The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Limited was the top gasoline trim of the all-new fifth-generation RAV4 and, for many buyers, the most luxurious RAV4 that did not carry a Lexus badge. It arrived as part of a thorough redesign that moved the RAV4 onto Toyota’s GA-K platform, gave it a more powerful 2.5-liter engine and made the full Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 driver-assistance suite standard. The Limited could be ordered with front- or all-wheel drive and, like the rest of the gas range, went on sale in the United States in December 2018.
Positioned above the LE, XLE, XLE Premium and Adventure, the Limited focused on comfort and technology rather than the Adventure’s off-road hardware. It added a power moonroof, heated front seats, navigation, larger alloy wheels and a host of convenience features that made it the most generously equipped RAV4 of its year.
Toyota structured the 2019 RAV4 gas lineup around five trims: LE, XLE, XLE Premium, Adventure and Limited. The Limited sat at the top. Unlike the Adventure, which came only with all-wheel drive and a 3,500-pound tow rating, the Limited could be specified with front-wheel drive and retained the standard 1,500-pound tow rating shared by most of the range.
Limited-Specific Equipment
The Limited added a long list of features over the lower trims, including:
- 19-inch alloy wheels with chrome accents
- A power moonroof
- Heated front seats, with ventilated front seats available
- An eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support and memory
- SofTex leatherette upholstery
- A rearview-camera mirror and a 360-degree camera option
- Navigation on an 8-inch touchscreen, with an 11-speaker JBL audio system available
- Puddle lights and blue interior ambient lighting
- Dark brown interior accents and stitching
Powertrain and Performance
The Limited used the same powertrain as the rest of the 2019 RAV4 gas range: a 2.5-liter Dynamic Force four-cylinder producing 203 hp at 6,600 rpm and 184 lb-ft of torque at 5,000 rpm, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard and all-wheel drive optional. Car and Driver recorded an 8.0-second 0-60 mph time in its testing of a 2019 RAV4, a modest improvement over the previous generation.
Buyers who wanted more power or far better fuel economy could choose the RAV4 Hybrid, whose combined output of 219 hp made it the quickest RAV4 of the year despite weighing more. The Limited was also offered as a hybrid, in Hybrid Limited form.
Price
The 2019 RAV4 Limited started at an MSRP of $33,650 with front-wheel drive and $35,050 with all-wheel drive. A fully loaded example with options such as a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a panoramic sunroof and the JBL audio system could push the transaction price toward $40,000, and the Hybrid Limited started at $35,850.
Interior and Cargo
The Limited’s cabin used the same redesigned dashboard as the rest of the range but dressed it in richer materials, including SofTex upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and dark brown accents. Toyota moved to a lower, wider dashboard for 2019 with a tablet-style touchscreen, and reviewers noted that noise levels and material quality had improved over the previous generation. Front and rear seats were more supportive, and the rear bench split 60/40 with an adjustable recline.
How It Compares Within the Range
The Limited’s closest in-house alternative was the Adventure, which cost $33,050 and traded some luxury equipment for all-wheel drive, a 3,500-pound tow rating, a unique grille and additional off-road touches. Buyers who valued fuel economy above equipment could instead choose the Hybrid Limited at $35,850, which added about 10 mpg on the combined cycle along with standard all-wheel drive and the same 219-hp hybrid system. Against rivals, the Limited competed with the upper trims of the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5 and Nissan Rogue.
The Limited shared the fifth-generation RAV4’s body and interior packaging, with one small difference: versions fitted with the larger 19-inch wheels sat a fraction taller than the base car.
| Specification | 2019 RAV4 Limited |
|---|---|
| Length | 180.9 in |
| Width | 73.0 in |
| Height | 67.2 in |
| Wheelbase | 105.9 in |
| Ground clearance | 8.6 in (larger wheels) |
| Cargo volume (rear seats up) | 37.6 cu ft |
| Maximum cargo volume | 69.8 cu ft |
| Towing capacity | 1,500 lb |
Fuel Economy
EPA ratings for the front-drive 2019 RAV4 Limited were 26 mpg city, 35 highway and 30 combined; the all-wheel-drive version was rated 25/33/28. The Hybrid Limited was far more economical at 41 mpg city, 38 highway and 40 combined.
Safety and Technology
Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 was standard across the 2019 RAV4 range, including the Limited. It bundled forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, daytime pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-departure warning with steering assist, lane-keep assist, full-speed adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams and road-sign assist. The Limited added convenience technology such as a digital rearview mirror, a 360-degree camera and an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation. The related 2019 Toyota RAV4 XLE Review covers the trim below it in the range.
Release Date and Availability
Toyota put the gas 2019 RAV4, including the Limited, on sale in the United States in December 2018. Hybrid grades, including the Hybrid Limited, followed in late March 2019. The related 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Release Date and Review covers the hybrid timing in more detail. For a broader look at the lineup, see the Toyota Review hub.
