Overview
The Toyota RAV4 is typically one of the best-selling cars available, and if you are in the market for a compact SUV, the odds are good that the RAV4 will be one of the vehicles you consider purchasing. The inside is big, the ride is pleasant, and the controls are simple to operate; these are three standout attributes. It is a sport utility vehicle that allows you to hop in and drive without giving it any thought.
There is a large variety of trim levels available for the Toyota RAV4 2022, so there is a strong chance that you will be able to discover the one that is right for you. There is a base model that is easy on the budget, a top-trim version that includes all of the features, and several models in between.
There is also a model called the RAV4 Adventure, which has a more rugged appearance and a little bit more off-road capability. There is also a model called the TRD Off-Road, which includes all-terrain tires and unique suspension tuning in addition to the standard features. Although adding these packages would not make the RAV4 into a Jeep Wrangler, they will give it greater capabilities than the vast majority of other compact SUVs
Although the Toyota RAV4 Prime emerged as a strong contender in our team’s search for a suitable choice for a compact SUV, there are a plethora of other wonderful vehicles from which to choose.
Among these are the all-around capable Honda CR-V, the sophisticated Mazda CX-5, and the feature-rich Nissan Rogue. Look at our Expert Rating below to receive our complete assessment of the RAV4 concerning its comfort, utility, and other aspects.
The Toyota RAV4 2022 is deserving of an Editor’s Choice award even though, from the perspective of the driver, it isn’t the most fun compact SUV available on the market today.
The RAV4’s value is supported by its practicability and efficiency. The base model is inexpensive, but it lacks even the most fundamental features, whereas the higher trim levels provide a wealth of amenities that purchasers in this market category will find valuable.
The base model of the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid comes equipped with a front-wheel drive configuration, a 2.5-liter inline-four-cylinder engine, and an eight-speed automated transmission. Although all-wheel drive is an option, even the most off-road-capable RAV4 you can buy won’t be able to keep up with a Toyota 4Runner or a Toyota Tacoma at the trailhead, even if both of those vehicles have AWD.
The RAV4 from Toyota is equipped with a plethora of driver aid functions as standard, one of which is adaptive cruise control. The upscale trims include luxury items like as heated seats, faux-leather upholstery, and a JBL sound system as standard equipment. Those who are interested in maximizing their fuel economy have the option of purchasing a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid 2022.
What’s in Store for the Year 2022?
Cavalry Blue is a newly available color option for the RAV4, and LED fog lamps are now standard on the XLE Premium, Limited, Adventure, and TRD Off-Road trim levels. Additionally, more aggressively sculpted headlamps are now available on all models other than the base LE model.
However, the SUV may use a bit more polishing in several areas. The engine of vehicles produced before 2022 might sometimes be jerky (the Hybrid and Prime variants provide smoother, drama-free acceleration). Aside from this, there is a lack of control when compared to the Honda CR-V. Talking about the CR-V again, this competitor has a roomier cabin and is more enjoyable to drive.
Although it’s difficult for us to say no to the awesome new TRD Off-Road, we think it’s best to exercise self-control and go with the more affordable XLE Premium. A power liftgate, dual-zone automatic climate control, faux-leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and shift knob are some of the features that it comes with that the LE and XLE don’t provide.
Only the Limited offers these features. Because Toyota includes its suite of driver assistance systems as standard equipment throughout the board, there isn’t much of a reason to go with a more expensive grade; the only exception to this is if you truly want ventilated seats.
Toyota RAV4 Engine and Performance
There is only one engine option for the gasoline-powered 2022 Toyota RAV4, which is a four-cylinder generating 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque and measuring 2.5 liters in displacement. It is combined with an automatic transmission that has eight gears and may be fitted with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD).
Even though Toyotas come standard with front-wheel drive, customers can upgrade to all-wheel drive depending on their trim level. The Adventure model that we tested came standard with an all-wheel-drive system that had the capability of disengaging the rear axle from the vehicle when it was necessary to do so to achieve better fuel economy. When we put the RAV4 through its paces at our testing facility, we found that it was noticeably more agile than its predecessor.
The 2019 model reached 60 miles per hour in 8.0 seconds, while the 2018 model took 8.3 seconds. When asked to make a downshift, the transmission in our test vehicle appeared to stutter, and the obedient four-cylinder engine can be quite noisy at times, particularly when trying to go around slower traffic on the highway.
When we put the RAV4 Hybrid through its paces, it accelerated from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 7.4 seconds. Although it can keep its composure when driven on winding roads and the highway, the RAV4 does not instill the same level of confidence as the Mazda CX-5, which is our pick for the best vehicle in this class.
Toyota RAV4 MPG (Miles Per Gallon)
In comparison with other vehicles of its class, the RAV4 has a competitive fuel economy, as per EPA. During highway driving, the front-wheel-drive RAV4 can achieve a fuel economy of approximately 35 mpg.
On the 200-mile highway fuel-economy route, the all-wheel-drive Adventure delivered 32 mpg for us, which is 1 mpg less than the anticipated value that the EPA has given for that trim level. A significant improvement over the 2018 Adventure model, which managed only 25 miles per gallon, it’s comparable to the Honda CR-V, and a significant improvement over the Volkswagen Tiguan, which managed 33 miles per gallon. However, it is not as efficient as the Volkswagen Tiguan.
Toyota RAV4 Interior Design, Cargo Space, and Amenities
Ergonomics and storage space is given a high priority inside the Toyota RAV4. The spacious center console is complemented well by a shelf that runs the length of the dashboard.
A single-zone climate control is powered by a manual dial, and cloth seats are standard. There are a few extras included with the next level up, the XLE, that you can have from Toyota, but the XLE Premium has a lot more to offer, such as upholstery made of imitation leather, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, as well as a stitched and padded dashboard and center-console armrest.
The back seats of the RAV4 are quite convenient to store, and they fold down to an almost completely flat position, which makes more room in the cabin for cargo. The cargo area and interior space of the 2022 Toyota RAV4 are not as generous as those of its primary competitor, the 2022 Honda CR-V. However, the RAV4 outperforms other competitors such as the Subaru Forester and the Ford Escape.
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Is the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid a wise choice for a family vehicle?
The RAV4 Hybrid now competes with a broad variety of other vehicles, such as the Honda CR-V and the Volkswagen Tiguan; yet, the RAV4 Hybrid in its most recent iteration stands out from these automobiles due to its extremely angular appearance.
No matter which direction you approach the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, you will see that it is a confusing combination of curves, angles, and smooth surfaces. The intimidating appearance of its gaping hexagonal grille makes it appear more appropriate for a threatening sports saloon than for a sensible family runabout. You may enjoy it, but your next-door neighbor won’t, or vice versa. In any event, there’s no denying its eye-catching quality.
Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately, depending on your point of view), the interior of the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is not as adventurous. The majority of the surfaces you’ll be touching regularly will feel velvety and robust, and it has simple surfaces, clean lines, and posh-looking metal-effect accents that look very subtle and rather nice. However, some plastics have a scratchy texture, and the overall build quality is not quite on par with that of a Volkswagen Tiguan. Despite this, it appears to be a lot more interesting than a Honda CR-V.
One of the areas that have been improved is the infotainment system, which now comes equipped with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The response time of the system is much improved over that of older systems.
The seats offer a high level of support; even those with longer torsos will be able to find adequate space to stretch out thanks to the lumbar support and several electronic adjustment options available in models priced in the middle of the range.
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Toyota RAV4 Price?
The basic price of the 2022 Toyota RAV4 is $26,525, which places it slightly over the class average for the pricing of compact SUVs. There are a couple of trims that fall somewhere in the middle of the price spectrum, and their prices range from $28,000 to $33,000. Retail prices for the most expensive Limited and TRD Off-Road variants are greater than $35,000.
Should I Get a Toyota RAV4?
If you are looking for a versatile vehicle that can be used for commuting, transporting a smaller family, or even simply for everyday use, the RAV4 should be at the top of your list of options. But take a look around at the other students in this challenging class. In the same vein as the RAV4, the Honda CR-V is a well-rounded vehicle, while the Mazda CX-5 outperforms the RAV4 in terms of acceleration and boasts an interior that is reminiscent of luxury.
Toyota RAV4 vs. Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V is now regarded as the best compact SUV available. Along with its enormous second row and excellent interior quality, it boasts a maximum cargo space that is greater than 75 cubic feet, which is more than most of its competitors in this class offer.
The CR-acceleration V’s is enhanced with a turbocharged engine, which also helps the vehicle achieve impressive fuel economy ratings that are on par with those of the RAV4. The Honda’s most noticeable flaws are the limited number of features available on its entry-level model and the difficult-to-use controls for the touch screen that can be purchased as an option. Despite this, there is still a strong allure to the thing as a whole despite the flaw.
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