2019 Toyota RAV4: How Does It Stack Up Against The Competition?

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 is bigger, bolder, and more capable than ever – and it’s making its debut this week at the New York Auto Show. While it shares a number of similarities with the FT-AC concept on the design front, the small SUV has been completely reworked, both inside and out, and under the hood.

Like the Prius, the C-HR, and a number of others before it, the new RAV4 rides on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA). Its wheelbase now stretches out to 105.9 inches, making it a whole 1.2 inches longer than the outgoing model. Power comes courtesy of an updated 2.5-liter inline-four engine paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission – or a hybridized version of that same engine paired to a CVT, both available with all-wheel drive.

While the RAV4 may look more capable – at least in photos – it remains to be seen how it will stack up against some of its closest competitors in the real world. For now, take a look at the all-new SUV against two other worthy contenders on the specs sheet.

The new RAV4 matches up respectively with the Jeep Cherokee and the Honda CR-V. The Toyota and the Jeep are almost identical in size, stretching out to almost the same length (180.9 vs 182), width (73 vs 73.2), and height (66.9 vs 66.2). The CR-V, too, is closely comparable to the new RAV4 in overall size and shape – but unlike the Jeep, the Honda is more focused on efficiency and city driving more so than off-road prowess. With that in mind, the RAV4, appears to be a perfect compromise of the two… at least on paper.

Unfortunately, Toyota hasn't released all the performance figures for the new RAV4 just yet. We know that the SUV will come standard with a 2.5-liter engine, with an optional 2.5-liter hybrid. An eight-speed automatic will come paired to the regular combustion unit, while the hybrid will make do with a CVT. All-wheel drive is also available.

The RAV4, the Cherokee, and the CR-V all use similar four-cylinder engines. The only one of the three that even offers a V6 option is the Jeep. Depending on how you spec it – either standard combustion or hybrid – the RAV4 offers both a standard automatic transmission or a CVT. If you're looking to pick up the Cherokee or the CR-V, you're stuck with either one gearbox or the other.

Alongside its rugged new look, the RAV4 also offers an optional all-wheel drive system, just like the CR-V and the Cherokee. The Jeep Cherokee is the only one that can be had with a true Trailhawk off-road pacakge, though, making is arguably the most capable of the three – at least in an off-road setting.

In terms of pricing, we won't know how much the new RAV4 costs until closer to its release date. Looking at the chart below, though, it's easy to guesstimate that the base model will start somewhere just over $20,000, with higher-spec'd trims like the Adventure and Limited models costing closer over $30,000. The most expensive Cherokee comes close to $40,000, but we don't expect the range-topping RAV4 to be as pricey.