WASHINGTON —Sport utility vehicles don’t have as much sport in them as they used to. Many are trading the “sport” in for a more refined car-like ride with better fuel economy. The Toyota RAV4, one of the more popular compact models, has pumped a bit of sport back into the little crossover, with the new SE trim level.
So what’s different from the other RAV4s?
The RAV4 was redone for 2016, and right off, the SE has a slightly sportier edge than other trim levels. The sleek LED headlights add a new look for the front end. Much of the trim is blacked out, with just a few chrome-colored pieces on the side below the windows. Even the stylish 18-inch wheels have black painted accents to complete the sporty look. My tester came with a flashy Hot Lava paint color. This orange stands out and looks pretty good.
The SE trim level adds a firmer suspension than other RAV4s, and feels a bit more connected to the road. I didn’t feel like I was driving a track star, but there is a little less body lean in turns. The large bumps are more pronounced but never really rough or tiresome during my trek on city streets or the highway.
This RAV4 seems quiet compared to the one I drove a few years ago, with less wind noise. There is some tire and road noise on the highway, but it’s much less than before. One thing that hasn’t changed from other RAV4s is the power: The 176-horsepower, 4-cylinder engine does the job fine, but a few more ponies would be nice to have for the SE models. It never felt under-powered, but neither did it feel fast.
The automatic does a good job of keeping the Toyota in the power when called upon and offers smooth shifts when commuting. Fuel economy for the week was 24.2 in my 300 miles of mixed driving — close to the 25 mpg advertised on the sticker.
Inside, the redone RAV4 is a nicer space than before, but if you want all the toys it’s going to cost you $34,000. The improved interior starts with nice leather seats and higher-quality materials throughout. The space for two adults in the back is rather good, but a third person would be pushing it; the rear seat doesn’t seem very wide. Two child seats fit, but there’s not enough width for a booster. The latch system is a bit of pain as the child seat has to go far back for the latch to connect.
Cargo space is pretty good for a compact, and the power lift gate is a nice touch. My car had nice options, such as a cool bird’s-eye camera system that lets you see around the car when parking in small spaces. The NAV works well. There are touch-screen controls, and there is even a knob for the radio’s volume and tuning – what a novel concept.
The RAV4 SE is another way Toyota stays so popular in the compact SUV/crossover market. More style and a bit of sport only adds to the appeal of this ride. Now with an improved and more upscale interior and the ability to add options to satisfy more buyers, this new RAV4 looks to win in this tough crossover market.
Mike Parris is a member of the Washington Automotive Press Association. The vehicles are provided by STI, FMI or Event Solutions for the purpose of this review.
