The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid was the first RAV4 hybrid to be built on the fifth-generation platform, and Toyota renamed and reshuffled the hybrid line for that year. If you are looking for a “2019 RAV4 SE Hybrid,” the honest answer is that no such grade existed: Toyota did not offer an SE trim on the 2019 RAV4 Hybrid. The hybrid range consisted of the LE, XLE, XSE and Limited, and the sporty role that an SE might have filled was taken by the newly created XSE.
No SE Hybrid — the Sporty Grade Was the XSE
Toyota’s own launch material for the redesigned RAV4 describes an “all-new, no-compromise sporty hybrid grade, XSE HV.” Motor Trend confirms that five gasoline trims were offered and that a sixth, the XSE, was exclusive to the RAV4 Hybrid, while CarMax’s model history states plainly that the SE trim was discontinued for 2019. A used listing advertised as a “2019 RAV4 SE Hybrid” is therefore a mislabeled XSE Hybrid or XLE Hybrid, and buyers should verify the trim code before purchase.
How the 2019 RAV4 Hybrid Powertrain Works
The 2019 RAV4 Hybrid pairs a 2.5-liter four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle engine with three electric motors. Two motors work through the front axle while a third drives the rear wheels, giving the hybrid standard all-wheel drive without a mechanical driveshaft. Toyota’s hybrid system sends power through an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (e-CVT). Combined output is 219 horsepower, with the gasoline engine contributing 176 hp and 163 lb-ft on its own. That makes the hybrid the most powerful RAV4 of its year and, by Car and Driver’s stopwatch, the quickest: 7.4 seconds from 0 to 60 mph, versus 8.0 seconds for a 203-hp RAV4 Adventure.
XSE-Specific Equipment
The XSE differentiated itself mainly through equipment and trim rather than a different powertrain. It rode on 18-inch black-painted aluminum wheels with 225/60R18 tires, wore unique front and rear bumpers and chrome exhaust tips, and added features such as heated power-adjustable front seats, leatherette-and-cloth upholstery, a power liftgate and satellite-radio readiness over the XLE. These are the details a shopper should check when a car is described as a sporty 2019 RAV4 Hybrid.
Prices and Trim Levels
Every 2019 RAV4 Hybrid came with all-wheel drive as standard. MSRPs were as follows.
| Trim | Drivetrain | Starting MSRP (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid LE | AWD | $27,850 |
| Hybrid XLE | AWD | $29,650 |
| Hybrid XSE | AWD | $33,850 |
| Hybrid Limited | AWD | $35,850 |
That span — roughly $27,850 to $35,850 — placed the hybrid about $800 above an all-wheel-drive gasoline model in equivalent trim. A fully loaded Hybrid Limited could reach about $40,000 with options.
Performance and Fuel Economy
The hybrid’s big advantage is efficiency. The EPA rated the 2019 RAV4 Hybrid at 41 mpg city, 38 highway and 40 combined — about 10 mpg better than a front-drive gasoline RAV4’s 30 mpg combined. Car and Driver recorded 37 mpg on its 75-mph highway test and an observed mixed average of 32 mpg, nine mpg better than a non-hybrid RAV4 in the same testing. The trade-off was slightly longer braking distances on its smaller 18-inch tires, and the hybrid was not offered in the off-road-oriented Adventure trim.
Interior, Cargo and Everyday Use
Inside, the 2019 RAV4 Hybrid shared the gas model’s cabin and carried the same 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The rear seats split 60/40 with an adjustable recline, and dual-zone climate control with rear vents was standard from the XLE upward. The XSE and Limited added power front seats and leatherette or SofTex upholstery. Rear legroom and headroom were competitive for the compact class.
Standard technology mirrored the gas range: a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth and a six-speaker audio system on the LE, moving to an 8-inch touchscreen with available navigation on higher trims. Android Auto was not offered on the 2019 RAV4, a shortcoming noted in contemporary reviews.
Ride, Handling and How It Compares
Reviewers of the period agreed that the hybrid rode and steered much like the gas RAV4 while feeling punchier off the line, thanks to the instant torque of its electric motors. Car and Driver noted that the hybrid’s smaller 18-inch tires stopped longer than the gas car’s and offered slightly less grip, but judged the added refinement and efficiency worth the extra cost. The hybrid was not available with the off-road-focused Adventure styling.
In the compact hybrid crossover class, the 2019 RAV4 Hybrid’s 40 mpg combined rating and standard all-wheel drive set it apart from front-drive-only hybrid rivals. Its natural benchmark was the Honda CR-V, although the CR-V Hybrid did not reach the US market until the 2020 model year. Car and Driver titled its review of the hybrid “The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Is the RAV4 to Have.”
What the Hybrid Changed Versus the Gas RAV4
Relative to the gas model, the 2019 RAV4 Hybrid added roughly 156 pounds but gained more torque from its electric motors, which is why it felt and tested quicker despite the extra mass. It also shared the gas car’s interior layout, 37.6-cubic-foot cargo area behind the rear seats and standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite. The related 2019 Toyota RAV4 SE Price, Review page covers the gasoline range, and the 2019 Toyota RAV4 Review covers the model overall.
