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America’s best-selling SUV has some important updates from the 2019 to the 2020 model year that are important for buyers to know before making a purchase. Some of these changes are additions you will enjoy immediately. Others are reconfigured options and packages that changed between years.
Android Auto will make 2020 RAV4 Hybrid buyers happy
Perhaps the most commonly asked question by subscribers on my “Toyotajeff” YouTube channel is about Android Auto and will it be offered on each Toyota model. This popular application was added to many of the 2020 vehicles, including 2020 Camry. There was intense speculation about whether it would be made standard on the 2020 RAV4 and 2020 RAV4 Hybrid as well.
Fortunately for people in the market for a new RAV4, Android Auto is included in all 2020 RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles. Android Auto, of course, makes it simple and less distracting for drivers to perform navigation, phone, messaging and music functions.
This is great news.
Moonroof no longer standard
Previously for the redesigned 2019 RAV4 people probably knew to expect a standard power moonroof on the XLE trim level. This has changed for 2020. If you are researching the XLE or XLE Hybrid levels, it is important to know you will no longer have a standard moonroof.
This is now part of the Convenience Package, which contains moonroof and power liftgate. While this is a minor annoyance to some people not having this standard, I have learned that others are just as happy not having it. Some people stated they never use the moonroof they currently have, so why pay for it.
Power driver’s seat on 2020 RAV4 Hybrid
Speaking of the XLE Hybrid, last year this power seat was not standard equipment and was included in the Convenience Package. Now for the 2020 RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrids, this 8-way power seat is standard on all levels XLE and above.
I think this actually makes sense. More people expect a standard power driver’s seat over a moonroof, so this move should satisfy more of the public. The others just need to remember to select Convenience Package to get both.
You will see below how pricing is positively affected by this move.
2020 RAV4 Limited Hybrid rocks
Toyota has made its JBL sound system standard on all 2020 RAV4 Limited and Limited Hybrid models without having to upgrade. This was not the case for 2019. Now passengers can enjoy premium sound with 11 speakers in 9 different locations throughout the cabin, including an 800-watt amplifier and subwoofer.
Heated seats in a new package
You can find heated seats on the 2020 RAV4 XLE Hybrid in the Weather Package instead of the Convenience Package. A little shuffling of the package lineup here. This feature is standard on the XSE Hybrid and Limited Hybrid for 2020.
“I’ll take pricing for $255 please Alex”
Rarely does pricing decrease from one model year to the next. We all know it increases to some degree. We just hope this is a low number.
The 2020 RAV4 XLE Hybrid went down in price this year, falling to $29,395 from $29,650. A difference of $255 (do you like how I worked this into the title of this section?). A small increase is seen in the LE Hybrid, from an MSRP of $27,850 in 2019 to $28,100 this year.
You may also enjoy: Changes to the 2020 RAV4 gasoline version vs 2019
Toyota’s wildly popular RAV4 XSE Hybrid increased slightly from $33,850 to $34,050, while Limited Hybrid went from $35,850 in 2019 to $36,630 in 2020.
Time for your thoughts on RAV4 Hybrid
Aside from being a smart value purchase, Toyota RAV4 Hybrid has a couple other essential “reasons to buy”. Performance drivers will appreciate the 219 net system horsepower you get, while fuel-conscious buyers will certainly enjoy the money they can save at the gas pump (40mpg combined).
What do you think about 2020 Toyota RAV4? Do you own either a gasoline or hybrid version and what has been your experience with your vehicle so far? What type of gas mileage are you seeing? Will you be in the market for a small SUV in the near future and will RAV4 be on your shopping list?
Thanks for reading everyone. See you next story when I explain why 2021 RAV4 plug-in hybrid could break major sales records.
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Comments
My 2019 is a good vehicle.
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My 2019 is a good vehicle. Only one concern, I have read the blogs and a lot say the same. First gear is really sluggish. It will throw you we it down shifts. Only in first. I took it back to the dealer and it is a software issue and has to be corrected by the manufacturer. They will probably hear from me every 5000 miles till they can work it out.
My 2019 Rav4 is also very
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My 2019 Rav4 is also very sluggish, but I have not taken it to the dealer with that problem. But 5000 my steering wheel started making a squealing noise, took it to the dealer and was told the intermediate shaft was not lubricated at the factory, so they lubricated it. About 1000 miles later it started again, called the dealer, they replaced the intermediate shaft with a new one, this is a brand new car..I ordered it. Also I was told when purchased my new Toyota that my android would charge in my car....nope that never happened I have to use Scout for my navagation, so when I lost service on my phone, I got lost....no phone no navigation. Thinking about trading it in for a 2020.
Glad to see Android Auto
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Glad to see Android Auto (finally) gets added to the RAV4. Wondering if they have addressed the fuel tank issue for the 2020 where it gets prematurely filled, which then limits the range. A number of 2019 RAV4 Hybrid owners have struggled with this issue, and to date Toyota has not had a fix for the 2019's.
We've had ours since late
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We've had ours since late July, Limited Hybrid. No troubles, 37-38mpg combined. About 3000 miles. Wish the driver's power seat would automatically move back when opening the door for ease of enter and exit, spoiled by a previous car that did this.
I wish Toyota would
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I wish Toyota would officially state whether they will update the 2019s with Android Auto. I might go ahead and get one, if so.
As it is, even the dealership and sales people can't say for sure.
I have a 2019 RAV4 Hybrid XLE
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I have a 2019 RAV4 Hybrid XLE. I absolutely love except the fuel sending unit on all hybrid models is faulty. I can’t fill the tank up to full. Instead of a >550 mile range per tank, I can only fill it to almost at the full needle and have around 420-450 miles per tank. I took mine to the dealership and they said Toyota is aware of the problem, but they tried replacing the fuel tank on some cars and after awhile it did the same thing. Right now they don’t have a solution. Getting gas, the pump will shut off at about a quarter of a tank. To keep clicking will get more gas, but I’ve read this is also bad for the car. I hope Toyota has fixed this problem for the 2020 model hybrids, and if so, they can fix mine.
My hybrid LE gets 42 mpg and
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My hybrid LE gets 42 mpg and rides great on the superlative Michelin Primacy tirez!
I’ve only owned my 2019 RAV4
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I’ve only owned my 2019 RAV4 XSE Hybrid since 10/14/19 and have only gotten gas twice but noticed based on remaining range and stated MPG that I should be getting more gas than what’s been pumped. For instance....had 85 miles remaining range at 37 MPG so the math says I should of had approx 3 gals in tank. With a 14 gal tank the fill should have been about 11 gals give or take. Pump clicked off at 8.7, approx 2 gals shy. At 37 MPG that 2 gals equates to approx 75 miles of range. Must be the sensor in the tank. The other more frustrating issue I have with the car is that extremely annoying noise when backing up. I know it’s part of the pedestrian safety system to alert pedestrians walking behind the car while you are backing up. But come on Toyota, every other vehicle that warns pedestrians when backing up emits a beeping sound not one that sounds like the engine is falling apart. This may be acceptable on a much less expensive car but not one costing $38k from a manufacturer with a reputation like Toyota. They need to push a fix for this.