, 2019 - 5:43PM

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This would have been a top contender in my family's search for a new family hauler (our Grand Cherokee lease is up). However, this time around I'm not buying a vehicle without Android Auto. The CR-V, Forester, and Tiguan all have it - why not the RAV4? I don't get it. This would have been a no-brainer if not for that glaring omission.