Toyota RAV4: 5 Features We Like and Don’t Like About the Compact SUV
Small details can be important
In previous reviews, we've doled out plenty of praise and criticism to the RAV4. We've commended its sharp styling and spacious second row but lamented its coarse engine and transmission. Now that we've spent a few months in the small crossover, we can nitpick some of the finer details. Here are five Toyota RAV4 features we like on our XLE long-termer, and five others we don't.
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HVAC controls
Sometimes, pressing a physical button is better than fiddling around with a touchscreen. We like the physical HVAC knobs on the RAV4 not only because they're large, but also because they have a grippy, rubbery surface that makes it easy to toggle to just the right temperature.
Phone real estate
You don't have to put your phone in the cupholder, because there's a handy slot in the center console area underneath the climate controls. It's conveniently located by a USB port.
Seats
Our XLE tester doesn't have fancy leather seats. But we're not complaining, because the fabric seats are pretty cozy. Neither too soft nor too firm, we remain comfortable driving in them for a few hours at a time.
Cargo area
The RAV4 offers plenty of room for your gear in the trunk, although it's not as spacious as the Honda CR-V's cargo bay. On a recent road trip from L.A. to Reno, Nevada, and back, photography director Brian Vance was able to fit luggage for four inside the cargo area, plus a portable crib and stroller.
Interior pattern
A repeated pattern adds visual interest to an otherwise ordinary interior. You'll find the pattern on the seats, the speakers, the phone storage cubby in the center console area, the nearby coin holder, and other areas. Another interesting visual cue is the stitching on the dashboard.
Liftgate
The power liftgate is particularly slow to open and close compared to other vehicles, something Vance also noticed on his road trip. It gets a little annoying when you're trying to load your gear in a hurry. Fortunately, one thing you can adjust is the tailgate's lift height.
Touchscreen
Our model comes with the standard 7.0-inch touchscreen (an 8.0-inch unit is optional on the RAV4). It's not a multicolor display, only featuring blue and white, and it's a bit slow to respond.
Empty buttons
We're really nitpicking now, but there are some non-usable buttons by the driver's left knee. Only a few buttons in the row have a function, such as the tailgate button on the right. Granted, the RAV4 XLE is several rungs down from the top trim level, but blank buttons serve as a constant reminder of the features you're missing out on.
Door handles
The handles look stylish, but they are slanted at an angle, so it feels awkward and a little uncomfortable closing the doors.
No Android Auto!
The 2019 RAV4 has Apple CarPlay but no Android Auto. Fortunately, Toyota remedies this error for 2020. On these new models, the feature is standard equipment.
Read more about our long-term 2019 Toyota RAV4 XLE:
When I tell people I write about cars, the most common reply I receive is “Really?” I guess I never strike people as a car type as I drive down the freeway in the right lane going 60 mph in my old SUV. My gripes about driving in city traffic and fast drivers don’t help my case, either. For a time, the only cars I liked were old cars. Not old as in "classic" or "vintage," but as in well-worn. My first appreciation of cars came when I drove a very old Ford pickup. It wasn't perfect: I used a booster seat to reach the gas pedal, and the turn signal once fell off in my hand as I was learning to drive. But the thing I valued most was the memories. It took several years for me to truly become a "car person." Being a long-time writer and an avid reader has helped me develop a healthy curiosity and a desire to know how things work. This has made cars one of the most fascinating points of study for me because they are such intricate machines. I am interested in how cars can reach 200 mph, how they can run on hydrogen, and how they can drive and park on their own. I also enjoy learning how cars can solve problems whether it be in the form of reducing pollution, minimizing traffic, or helping people stay connected on the road. Yes, maybe I’m not a gearhead. Perhaps I’m a car nerd. Either way, I very much enjoy writing about cars and helping people stay in tune with the automotive industry. I wouldn't want to be writing about anything else. And don’t get me wrong: I know how to drool over a hot car. I am fascinated by the Tesla Model S, awed by the Lamborghini Veneno, and am hopelessly obsessed with the Audi R8.
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