The 2019 Toyota Rav4 marked a significant redesign for this popular compact SUV, introducing a new generation focused on enhanced safety and performance. As a leading authority in automotive safety, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) subjected the 2019 Toyota RAV4 to a rigorous series of crash tests and safety evaluations. This article delves into the comprehensive safety ratings of the 2019 Toyota RAV4, providing an in-depth analysis based on IIHS data, crucial for prospective buyers and safety-conscious drivers.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Driver-Side Evaluation
The driver-side small overlap front crash test simulates a collision where only a small portion of the vehicle’s front end on the driver side impacts with a barrier. This test is particularly demanding as it focuses the crash forces outside the main energy-absorbing structure of the vehicle.
The 2019 Toyota RAV4 earned a “Good” rating in the driver-side small overlap front test, the highest rating possible. Key evaluation criteria and their corresponding “Good” ratings include:
- Structure and safety cage: Demonstrating the structural integrity of the RAV4 in this challenging scenario.
- Driver injury measures: All critical injury measures for the head/neck, chest, hip/thigh, and lower leg/foot were rated “Good,” indicating a low risk of significant injuries in a real-world crash of this type.
- Driver restraints and dummy kinematics: The RAV4’s restraint systems effectively controlled the dummy’s movement, also earning a “Good” rating.
The technical measurements from the test further illustrate the RAV4’s robust performance. Occupant compartment intrusion was minimal, with maximum intrusion at the lower hinge pillar at just 2 cm. Driver injury measures were also low, with a Head Injury Criterion (HIC-15) of 293 and chest compression at 25mm, both well within safe limits.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Passenger-Side Performance
The passenger-side small overlap test mirrors the driver-side test but assesses the protection offered to the passenger in the front seat. The 2019 Toyota RAV4 again achieved a “Good” overall rating in this critical evaluation.
Similar to the driver-side test, the 2019 RAV4 received “Good” ratings across all passenger injury measures, structure and safety cage, and passenger restraints and dummy kinematics. Notably, the driver injury measures were also evaluated in this passenger-side test and also received “Good” ratings, showcasing consistent protection for both front occupants.
Action shot from the IIHS passenger-side small overlap frontal crash test of the 2019 Toyota RAV4, highlighting vehicle dynamics during impact.
Post-crash dummy positioning inside the 2019 Toyota RAV4 after the passenger-side small overlap frontal test, showing excellent maintenance of survival space.
Deployment of frontal and side curtain airbags in the 2019 Toyota RAV4 passenger-side small overlap test, effectively protecting the occupant’s head.
View of the occupant space within the 2019 Toyota RAV4 following the passenger-side small overlap test, illustrating maintained structural integrity and low injury risk.
Technical data from both IIHS and Toyota-conducted passenger-side tests confirm the “Good” rating. Intrusion measurements remained low, and injury measures for both passenger and driver dummies were minimal, reinforcing the RAV4’s ability to protect occupants in this type of severe frontal crash.
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test: Original Evaluation
The moderate overlap front crash test represents a more common type of frontal collision where a significant portion of the vehicle’s front end impacts a barrier. The 2019 Toyota RAV4 continued its strong performance, securing a “Good” overall rating in the moderate overlap front test.
Evaluations for structure and safety cage, driver injury measures (head/neck, chest, leg/foot), and driver restraints and dummy kinematics all earned the top “Good” rating. Technical measurements showed minimal footwell intrusion and controlled movement of the steering column and instrument panel, further contributing to the excellent safety performance.
Side Impact Crash Test: Original Assessment
In the original side impact test, simulating a vehicle being struck on the side by another vehicle, the 2019 Toyota RAV4 once again achieved a “Good” overall rating.
Both driver and rear passenger injury measures for head/neck, torso, and pelvis/leg were rated “Good,” along with driver and rear passenger head protection. Technical measurements indicated minimal intrusion into the occupant compartment during the side impact, reinforcing the effectiveness of the RAV4’s side-impact protection systems.
Side Impact Crash Test: Updated Evaluation
The IIHS updated its side impact test to be more challenging, using a heavier barrier and higher impact speed to better represent real-world side collisions, particularly those involving larger SUVs and trucks. In this more stringent updated side test, the 2019 Toyota RAV4 received an “Acceptable” overall rating.
While the structure and safety cage and driver injury measures for head/neck and torso remained “Good”, the pelvis protection for the driver was rated “Acceptable”. Furthermore, rear passenger head protection was deemed “Marginal” due to the dummy’s head partially moving beyond the side curtain airbag and contacting the C-pillar.
Overall vehicle condition of the 2021 Toyota RAV4 (similar to 2019 model) immediately after the updated side crash test.
Interior damage and airbag deployment in the 2021 Toyota RAV4 (similar to 2019 model) following the updated side crash test, with doors removed for clarity.
Greasepaint markings on the driver dummy’s head in the updated side crash test, showing effective head protection by side airbags.
Greasepaint transfer indicating rear passenger dummy head contact with the C-pillar in the updated side crash test, despite airbag deployment, leading to a “Marginal” rating for rear passenger head protection.
These results indicate that while the 2019 Toyota RAV4 provides good protection in many areas of side impacts, there is room for improvement, particularly in rear passenger head protection, in more severe side collision scenarios.
Roof Strength Test
The roof strength test evaluates the structural integrity of the roof in rollover crashes. The 2019 Toyota RAV4 demonstrated robust roof strength, earning a “Good” rating.
With a strength-to-weight ratio of 6.00, significantly exceeding the IIHS requirement, the RAV4’s roof is deemed strong enough to withstand forces more than six times the vehicle’s weight, providing excellent protection in rollover incidents.
Head Restraints & Seats Evaluation
Whiplash protection is a crucial aspect of vehicle safety, and the IIHS evaluates head restraints and seats to assess their effectiveness in preventing whiplash in rear-end collisions. The 2019 Toyota RAV4’s standard manual cloth seats received a “Good” overall rating.
Both dynamic rating (performance in simulated rear-end collision) and seat/head restraint geometry (physical measurements) were rated “Good,” indicating effective whiplash protection for occupants.
Headlight Performance
Headlight performance is critical for nighttime driving safety, and IIHS evaluates headlights for visibility and glare. The 2019 Toyota RAV4 offers different headlight options, with varying ratings:
- Hybrid Limited trim with Adaptive Front Headlight System package: “Good” rating. These LED projector headlights with curve-adaptive and high-beam assist features offer excellent visibility with controlled glare.
- LE, XLE, XLE Premium, Adventure, Limited, Hybrid LE trims: “Marginal” rating. These LED reflector headlights, while equipped with high-beam assist, provide only marginal overall performance.
- Hybrid XLE, Hybrid XSE, Hybrid Limited trims (standard headlights): “Poor” rating. These LED projector headlights, despite high-beam assist, received a “Poor” rating due to inadequate illumination and excessive glare in some conditions.
These ratings highlight the importance of headlight selection, as the performance varies significantly across different trim levels of the 2019 Toyota RAV4.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle and Pedestrian
The 2019 Toyota RAV4 is equipped with a standard Pedestrian Pre-Collision System, which IIHS tested for both vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention.
- Vehicle-to-Vehicle Front Crash Prevention: “Superior” rating. The system successfully avoided collisions in both 12 mph and 25 mph tests and meets forward collision warning requirements.
- Pedestrian (Day) Front Crash Prevention: “Superior” rating. The system avoided collisions with a crossing child and crossing adult at both 12 mph and 25 mph. It also significantly reduced impact speed in the parallel adult test, demonstrating highly effective pedestrian detection and collision avoidance capabilities.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
Ease of use for child seat anchors (LATCH) is essential for safe child passenger protection. The 2019 Toyota RAV4 received a “Good + extra LATCH positions” rating for its LATCH system.
The RAV4 has two rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware and an additional position with a tether anchor and the ability to borrow lower anchors. The LATCH hardware is generally easy to use, contributing to the “Good+” rating.
Conclusion
The 2019 Toyota RAV4 demonstrates a strong commitment to safety, achieving predominantly “Good” ratings in IIHS crash tests. It excels in front crash protection, roof strength, and whiplash prevention. While the updated side impact test and headlight performance in certain trims reveal areas for potential improvement, the 2019 Toyota RAV4 overall stands as a safe and reliable choice in the compact SUV segment, particularly when equipped with the superior headlight options and standard front crash prevention systems. These comprehensive safety ratings provide valuable insights for consumers prioritizing safety in their vehicle purchase decisions.
