2019 Toyota RAV4 debuts at New York Auto Show with controversial styling

Another motor show, another crossover makes its debut. But this time, it is not just any crossover. This is the all-new 2019 Toyota RAV that has made its debut at the 2018 New York Auto Show. The highest selling Toyota in the U.S. walks into its fifth generation and the changes are immense.

The 2019 RAV4 is built on Toyota’s new Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform. To aid action off-road, it gets three different all-wheel-drive setups. There is the conventional setup, a mode with Torque Vectoring, and Toyota’s AWD i-hybrid setup that offers 30% more torque to the electrically driven rear axle. “Rear driveline disconnect” is also offered which turns the RAV4 into a front-wheel-drive while on the highway.

On the visual side, the cuts and creases are muscular and make it look mean, which is what an SUV should be, although not everyone is going to like it. Hints of the bigger Toyota 4Runner can also be found at the front. At the rear, the same design language is embodied by the sharp tail lamps and the deeply-raked rear window.

Inside the 2019 RAV4, a standard 7-inch touchscreen sits right on the centre console and it can be swapped for an optional 8-inch unit. The Entune 3.0 music system comes with Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa, and as an option, an 800-watt JBL audio system. Toyota Safety Sense system adds safety tech like forward collision warning with pedestrian detection and emergency braking, Lane Tracing Assist system, lane departure warning with steering assist, dynamic cruise control and auto high beams.

Under the hood, the 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated engine continues to do duty in both standard and hybrid models. The non-hybrid models utilise a new eight-speed automatic while the hybrid model will continue with the CVT unit. Power figures and fuel efficiency ratings have not been released yet though.