Latest News
Get These Cars at 0% APR Right Now2022 Toyota RAV4: Covers All Bases
As the crossover for everyone, the 2022 Toyota RAV4 offers three powertrains, a TRD model, ventilated seats, 11-speaker stereo, digital rearview and more.
What’s New for the 2022 Toyota RAV4
Now in its 5th generation, the 2022 Toyota RAV4 traces roots to the start of the compact crossover segment in 1996. Since then, it has grown and now sits above the Corolla Cross and C-HR in Toyota’s lineup with gas, hybrid and plug-in powertrain options. It holds the title of America’s best-selling, non-pickup passenger vehicle for 4 years running thanks to huge value and quality engineering. Upgrades over the 2021 RAV4, that we review here, include a new SE trim of the hybrid-only variety, a pretty Calvary Blue paint color and new designs for the wheels.
2022 Toyota RAV4 – toyota.com | Shop 2022 Toyota RAV4 on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
Plug-in hybrid is an efficiency champ
TRD makes the most of a square-jawed design
6 standard driver-aid systems
Fancy digital rearview mirror
$44K for a RAV4?
A compact crossover with everything
2022 RAV4 Specs
- 203 horsepower from base engine
- 184 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 37.5 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 69.7 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- Birds-eye exterior camera view
- Standard full-speed adaptive cruise control
- Two years of complimentary maintenance
2022 Toyota RAV4 Powertrain
LE, XLE, XLE Premium and Limited trims all come with a gas-powered, 2.5L inline-four engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission that drive the front wheels. They can all be upgraded with AWD for $1,400 or the hybrid powertrain for $2,550. The beefier Adventure and TRD Off-Road models come standard with AWD, which features torque vectoring control and added drive modes like Rock & Dirt.
SE and XSE are hybrid-only RAV4s, a powertrain that is AWD by design. It combines the 2.5L engine with an electric motor on each axle for a net output of 210 hp. Like the plug-in hybrid, a CVT handles shifting duty here but unlike that model, the SE and XSE Hybrids do not need to be plugged in. You can read more about the differences among EV powertrains here.
Prime SE and XSE models are of the plug-in hybrid variety making them both powerful, at 302 horsepower, and fast with a 0-60 time of 5.7 seconds. It is a distinction not shared by longtime rival Honda CR-V, which we compared to the RAV4 here. Like the standard hybrid setup, these Prime variants work with a CVT and standard all-wheel-drive.
2022 Toyota RAV4 Fuel Economy & MPG
Regardless of powertrain configuration, the 2022 Toyota RAV4 performs well at the pumps. Gas-powered models earn estimates of 27 mpg in city driving and 35 on the highway. Thanks to a rear driveline disconnect feature, AWD models only lose a single mpg on the highway rating. However, if you want serious efficiency, start with the hybrids that sport estimates of 41/38 mpg in city/highway driving and that is with their standard AWD configuration.
With a 94 MPG-equivalent rating and up to 42 miles off all-electric driving range, RAV4 Primes are, as expected, the fuel economy champs. A standard 3.3 kW onboard charger can take as long as 12 hours to recharge the battery with 120-volt power or 4.5 hours on 240-volts. You can opt for the 6.6 kW setup that drops that time to 2.5 hours on 240-volt power and these models may be eligible for Federal tax credits.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
Plenty of storage, available heated seats throughout and soft touch surfaces lift the 2022 Toyota RAV4 from its bargain-basement roots. Folding the back seats opens up 69.7 cubic-feet of storage volume, however that drops to 63.2 cu-ft on plug-in hybrid models. Fully climatized front seats are standard on the Limited and optional elsewhere as are heated rear outboard cushions. Additional cabin amenities include ambient light, a panoramic sunroof, acoustic front glass and leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Entertainment & Technology
Apple, Android and Alexa software are included across the vast 2022 RAV4 range as are a Wi-Fi hotspot and remote connectivity. Infotainment displays range from 7” to 9” in size with higher-end models featuring a configurable digital gauge cluster. Other upscale tech includes the digital rearview mirror that can display a live rear feed and 10” HUD – but that one is only found on the Prime XSE. Considering that a wireless charging pad, 11-speaker JBL stereo, navigation and 360° exterior monitor are all available, there’s no denying that the 2022 RAV4 is seriously nice compact crossover.
Safety Features
Along with Full-Speed ACC, every new RAV4 is equipped with pre-collision assist, lane keeping and departure warning, road sign assist and automatic high beam control. This all falls under TSS 2.0, leaving blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert as the only optional system and part of what earns this SUV a spot on our list of best family SUVs. Safety Connect, which requires a subscription, comes with live-operator emergency assistance, stolen vehicle location help and automatic collision notification. Furthering their obvious focus on safety, Toyota fits the 2022 RAV4 with a network of eight airbags.
Trims & Pricing
LE – $27,440
The steel wheels and hubcaps found on a base LE are offset by upscale LED lighting and color-keyed trim. A 7” touchscreen inside works with Apple, Android and Amazon devices. It also comes with trial subscriptions to Toyota’s Safety and Service connectivity plus a Wi-Fi hotspot. Black fabric is the upholstery of choice and Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.0, the company’s suite of six advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) is included.
XLE – $29,210
Moving up to an XLE nets 17” alloy wheels, heated side mirrors and Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA). Cabin upgrades include dual-zone automatic climate control and five USB ports.
SE Hybrid – $31,730
New this year, SE Hybrid models sport the gas-electric hybrid powertrain and a classy exterior dressed up with 18” black wheels, piano black trim and upgraded LED headlights. On the inside, you’ll find a 4” gauge cluster display screen and power-adjustable driver’s seat.
XLE Premium – $32,100
Looking sharp with 19” chrome rims, LED fog lamps and a moonroof, the XLE Premium also features a power-operated liftgate. SofTex faux-leather upholstery covers the seats with the real thing wrapping the steering wheel and shifter.
Adventure – $33,995
RAV4 Adventure looks the part with an available two-tone exterior paint job, matte-gray wheels and orange accents inside and out. Only offered with AWD, it also features Downhill Assist Control and 120-volt power in the cargo area.
Limited – $36,240
Limited trim is nicely loaded with an alarm system, heated and ventilated front seats and 11-speaker JBL audio system. The infotainment screen is bumped to nine inches, a 7” digital gauge cluster is fitted and parking sonar with brake assist bolsters the ADAS list.
XSE Hybrid – $36,270
As the fancier standalone hybrid model, this XSE version sports bi-LED headlights with vertical accents, a contrasting black-painted roof and SofTex upholstery. It also comes with the upgraded infotainment setup found on Limited trim.
TRD Off-Road – $37,860
Backing up butch looks with a touch of off-road gear, the RAV4 TRD sits on all-terrain rubber with TRD-specific rims, has a front skid plate and comes with a unique suspension tune. The trim-exclusive cabin setup features red stitching, embroidered TRD logos on the seats and the option for navigation.
Prime SE – $41,015
Toyota denotes the plug-in RAV4 variants as Prime and this SE is the “base” option. A special front-end design sets Primes apart from the rest of the lineup and they come nicely equipped with an 8” touchscreen display and heated front seats.
Prime XSE – $44,340
As the priciest 2022 RAV4, Prime XSE models look the stuff with 19” alloys, a two-tone paint job and moonroof. Wireless charging and a 9” infotainment screen are standard, while the optional 10” head-up-display (HUD) is only available on this model.
Warranties
Toyota has an industry-average warranty when it comes to the basic 3-year/36,000-mile coverage and 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain term. Areas they shine, however, include the 2 years or 25,000 miles of complimentary factory-scheduled maintenance and a 10-year/150,000-mile window for hybrid battery packs.
What we think
2022 Toyota RAV4 – toyota.com | Shop 2022 Toyota RAV4 on Carsforsale.com
If Toyota’s objective was to create a people-pleaser with the 2022 RAV4, I’d say they succeeded. Three distinct powertrains, a near $30,000 price range and so many trims, features and tech that my head is spinning mean there is surely a RAV4 for everyone.
Most Popular
