The 2016 Toyota RAV4 gets a sporty new model to go with a mild upgrade on styling and some interior features.
The all-new AWD SE model gives RAV4 a burst of sporty style. SE features full LED exterior lights, a newly designed front sport grille, unique 18-inch alloy wheels, SofTex seats, and a host of advanced features including navigation, 7” touchscreen audio and more.
The 2016 RAV4 SE that we is a good example of this, as it covers most of the bases in terms of driver-assist tech. We were particularly impressed with bird’s-eye view camera, which stitches together images from several exterior cameras. This not only provides a rotating, wide-angle, overhead 360-degree view around the vehicle, it also has a See-Through View that provides a ground-level view as though the vehicle were transparent.
How Does It Perform?
Although the RAV4 SE AWD’s 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder engine is powerful enough for everyday driving and provides decent fuel economy, Toyota doesn’t offer a V6 option like some competitors. The engine’s six-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly, but can be slow to downshift when passing and has a tendency to hunt for the right gear when climbing steady grades, which is probably due to the powertrain being tuned for maximum gas mileage. Handling-wise, the RAV4 feels composed whether you’re cruising down the highway or taking sharp turns.
Agencies/Canadajournal