2016 Toyota RAV4

There are four trims available: LE, XLE, SE, and Limited. A hybrid variant is also available. Standard features in the 2016 RAV4 include Bluetooth, voice recognition, a six-speaker audio system, and the Entune infotainment system with a 6.1-inch touch screen and a USB port. Available features include a moonroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, push-button start, and an 11-speaker JBL audio system. An upgraded infotainment system is also available. It comes with a 7-inch touch screen, a navigation system, satellite radio, HD radio, Siri Eyes Free, and smartphone app integration.

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The base LE is the most recommended one since it offers a plethora of features as standard along with some tasteful optional enhancements as well.

The 2016 Toyota RAV4 employs a 2.4-liter powertrain which puts out 176 hp and 172 lb-ft of torque and is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard but you can also equip the SUV with an all-wheel-drive layout as well. The motor is not as peppy as some rivals' turbocharged engines, and it's occasionally a bit loud when pushed hard, but it provides ample power and acceleration whether you're driving around town or on the highway. Under a full load, overtaking out on the freeways might take a wee bit of prior planning. The RAV4 can sprint from 0 to 60 in just 8.3 seconds and reaches the quarter-mile mark in 16.7 seconds. It is above average performance for such heft and similar to rivals in this segment. Braking is linear and it takes 125 feet to stop from 60 mph.

The Ford Escape has significantly lesser horsepower output than all the rivals here but trails the RAV4 in terms of torque output. The Honda CR-V dishes out a significantly higher horsepower and torque than the Toyota RAV4 but its performance numbers tell a different story. The Mazda CX-5 has the maximum horsepower and torque ratings here but fails to impress with its acceleration times.

The 2016 Toyota RAV4 impresses when it comes to fuel economy. The front-wheel-drive variant returns 24 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. The all-wheel-drive iteration will return about 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. The SUV benefits from a sizable 15.9 gallons gas tank and offers some highly practical overall driving range figures.

The Ford Escape has the least city mileage rating here but a marginally low highway mileage when compared to the RAV4. The CR-V truly impresses with its mpg figures while the Mazda CX-3 trails it closely.

The 2016 Toyota RAV4 interior can seat five people with its two-row seating layout. The cabin is crafted from high-quality material and oozes robustness. The front and rear legroom are enough and there is plenty of headroom for an average size individual. The design of the cabin is simple and practical with adequate storage cubbies. There is a decent amount of exposed hard plastic surfaces but as mentioned before, the overall quality is top-notch.

The RAV4 leads the class in cargo space, offering 38.4 cubic feet with the rear seats upright. You'll have 73.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, which is more than rivals like the Ford Escape. The swing-up door allows you to load up the cargo with ease. The Honda CR-V has the most practical and stylish cabin here and it also offers the maximum headroom for the front passengers as well.

Some interior features are:

• Height-adjustable driver seat
• Steering wheel paddle shifters
• Tilt and Telescopic Steering wheel
• 60/40-split folding and reclining rear seat
• SofTex upholstery

How intuitive is the 2016 Toyota RAV4’s infotainment unit?

The 2016 Toyota RAV4 offers a standard 6.1-inch touchscreen infotainment display with Toyota’s Entune interface. The user interface is snappy with crisp graphics and a straightforward layout. Some standard features on offer are Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, a six-speaker sound system with a CD player, and an auxiliary audio jack among others.

Some standout infotainment features include:

• 6.1-inch infotainment unit
• CD Player
• Aux Input
• Six-speaker sound system
• USB port and a media player interface

The Toyota RAV4 exterior gets a mid-cycle refresh this year but its boxy design with a sloping front end carries over as it has been in previous years. In the front, you will see a grille that is much inspired by passenger cars while the rear fascia is still upright like the rest of the lineup.

The Ford Escape gets the most simple and understated design here with minimal design cues and styling all around the car. It is also the most compact one among the rivals here as well. The Honda CR-V has a bold front-end design with a subtle aggressive touch to it while the Mazda CX-5 looks the sportiest one among the rivals here.

Some exterior features are:

• 17-inch steel wheels
• Integrated driver blind-spot mirror
• Rear privacy glass
• Roof rails
• Height-adjustable power liftgate

The 2016 Toyota RAV4 gets a strong safety aspect and most of the safety features are standard in all the trims. To ensure the safety of passengers of RAV4, the SUV is equipped with Toyota Safety Sense, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist. Additionally, Automatic High Beams and Blind Spot monitor are also available to reduce the chances of mishaps on the road. The NHTSA gave a perfect 5-star rating to the SUV while the IIHS gave the best possible “Good” rating as well.

Some standout safety features include:

• Forward Collision Mitigation with Pedestrian Detection
• Rear Collision Warning
• Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keeping Assist
• Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
• Blind Spot Monitor
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
• Low Tire Pressure Warning

The 2016 Toyota RAV4 SUV offers a complete package with a strong mileage and an adequately powerful powertrain along with a spacious and practical interior. Also, the safety aspect of the SUV is more than adequate for it to qualify as a trusted and dependable daily driver as well as a great family vehicle too.