MM Test-Drive/Mini-Review: 2016 Toyota RAV-4
04-06-16, 07:49 AM
#31
Lexus Champion
In contrast, in Canada, the premium of the XLE Hybrid over the comparable trim XLE AWD is Cdn$2815. Obviously, Toyota is trying to push the RAV4 Hybrid in the USA.
04-06-16, 11:02 AM
#32
Really??? I thought the ride was one of the best parts about the Rav4, very smooth. Of course I've only ridden in the base LE model with 16" tires.
04-06-16, 11:49 AM
#33
I spent some time today at our Eastern European local auto show in Rav4 and I gotta say that interior is much nicer place to be. Previously I thought interior was way too pedestrian, but 2016 update together with upper-mid spec level with alcantra on doors and front console, slightly redesigned HVAC, color 4.2" instrument screen, etc, etc, etc... all together it is actually nice now.
Diesel is not bad, of course problem is that I would load it up with equipment so it would end up somewhat expensive... but overall pretty good.
Diesel is not bad, of course problem is that I would load it up with equipment so it would end up somewhat expensive... but overall pretty good.
04-06-16, 11:54 AM
#34
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Agreed. I had no significant complaints with the ride comfort/quietness on the 2016 LE model with 65-series tires.
04-06-16, 01:53 PM
#35
04-06-16, 03:06 PM
#36
Pole Position
ps - Car and Driver did a recent test on the SE and it reflects are thoughts precisely:
04-06-16, 04:18 PM
#37
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
We currently own a 2014 RAV4 XLE ourself and test drove a 2016 Limited Hybrid. Our chief complaints about the RAV4 was that it was 1) choppy riding, 2) loud, and 3) underpowered. We had really hoped the 16' in Hybrid Limited trim would resolve most of these issues. It did not. The ride is fine under most circumstances, but if you go over rough even roads especially with pot holes, it is very jarring and not like most Toyotas.
Toyota's own specs show 18" wheels and 55-series for that trim-version, at least in the American market. Those tires, all else equal, ride more firmly (and probably give better steering response) than the smaller 17" wheels and 65-series tires on the LE model I drove. That explains the firmer ride you mention.
Last edited by mmarshall; 04-06-16 at 04:21 PM.
04-06-16, 05:26 PM
#39
Lexus Fanatic
Nice review.
FYI, many of the pictures are pre-refresh, and the overall interior shot is actually a Mazda CX-5.
FYI, many of the pictures are pre-refresh, and the overall interior shot is actually a Mazda CX-5.
04-06-16, 05:43 PM
#40
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Thanks. 
Yep....sure was. Thanks again......I replaced it. I guess it's time for another cup of Starbucks French Roast (my favorite coffee) in the morning before I start typing LOL. 
Seriously, Google interior/underhood/cargo-area images, in their data-base files, are getting so unreliably-marked and categorized that I may have to start taking my own cell-phone shots of the interiors and uploading them myself. It's more of a hassle when uploading, and the shots don't always come out well, but, apparently, in some cases, may still be worth it.
and the overall interior shot is actually a Mazda CX-5.
Seriously, Google interior/underhood/cargo-area images, in their data-base files, are getting so unreliably-marked and categorized that I may have to start taking my own cell-phone shots of the interiors and uploading them myself. It's more of a hassle when uploading, and the shots don't always come out well, but, apparently, in some cases, may still be worth it.
Last edited by mmarshall; 04-06-16 at 06:03 PM.
04-06-16, 05:52 PM
#41
Lexus Fanatic
It's true 
04-06-16, 10:17 PM
#42
Pole Position
Where did you get 16" wheels for the 2016 Limited Hybrid? Toyota's own specs show 18" wheels and 55-series for that trim-version, at least in the American market. Those tires, all else equal, ride more firmly (and probably give better steering response) than the smaller 17" wheels and 65-series tires on the LE model I drove. That explains the firmer ride you mention.
Toyota's own specs show 18" wheels and 55-series for that trim-version, at least in the American market. Those tires, all else equal, ride more firmly (and probably give better steering response) than the smaller 17" wheels and 65-series tires on the LE model I drove. That explains the firmer ride you mention.
04-06-16, 10:37 PM
#43
Lexus Test Driver
Thanks. I figured I should do a little more on this one than I did on the Rogue.
Are you referring to the new front end? I thought it looked like a scowling bulldog. Toyota seems to have a thing now with thin slit-upward slots and the big spindie (or spindle-effect) lower grilles. Well, I guess that's just the new company image, that's all.
It's not as much more, in actual dollars, than the gas version, compared to some other vehicles. But it will still take a lot of gas-savings, even at the current low price of gas, to recover that extra $2000-$4000 back.
Te best deal for a hybrid that I current know of is the Lincoln MKZ.....both versions start at the same list price. Even its sister Ford Fusion charges ore for the hybrid.
http://bp3.lincoln.com/2016-Lincoln-...ding=2#/Style/
Yeah, I found it someway confusing myself. For 2016 , there are actually several different gauge-clusters, depending on the trim model and configuration. For instance, my test LE model had a video bar-graph for the coolant-temperature gauge. Others had analog secondary gauges under the twin primary gauges. Still others had three primaries, with a big speedometer in the middle. It was, IMO, actually difficult to tell some of the 2015 patterns from the 2016.
I figured I should do a little more on this one than I did on the Rogue. Are you referring to the new front end? I thought it looked like a scowling bulldog. Toyota seems to have a thing now with thin slit-upward slots and the big spindie (or spindle-effect) lower grilles. Well, I guess that's just the new company image, that's all.
It's not as much more, in actual dollars, than the gas version, compared to some other vehicles. But it will still take a lot of gas-savings, even at the current low price of gas, to recover that extra $2000-$4000 back.
Te best deal for a hybrid that I current know of is the Lincoln MKZ.....both versions start at the same list price. Even its sister Ford Fusion charges ore for the hybrid.
http://bp3.lincoln.com/2016-Lincoln-...ding=2#/Style/
Yeah, I found it someway confusing myself. For 2016 , there are actually several different gauge-clusters, depending on the trim model and configuration. For instance, my test LE model had a video bar-graph for the coolant-temperature gauge. Others had analog secondary gauges under the twin primary gauges. Still others had three primaries, with a big speedometer in the middle. It was, IMO, actually difficult to tell some of the 2015 patterns from the 2016.
The gauge packages is a bit confusing at this point. Toyota should just include one style gauge package for all gas versions and one style for all hybrid versions (like nearly all other makers do). To have a third style I would think is an extra expense for tooling and assembly line inefficiency . But I'm sure the bean counters did their thing and determined it was cheaper to have that third gauge package on the base model.
04-07-16, 06:22 AM
#44
Lexus Champion
The gauge packages is a bit confusing at this point. Toyota should just include one style gauge package for all gas versions and one style for all hybrid versions (like nearly all other makers do). To have a third style I would think is an extra expense for tooling and assembly line inefficiency . But I'm sure the bean counters did their thing and determined it was cheaper to have that third gauge package on the base model.
This approach to cost-cutting is what Honda does: Give the top trim level all the little bells and whistles (includling such "minor", "hidden" things like a locking glovebox), start taking away the minor, "insignificant" bells and whistles bit by bit at each lower trim level until you have a bare-bones bottom trim level that still maintains the same perceived materials quality as the top trim level.
04-07-16, 06:33 AM
#45
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
OK....Thanks for clearing that up. That was a misunderstanding on my part, too.
Was that 2014 XLE model brand-new, or a demo with some miles on it? If brand-new, that was indeed quite a bargain at 21K. You're right...new ones start at 25K with freight (before discounts), and that is for bare-bones FWD LE models. I tested an LE model, and wasn't that terribly impressed with it. I thought that, for about the same money, the Kia Sportage LX uses better materials and workmanship. (my brother has a 2015 Sportage he has been very pleased with).
The LE and XLE previously had 17" wheels stock (with 18" on the Limited) so I am very familiar with the ride. It is quite jarring for a family type hauler. Our old 09' RAV4 model rode a little better. Anyhow, the new prices Toyco charges and without any discounts on the RAV4 is also a big negative. Our 14' RAV4 XLE was priced at $21k, but now they going for $26k+....ouch.