Review: 2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited


15 December 2017, Neil Parkhi


Introduction

The Toyota RAV4 is one of the most popular Toyota crossovers in the market. It is very nicely priced and is a really nice vehicle.

Heritage

The first generation RAV4 was introduced in 1994, sharing elements with both the Toyota Corolla, as well as the Toyota Carina which was not sold in the U.S. The first generation is known as the X810, and launched in Japan in May in 1994. It also was the only Toyota SUV with a trunk lid which opens like a traditional car door. Every first generation RAV4 in the U.S. had a 2-liter inline 4 cylinder engine, which produced 127 hp, however, in Japan, there was another 2-liter inline 4 cylinder producing 177 hp, which adds 50 hp to the engine. Every RAV4 at the time had either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic gearbox available, and there was a 2 door hardtop, and a 4-door hardtop available. In 1997 for the 1998 model year, the RAV4 got new front and rear fascias, and there was a new two door soft-top version available. In 1999, the two door hardtop version had been discontinued. For 7 months in 2002, Toyota also had a full electric version of the RAV4 as well. In July 2000, the X820 Generation RAV4 was released. By then, the two-door model was back to hardtop, and in the U.S, it was completely discontinued. There was a new 2 liter inline 4 cylinder engine as well, until the facelift in 2003 which then had a newer 2.4 liter inline 4 cylinder engine as well. For the 2006 model year, Toyota introduced the third generation X830 RAV4 at the 2005 IAA Motor Show located in Frankfurt, Germany. It was offered in two wheelbase versions, and the U.S. market only received the long wheelbase versions, as the short wheelbase was only offered in Japan. For this generation, Toyota had the second generation RAV4 EV in collaboration with Tesla Motors, limiting the vehicle to only 2600 units, and only available in California starting with the San Francisco Bay Area, then Los Angeles, and then the Orange County. Most of those electric components are shared with the Tesla Model S which was released in 2012. The fourth generation X840 RAV4 was introduced at the 2012 Los Angeles International Auto Show. It was released in January 2013, and then for the first time, they had both an XLE and Limited model available for the RAV4, and also the door style trunk lid became a hatchback like liftgate. The RAV4 has a 2.5-liter 4 cylinder engine, and it still uses that engine today. The facelift for the X840 was introduced at the 2015 New York International Auto Show for the 2016 model year.

Review

The RAV4 is a nice and comfortable crossover out there. It is most definitely worth the price, and it has good ride comfort for a SUV. It also is loaded with features and the seating is nice.

Specifications

Steering and Transmission
Steering Type Speed Proportional, Electric Assist, Rack and Pinion Power Steering
Transmission Type Contunuous Variable Automatic (CVT)
Wheels and Tires
Front Wheel Type 18 inch 5 twin spoke chrome alloys
Rear Wheel Type 18 inch 5 twin spoke chrome alloys
Front Tire Type 235/55R18
Rear Tire Type 235/55R18
Front Brake Type Ventilated Disc
Rear Brake Type Solid Disc
Suspension
Front Suspension Type Independent MacPherson Strut
Rear Suspension Type Double Wishbone
Suspension Features Stabilizer Bars, Coil Springs, Gas Pressurised Shock Absorbers
Dimensions
Length (in, mm) 183.5in, 4661mm
Width (in, mm) 72.6in, 1844mm
Height (in, mm) 65.9in, 1674mm
Wheelbase (in, mm) 104.7in, 2659mm
Weight (lb, kg) 3950lb, 1792kg
Engine Specifications
Engine Type 2.5 litre Double Overhead Cam 16 valve Hybrid Synergy Drive inline 4 cylinder
Power (bhp, PS, kW) 154bhp, 156PS, 115kW @ 5700RPM
Torque (lb-ft, Nm) 152lb-ft, 206Nm @ 4400RPM
0-60 mph (0-97 kmph) 7.8 seconds
Drivetrain Front Wheel Drive
Fuel Tank Size (gal, L) 12.3 gallons, 47L
Fuel Type (AKI, RON) 87 Octane/AKI Petrol (92 RON)
City Fuel Economy (mpg, kmpL) 34mpg, 14kmpL
City Fuel Economy (mpg, kmpL) 31mpg, 13kmpL
Cargo Specifications
Cargo Space (ft3, L) 35ft3, 991L
Max. Cargo Space (ft3, L) 70ft3, 1982L
Price Range
U.S. Dollars $33,610
Canadian Dollars $43,191