2016 Toyota RAV4: Solid, reliable and roomy

NEW FRONT bumper design and new LED headlamps for the 2016 RAV4

Photos by Aida Sevilla Mendoza

Back in 1997, the first Toyota RAV4 was a rugged little maverick, a flamboyant free spirit promising fun and adventure. It was one of the first compact 4×4 SUVs in the world.

The 1997 RAV (Recreational, Active Vehicle) was my very first SUV. I bought a three-door unit that must have been originally destined for export to the Middle East because it had Arabic script on the side mirrors.

It served me well for six years before I sold it to buy a new car.

Over the years, the RAV4 has grown bigger and become more mainstream, in the process losing its sass as other carmakers introduced their own compact crossovers to form a keenly competitive market segment.

Now comes the 5th generation RAV4, bigger and more car-like than ever.

The 2016 RAV4 offered by Toyota Motor Philippines comes in four variants: the 4×2 Active retailing at P1.263 million; the 4×2 Active +, at P1.441 million; the 4×2 Premium at P1.863 million; and the 4×4 Premium, top of the line at P2.066 million.

Worth

Two million bucks is a lot of money for a compact SUV, so the question naturally arises: Is the 2016 4×4 Premium RAV4 worth it?

Let’s look at what the 4×4 Premium has that the less expensive RAV4 variants do not have.

OPTITRON gauges, a three-spoke leather steering wheel and chrome accents dominate the cockpit.

All the RAV4 variants are motivated by the same engine as the outgoing 2013 model’s: Toyota’s Dual VVT-i 2.5-liter, four-cylinder-in-line, 16-valve DOHC petrol powerplant producing 177 horsepower and 233-Newton-meter max torque with a six-speed automatic transmission.

The 2016 RAV4, whether Active or Premium, has an updated front end with more angular headlights, a revised grille, flatter front bumper, and faux skid plate.

LED headlamps

However, only the Premium variants have full LED type headlamps, daytime running lights and roof rails, while the Actives have projector-type headlights, no daytime running lights, and no roof rails.

THE CARGO area has a net tray and tonneau cover.

Inside, the driver’s seat of the Premiums has lumbar support and can be power-adjusted vertically with headrest and power slide and recline.

The driver’s seat in the Actives has no lumbar support.

The seat material in the Premiums is natural leather while in the Actives it is fabric: sporty in the Active+ and plain in the Active variant.

Moreover, the parking brake of the entry-level Active has soft vinyl while the Premiums and Active+ have chrome.

Differences

Other differences in the Active interior are: analog gauges instead of Optitron type; LCD stagnant display instead of a 4.2-inch TFT type MID (multi-information display) like in the Premiums and Active+; a urethane steering wheel instead of leather-wrapped like in the Premiums and Active+; and no rear package tray, which in the 4×4 Premium consists of a net tray and tonneau cover and in the 4×2 Premium and Active+ consists of a tonneau cover only.

AT THE rear, LED-type fog lamps and a spoiler

The outside rear view mirrors of the Premium variants are power adjustable and retractable, while in the Actives they are only power adjustable.

The wireless door lock system of the Premiums has smart entry, the Actives have no smart entry.  Other conveniences that the Actives don’t have are push start system and accessory power outlet.

The Premiums and Active+ have automatic climate control while in the Active it is manual.

In the Premium variants, the audio system has six speakers, a 6.5-inch digital LCD monitor with smart touch-screen function, DVD/CD/tuner/MP3/ aux/USB/iPod/Bluetooth connectivity with call function.

The Active+ variant has six speakers, AM/FM/CD/MP3/ aux/USB/iPod and Bluetooth function; while in the Active, the audio system is the same as that of the Active+ but has only four speakers.

DUAL VVT-i, 2.5-liter, four-pot engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission

When it comes to safety equipment, the gap between the P2.066 million 4×4 Premium variant and the lower-cost ones is more glaring, and this is perhaps why the top-end costs so much more.

All four variants have vehicle stability control, hill-start assist control, antilock braking system, ELR seatbelts with pretensioner, child lock protection, high mount stop lamp and antitheft system.

Downhill assist

However, only the 4×4 Premium has downhill assist control. Both Premium variants have SRS driver and passenger airbags, curtain shield and knee airbag for driver plus front and back warning sonars. The Actives don’t have those.

Rear camera

Most surprising of all, not one of the 2016 RAV4 variants sold here has a rear camera which is standard safety equipment even in vehicles costing less than 1 million pesos.

Despite this deficiency, the RAV4 still enjoys a reputation for dependability, utility, spaciousness and comfort.

The newest iteration has improved its youthful appeal via a more muscular exterior, new, stylish 17-inch wheels and modernized cockpit with a sporty three-spoke steering wheel, soft-touch padding and quality materials.

The RAV4 is refined, composed, steady and pleasant to drive on the highway as well as city streets.

The six-speed AT seems slow to downshift in overtaking situations, and tends to hunt between gears when going uphill, but these characteristics may be due to the power train being tuned for maximum gas mileage.

Acceleration

The RAV4 is visually powerful, but its acceleration is average-to-slow. On the other hand, its cabin space is impressive and most accommodating for passengers and cargo.

The 60/40 split folding rear seat can be reclined and adjusted.

The cargo area is large, opening up from 38.4 cubic feet to 73.3 cubic feet when the rear seat is folded. The liftgate is power-operated and height-adjustable.

The boxy configuration of the cargo area, flat load floor and low load-in height make it easier to load heavy items. And for dogs to jump in.

Summing up, the 2016 RAV4 is a roomy, reliable, solid compact SUV that strikes a good balance between ride comfort and secure handling, but it costs a lot more, is less entertaining to drive, and less capable off-road than its segment competitors.