What to Expect from the 2022 Toyota RAV4?
Toyota’s best-selling vehicle in recent times has a lot of work up its sleeves to retain its position as a top-pick when its 2022 model arrives on the automotive scene. Yes, the 2022 Toyota RAV4 aims to be the best all-round pick in its fiercely competitive crossover segment. This small SUV crossover woos buyers with its smooth ride quality, incredible practicality, and spaciousness, and a full-fledged safety suite.
Toyota offers various trim selections to cater to the different tastes of its audience. You have the budget-friendly base trim, the fully-loaded top-draw trim, and a couple of trims for off-road junkies. Not to mention the RAV4 Hybrid and RAV4 Prime for fans of electric power. The fifth-gen RAV4 is already halfway through its lifespan, so the 2022 iteration might only have an exterior refreshment on the cards. Still, we explore all the new changes that may be coming to the 2022 Toyota RAV4.
When is the release date of the 2022 Toyota RAV4 and what will be its price?
Toyota hasn’t disclosed any information about the release date of the 2022 Toyota RAV4. However, judging on the pattern of previous releases, we expect its arrival in the showrooms by the summer of 2022.
As for the pricing, as there is no major redesign on the cards, we expect it to be in a similar range to its predecessor 2021 model. Thus, the pricing could range from $27225 to $37155 as per the current RAV4 trim lineup.
What’s the engine under its hood?
The 2022 RAV4 sources its power from a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-4 engine, capable of chugging out 203 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission. Thus, the RAV4 retains the only powertrain available in its outgoing model for 2022 as well.
Toyota also offers the option of 2 all-wheel drivetrains for those living in snowy areas. The all-wheel-drive system sends power equally to both the front and rear wheels to get you out of snowy or slippery conditions. Buyers of the TRD Off-Road, Limited, and Adventure trims benefit from the additional torque vectoring available through the all-wheel-drive.
The hybrid variant adds an electric motor to get that extra dose of electrons while driving. This lends it a combined power output of 219 hp and 163 lb-ft of torque, which is just enough for a brisk stroll in the city. The RAV4 Prime amps up the power output even further, with its 302 hp offering.
Is the 2022 Toyota RAV4 fuel-efficient?
Since the powertrains remain unchanged for 2022, we won’t see any changes in the EPA-estimated fuel economy figures either. Hence, the 2022 RAV4 FWD can stroll around for a city MPG of 27 and a highway MPG of 35. Thus, the RAV4 encounters fewer gas stops than most other SUVs in its segment, thanks to its frugal combined MPG of 30. The AWD variant only sees a dip by only 1 in the city MPG figure while the rest of the figures remain the same.
The RAV4 Hybrid takes fuel economy figures up a notch with its sensational combined MPG of 40. The hybrid RAV4 is rated for a city MPG of 41 and a highway MPG of 38 by EPA. The RAV4 Prime gets 42 miles on the basis of its electric power alone. It can lend out 94 miles with its combined hybrid output. These remarkable figures are expected to carry to the 2022 model as well.
Will the interiors of the 2022 Toyota RAV4 be practical enough?
The interior philosophy of the fifth-gen RAV4 will carry forward to the 2022 model. Thus, the unique styling elements include some hard lines and cuts, the huge HVAC knobs, and a mixture of soft-touch elements and hard plastics. Driver-friendly interior elements include the prominent steering wheel and a stout gear shifter. Upgrading to the higher trims brings forth unique bold contrast accents and faux-leather trimmings.
The cabin prioritizes ergonomics with plenty of cubby storages, and a utilitarian shelf spans the dash for extra convenience. You can fit about 10 carry-on suitcases in the rear end even without the rear seats folded.
Will there be any new in-car tech for the 2022 Toyota RAV4?
Toyota hasn’t disclosed any info about any new tech or changes being added to the RAV4’s tech suite. That means the base RAV4 will retain the same 7-inch touchscreen, with the bigger 8-inch one becoming standard on the XLT trim. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility will also be included as standard, alongside a 4G LTE hotspot. Navigation, wireless charging, and a premium JBL sound setup will likely be optional features as per the 2021 model.
Is the 2022 Toyota RAV4 stylish in its looks?
The 2022 Toyota RAV4 will likely retain the same styling features that distinguished it from the rest of its segment. That includes its bulky truck-like grille, flat nose, flared wheel, and rugged character with sharp body lines. These styling elements gave the RAV4 a muscular and elegant identity that it is known for. The TRD Off-Road trim gives it more of an off-roading identity, thanks to its chunky fenders. The RAV4 Prime turns on the style with its standout grille, contrasting roof color, and a gloss-black bumper.
What will be the safety tech onboard the 2022 Toyota RAV4?
The RAV4 excelled in the NHTSA crash tests with an overall safety score of 5 stars. IIHS also awarded the RAV4 its Top Safety Pick award thanks to its highest safety ratings in almost every parameter. The 2022 model is expected to earn safety scores in a similar wavelength. Anything less than perfection will be considered a setback for the RAV4.
The standard safety suite includes Toyota’s Safety Sense 2.0. It contains a full range of standard active safety features like full-speed adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, road sign recognition, and many more. We are eager to see if the optional safety features like blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and front/rear parking sensors will be standard on the 2022 model.
Conclusion
The 2022 Toyota RAV4 is a value-for-money proposition with multiple options at your disposal. The crossover offers splendid practicality and versatility well-suited for a family on a budget. The well-assembled interiors and the advanced safety suite add more value to its price tag. The RAV4 justifies why it is one of America’s most successful cars with its all-round features. We expect this trend to continue with the 2022 incarnation as well.
