2019 Toyota RAV4: Sporty New Style, Same Great Utility

In the ever-growing field of small SUVs, there is one that has been around a long time and still delivers the goods: the 2019 Toyota RAV4.
This popular model seats five and has been redesigned for this model year to give it a sleeker, sportier look (with good results, by the way).
The RAV4 comes in five trim levels: LE, XLE, XLE Premium, Adventure and Limited. Our tester was the latter. 
Despite being a small SUV, we found it to have ample room. It features a maximum cargo space of 69.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. That's pretty impressive. 
We took it on a weekend trip with two adults and two teenagers, with each carrying a duffel bag, and did not feel the least bit cramped.
Under the hood you'll find a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 203 horsepower and is linked to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, but our tester had the optional all-wheel drive. 
Gas mileage for the RAV4 is rated at 26 mpg city, 35 highway, according to the EPA. With all-wheel drive it drops to 25 and 33. The RAV4 features an Eco driving mode that helps contribute to better fuel efficiency with little diminishing of power. 
Pricing for the RAV4 starts at around $28,000, but our top of the line tester carried a sticker price of $39,429. That might seem kind of hefty for a small SUV, but with all the features such as leather interior, satellite radio, front and rear safety cameras and more, it's a lot of bang for the buck. 
With its sportier new design and continued utility, the Toyota RAV4 is a strong player in the small SUV market. 

2019 Lexus ES 350: Smooth and Sultry

Sedans may not be as popular as they once were, thanks to the growing affinity for crossover SUVs. But that doesn't mean there aren't some really good sedans still on the market. One of which is the 2019 Lexus ES 350.
This mid-size luxury sedan offers comfortable seating for five and a pleasantly designed interior that lets you ride in style. 
It is powered by a standard 3.5-liter V-6 engine that makes 302 horsepower and is linked to an eight-speed automatic transmission with front-wheel drive. Fuel economy is an EPA-estimated 22 mpg city, 33 highway.
Driving dynamics can best be described as super smooth. Acceleration is pretty powerful, too, but overall, the ES just glides over the highways. 
Amenities included rich leather seating, satellite radio, dual zone climate control, backup camera and side-approaching warning signaling.
And compared with its European luxury brand competitors, you can expect high reliability from the Lexus - so even if you spend a fair amount on the initial purchase, you can be assured you won't have several costly follow up visits to the dealer to fix all manner of things that go wrong. 
The sticker price on our model, which was the Ultra Lux trim, was $53,742.
For a nicely appointed luxury sedan, check out the Lexus ES 350.