2022 Toyota RAV4 Pros vs Cons

To many consumers, the 2022 Toyota RAV4 offers almost everything that one could ask for from a two-row SUV. It has generous cargo space, great capability, and advanced technology. It's a sensible choice for many households, especially considering it has a relatively budget-friendly cost.

What's New for 2022?

This SUV has undergone significant changes over the years, but for 2022, nothing drastic has changed. Calvary Blue is a new option for exterior paint color, and LED fog lights have become standard on select trims. Finally, the headlights are narrower and more angular, giving off a more aggressive vibe.

Ten Reasons You May Like the 2022 Toyota RAV4 – The Pros

1. More Than Decent Amount of Power

This SUV runs on a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine. It's able to make 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The Toyota feels spirited in a variety of conditions, and it should be able to do its job well, even when loaded down with a full cabin.

Those who like to push their limits can take advantage of Sport mode. It makes adjustments so that the RAV4 is quicker to accelerate and the gears shift up faster than they usually do.

2. Excels Off the Road

Some SUVs have all-wheel drive but aren't actually that suited for rugged terrain. This doesn't describe the RAV4 at all. Rather, it has impressive capability, and it comes in two trims that have been designed for off-roading.

The TRD Off-Road and Adventure trims come standard with all-wheel drive. They don't have the regular all-wheel-drive systems that are available on the other RAV4 trims. Instead, they have a special system with dynamic torque vectoring and a rear driveline disconnect. This system does a better job at enhancing stability when condition are especially poor.

These trims also have downhill assist control, a program that can work to maintain a set speed when the vehicle is traveling down steep slopes. It frees up the driver to concentrate on steering. All trims with AWD have a program called multi-terrain select that comes with mud and sand, rock and dirt, and snow modes.

3. Generous Cargo Area

The rear cargo area of the Toyota RAV4 is fairly expansive. It has a length of 40 inches and a maximum height of 36.6 inches. These dimensions make it easier to transport bulkier items or load up the cargo hold with luggage or other gear.

Cargo volume is 37.6 cubic feet when the rear seatbacks are upright and 69.8 cubic feet when they've been lowered. Bikes, skis, snowboards, and other types of equipment can be accommodated when those rear seats are down. Payload capacity is 1,100 pounds.

4. Capable of Hauling Cargo

Though it's not a full-size SUV or a pickup truck, the RAV4 is strong enough to pull a trailer. Most trims have towing capacities of 1,500 pounds, which is an adequate amount for many situations. The TRD Off-Road and Adventure flex their muscles in this area with towing capacities of 3,500 pounds. This is pretty good for a vehicle of this size, and it gives people the freedom to bring fun toys - like motorcycles or small watercraft - with them on their adventures.

5. Staying Comfortable in the Cabin

Passengers can get comfortable in the Toyota RAV4 since there's a nice amount of room in the seating area. Front-row leg room is 41 inches, and there is 37.8 inches of leg room in the second row. This is enough space for adults to ride back there. Rear-seat vents and available dual-zone climate control can get the cabin to the right temperature. Heating and ventilation are available in the front row, and heating is available in the second row on certain trims.

6. Has a Lot of Style

As mentioned towards the beginning of this overview, the headlights of the RAV4 are angular. These lights, combined with the LED Daytime Running Lights and LED taillights, contribute to the modern appearance of the SUV. The SUV can ride on 17-, 18-, or 19-inch wheels, and it can have edgy features like special badging, black accents, dual chrome exhaust tips, a two-tone exterior color, and black roof rails.

7. Convenience Is Important

Potential buyers interested in vehicles like the RAV4 are going to want models that offer convenient amenities. They may lead busy and active lifestyles, so they can appreciate it when automotive companies design vehicles to perfectly fit into their lives and make things easier.

Some of the elements that the RAV4 has are a height-adjustable and hands-free liftgate, heated outside mirrors, wireless charging, and multiple cup holders. It can have a built-in garage door opener on its available auto-dimming rearview mirror, and it can have LED interior lighting and ambient illumination.

8. Staying Safe

Toyota has integrated tons of safety components into the RAV4, just like with most of its other vehicles. The RAV4 gets to have pre-collision detection, lane departure alert, and the accompanying braking and steering mitigation systems. In addition, it has automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, and the ability to read road signs and provide drivers with that information.

9. Taking Advantage of Modern Innovations

This model can either have a seven- or nine-inch touchscreen. Either way, there would be a number of high-tech components included with it. All trims of the RAV4 are equipped with SiriusXM, Amazon Alexa, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. Wi-Fi connectivity is available as well, and this is something that passengers can really appreciate when they're trying to stream content or play games online. The larger touchscreen comes with JBL speakers and is available with navigation.

10. So Many Trims

Choices are plentiful with the Toyota RAV4. In addition to the traditional powertrain described above, there are hybrid and plug-in hybrid options. There are several non-hybrid trims to consider, starting with the LE and XLE. Then, there's the XLE Premium. The Adventure and TRD Off-Road have their own advantages, and the Limited comes with the most refined elements.

The price range is pretty large, going from around $26,000 to $35,000. Customers with varying budgets should be able to find RAV4s that meet their needs.

Reasons You May Not Like the 2022 Toyota RAV4 – The Cons

1. Lower Trims Feel Basic

Starting off the lineup is the LE trim. It will appeal to many because of its affordability, but it is limited in regards to its offerings. It has manual climate control, analog gauges, fabric seats, and manually adjustable front seats. It lacks heated front seats and even a smart key entry system. Most other trims of the RAV4 have heated side mirrors, but this one doesn't.

2. No Larger Engine Available

Several years back, the RAV4 came with an optional V6 engine. This gave it a little more energy. Now, there are hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions of the RAV4 that have more horsepower than the traditional model has. Unfortunately, the regular RAV4 is stuck with the four-cylinder engine and doesn't have an option to get anything faster.

3. Few Luxurious Features Available

Some buyers are specifically interested in things like leather seats, ambient LED lighting, and power-tilt and -telescoping steering wheels. None of these can be found in the RAV4. Its top trim has some really great amenities, but it's not quite a luxury model.

How It Stacks Up to the Competition:

2022 Toyota RAV4 vs 2022 Honda CR-V

These two SUVs have long been close competitors. It seems like every suburban neighborhood has at least a few of both kinds of vehicles. They're about the same price, and they both have hybrid options.

There isn't a CR-V trim that's similar to the sporty Adventure or TRD Off-Road, so anyone interested in hitting the trails will have to keep that in mind. The RAV4 also has more horsepower than the CR-V does. Finally, the Toyota has the better technology package. It's available with a nine-inch screen while the CR-V is limited to a seven-inch one. Notably, the base trim of the Honda doesn't even have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

2022 Toyota RAV4 vs 2022 Chevy Trailblazer

The Chevrolet Trailblazer might be cheaper than the RAV4, but consumers might want to look carefully at how these two SUVs match up against each other before making their final decisions. The RAV4 is stronger than the Trailblazer is, and it has more cargo capacity, too. It will likely be important to some buyers that the Toyota has a more comprehensive safety package as well.

Conclusion

There are many reasons why the Toyota RAV4 has been so successful over the past several years. In fact, it's been popular for more than a decade, and it's poised to do well in 2022. That's because of how much value it brings with it and how capable it is. Some buyers really need something that they can count on in slippery conditions, and the RAV4 will live up to their high expectations. The RAV4 has enough power to offer some excitement, and it has amazing standard safety components. All of this, in addition to its practical size and modern equipment, make the 2022 Toyota RAV4 a smart choice.