Five years ago, a milestone happened in our family: we bought a new car—a fifth-generation Toyota RAV4, one of the first batches to arrive in Russia. This crossover replaced our aging sedan, and since then, it's been with us through everything: the birth of our second child, house moves, countless trips to the dacha, long road trips across the country, and harsh winter days. Now, on the threshold of its 150,000th kilometer, I can, with a clear conscience, call this car a family legend. But legends have their own unique characteristics, and in this review, I'll honestly share all the facets of life with one of the world's most popular crossovers.
The first and foremost quality that defines the RAV4 is its absolute, almost boring, reliability. In five years and nearly 150,000 km, we haven't had a single breakdown that forced us to call a tow truck or cancel a trip. All that was required was scheduled maintenance and consumable replacements. The engine, transmission, suspension, and electrical system—everything works just as well as the first day. This predictability is invaluable for a family man who doesn't want any unexpected surprises or expenses. The body assembly at the St. Petersburg plant turned out to be surprisingly high-quality: not a single squeak appeared in the cabin during this entire period, and all play was eliminated. The paintwork is durable; even after numerous washes, there were few chips.
We have a version with a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine (149 hp), a CVT, and front-wheel drive. This choice was driven by the desire for the most reliable and fuel-efficient combination for both city and highway driving. Performance isn't exactly exceptional, with 0-60 mph taking around 11-12 seconds. But it's plenty for a leisurely family driving style. The CVT operates smoothly, without any jerks. Fuel consumption is its key advantage. In the combined cycle, we consistently get 7.5-8.5 liters per 100 km. In city traffic, 9-10 liters per 100 km, and on the highway, 6-7 liters per 100 km. For a crossover of this size, this is excellent performance, which significantly saves the family budget, especially with rising fuel prices.
Family life: space, practicality and safety
The RAV4 is a perfectly balanced family car. The interior is thoughtfully designed down to the last detail. The rear seat easily accommodates two child seats, with room for an adult to sit between them. It features Isofix mounts, optional heated rear seats, dedicated air conditioning vents, and two USB ports for charging children's devices. The 580-liter trunk is a special case in itself. It fits everything: a large convertible stroller, bicycles, bags of groceries for a week, and suitcases for a vacation. The trunk's almost square shape makes it ideal for stowing items. The height-adjustable trunk floor is equipped with a net and a cargo cover.
Safety is a priority for our family. The RAV4 is equipped with Toyota Safety Sense, which includes a forward collision warning system with automatic braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and automatic high beams. Over the past five years, this system has prevented several potentially dangerous situations, such as a pedestrian unexpectedly stepping out into the road. The car also has seven airbags and a reinforced body structure. All of this provides a tremendous sense of security when transporting what's most precious to you—your family.
There are plenty of practical touches: a heated steering wheel, heated windshield wiper area, and heated mirrors; large door recesses; cup holders that actually hold bottles and mugs; a fold-out trunk organizer; and bag hooks. All of these are used daily and make life easier. The only downside to practicality is the awkward location of the trunk release button—it's on the door itself, not under the trim, and it can freeze up in winter. But this issue can be resolved by installing a soft-close system with remote release.
Maintenance, winter operation and typical costs
RAV4 service is predictable and reasonably priced. Maintenance intervals are every 10,000 km or once a year. I get my car serviced at an authorized dealer, although the price is higher there than at independent repair shops. But I pay for genuine parts, a warranty on the work, and maintaining a full service history, which is crucial for resale. The average cost of scheduled maintenance (oil, filters, diagnostics) is 12,000-15,000 rubles. I change all the technical fluids (brake, CVT, cooling system) every two years, which costs another 20,000 rubles.
- Tires: I use two sets of steel wheels (summer and winter). Four Bridgestone Blizzak winter tires cost 40,000 rubles and last 3-4 seasons.
- Brakes: I changed the discs and pads on all axles at 120,000 km, cost including labor - 30,000 rubles.
- Battery: the original one lasted 4 years, replacement costs 7 thousand rubles.
- Windshield wipers: I change them every fall, Bosch - 2 thousand rubles.
- Car wash and dry cleaning: regularly, to maintain the appearance and interior, about 20 thousand rubles per year.
Winter driving with front-wheel drive requires certain skills and, of course, high-quality winter tires. With studded tires, the RAV4 handles confidently even on ice. The stability control system is unobtrusive yet effective. Heated seats, steering wheel, and mirrors are a must. Fuel consumption increases by 1-1.5 liters in winter. Important: for a CVT, in severe frosts (below -25°C), it is recommended to warm up the car for 3-5 minutes before driving to allow the transmission fluid to circulate throughout the system.
Long journeys: comfort and endurance
We love traveling by car, and the RAV4 has become the perfect travel companion. The spacious interior, comfortable seats with good lateral support, excellent road noise insulation (mostly from the tires), and powerful climate control make long drives less of an ordeal and more of a relaxing experience. Adaptive cruise control is a true joy on a long road trip. It automatically maintains the distance from the car in front and the set speed, significantly reducing the driver's workload.
The large-screen navigation system is convenient, although the maps occasionally need updating. Our model doesn't have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto (they arrived later), so we use a phone cradle. The trunk holds everything we need for a family vacation of four. We installed roof boxes for skis and other gear, and the RAV4 performed well here as well—fuel consumption increased only slightly, and handling remained unaffected. The range on a full tank (55 liters) is approximately 700-750 km, allowing us to plan refueling stops and save time.
As for off-road capability, the 195 mm ground clearance and stability control are sufficient for light off-roading (dirt roads, unpaved roads, and virgin snow). We've driven it to picnics in fields and forests on numerous occasions without any issues. Of course, it's not an SUV, and you shouldn't drive it through mud or over serious rocks. But for the tasks it's designed for—confident driving on asphalt, gravel, and packed snow—it's ideal.
Five years of ownership: pros, cons, and recommendations
To sum it up, I would like to highlight key points, that we learned from five years with the Toyota RAV4.
Undeniable advantages:
- Phenomenal reliability. No surprises, just scheduled maintenance.
- Excellent fuel economy for its class.
- Huge, well-thought-out space for family and cargo.
- High level of active and passive safety.
- Predictable and reasonable cost of ownership and maintenance.
- Good value retention on the secondary market.
Cons you can live with:
- Not the most impressive acceleration dynamics (especially for version 2.0).
- The interior is simple, even a bit boring (although this is a matter of taste).
- The suspension is a bit stiff on small bumps.
- Tire noise on some types of asphalt.
- Lack of modern multimedia interfaces in early 2019 versions.
Who would I recommend the 2019 Toyota RAV4 to? First and foremost, families with children looking for a reliable, safe, fuel-efficient, and practical vehicle for years to come. Secondly, people who travel a lot for work and value reliability and low operating costs. Thirdly, anyone tired of constant repairs and want a car that simply works. Who shouldn't buy it? Those looking for a sporty feel, a luxurious interior with plenty of leather and chrome, or a true SUV for serious off-roading.
Our personal conclusion: the fifth-generation Toyota RAV4 has become more than just a car for us, it's become a full-fledged member of the family, sharing many special moments with us. It's never let us down, always ready for a trip, transporting our children with care, and giving us confidence on the road. We plan to drive it for at least as long, and I'm confident it won't let us down. If you're looking for a family crossover that can easily cover 300,000-400,000 kilometers without fear or hassle, the Toyota RAV4 is one of the best, if not the best, choice on the market. Just love it, maintain it regularly, and it will become as iconic to you as it is to us.