Her + His Car Reviews
2016 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid
There are two sides to everything, right? To keep our car reviews innovative and interesting, we provide an animated, insightful, detailed and sometimes uncouth two points of view on the same car from - Her + His perspectives.
Her: Anne Fleming, Car Buying Advocate, women-drivers.com
His: Don Hammonds, Writer, AutomobileJournal.com
| HER | HIS |
|---|---|
| Price | |
| $31,330 | $28,370 plus amenities, gets our test driven model to $31,330 |
| Performance | |
| Overall handling and responsiveness on this new Hybrid was enhanced by the Synergy Drive is the drive train technology itself allowing for 194 horsepower - which proves ample in this compact CUV. And consider, it has a 1,750 lb towing rating. A real "solid" for its class. This hybrid is just that - 50% an EV. The battery pack is stored behind the rear seats. |
Our example was a RAV4 hybrid with Toyota's Synergy Drive System that when putting all its various electric and non electric components together, puts out 194 horsepower in its 2.5 liter DOHC four-cylinder engine. The handling is so predictable and you don't get the sometimes all too-noticeable lean and the bouncy feeling you get when you drive the RAV4. |
| Fuel Economy | |
| 34 city and 31 highway. A fabulous testimony, however it's a crowded category with lots of others that also tote such mpg. | Our RAV4 Hybrid is rated at 34 city, 31 highway and 33 overall miles per gallon, using a miserly three gallons to travel 100 miles. The RAV4 uses 3.0 gallons for 100 miles traveled, and you can save $2,250 in fuel over five years compared to the average new vehicle. Annual fuel cost is $1,350 a year based on 15,000 miles of driving. |
| The Car | |
| Our week of driving the new Hybrid Rav4 was a delight. The updates made in the new 2016 are welcome. Good power, more hauling capacity, such great amount of room, leg room and packing and storage capacity for starters. Accessibility carries the day in the Rav4Hybrid; everything in the front seats and dash are within reach - what a relief. Our team of testers did not have to unbuckle their seatbelt - and do major yoga stretches to grab for something on the floor in front of the passenger seat. 17" alloy wheels, Power seat Height adjustable and the power litigate. Power heated exterior mirrors - nice. No more waiting for the ice to melt. Power Moonroof. Rear spoiler for kicks. And, overhead roof rack. Dual zone climate for personalized comfort on those longer trip keeps everyone happier. Leather wrapped, adjustable steering adds a nice touch. Love the reclining and fold flat 2nd row seats - easy to maneuver and move. We like that the all buyers get a full tanks of gas -? nice touch Toyota. |
We think it is such a relief to get into a car where we don't have to guess where anything is located. That is so not happening these days with so many products. Yet the RAV4 holds its grounds and doesn't worry about anything else but being pleasant to drive, enough stylishness to please the eye, and plenty of features that spell value--as usual--for Toyota buyers. Overall, the RAV4 felt like a pair of comfortable house slippers - warm, familiar, and comfortable--and quite dependable to boot. The only complaint that some consumers may have is that there is only one choice if you want gasoline power; a 2.5 liter, 194 horsepower four. That frankly sounds like plenty to me, but I will have to try the gas version out for myself. On the other hand, I can tell you that the 2.5 liter hybrid powered version we tested did just fine thanks on the road--it zipped and zoomed with no problems at all, and to be honest with you, I have no idea why anyone would want more power. |
| Safety | |
| A very strong safety line up here including: Star Safety System, with Enhanced Vehicle Control. Traction Control. Anti Lock Brake. Electronic Brake Force Distribution. Brake Assist and Smart-Stop Technology. And, Back-up Camera. | It has all the airbags, bells and whistles that you could want, just nothing out of the ordinary. |
| Technology | |
| Technology includes Entune audio plus with 6.1" Touch screen. AM/FM Radio, Doppler Weather, Sirius XM all access radio with 3-month trial. Advanced Voice Recognition. Bluetooth supports hands free calling, and more. Backup rear camera. Smart key system with Push Button Start. Three (3) 12 V Power Outlets and USB port. | The Toyota Synergy Drive system has EV, Eco and Sport modes, allowing for a bit of personality to come through, depending on which ever mode you select. The RAV4 comes with standard features like the Star Safety System, comprised of enhanced vehicle stability control. Traction control Anti-lock brakes, Electronic brake force distribution, Brake assist and Smart stop technology. Other standard features include alloy wheels, height adjustable power lift gate, power Moonroof, roof rails, and rear spoiler, privacy glass, rear sides, quarter and lift gate. |
| Aesthetics & Styling | |
| TThe vehicle is attractive enough by all measures; the enhancement in design in this model was needed. The front of the vehicle - including the grill- has a more pronounced petite effect - than rivals. The tan/black color combination is very good for the long haul and owndership. A huge thank you for not putting unnecessary dollars into paddle shifters on this model. Viewing - front, side and rear - is unencumbered; well done. The seating for 5 is ample. When the 2nd row seats recline it allows for over 70 cubic feet of hauling and packing space. |
I'd call the styling contemporary conservative. It's not "out there" like some others I could name, but it also isn't workaday weary either. But it was the interior that got me going. If you have drooled over pictures of luxury car interiors in glossy magazines, I'm sure you will instantly recognize the luscious looking rolls of leather (or some darned good looking vinyl!) over the RAV4 Limited's dashboard. That's what we loved. It's expensive looking very pleasing to the touch, and gave an understated classy look to our RAV4. Plenty of room, too. World War Three did not break out in our tester as it usually does in other vehicles we've driven. That's because of the roomy rear seat and each combatant--er--child--had enough breathing space without touching. |
| Warranty | |
| 3 year/36,000 mile limited warranty. Complimentary 2-year maintenance plan covering normal scheduled factory visits. Also included is a 24-hour roadside assistance plan - for 2 years of 25,000 miles. | 3 year, 36,000 miles limited basic warranty. Toyota Care offers a complimentary plan covering normal factory-scheduled maintenance and 24 hour roadside assistance for two years or 25,000 miles. whichever comes first. |
