10 Things To Know Before Buying The 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

2022-05-28 01:51:11 By : Mr. junfeng feng

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid remains one of the best options in its segment.

The Toyota RAV4 is a popular model in the compact SUV segment. For those in search of a value for money and fuel-efficient hybrid that's also a capable family mover, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid will make a lot of sense. With the arrival of this 2022 iteration of the RAV4 Hybrid, which is still part of the fifth-generation iteration, Toyota has managed to provide quite a lot of upgrades to make it even more enticing.

Offered for a base MSRP of $29,575, the 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid can be had in six trim configurations, one more than the 2021 model. A new convenience package is offered as an option, and that offers many more interior features and a larger infotainment system. A new headlight design is offered with most of the trims too, the base LE trim being the exception. Competing with the likes of the Ford Escape Hybrid, Honda CR-V Hybrid, and Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, here are 10 things you need to know before buying the 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.

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The entire RAV4 lineup comes with all the driver-assistance tech as standard. Features like automated emergency braking, pedestrian detection, forward collision monitoring, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control are standard throughout the trim configurations.

All the basic safety features like ABS, traction control, stability control, side-impact beams, airbags, tire pressure monitoring system, and backup camera are standard as well. The solid build quality of this SUV coupled with all the safety features helped this SUV to get a 5-star rating in the NHTSA crash test and the 2022 top safety pick title in the IIHS crash test.

The spacious cabin has always been one of the major selling points of this crossover SUV, and the passengers are going to be happy with the superb space coupled with many storage areas. The front seats offer more than adequate headroom and legroom. The shoulder room of 57.8" is one of the best too. We also found the cabin to be pretty ergonomic.

The higher trims come with leatherette upholstery and the seats are wide and supportive. The same is also the case with the rear seat, which had superior space to that of the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid. The cargo capacity of 37.6 cu ft easily trumps all the rivals like the Ford Escape Hybrid and Honda CR-V Hybrid, making it a capable machine for road trips with five passengers on board.

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Being a hybrid variant, the 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid comes with a more powerful powertrain in comparison to the regular RAV4, and that does make a considerable difference in terms of acceleration and power output. This hybrid crossover comes with a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-4 engine with an electric motor, producing a combined 219 hp and 163 lb-ft of torque. The transmission duty is handled by the eCVT automatic transmission and the power is put down through an AWD drivetrain.

The RAV4 Hybrid doesn't feel lethargic like the regular RAV4, and the electric motor makes it a very capable city commuter due to the impressive low-end torque on offer. The mid-range is more than adequate to do freeway driving. However, the engine doesn't have a whole lot of power higher up the rev range. As a result, it feels strained as the revs climb over 5,000 RPM. The eCVT automatic isn't the most seamless transmission out there, either.

The hybrid powertrain in the RAV4 Hybrid offers one of the best fuel economy numbers in the segment. This compact crossover SUV returns 41 MPG in the city and 38 MPG on the highway, equating to 40 MPG combined. The engine is also quite punchy lower down the rev range, and you wouldn't need to exploit the higher rev range, making it even better in terms of gas mileage.

With a 14.5-gallon fuel tank capacity, the 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid could do 595 miles in the city and 551 miles on the highway with a full tank of gas. In comparison, the Ford Escape Hybrid and Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid come with a smaller fuel tank and that results in a much lower tank range. The same is also the case with the Honda CR-V Hybrid.

Coming with strut front suspension and a double-wishbone rear setup with coil springs and anti-roll bars on all four corners, the RAV4 Hybrid is not the most sophisticated in terms of suspension. However, the ride quality is easily the best in the segment, and it makes this compact crossover a preferred choice for family buyers.

Drive the car slowly through the pothole-infested streets, and the soft suspension setup makes sure that all the irregularities on the road are filtered properly. Even the biggest of the potholes do not intrude, and while driving at higher speeds, the ride quality remains flat and composed. Though the body roll isn't very high, the Ford Escape Hybrid and the Honda CR-V Hybrid had an even lower body roll.

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The build quality of the 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is very much comparable to the other models from the Toyota stable, like the Toyota Avalon and the Toyota Camry, both of which come in the same TNGA-K platform. The car is entirely constructed in high-tensile steel and aluminum, and everything feels solid to the touch.

This also contributes to the top-notch crash safety ratings in both the NHTSA and IIHS crash tests of the 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. The interior too has solid build quality with soft-touch plastics, premium leatherette trims, and aluminum and chrome accents. It feels well put together and there were no uneven panel gaps and rattling from anywhere as well.

We have never been fans of the refinement level of the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, and that remains unchanged. The engine sounds a bit coarse as the revs climb and is not pleasing to the ears like the Honda CR-V Hybrid. The eCVT offers the rubber band effect whenever you put your foot down, which is not something the passengers or the driver would appreciate.

The wind noise, road noise, and tire noise are much higher than in the Ford Escape Hybrid and Honda CR-V Hybrid. We also felt that the sound deadening is on the lower side as there is quite a bit of external noises filtering into the cabin while driving on the highways.

The cabin of the 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is not going to disappoint any prospective buyers, even though the design hasn't changed much from the older model. The LE and XLE trim come with cloth seating, however, the rest of the trims get the premium leatherette upholstery with perforation and neat stitching. Both the black and beige color combinations are offered with the higher trims.

When it comes to the dashboard and door cards, it comes with the same soft leatherette, silver accents, and beautiful contrast stitching. The floating infotainment screen is stuck neatly to the middle of the dashboard, and all the switchgear feels solid to the touch. The chunky leather-wrapped steering wheel and lack of piano black elements do uplift the cabin pretty well.

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The only major update to the front fascia of this 2022 RAV4 Hybrid is to the headlights, which now sport a more aggressive design. The LED headlights with neatly integrated LED DRLs, pentagonal grille with gray accents, and the blacked-out air dam add to the SUV's character. The overall height and ground clearance are better than the rivals too.

The RAV4 Hybrid can be had in 5 exterior colors. The 18" wheels with a gunmetal gray finish, plastic cladding, and wide side mirrors give it a more rugged vibe. The rear quarter turned out to be the best angle of this crossover SUV, and the rear end is highlighted by the LED taillights, silver skid plate, and integrated roof spoiler.

The brakes are as sharp as the regular RAV4 trims, and there is nothing to be concerned about when it comes to the overall braking performance of the 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. This hybrid crossover comes with 4-wheel disc brakes with 12" front rotors and 11.1" rear rotors.

All the other braking features like ABS with EBD, ventilated front discs, brake assist, and hill hold control are onboard too. We found the initial bite and the braking progression to be top-notch. The RAV4 Hybrid also stops without feeling twitchy when braked from high speeds. There is regenerative braking on offer too, which helps in reducing the speed when taking the foot off the gas pedal. It is a great way of shedding speed and is quite seamless in operation.