EVERYTHING
AUTO
NEW CAR REVIEW
2015 TOYOTA RAV 4
N
Toyota’s family-friendly crossover has sharp-edged styling and hybrid offered in 2016
ow in its third season, the
current-generation, RAV4
exemplifies the qualities
that keep it a perennial hit.
Customers love its sharp-
edged styling and roomy,
versatile five-seat cabin.
The interior has a premium
look and feel with soft-
touch accents and driver-
centric controls.
Sure to get attention in
any weather, RAV4 drives
into 2015 with a new Blizzard Pearl Premium
Package for the RAV4 Limited grade. This
special package dresses the already stylish RAV4
in Blizzard Pearl paint and new 18-inch machine-
finished wheels with black painted pockets.
At the opposite end of the thermometer, new
Hot Lava paint joins the lineup. The one-touch
power liftgate with driver-selectable memory
height settings, standard on the Limited, is now
an option for the XLE grade.
Interior
Though taking up a smallish parking space
outside, the RAV4 is cavernous inside, with
ample room for five adults and 38.4 cu. ft. of
cargo capacity behind the rear seats. With the
60/40 split rear seats folded, that space
expands to 73.4 cu. ft.
The front seats feature a slim seat
back design to enhance rear-passenger
knee room. The rear seatbacks also
recline several degrees.
Power
Practicality meets fun with the RAV4’s 2.5-
liter direct-injection four-cylinder engine.
Coupled to a standard six-speed automatic trans-
mission, the engine smoothly delivers 176
horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 172 lb.-ft. of torque
at 4,100 rpm.
Choose Sport mode, and the RAV4 sharpens
shift timing, throttle response, and steering feel.
Feeling frugal? Select Eco mode and the RAV4
optimizes powertrain operation to maximize fuel
economy.
Comfort
The RAV4’s smooth ride, handling agility and
cabin quietness owes much to a body structure
that makes extensive use of high-strength steel.
The MacPherson strut front suspension and a
double-wishbone rear suspension let the RAV4
absorb bumps, ruts and railroad crossings with
composure.
Vehicle-speed-sensitive
rack-and-pinion
electric power steering provides precision feel
and quick response.
Technology
The RAV4 plays music
just about any way you
please, by
Lum's is the Proud Sponsor
of the Assistance League of
the Columbia Pacific Home
and Chef Tour on Saturday,
October 10, 2105,
from 11 am - 4 pm.
4 • EVERYTHING AUTO • FALL 2015
offering four different Entune audio systems.
In the RAV4 LE, the standard Entune Audio
system features a 6.1-in. touchscreen,
AM/FM/CD, Bluetooth hands-free phone con-
nectivity and audio streaming, iPod connectivity
and control, USB 2.0, AUX mini-jack, and six
speakers. The Entune touchscreen, which also
serves as the display for the standard backup
camera, allows access to the audio system and
HVAC settings, navigation and Entune.
2016 hybrid
The 2016 RAV 4 is the 8th vehicle to join the
Toyota Hybrid family.
It features a Hybrid System that consists of a
2.5-liter, 4-cylinder and eCVT transmission.
All Hybrids will be equipped with an All-
Wheel-Drive System with Intelligence featuring
a rear motor that operates independent from the
front motor.
This additional electric motor delivers instant
torque to the rear wheels only when additional
traction is needed, helping prevent wheel spin.
While we don’t yet have power and MPG
figures for you today we can tell you that this is a
no compromise SUV, delivering moe power with
better fuel efficiency than the standard gas model.
BY THE
NUMBERS
Wheelbase: 104.7 in.
Length: 179.9 in.
Width: 72.6 in.
Height: 65.4 in.
Base Engine: 2.5 liter four-cylinder,
176 hp, 172 lb. ft. torque
Transmission: 6-speed ECT-i
automatic
EPA Mileage: 24 city, 31 highway