The All-New 2022 Toyota RAV4

When you’re the best-selling SUV in America – and one of the best-selling vehicles on the American market, period – there’s probably not a reason to change much year-to-year.

After a face-lift and the addition of some new features for the 2021 model year, the 2022 Toyota RAV4 returns in an almost identical package. This model year marks a quarter-century of RAV4 models – so let’s take a look at what makes this the pinnacle of 25 years on top!

Performance Features

Offering reliable, predictable performance, the 2022 Toyota RAV4 continues to use the four-cylinder, 2.5-liter powerplant that has served it well in recent years. With 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, it’s not the beefiest engine in the compact SUV segment, but it offers pleasant acceleration and easy cruising. It can also tow up to 1500 pounds for a small trailer or pop-up camper, with some trims capable of hauling up to 3500 pounds! Switch between SPORT, Eco, and Normal modes to get the response or efficiency you’re looking for or opt for the off-road focus of the Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims for Multi-Terrain Select with three modes.

While you can go for the super-economic RAV4 Hybrid or RAV4 Prime, the standard RAV4 still is kind on your wallet at the pumps. Around town it gets up to 27 miles per gallon, while on the open road it can hit up to 35 MPG. This offers a combined 30 MPG for standard habits, making it one of the top choices for economical drivers. Select from front- or all-wheel drive models – the latter is the smart choice in areas where you see poor weather and roads throughout the year.

Style and Technology

With a recent redesign in the rear mirror, the 2022 Toyota RAV4 remains pretty much the same as the previous year’s model. That’s a good thing when you look at the interior dimensions – with 39.5 inches of head room 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. At 37.6 cubic feet with the second row in place and 69.8 cubic feet with the second row stowed, there’s plenty of room for moving a kid off to college, tackling weekend home improvement duties, or bringing home oversized flea market finds! Of course, this all comes with seating for five.

The interior itself ranges from basic to premium, depending on what you’re looking for – a major factor in the RAV4’s popularity. At its base level, you’re looking at easy-to-clean cloth seats, a fair amount of hard plastics, and manual climate control. But opt 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 features a touch screen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration and SiriusXM capabilities. Start with a 7-inch screen or go with the larger 9-inch screen for the upgraded experience. A base 6 speakers audio system can be upgraded to the Audio Plus, or even the 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 having to deal with wires!

Safety

Toyota is undoubtedly one of the premiere carmakers when it comes to driver assist systems and advanced safety features. The 2022 Toyota RAV4 features the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 system standard across all trim levels. 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 all trim levels and standard on the higher ones, while Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automated Braking is available. A backup camera is standard, while the top trim adds dynamic guidelines – there’s also the ability to upgrade to the Bird’s Eye View Camera with 360-degree view in low-speed drive, Perimeter Scan, and Curb View. The Safety Connect System is also standard across the model range, and includes Emergency Assistance, Stolen Vehicle Locator, Roadside Assistance, and Automatic Collision Notification. A one-year subscription comes with the purchase of the vehicle.

Trim Levels

One of the main reasons the Toyota RAV4 is so popular is the number of versions that are available. Six different trim levels with the option of front- or all-wheel drive on four of those trim levels, plus assorted independent packages, make it easy to customize to fit the needs of the individual or family.

The base LE, available in FWD and AWD, features a manual climate control system with rear seat vents, along with fabric-trimmed seating. The driver’s seat features 6-way manual adjustability while the front passenger seat offers four-way adjustability. Three USB media ports are included for charging and sharing tunes. On the exterior, power-adjustable mirrors include a folding feature for squeezing into tight spots, or merely tucking them in when parked. The 7-inch touchscreen with six speakers is standard.

Stepping up to the XLE trim builds on the base trim. Dual-zone automatic climate control replaces manual climate control, and the driver’s seat receives lumbar support adjustment. Turn signals are added to the outside mirrors, and the wheels are upgraded to smart-looking gray metallic alloy. Additional USB ports are added inside, bringing the total to four charge ports and one media port. Smart Key System with Push Button Start 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. Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic is included at this trim level. Available options include a 9-inch touchscreen, a power liftgate, and heated front seats with a heated steering wheel.

XLE Premium trim is exactly what it says – the XLE trim with some premium upgrades. The power liftgate is made standard at this level, as is the available moonroof. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel are still optional, but a leather steering wheel is standard. Adding the Advanced Tech package adds in Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking, as well as the wireless smartphone charging capabilities.

XLE Premium trim is exactly what it says – the XLE trim with some premium upgrades. The power liftgate is made standard at this level, as is the available moonroof. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel are still optional, but a leather steering wheel is standard. Adding the Advanced Tech package adds in Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking, as well as the wireless smartphone charging capabilities.

Also an AWD-only trim, the TRD Off-Road builds on the Adventure trim adding a black rear bumper with metallic gray insert, RAV4 and TRD Off-Road badging, red-painted coil springs, a TRD-stamped stainless steel front skid plate, and 18-in. 6-spoke matte-black TRD alloy wheels with Falken WILDPEAK all-terrain tires. The power moonroof and power liftgate with jam protection are standard. Inside, unique TRD-branded Black SofTex®-trimmed seats with red accents and stitching and TRD all-weather floor mats and cargo liner are highlighted by the red-accented interior that includes red stitching on dash and doors. The 9.0-in. touchscreen with six speakers is standard, while the available Premium Audio package includes the 11 JBL premium audio set-up. Add the TRD Off-Road Weather Package with a heated steering wheel and heated and ventilated front seats. The TRD Off-Road Advanced Technology Package includes Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking, Bird’s Eye View, and the Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charging option.

At the top of the pile is the Limited trim, available as FWD or AWD. This trim takes the best of the TRD and XLE Premium trims and builds on both. The exterior is adorned with a dark gray metallic-colored hexagon patterned front grille and chrome-accented color keyed outside door handles. Inside, heated front seats are trimmed with SofTex® fabric with dark brown stitching, and the dash and doors also feature dark brown accents. Premium Audio with a 9.0-in. touchscreen and 11 JBL speakers including subwoofer and amplifier is standard. Add in the Limited Grade Weather Package with heated steering wheel, perforated heated and ventilated front seats, and rear outboard passenger heated seating with perforated inserts for cold weather use. The available Advanced Technology Package includes Smart Key System on all doors as well as the height-adjustable foot-activated power liftgate with jam protection. Like the TRD, this package also includes Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking, Bird’s Eye View, and the Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charging option.