2022 Toyota RAV4 Review

Competitors like the Mazda CX-5, Hyundai Tucson, Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan X-Trail and recently the MG HS are consistently trying to out-do the RAV4, meaning the latest version has its work cut out to assert itself from its rivals. 

Luckily, the RAV4 range has grown in recent years to include a hybrid variant across all major trim levels, making fuel-efficient driving more accessible than ever before, but a key question remains. 

Just how good is the latest generation Toyota RAV4, and how does it stack up against its competitors? Let’s find out. 

Starting Price: $34,300

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Toyota RAV4 - GX (2WD) Specifications

For more details and other variants, check Toyota RAV4 car page.

How Much Does It Cost?

The RAV4 range kicks off from $34,300 for the entry-level GX two-wheel drive, with the GX 2WD Hybrid and GX AWD Hybrid priced at $36,800 and $39,800 respectively.

From here, the range moves to the GXL grade, which is priced at $37,825 for the 2WD, $40,325 for the 2WD Hybrid, and $43,325 for the all-wheel drive hybrid variant. The RAV4 XSE 2WD Hybrid is priced at $42,825, while the all-wheel drive is priced at $45,825. 

Toyota’s RAV4 Cruiser receives a price tag of $42,500 for the 2WD variant, while the Hybrid variants are priced at $45,000 for the 2WD and $48,000 for the AWD variant. 

Finally, the range-topping RAV4 edge is priced at $49,820 for the all-wheel drive variant, while the Edge AWD Hybrid is priced at $52,320. 

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What Features Does the Toyota RAV4 Have?

The entry-level Toyota RAV4 GX comes riding on a set of 17-inch alloys, and receives automatic LED headlights, automatic wipers, a leatherette steering wheel, LED interior lighting, a reversing camera with front and rear-mounted parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, an 8.0-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, satellite navigation, DAB+ digital radio and an electronic parking brake. 

Stepping up to the GXL grade adds a set of 18-inch alloys, a premium front grille, dual-zone climate control, leatherette gear lever, wireless smartphone charging, keyless entry & start, roof rails and a self-dimming rear-view mirror. 

Opting for the XSE adds a black two-tone finish for the roof, 18-inch alloy wheels, leather interior accents, ambient lighting, Softex seat upholstery, heated front seats, a powered boot lift, 10-way adjustable front seats and an upgraded 7.0-inch driver display. 

The RAV4 Cruiser receives 19-inch alloys, a panoramic sunroof, folding mirrors, ambient lighting, nine-speaker JBL sound system, a surround-view camera, leather upholstery, digital rear-view mirror, as well as heated and ventilated front seats. 

Finally, the range-topping RAV4 Edge comes packaged with an upgraded styling package, off-road selector with hill-descent control, rear cross-traffic assist, parking support brake and a Softex upholstery. 

Range Features:

• 17-inch alloys 

• LED headlights 

• Adaptive cruise control 

• Reversing camera 

• Leatherette steering wheel 

• Front & rear parking sensors 

• 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto 

• DAB+ radio & satellite navigation 

• 60/40 folding rear seats 

• Five USB ports 

• 18-inch alloys (GXL) 

• Premium grille (GXL) 

• Leatherette gear lever (GXL) 

• Dual-zone climate control (GXL) 

• Wireless smartphone charging (GXL) 

• Keyless entry & start (GXL) 

• Roof rails (GXL) 

• Black two-tone roof (XSE) 

• Heated front seats (XSE) 

• Ambient lighting (XSE) 

• Softex seat upholstery (XSE) 

• Powered boot lift (XSE) 

• 19-inch alloy wheels (Cruiser) 

• Panoramic sunroof (Cruiser) 

• Nine-speaker JBL sound system (Cruiser) 

• Surround-view camera (Cruiser) 

• Leather upholstery (Cruiser) 

• Off-road selector (Edge) 

• Hill descent control (Edge)

• Rear cross-traffic assistance (Edge) 

Toyota RAV4 Colours 

The RAV4 range is available in a choice of colours, including Glacier White, Silver Sky, Graphite, Atomic Rush, Eclectic Blue, Eclipse Black and Saturn Blue, with more premium variants receiving a black two-tone roof finish. 

Is it Comfortable to Drive? 

It should come as no surprise that in its fifth generation, Toyota’s recipe has been fine-tuned, which means the RAV4 remains one of the best performing SUVs on the road, especially when you factor in the attractive prices available. 

Power for non-hybrid base models is supplied by a 2.0-litre petrol producing 127kW/203Nm, which is sent to the road via a CVT automatic. Two-wheel drive hybrid models receive a 2.5-litre petrol paired with an electric motor pushing out 160kW, while all-wheel drive Hybrids receive an additional e-motor over the rear, providing 163kW of power. 

This means that on the road, the hybrid variants offer a significant boost in power, while miraculously reducing fuel economy to an extreme degree. Even still, the RAV4 in base model form provides enough power for an easy, effortless trip around town, while benefiting from a relatively tight turning circle and lightweight steering design that makes town driving a simple task. 

Leave the smooth city streets and you’ll be glad to find out the suspension is more than up to the task of handling Australia’s rough road surfaces. The RAV4 does a great job at handling the bumps of the road, soaking up smaller bumps while remaining planted on larger irregularities. 

The pick of the bunch is, however, the Hybrid engine lineup. The added power from the electric motor means the RAV4 can accelerate effortlessly off a set of traffic lights, and gains responsiveness while accelerating at speed thanks to the perky electric assistance. The regenerative braking system even captures energy lost during braking and feeds this back to the electric motors for added range. 

The Hybrid lineup also offers a silky-smooth driving dynamic, paired with a near silent powertrain that makes the RAV4 exceptionally relaxing to drive in all situations. It’s easy around town, and incredibly refined while driving on the highway thanks to its clever powertrain. 

In terms of towing power, the two-wheel drive range is rated at 480kg of braked towing capacity, which increases to 1,500kg for all-wheel drive hybrid variants, which means you can tow some large objects come holiday time. 

As a complete package, then, the RAV4 feels every bit at home on the city streets as it does on the rough pothole-filled roads that feature in and around country towns, making it one of the more versatile and competent midsize SUVs you can buy. 

Is it Practical and Spacious? 

Stepping inside the RAV4 greets the driver and front passenger with a sleek, straightforward approach to interior packaging that features more than a few real-world practical elements.

The front cabin is extremely spacious, giving the driver and front passenger enough room to stretch out on long journeys, while benefiting from a relatively high-riding adjustable driving position for people of all sizes. 

The straight-forward packaging approach means the RAV4 feels familiar and user-friendly, with ergonomics remaining a key priority. All the important functions and switchgear are laid out in an uncomplicated design, which makes it extremely approachable for those upgrading from an older vehicle. 

Practical elements in the front of the cabin include a large set of door bins either side, a large folding armrest with storage inside, a pair of cupholders, a key stash in front of the gear lever, a storage tray behind the lever for smartphones and loose items, as well as a sunglasses holder and storage specifically for the driver with an accompanying card stash area for things like parking tickets that you might need on the move. 

Everything remains in reach, allowing the driver to navigate the streets, manage a car-load of kids and find their belongings without a problem. 

Move to the rear of the cabin and you’ll find a comfortable bench seat for rear passengers with a heap of leg and headroom for those seated in the second row. Growing families will be glad to know that the RAV4 can swallow up tall adults in the rear cabin, which offers a comfortable seating position with more than enough space to stretch out on long journeys. 

It’s also worth noting that three-abreast seating is absolutely possible in the rear of the RAV4, as well as the easily-accessible ISOFIX mounts and top tether points for child seats. There are also a host of USB ports to keep your kids charged up on long holiday roadtrips. 

In terms of cargo capacity, the RAV4 lineup offers boot space totalling 580L, which is an extremely practical boot volume that will serve the majority of your family’s needs without a problem. This boot space does come at the expense of a full-sized spare tyre, but few buyers will be complaining about that due to the sheer size of the RAV4’s boot. 

All up, then, the RAV4 is an extremely family-friendly and practical package that is comfortable and in its latest generation, surprisingly feature-packed for you and the kids. 

Is it Safe? 

The Toyota RAV4 range has been awarded ANCAP’s maximum five star safety rating, scoring 93% for adult protection, 89% for child protection, 85% for road user protection and 83% for its safety assistance technologies. 

As standard, the RAV4 range receives a reversing camera with front and rear-mounted parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alerts, blind-spot monitoring, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warnings, front-side and curtain airbags, lane trace assist and traffic sign recognition. 

This makes it one of the most appealing offerings in the midsize SUV market, considering just how much safety gear Toyota is including in even entry-level variants. 

Is it Fuel Efficient?

Fuel economy for the entry-level RAV4 stands at 6.5L per 100km, while the all-wheel drive is rated at 7.5L per 100km on a combined cycle. 

If you’re looking for outstanding fuel economy, the RAV4 hybrid option is one of the leading offerings in the midsize SUV market. The two-wheel drive RAV4 hybrid returns fuel economy figures of just 4.7L per 100km, while the AWD variant stands at 4.8L/100km. 

Our Verdict: Is the Toyota RAV4 Worth it?

In its latest generation, the RAV4 upholds Toyota’s reputation as a quality manufacturer for comfortable, family-friendly and relaxing driving in almost all situations, making the RAV4 the perfect car for a variety of needs and requirements. 

Without a doubt, the RAV remains one of the leading options for Australian families looking to move comfortably, and safely. 

If you’re looking closely at the RAV4 range, we’d encourage you to check out the Hybrid variant within each trim level, which reduces fuel use and adds to the driving enjoyment, thanks to the power boost of those electric motors. 

Either way, if you’re in the market for a practical midsize SUV for your family, ensure the RAV4 has a spot atop your shortlist. On that note, if you’re in the market for a new car, you can get a free quote and see how much OnlineAuto can save you on your next car, or call us on 1300 719 925

Five Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year, unlimited KM warranty 

2. Hybrid options available across all trim levels 

3. Five star ANCAP safety rating 

4. 4.7L per 100km fuel economy for hybrid variants; 7.5L/1km for all-wheel drive petrol 

5. 580L of boot capacity 

Pros 

• Spacious interior front and rear 

• Large boot 

• Exceptional safety equipment as standard across the range 

• Impressive fuel economy from Hybrid variants 

Cons

• Outdated infotainment system 

• Low definition reversing camera 

• Space-saver spare tyre as standard 

OnlineAuto Rating: 9/10

Toyota RAV4 Competition