Used 2016 Toyota RAV4

If you’re shopping for a reliable, efficient and stylish compact-crossover SUV, buying a used 2016 Toyota RAV4 has very little downside. Like its closest rival, the Honda CR-V, the RAV4 holds its value exceptionally well. That means you should expect to pay more than a comparably equipped Ford Escape, Kia Sportage, Chevrolet Equinox or Jeep Cherokee. The plus side is the money you lay out up front may save you costly repair bills down the road. That’s because the 2016 RAV4 has proven a rather trouble-free vehicle, another factor to take into account once the warranty expires.

The RAV4 has another benefit over its rivals, that being a hybrid powertrain option. In the RAV4 hybrid, you’ll get better fuel economy, better towing and that coveted HOV sticker in some states.

However, the RAV4 isn’t intended for serious off-road use and its tow rating isn’t much better than most cars. You’ll also find some of the more desirable features are limited to the most expensive trims, but all RAV4 models rank high in areas of safety, reliability and longevity.

How Does a Used 2016 Toyota RAV4 Compare to the Competition?
Buying a used 2016 RAV4 will get you a compact-crossover SUV on the larger side of the segment, with a big back seat and cargo area. You’ll find more headroom in a Subaru Forester, which also comes standard with all-wheel drive. The RAV4 also isn’t big on power and has nothing to match the turbocharged engines found in the Subaru Forester, Ford Escape and Kia Sportage. However, the RAV4 Hybrid offers a little more power and bumps the tow rating from 1,500 pounds for the gas engine to 1,750 pounds. If towing is something you care about, a V6-powered Chevrolet Equinox or turbocharged Ford Escape can both manage 3,500 pounds.

The RAV4 isn’t as sporty or fun to drive as a Mazda CX-5 or Ford Escape, but its ride is decidedly more comfortable and it can still easily handle tight turns and winding roads. On the fuel-economy side, the 2.5-liter gas engine achieves 24-mpg city/31-mpg highway, not the best-in-class but far from shabby. The hybrid ups those numbers to 34/31, making it the ideal car for city and suburban dwellers who have to deal with constant stop-and-go traffic.

What Do Owners Think About the 2016 Toyota RAV4?
Looking at the owner reviews on the KBB.com RAV4 review page, it would appear most are quite satisfied, giving the RAV4 a 4.4 out of five, matching the KBB editorial teams’ score of 4.5. For a used-car buyer, the areas that matter most — reliability, value and comfort — all score high.

Areas where owners dinged the RAV4 can be found mostly in complaints about interior noise levels, slow acceleration and a 6-speed automatic transmission that sometimes hunts around too much before settling on the right gear. Others wished the RAV4 had more ground clearance and some light off-road ability, better towing and some better lumbar support for the front seats.

Owners of the SE and Limited all loved their car’s interior, which is nicer and better equipped than the base LE and XLE. If you opt for an SE or Limited, you’ll also get more features as well as more options. Those whose RAV4s were equipped with Toyota’s T-SSP driver-assist systems (forward-collision warning and emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning and auto high beams) raved about the systems’ efficiency, and how on more than one occasion, it prevented a rear-end fender bender when the driver was distracted.

What are Some Known Issue to Watch Out for When Buying A Used 2016 Toyota RAV4?
For the most part, the RAV4 is a pretty solid car. Other than some connectivity issues between owners’ smartphones and the Entune audio system, the 2016 RAV4 doesn’t really have any major issues that might deter buyers. The navigation system is sometimes slow to respond and depending on the type of tires, interior noise can be intrusive. Also, iPhone users with iOS 8 or newer have experienced issues with Bluetooth connectivity and messaging, but there are fixes and updates that should resolve this issue. The interior light in the cargo area isn’t very bright and there are a limited number of 12V outlets and USB ports.

The RAV4’s 6-speed automatic is a strong transmission, and down the road, won’t cost nearly as much to repair or replace as some competitors’ CVTs (continuously variable automatic transmissions).

What About Recalls and Safety?
The 2016 Toyota RAV4 has only two recalls to date. One is for a brake actuator that may have a damaged O-ring, which could lead to loss of the power brakes. The other is a minor issue regarding incorrect load-carrying-capacity labels.

In the areas of safety, the RAV4 does very well, especially when equipped with its optional T-SSP driver-assist systems. In government crash tests, the 2016 RAV4 earned a 5-star rating, while the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the RAV4 a Top Safety Pick Plus rating, despite it garnering one Poor score in the front-passenger-side small overlap crash test.

Of all the compact SUVs, Toyota’s RAV4 crossover SUV for 2016 may just have the best combination of ride comfort, handling and fuel economy. Smooth without being too soft, the RAV4’s ride is a pleasant contrast to that of the Mazda CX-5 and Subaru Forester. The RAV4’s 2.5-liter 4-cylinder isn’t the most powerful in this class, but it delivers acceptable levels of acceleration and fuel economy, able to move the RAV4 to 60 mph in less than 10 seconds. Toyota adds a Sport mode to the 6-speed automatic transmission. When engaged, the system holds off shifting until higher in the rpm band for better acceleration. The RAV4 Hybrid employs the same 2.5-liter engine teamed with two electric motors (one up front and the other at the rear wheels) and CVT transmission. Toyota expects the hybrid to deliver noticeably better acceleration and better fuel economy, even with its standard all-wheel-drive system.

With high-quality plastics and soft-touch surfaces, the 2016 Toyota RAV4 offers a comfortable and inviting SUV interior. Base LE models get contrasting colors, adding an upscale look at a price level that usually sentences the buyer to blandness. However, we’re not fans of the faux-carbon-fiber cladding around the doorsills and gearshift lever. Interestingly, leather isn’t available, substituted with a material called Softex, which does a pretty good impression of the real thing. The driver’s seat is comfortable and supportive, especially the Limited model with its added lumbar support. Rear-seat passengers have good legroom, and there’s plenty of cargo space.

Overall, we like the looks of the newest RAV4, and its sharp lines are positively aggressive compared to previous models. Owners of those older models may notice that there’s no rear-mounted spare tire on the current generation. However, despite it being a fixture since the RAV4’s introduction, Toyota was smart in dropping it, as it allows for a swing-up rear door instead of the swing-out design on previous versions, making it easier to load items into the cargo area. A power assist is standard on Limited models, and available on XLE models.

REARVIEW AIDS
With high beltlines and thicker pillars becoming the norm for small SUV design, having the ability to see what’s around you becomes paramount. In addition to its rearview camera and front and rear parking sensors, the RAV4 offers a 360-degree Bird’s Eye monitor, blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert.

CAVERNOUS CARGO CAPACITY
Despite its modest exterior dimensions, the 2016 Toyota RAV4 compact SUV has ample room for four adults plus a good-size cargo area behind the 2nd-row seats. Fold those seats flat and the RAV4 offers up a class-leading 73.4 cubic feet.

The base RAV4 LE trim comes with Entune, which includes a 6.1-inch display, Bluetooth connectivity, AM/FM/CD system with six speakers, and auxiliary and USB inputs to control your iPod. XLE models add a power moonroof, upgraded Entune with satellite and HD Radio, dual-zone climate control, and better front seats with French stitching. The SE trim receives a sport suspension, paddle shifters, Softex seating, 2-tone paint and rear cross-traffic alert. Limited models add the power liftgate, Softex upholstery, Entune Premium audio with navigation and apps, push-button start, and more. The AWD RAV4 Hybrid is offered only in XLE and Limited trims.

All-wheel drive (AWD) is available on all Toyota RAV4 models and standard on the Hybrid, enhancing the SUV’s traction in wet weather and on dirt roads. Other options include a navigation system with Toyota’s Entune telematics – which includes voice recognition and various apps for everything from making reservations to finding sports scores – JBL premium audio system with 11 speakers, Bird’s Eye Parking System, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and, on the XLE, a power rear liftgate.

There are two powertrain choices for the 2016 Toyota RAV4. Gasoline-powered models employ a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with 176 horsepower. Coupled with the standard 6-speed automatic transmission, it’s enough to get the SUV from a standstill to 60 mph in a little less than 10 seconds, not exactly quick, but good enough. The standard front-wheel drive (FWD) can be replaced with an all-wheel drive (AWD) system, and the RAV4 will tow up to 1,500 pounds. The RAV4 Hybrid uses the same 2.5-liter engine only with Atkinson-cycle technology mated with two small electric motors (one at each axle). AWD comes standard on the hybrid models, as does a CVT automatic transmission.

2.5-liter inline-4
176 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
172 lb-ft of torque @ 4,100 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 24/31 mpg (FWD), 22/29 mpg (AWD)

2.5-liter inline-4 engine + electric motor
194 horsepower @ 5,700 rpm (peak output with gasoline and electric combined)
206 lb-ft of torque @ 4,100 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 34/31 mpg