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Toyota
RAV4
XA50·
2019-2026
suv-soft
Top pick
Price (AUD)
$28k-$60k
Body styles
5-door wagon
Drivetrain
Front-wheel drive (2.0 petrol, hybrid 2WD), On-demand AWD (Dynamic Torque Control AWD on 2.0 petrol / petrol AWD), Electric AWD-i (hybrid AWD - separate rear electric motor, no driveshaft)
Origin
Japan
Built in
Japan
Overview
The fifth-generation RAV4 (XA50, launched in Australia mid-2019 on the TNGA-K platform) was the car that turned the RAV4 into one of Australia's best-selling vehicles and made the petrol-electric hybrid mainstream. The range was sold as GX, GXL, XSE, Cruiser and Edge. There are three Australian powertrains and they are very different buys: a 2.0L M20A-FKS petrol (127kW, CVT, front-drive or Dynamic Torque AWD) in the cheaper grades; an Edge-exclusive 2.5L A25A-FKS petrol (152kW, a conventional 8-speed torque-converter auto and full AWD); and the volume-selling 2.5L A25A-FXS hybrid (combined ~160kW 2WD / ~163kW AWD) pairing the Atkinson-cycle Dynamic Force four with electric motors, a planetary e-CVT and - on AWD-i cars - a separate rear electric motor with NO rear driveshaft. Crucially for buyers, this generation was NOT sold with a plug-in hybrid in Australia: the RAV4 PHEV (RAV4 Prime overseas) only arrives here with the all-new sixth-generation car from 2026, so any XA50 PHEV is a grey/private import. The XA50 is genuinely reliable and holds its value strongly (used hybrids long sold at or above new), but it is not faultless: early 2019-2020 2.5 engines were recalled for porous engine-block castings that crack and leak coolant, there were Australian fuel-pump and brake-booster-pump recalls, the hybrids have the well-documented high-voltage cable corrosion concern ('Cablegate') and the usual 12V auxiliary-battery flat-battery niggle, and the 2.0 CVT cars are the least loved drive. Buy a serviced hybrid with the recalls closed out and it is one of the safest used medium-SUV picks on the market.
Engines & variants
2.0L M20A-FKS petrol
Engine
2.0L Dynamic Force naturally aspirated D-4S (port + direct injection) DOHC petrol I4 with VVT-iE
Config
I4 NA
Displacement
1987cc
Power
127kW @ 6600rpm
Torque
203Nm @ 4400-4900rpm
Drivetrain
FWD or on-demand AWD (Dynamic Torque Control)
Economy
6.0-6.5 L/100km combined (real-world ~7.5-8.5)
Tow (braked)
1500kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
Direct Shift CVT (10-speed sequential, with mechanical launch gear)
Timing chain / belt / gear
Timing chain (no scheduled belt replacement)
Pros
- Naturally aspirated, no turbo and no DPF to worry about
- Timing chain, not a belt
- Toyota's Direct Shift CVT uses a real launch gear, smoother and tougher than a pure CVT
- Cheapest XA50 to buy; very robust D-4S Dynamic Force engine
Cons
- Modest performance - the 2.0 CVT is the least-liked RAV4 to drive
- CVT droning under load and weaker resale than the hybrid
- 1500kg braked tow is the lowest in the range
- D-4S still has a direct-injection side, so some intake carbon is possible at high km
Known problems
high
Low-pressure fuel pump failure (recall)
A widespread Toyota recall (including ~45,000+ Australian vehicles) covered a faulty low-pressure in-tank fuel pump impeller that can swell and seize, causing rough running, warning lights, stalling and no-start. The XA50 petrol cars are within the affected build range.
Fix: Confirm the fuel-pump recall has been completed via VIN; have Toyota replace the pump assembly with the improved part free of charge.
low
Direct-injection intake-valve carbon
The Dynamic Force engines use D-4S (combined port and direct injection), which largely keeps the valves clean, but on direct-injection-heavy duty cycles some intake carbon can still build at high km and cause minor rough running.
Fix: Intake/walnut clean only if symptomatic; quality fuel and regular oil changes keep it at bay - far less of an issue than on pure-DI rivals.
medium
CVT shudder / hesitation and fluid neglect
The Direct Shift CVT is generally durable thanks to its mechanical launch gear, but owners report occasional low-speed shudder, hesitation or droning, and many treat the CVT as 'sealed for life' and never change the fluid, shortening its life.
Fix: Service the CVT fluid around every 60,000-100,000km; check for shudder/flare on a test drive; budget for a unit only if history is unknown.
2.5L A25A-FKS petrol (Edge AWD)
Engine
2.5L Dynamic Force naturally aspirated D-4S (port + direct injection) DOHC petrol I4 with VVT-iE
Config
I4 NA
Displacement
2487cc
Power
152kW @ 6600rpm
Torque
243Nm @ 4000-5000rpm
Drivetrain
Full-time / on-demand AWD (Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD)
Economy
6.5-7.0 L/100km combined (real-world ~9-10)
Tow (braked)
1500kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
8-speed automatic (torque converter)
Timing chain / belt / gear
Timing chain (no scheduled belt replacement)
Pros
- The only XA50 with a conventional 8-speed torque-converter auto - no CVT, no e-CVT
- Strongest pure-petrol grunt (152kW/243Nm) and the most engaging drive
- Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD with rear torque split and Multi-Terrain Select on Edge
- Naturally aspirated, timing chain, no DPF/turbo - simple and tough
Cons
- Edge-only and AWD-only, so it is the priciest and least common petrol
- Thirstier in the real world than the hybrid for no extra braked towing
- Shares the early 2.5 engine-block porosity recall (2019-2020 build)
- Direct-injection carbon possible at very high km
Known problems
high
Porous engine-block casting / coolant leak (recall, 2019-2020)
Certain 2019-2020 RAV4 2.5 petrol and hybrid engines were recalled for porosity in the engine-block casting that can crack and let coolant leak internally or externally, risking overheating and a stall. Dealers inspect and replace the block/engine as necessary.
Fix: Check the VIN for the engine-block porosity recall and confirm it was completed; walk away from an unrectified early car with any coolant-loss history.
high
Brake booster pump / VSC fault (recall)
A recall covered a brake booster pump that can fail, deactivating Vehicle Stability Control and reducing braking assist - the pedal goes hard and longer stopping distances result.
Fix: Confirm the brake-booster-pump recall has been completed; have the pump replaced under recall if outstanding.
medium
Low-pressure fuel pump failure (recall)
Same in-tank low-pressure fuel-pump impeller recall as the rest of the range - the pump can seize and cause stalling, no-start and warning lights.
Fix: Verify the fuel-pump recall is closed out; replace the pump with the improved assembly under recall.
2.5L A25A-FXS hybrid (2WD & AWD-i)
Engine
2.5L Atkinson-cycle Dynamic Force petrol I4 plus permanent-magnet electric motor(s), planetary e-CVT and a Ni-MH (later Li-ion on some) traction battery; AWD-i adds a separate rear electric motor
Config
I4 NA petrol-electric hybrid
Displacement
2487cc
Power
131kW petrol; ~160kW combined (2WD) / ~163kW combined (AWD-i)
Torque
221Nm petrol (plus electric motor torque)
Drivetrain
2WD (front) or electric AWD-i (separate rear motor, no rear driveshaft)
Economy
4.7-4.8 L/100km combined (real-world ~5-6)
Tow (braked)
480kg (2WD) / 1500kg (AWD)
Tow (unbraked)
480-750kg
Transmission
Planetary e-CVT (electronic CVT, no belt or clutch pack)
Timing chain / belt / gear
Timing chain (no scheduled belt replacement)
Pros
- Outstanding real-world economy (often 5s L/100km) and the volume used pick
- Planetary e-CVT has no belt, clutch or torque converter - extremely reliable
- Strong, quiet, effortless drive; combined ~160-163kW
- Electric AWD-i adds traction with no extra driveline to fail; exceptional resale
Cons
- High-voltage cable corrosion ('Cablegate') reported on 2019-2022 hybrids
- 12V auxiliary battery can go flat and trigger hybrid-system warnings
- Early 2019-2020 cars share the 2.5 engine-block porosity recall
- Traction-battery replacement is expensive if it eventually degrades out of warranty
Known problems
high
High-voltage cable corrosion ('Cablegate')
The high-voltage cable running to the rear electric motor/components on 2019-2022 RAV4 hybrids is poorly protected and can corrode prematurely, eventually throwing hybrid-system faults. Toyota extended warranty cover on the cable in several markets (e.g. 8yr/160,000km) in response.
Fix: Inspect the HV cable/connectors for corrosion; have it replaced under extended warranty where applicable; ensure underbody protection is intact.
medium
12V auxiliary battery flat / hybrid-system warnings
A weak or flat 12V auxiliary battery is a common cause of multiple dash warnings, no-start ('READY' won't come on) and spurious hybrid-system errors on these cars, especially on low-mileage/short-trip use.
Fix: Test and replace a tired 12V battery early; fit a maintainer if parked for long periods; many 'hybrid fault' scares are just the 12V.
high
Porous engine-block casting (early 2019-2020 recall)
Early 2019-2020 hybrids share the 2.5 Dynamic Force engine-block porosity recall - the casting can crack and leak coolant, risking overheating.
Fix: Confirm the engine-block porosity recall is completed via VIN; avoid an unrectified early car with coolant-loss history.
low
Traction (drive) battery degradation
The hybrid traction battery is very durable and warranted long-term, but at very high km/age capacity can fade, reducing EV assist and economy. Genuine failures within warranty age are rare on the XA50.
Fix: Health-check the hybrid battery on a high-km buy; individual modules or refurbished packs are far cheaper than a dealer new pack.
Common problems (all variants)
high
Fuel pump recall (in-tank low-pressure pump)
A major Toyota recall affecting tens of thousands of Australian vehicles, including XA50 RAV4 petrol and hybrid, covered an in-tank low-pressure fuel-pump impeller that can swell and seize - causing rough idle, warning lights, stalling and failure to start.
Fix: Run the VIN through Toyota Australia's recall check and confirm the fuel-pump recall is completed; the improved pump is fitted free of charge.
low
Infotainment glitches and software bugs
Early XA50 head units (pre-2021 update) were criticised for a dated interface, occasional freezes/reboots, CarPlay/Android Auto dropouts and slow response; later updates and the larger screens improved it.
Fix: Apply the latest head-unit software/firmware; replace the unit only if genuinely hardware-faulty.
low
Wind / road noise and door-seal complaints
Owners report wind noise around the A-pillars/mirrors and some door-seal whistles on the XA50, plus coarse-surface road noise typical of the class on Australian roads.
Fix: Adjust/replace door seals and mirror trims where a leak is found; quieter tyres help; mostly a refinement trait, not a fault.
low
Paint chipping and thin clearcoat
Stone chips on the bonnet and front, plus reports of thin/soft clearcoat marking easily, are common on high-use XA50s.
Fix: Paint protection film on the leading edges; touch-up or respray affected panels.
medium
Brake booster pump / VSC recall
A recall covered a brake booster pump that could fail, deactivating Vehicle Stability Control and cutting braking assist - the pedal goes hard with longer stopping distances.
Fix: Confirm the brake-booster-pump recall has been completed; have it replaced under recall if outstanding.