3 Factors to Consider When Picking 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs. Gasoline RAV4

One of the hottest vehicles on the planet right now is the 2019 Toyota RAV4. This is especially true of the RAV4 Hybrid, with a frenzied demand and low supplies leaving car buyers scrambling just to find one to test drive, let alone purchase.

May sales for RAV4 are up 13.9% over last May, the best sales month ever for the wildly popular SUV. So let’s say you have decided the RAV4 is the one you want to buy. How do you know whether to choose the gasoline or the Hybrid version? Let me help with a few crucial comparative facts.

Perhaps the best idea is to think of the most important factors for you and your family to help you make your final choice. If you do your fair share of daily commutes to work or plan regular family road trips and vacations, maybe fuel economy is the most essential consideration. Also, I rarely find that price is not of importance to someone looking to buy a new car. This may be worth researching. What about power – does it matter which one has more pickup?

MPG for 2019 RAV4 Hybrid and RAV4 gasoline

Ask a random person on the street what they know about a Hybrid and I bet they talk about great gas mileage. This is definitely a selling point specifically for the 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. In fact, I have heard from numerous RAV4 Hybrid owners who are thrilled with their mpg so far.

A huge advantage in gas mileage estimates is one vital reason people are frenzied over the 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. Let’s compare AWD mpg. The 2019 RAV4 AWD has combined fuel efficiency of 28mpg (25 city / 33 highway). On the other hand, 2019 RAV4 Hybrid AWD offers the promise of a whopping 40mpg combined (41 city / 38 highway). That is a significant difference in favor of the Hybrid. But is it enough to pick Hybrid over gasoline?

VIDEO: Watch as I compare 2019 RAV4 XLE AWD vs. RAV4 XLE Hybrid

What has more horsepower – the 2019 Hybrid or Gasoline RAV4?

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid also has more horsepower over its gasoline counterpart. Well, technically it does.

When you consider the 2019 RAV4 gasoline version (available in LE, XLE, XLE Premium, Adventure and Limited), you will find it utilizes a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that delivers 203 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. torque. It also drives with an electronically controlled direct-shift 8-speed automatic transmission.

In comparison, the 2019 RAV4 Hybrid (available in LE, XLE, Limited and XSE) works with a combination of a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine (176hp) and two electric motors. When combined and working in perfect harmony, the horsepower of the Hybrid increases to 219 net horsepower. This is a pretty significant increase versus the gasoline version. The Hybrid drives with an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission.

Both the 2019 RAV4 gasoline and Hybrid models drive smooth and comfortable with good acceleration. You may find the Hybrid to have more pickup and sound a little quieter.

What is the price difference between 2019 RAV4 gas vs. Hybrid?

When comparing the 2019 RAV4 AWD gasoline vs. Hybrid AWD (all RAV4 Hybrids are AWD), it is clear what an incredible value the 2019 RAV4 Hybrid is for all consumers. The RAV4 gasoline version will always cost less than the Hybrid, so it wins in the lowest price category. But Hybrid is not too far away.

The base price for a 2019 RAV4 AWD LE is $26,900 compared to $27,700 for its LE Hybrid colleague. That is a difference of only $800. There is also just a small $800 increase between Limited AWD and Limited Hybrid ($34,900 base price vs. $35,700 base price.) Tough choice here!

I would love your thoughts on the 2019 Toyota RAV4. Have you recently purchased a new RAV4 or are you planning on buying one soon? Did you choose gasoline or Hybrid and what do you think so far? Thanks for reading everyone. See you next story…

Read More: Comparison of 2019 Toyota Camry XLE vs. Camry XLE Hybrid

Jeff Teague is a Toyota news reporter at Torque News. You can reach Jeff on Facebook and follow Jeff's Instagram. Also Twitter at @toyotajeff1 and tweet him tips for new stories. Jeff also shares Toyota review videos on his Youtube Channel at Toyotajeff.