The All-New 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

When you’re the best-selling SUV in America, you’re always looking for opportunities to make everything better. The Toyota RAV4, while being the overwhelming favorite SUV on the market, doesn’t sit on its laurels. Toyota has been working hard to make the hybrid edition of the super-successful SUV the best -selling hybrid SUV on the market, and they’re doing an excellent job of it.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid doesn’t have massive changes for the new year, but it does add a new trim level and a restyled front end that includes reshaped headlights and pronounced LED daytime running lamps. Why is the RAV4 Hybrid so successful in the hybrid SUV segment?

Performance Features

Under the hood of the 2022 RAV4 Hybrid is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine coupled with a pair of electric motors. Combined, these deliver 219 horsepower combined net for the system, while providing 149 lb-ft of torque to the front tires and 89 lb-ft to the rear. This means instantaneous transfer of power to the pavement – Car and Driver achieved a 60 MPH time of only 7.4 seconds with this SUV, great for the segment! Most importantly, with the continuously variable transmission, the fuel economy of the Hybrid hits 41 MPG city and 38 MPG highway.

All-wheel drive is standard on all versions of the 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, making it great for on-road and off, and across all the climates we deal with. While it’s not meant for doing much in the way of towing or hauling, it does have a respectable towing capacity of 1,750 pounds – you can find lightweight pop-up campers that come in under that weight!

Style and Technology

The best part of a hybrid versus a fully-electric vehicle is that you don’t lose space to bulky battery packs. The 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid has the same passenger space as the standard RAV4 – and with 39.5 inches of headroom in the second row, 37.8 inches of legroom, and 56.4 inches of shoulder room, it’s one of the most spacious interiors in the class. The RAV4 Hybrid also retains the generous cargo capacities of the standard RAV4, with 37.6 cubic feet with the second row in place and 69.8 cubic feet with the second row stored.

Inside the RAV4 Hybrid, you get a range of choices from entry-level to luxury. At its base level, you’re looking at easy-to-clean cloth seats and a fair amount of hard plastics. Open up your wallets for top-level appointments, and you can be surrounded with faux-leather upholstery, leather trims, stitched and padded dash and console, and the latest creature comforts including heated and ventilated seating, heated steering wheel, multi-zone automatic climate control, power liftgate, and so much more.

Every RAV4 Hybrid features a touch screen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration and SiriusXM capabilities. Start with a 7-inch screen and six speakers – you can also opt for a larger 9-inch screen for the upgraded experience or a top-of-the-line 11-speaker JBL premium audio system. Multiple USB ports can be found throughout the cabin, and available Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charging keeps phones powered without running charging cables across the cabin!

Safety

The Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 system that is standard in all Toyota RAV4 Hybrids is possibly the most capable suite of safety and driver assistance features on the market. This system features the Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Lane Tracing Assist, Automatic High Beams, Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, and Road Sign Assist, which uses the vehicle’s forward-facing camera to recognize road signs and relay the information to the driver via the dash display. Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert is available on the base trim level as an option, and is standard on all other trims. A backup camera is standard, with stationary or dynamic guidelines. Upgrade to the Bird’s Eye View Camera with 360-degree view in low-speed drive, Perimeter Scan, and Curb View on the Limited trim for the most powerful package available! The Safety Connect System is also standard on all RAV4 Hybrids, with Emergency Assistance, Stolen Vehicle Locator, Roadside Assistance, and Automatic Collision Notification. A one-year subscription is standard, and can be extended.

Trim Levels

Six different trim levels on the 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid makes it the most flexible hybrid on the road – most competitors only offer two or three trims levels!

The base LE, features cloth upholstery and dual-zone automatic climate control for comfort, along with manually-adjustable front seats – the driver’s seat features 6-way manual adjustability while the front passenger seat offers four-way adjustability. A single USB media port is included for charging and sharing tunes, and satellite radio is standard with the 7-inch touchscreen featuring six speakers. On the exterior, power-adjustable mirrors include a folding feature for squeezing into tight spots, or merely tucking them in when parked. Dual chrome-tipped exhausts and 17-inch wheels dress up the exterior, with privacy glass protecting rear passengers and the cargo area from prying eyes.

Stepping up to the XLE trim builds on the base trim. Four additional USB ports are added inside, bringing the total to four charge ports and one media port. Smart Key System with Push Button Start and Proximity Keyless entry makes it easier to use the front doors and liftgate and get moving. An included rear cargo cover blocks wandering eyes from seeing what you’re hauling. Power-adjustability is added for the driver’s seat. Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic is included at this trim level for added safety. Available options include a 9-inch touchscreen, a power liftgate, a power tilt/slide moonroof, and heated front seats with a heated steering wheel.

New for the 2022 model year, the SE features the same standard features as the standard XLE trim. It’s essentially an appearance package – this trim gets upgraded 18-inch black sport alloy wheels. Upgraded Bi-LED projector headlights with LED accent lights are also included for a well-lit path in front of you. Most notably, the SE gets a sport-tuned suspension for better handling characteristics.

XLE Premium trim is exactly what it says it is – the XLE trim with some premium upgrades. Standard features carry over, while options including the power liftgate, the available moonroof, and synthetic leather upholstery become standard. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel are still optional, with the leather steering wheel now standard. Adding the Advanced Tech package adds in Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking, as well as the wireless smartphone charging capabilities.

XSE Hybrids combine the look and performance of the SE with the features of the XLE. The sport-tuned suspension and gloss black wheels carry over from the former; the power liftgate, moonroof, and options carry over from the latter. Unique heated front seats come with blue accent stitching.

At the top of the pile is the Limited trim with heated front seats trimmed with SofTex® fabric awaiting driver and passengers – the passenger’s seat now gets power adjustability. The JBL Premium Audio with a 9.0-in. touchscreen and 11 speakers including a subwoofer and amplifier is standard, and includes the navigation system. Available options include a heated steering wheel with perforated heated and ventilated front seats and rear outboard passenger heated seating with perforated inserts – perfect for folks in cold weather areas. Optional tech features includes the Smart Key System on all doors as well as the height-adjustable foot-activated power liftgate with jam protection. Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking, the Bird’s Eye View camera system, and the Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charging are also options.