2022 Toyota RAV4 Review, Prices, Specs & Features

Toyota’s RAV4 gets the most minimal of changes for 2022, including the following: Cavalry Blue is a new optional color, and LED fog lights are now standard on the XLE Premium, Limited, Adventure, and TRD Off-Road trims, with more aggressively sculpted headlamps available on all save the basic LE model.

Although the 2022 Toyota RAV4 is not the most enjoyable small SUV to drive from a driver’s perspective, its practicality and efficiency help to increase its value and make it deserving of an Editor’s Choice award. The entry-level model is economical but lacking in features. Still, the mid-range trims provide many options that purchasers in this market would find helpful. A standard is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and front-wheel drive. You won’t find even the most challenging model in the RAV4 series parked next to a 4Runner or a Tacoma along a trailhead or in the woods despite all-wheel drive availability. The RAV4 comes with a slew of standard driver-assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, a first for Toyota. Luxury options like faux-leather upholstery, heated seats, and a JBL sound system are available on higher-priced model levels. Those looking for even more efficiency may opt for a RAV4 Hybrid, which we will cover later.

Although it’s difficult for us to pass on the snazzy new TRD Off-Road, we’d exercise caution and go for the mid-range XLE Premium instead. Many features not included in the LE and XLE models are included as standard equipment, including 19-inch wheels, a power liftgate, dual-zone automatic temperature control, faux-leather upholstery, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, among other things. Toyota makes its suite of driver-assistance systems standard throughout the range, so there’s little incentive to upgrade to a higher-priced model unless you genuinely want ventilated seats. The higher-priced trim is a good choice.

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2022 Toyota RAV 4 Specs

• Price: $27,740
• Drivetrain: All Wheel Drive
• Engine: 2.5 L Regular Unleaded I-4
• Horsepower: 203@6600
• Torque: 184@5000
• Transmission: 8-Speed Automatic Transmission
• Fuel Mileage: 25 MPG in the city, 33 MPG on the highway, and 28 MPG combined
• Length: 181.5 inches
• Width: 73.4 inches
• Height: 68.6 inches
• Wheelbase: 105.9 inches

Pros & Cons of Toyota RAV4 of 2022

Pros

• The cabin is quiet, and the ride quality is pleasant.
• There is plenty of luggage and passenger room, and the controls are simple to operate.
• The TRD Off-Road package adds additional off-road capabilities to the vehicle.

Cons

• Acceleration is lacking
• Uncertainty in the direction

Standard Characteristics of 2022 Toyota RAV4

The LE, XLE, XLE Premium, Adventure, Limited, and TRD Off-Road trim levels are available for the 2022 Toyota RAV4 with the standard gasoline motor. Among the features of the LE are 17-inch steel wheels, LED headlights/daytime running lights/taillights, roof rails, single-zone temperature control with cloth upholstery, four cup holders, and four bottle holders. The LE is also available with a manual transmission.

Autonomous high lights, forward-collision warning with automated emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control are available safety features.

This system has a 7-inch touchscreen, smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, satellite radio, a USB connector for charging devices, Bluetooth technology, superior speech recognition, and six speakers.

Interior of 2022 Toyota RAV4

When you’re in the interior of the 2022 Toyota RAV4, it isn’t easy to realize that it’s a tiny crossover even though both rows of seats have enough head- and legroom, the luggage capacity increases from 37.5 to 69.8 cubic feet when both of the sixty-forty-split rear seats are folded down.

The vehicle inside becomes more luxurious as the trim levels rise in price. The XLE Premium is equipped with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and seats with simulated leather surfaces. The Adventure trim is adorned with orange stitching on the upholstery, while the TRD Off-Road gets red stitching. The Limited boasts dark brown interior accents and blue ambient lighting, among other things. Soft-touch plastics are used on the front of all models.

The infotainment system is simple enough to use without a user manual. When traveling at motorway speeds, it becomes rather loud. We would have liked the only thing if Toyota had been a bit more liberal with the soundproofing.

A lockable glove box with LED lighting is standard on all 2022 Toyota RAV4 models. The XLE trim is the first to have its switches lighted, followed by the others. In addition, the Limited trim adds an 8-way power-adjustable front passenger seat as standard equipment.

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The exterior of the 2022 Toyota RAV4

A new feature for the 2022 Toyota RAV4 is the introduction of sharper-looking headlights on all trim levels, except the LE, which will be standard on all trim levels. A hexagon design is seen on the LE, XLE, and XLE Premium, however, the Limited’s pattern is a dark grey metallic color. Various grille treatments are used on multiple models of the vehicle.

Two-tone color schemes are available for the Adventure and TRD Off-Road versions. Cavalry Blue is a new color option for the TRD Off-Road available now.

Trim Options and Their Technical Specifications

Blind-spot monitoring is available as an option on the LE trim level. At the same time, it is standard on the remainder of the 2022 Toyota RAV4 lineup. On the other hand, a higher trim level is more effective in incorporating additional amenities into a new RAV4.

The XLE is equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, LED fog lights, keyless entry/ignition, dual-zone automatic temperature control, lighted vanity mirrors in the front blinds, and five USB ports, among other features.

The XLE Premium trim level is more desirable since it has 19-inch alloy wheels, a power sunroof, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, simulated leather upholstery, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and a height-adjustable motorized tailgate, among other features.

Adventure comes standard with all-wheel drive but adds a moonroof and a height-adjustable tailgate as options. It also has a digital driver information display, a 120-volt outlet, a panoramic backup camera, and an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen as standard features.

The Limited reintroduces the moonroof and height-adjustable tailgate as standard features. At the same time, all-wheel drive is once again available as an option. The vehicle also comes with puddle lights, heated front seats, an 8-way power-adjustable front passenger seat (which is new for this year), a digital rearview mirror, a garage door opener, ambient blue cabin lighting, front/rear parking sensors with automatic emergency braking, wireless Internet access, navigation, and an 11-speaker/800-watt JBL audio system.

Because of its specialist nature, the TRD Off-Road comes standard with all-wheel drive and an off-road-oriented suspension. It also comes with 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires, heated side mirrors, and a front skid plate, among other features. Parking sensors and an improved infotainment system have been added to the list of options for this model.

All trims, except the LE, may be equipped with a heated steering wheel. A panoramic sunroof, heated outboard rear seats, and hands-free tailgate operation are available on the Limited trim level. The heated/ventilated front seats with perforated seating surfaces are standard on the top two trims. At the same time, a 360-degree video system is optional on the base model.

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Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 203 horsepower and is mated to an eight-speed automated gearbox. The front-wheel-drive continues to be standard, but Toyota now provides a variety of all-wheel-drive systems, which vary depending on the model level. The Adventure model that we tested was fitted with an all-wheel-drive system that can be used to detach the rear axle to enhance fuel efficiency. The 2019 RAV4 outperformed its predecessor on our test track, with timing of 8.0 seconds to 60 mph compared to 8.3 seconds for the previous model. The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, which we tested independently, sped to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds, even faster than the standard RAV4. Even though the RAV4 feels solid and stable when cruising down the highway and holds its own when thrown into a twisty section of road, the vehicle doesn’t exude the same confidence level as our segment favorite, the Mazda CX-5. The dependable four-cylinder engine may be loud, particularly during motorway overtaking attempts. The gearbox in our test car seemed to stutter when a downshift was required.

Fuel economy and real-world miles per gallon (MPG)

The EPA gave the Toyota RAV4 fuel-economy figures competitive with others in its class. According to estimates, front-wheel-drive RAV4s can achieve up to 35 mpg on the highway. On our 200-mile highway fuel-economy route, the all-wheel-drive Adventure returned 32 miles per gallon, one mile per gallon less than the EPA’s predicted figure for that model. While this puts it neck-and-neck with the Honda CR-V and is a significant increase over the 2018 Adventure model (which achieved just 25 mpg), the Volkswagen Tiguan outperformed both with a fuel economy of 33 mpg. Visit the Environmental Protection Agency’s website for additional information on the RAV4’s fuel efficiency.

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Comfort and cargo

Inside, the Toyota RAV4 places a strong emphasis on ergonomics and cubby storage. A convenient shelf runs the length of the dashboard and compliments the big center console. We were impressed by the combination of soft-touch surfaces and high-quality plastics in the version we examined. The LE trim level is the most basic it is equipped with cloth seats, a flimsy steering wheel, and single-zone manual climate control. Several features are included in the next-level-up XLE. Still, the XLE Premium adds faux-leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, a stitched-and-padded dashboard, and a center-console armrest, to name a few highlights. When not in use, the RAV4’s rear seats are simple to store and can be folded almost flat to provide more space in the cabin for cargo. We fit 10 of our carry-on luggage behind the rear seat, and 22 with it folded. The Nissan Rogue was on par with the Toyota RAV4. Still, the Subaru Forester outperformed it by one point in each statistic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

The Toyota RAV4 is one of the best-selling cars on the market, and if you’re in the market for a compact SUV, the RAV4 is almost certainly on your shortlist. The spacious cabin, the smooth ride, and the simple-to-use controls are among the vehicle’s best features. It’s the kind of SUV you can get into and drive without giving it any thought.

The RAV4 is available in various trim levels, so there’s a high chance you’ll find the right one for you. There’s a budget-friendly entry-level model, a high-end one with all the bells and whistles, and everything in between. Furthermore, there’s the RAV4 Adventure, which has a more complex external design and a little more off-road capability. There’s the TRD Off-Road, which has all-terrain tires and specific suspension tuning. These trims do not convert the RAV4 into a Jeep Wrangler. Still, they provide it with more capabilities than most other compact SUVs on the market.

Different tests have deemed the Toyota RAV4 an acceptable choice for a compact SUV. Still, there is a slew of other excellent alternatives to consider. This group includes the well-rounded Honda CR-V, the elegant Mazda CX-5, and the value-packed Nissan Rogue. Check out our Expert Rating below to get our complete assessment of the RAV4’s comfort, usefulness, and other characteristics.