2016 Toyota RAV4

The 2016 model year was a mid-cycle update of the fourth-generation RAV4. The Torque Report (opens in a new tab) describes the new styling that runs back to the rocker panel, a redesigned rear bumper and lift gate, and available LED taillights. Toyota Vacaville's launch preview (opens in a new tab) adds a larger seven-inch touch-screen audio system, a larger multi-information display and three new paint colors.

The bigger news was under the hood of one trim family: 2016 was the first RAV4 Hybrid sold in the U.S., offered as the XLE Hybrid and Limited Hybrid, according to Carvana (opens in a new tab). MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) lists its 2.5-liter four-cylinder paired with three electric motors at 194 combined horsepower, which is more power than the gas-only RAV4 and better fuel economy. If you are shopping for a 2016 RAV4 and the hybrid badge matters, you are choosing between only two trims, and both sit at the top of the price range.

NHTSA lists three recall campaigns for the 2016 RAV4. The first, 16V198, covers antilock brake and traction control electronics on RAV4s built October 2015 to February 2016. The second, 16V236, covers tires on vehicles built in early 2016. The third, 23V734, is a 2023 campaign on 2013 to 2018 RAVs where a replacement 12-volt battery may not fit the battery tray and can shift and touch a terminal. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy, because the first two only apply to a build-date window.

Owners have filed 239 complaints with NHTSA on this model year. By component, electrical system leads with 58, followed by service brakes with 46, exterior lighting with 28 and engine with 24. Outside NHTSA, CarAlso's summary of CarComplaints data (opens in a new tab) ranks transmission failure as the single worst reported problem, at an average repair bill near $2,200, with the tailgate not working properly second; it counts 310 reported problems for the 2016 gas RAV4 against 444 for 2017. CarBuzz (opens in a new tab) instead finds no widespread transmission problem and points to miscellaneous electrical issues and the braking and ABS systems as the most complained about. Both readings agree that electrical and brake faults are the things to test on a used one. Complaints about peeling factory paint on white cars also appear in NHTSA filings.

Kelley Blue Book (opens in a new tab) puts used 2016 RAV4 prices at $15,400 for the LE up to $20,100 for the Limited Hybrid when bought from a dealership. Trade-in values are much lower: KBB shows about $8,540 to $10,190 for an LE and $12,550 to $14,950 for a Limited. The gap between what a dealer asks and what you would be paid is the cost of a 2016 RAV4 that you plan to sell on quickly, so it favors buying one to keep.

The 2016 RAV4's EPA combined ratings run 24 to 32 mpg depending on drive and powertrain, with fuel cost estimated at $1,950 to $2,600 a year on fueleconomy.gov (opens in a new tab). The 2016 Honda CR-V rates 27 to 29 mpg combined ($2,150 to $2,300 a year) and the 2016 Nissan Rogue 27 to 28 mpg ($2,250 to $2,300). So the gas RAV4 gives up a few mpg to both, and the hybrid beats both by a wide margin.

Where the RAV4 pulls ahead is what it keeps: iSeeCars (opens in a new tab) puts the RAV4's five-year depreciation at 30.3 percent against 34.5 percent for the CR-V and gives the RAV4 the edge on overall quality score. Pick the RAV4 if resale value and the hybrid option matter, and the CR-V or Rogue if a gas engine at a steadier fuel bill suits you.