Skip to main content This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Review our Privacy and Cookie Notice for more details. 2016 Toyota RAV4 PreviewFast Facts:Revised exterior designUpgraded interior materialsAvailable LED headlightsAvailable front and rear park-assist sensorsAvailable 360-degree surround-view monitorAvailable smartphone-based navigation for LE trim levelLimited trim level adds programmable garage door openerNew Toyota Safety Sense equipment for Limited trim levelNew Perimeter Scan technologySporty RAV4 SE trim level addedNew RAV4 Hybrid model debutsFresh paint and interior colorsIntroductionAt the 2015 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS), Toyota introduced a refreshed 2016 RAV4, in the process highlighting a new hybrid version of the 5-passenger crossover SUV that is both more powerful and more fuel-efficient than the standard version.Though Toyota did not release specific details about the 2016 RAV4 Hybrid, the automaker confirmed that it will be more powerful, quicker to accelerate, and more fuel-efficient than the standard RAV4.
Hybrid buyers will be able to select between XLE and Limited trim levels.In addition to the new RAV4 Hybrid, a RAV4 SE will also debut for 2016, featuring a sport-tuned suspension, larger 18-in. aluminum wheels, transmission paddle shifters, and unique appearance elements inside and out.Exterior FeaturesToyota has updated the 2016 RAV4's styling for what the automaker calls "a sleeker, more dynamic appearance."The front styling is new, now equipped with available LED headlights and LED running lights. Design elements tie into the new rocker panel trim along the bottoms of the doors and wrap into a new rear bumper. The RAV4 also gets a new rear liftgate and available LED taillights.Additional design details include a shark-fin antenna and, on most versions, silver simulated skid plate garnishes on the front and rear bumpers. Front and rear park-assist sensors are now available, new aluminum wheel designs debut, and three new paint colors are available for the 2016 RAV4.Interior FeaturesInside, Toyota says it has improved the quality of the RAV4's cabin materials and has added soft-touch surfaces on the upper door panels and the top of the dashboard.
The cupholders are redesigned, a new sunglasses holder is added, and all versions except the LE have a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Toyota also adds another USB port for front-seat occupants and a 12-volt power outlet for rear-seat riders.The new 2016 RAV4 SE features Sof-Tex leatherette upholstery with exposed contrast stitching, power driver's seat, unique instrumentation, gunmetal-finish interior trim, and a black headliner.Optional FeaturesDepending on the trim level, the 2016 RAV4 is equipped with a new 4.2-in. multi-information display within the gauge cluster and a larger 7-in. touch-screen display for the infotainment system. Toyota will also offer LED headlights for the new RAV4, along with a number of new safety and technology systems that are discussed below.Under the HoodIn addition to a 176-horsepower, 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine, the 2016 RAV4 will be available for the first time with a gas-electric hybrid drivetrain. In New York, Toyota would only say that the RAV4 Hybrid is more powerful and accelerates faster than a standard RAV4 while returning better gas mileage.
An all-wheel-drive (AWD) system is standard with the hybrid drivetrain.Though Toyota did not divulge details about the new hybrid model, it is likely to employ the same setup as the Lexus NX 300h, which shares the RAV4's underlying platform. In the Lexus, total system horsepower measures 194, and the NX 300h gets 32 mpg in combined driving with AWD.SafetyFor the 2015 model year (as of December 1, 2014 production), Toyota upgraded the RAV4's architecture in order to earn a "Top Safety Pick" crash-test rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). For the 2016 model year, the automaker offers a new Toyota Safety Sense package for the Limited and Hybrid Limited versions of the RAV4.The Toyota Safety Sense package equips the RAV4 Limited with dynamic cruise control, forward-collision warning system, lane-departure warning system, and automatic high-beam headlights. It also includes new pedestrian and autonomous braking pre-collision systems.TechnologyIn addition to the Toyota Safety Sense package, the 2016 RAV4 is available with a new Bird's Eye View monitoring system, which uses four different cameras to supply a top-down, panoramic view of the vehicle's surroundings.
This technology also includes what Toyota says is an industry first: Perimeter Scan. Perimeter Scan provides a live, rotating, 360-degree camera view of everything nearby the RAV4.In addition to these new technologies, Toyota introduces a new Scout smartphone navigation option for the RAV4 LE. Pair a device to the standard display audio system's Bluetooth connection and a smartphone application supplies an inexpensive navigation system for the base version of the RAV4.Additional Research:2015 Toyota RAV4 OverviewToyota Car, Truck & SUV Quality, Dependability & Performance Ratings2015 Toyota Trucks, SUVs, and Vans Buyer's GuideRoss Meyer has worked for Maplewood Toyota for over 15 years. He is Maplewood Toyota's Dealership Training Specialist and Product Knowledge Guru. Ross is also a presenter at the New Owner Celebration. Do you have questions about your Toyota? Are you considering a purchase and want to know more? Is there a feature on your vehicle you've always wanted to know more about?
Are you having issues with Bluetooth or Navigation technology? Do you need one-on-one help? Ross can answer all these questions and more. Simply complete the form at the right to submit your question to Ross or Contact Ross directly. Here are a few questions customers have submitted: Q: (From Walter) - My Bluetooth worked for a while but all of a sudden it quit working. I have an older flip phone so that might have something to do with it. A: Flip phones are very problematic when it comes to Bluetooth. The technology in that type of phone is antiquated (even if you just bought the phone.) The quick fix I have found is to turn the phone off, remove the battery, wait a minute or so, then put the battery back in and turn it on. Most of the time that will work. With other non-flip phones I would suggest you delete the pairing from both the car and the phone and start from scratch but I wouldn't do that with a flip phone. I have found if you do that it is very difficult to re-pair them.
Q: (From Doug) - I have a 2011 Sequoia with the navigation system and everywhere I go there is a 'trail of breadcrumbs' on the map. How do I get rid of those? A: This is a common question. On the Navigation screen, when you are on the main map, there is a button on the bottom "On/Off" toolbar titled 'Show on Map'. If you touch that it will bring up an option menu. One of the options is 'Route Trace'. If you touch Route Trace, it will unselect that option and will take the "breadcrumbs" off your map. I hope this helps! Q: (From Brian) - I just purchased a 2011 Camry LE 4 cylinder. How do I know if it has synthetic oil or regular oil. Do I really only need to change the oil every 10000 miles? A: Brian I certainly understand your confusion on this issue. First, the way you can tell whether Toyota put synthetic or traditional motor oil in your vehicle is to pop the hood and look on the oil cap. All Toyota models will have the oil type printed on the oil cap. -Your Camry will say 0W-20 which is full synthetic.
This vehicle has a recommended oil change interval of 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first. You can certainly change it more frequently but you can also wait until the manufacturers interval. -Some will say 0W-20 and 5W-30 on the cap. These come from the factory with traditional (non-synthetic) 5W-30 oil. You can use synthetic with no harmful effects on this engine. -Some will say only 5W-30. These also come with traditional (non-synthetic) oil, but Toyota does not recommend the use of synthetic oil in this vehicle. Q: (From Tom) - I can't get my garage door opener programmed to the Homelink in my car. What am i doing wrong? A: There are two possibilities depending on what type of opener you have in your garage. - If you have a non-rolling code garage door opener, chances are you aren't holding the buttons down long enough. Hold the opener within a couple inches of the homelink in your car. Press the opener button and one of the homelink buttons down and hold them.
The little light on the homelink should stay solid for about 30 seconds or so, then it will start blinking slowly - you aren't done yet - keep pressing the buttons until that light starts blinking quickly. When you see that you are done. - If you have a rolling code garage door opener (i.e. either you know that for a fact or the above process doesn't work) you need to do a little more. On the back of the garage door motor housing there will be a button labeled "learn" or "program" or the like depending on the make of the opener. Press that button and release it (don't hold it down too long or you will erase any other remote openers...) Then within 30 seconds, go into your car and press one of the homelink buttons for 2 seconds, release, press for 2 seconds and release. Sometimes, with some openers, this is enough to program it and the door will open/close. If that doesn't happen, press the button again for 2 seconds and let go - that should do it. If not, you will have to repeat the process again, and possibly again (It took me several tries to get my wife's car programmed.)