The 2022 RAV4 Hybrid comes in six different trims and they are the Hybrid LE, the Hybrid XLE, the Hybrid XLE Premium, the Hybrid SE, the Hybrid XSE, and the Hybrid XSE Limited. The base trim has 17-inch wheels, Multi-LED headlights with black bezels and Automatic High Beams, a Dual-zone automatic climate control system with dust and pollen filter and rear-seat vents and much more. It only gets better from there as the higher-level trims get access to Digital instrumentation, Leather-trimmed steering wheels, and many more features. The addition of Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 throughout the trims is a great plus as it brings in a whole host of safety features to go along with it. Overall, the 2022 lineup of the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is robust and full of options and packages and it has something for everybody. 

Overall, all the trims of the RAV4 Hybrid are solid choices and they are customizable as well with all the packages that Toyota offers for them. The base model has all the basics and a little extra with the Dual-zone automatic climate control and Fabric-trimmed seats, the driver gets a 6-way adjustable front seat and the front passenger has a 4-way adjustable front seat. Apart from the interiors, the SUV is a beast on the road with incredible power and acceleration to go along with it. The packages that are offered by Toyota are restricted by trims, which is a major downside as it deters people from the freedom of choice. Some of the packages offered by Toyota include:- 

Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert ( Base model) 

• Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert 
• Color Keyed heated power outside mirrors with turn signal and blind spot warning indicators.
• Rear Cargo area cover
• 50 state emissions

Adventure Grade Weather Package

• Heated steering wheel
• Heated front seats, and rain-sensing variable intermittent windshield wipers with de-icer function

XSE Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation

• Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation with 3-year trial 
• 9.0-in. Touchscreen, 11 JBL speakers including subwoofer and amplifier
•  USB media port, four USB charge ports
• Hands-free phone capability and music streaming via Bluetooth

We Recommend 

We would recommend going with the XLE Hybrid as it brings a feature-rich experience without much of an upscale in cost. The Hybrid XLE also brings four different packages ranging from Convenience Packages to Weather Packages. We would recommend going with the convenience package to go along with your RAV4 Hybrid XLE. It further adds LED headlights, power-adjustable seats, and power outside mirrors which are also good additions.

Featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that's assisted by two electric motors, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid can push a decent 219 hp of horsepower and 163lb-ft of torque. It has good acceleration, going from 0 to 60 in just 7.4 seconds and a quarter mile in 15.6 seconds. AWD is standard and it has one motor powering the front and one powering the back. It has a CVT Transmission providing smooth and linear power to the wheels, making the ride a smooth one. The hybrid configuration provides decent power to the RAV4 and helps its acceleration remarkably as the SUV jolts into action without any conceivable delay and performs well even in adverse conditions.

The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid beats every single one of its competitors in terms of power and acceleration. It has the best Horsepower and torque output among the segment and one of the best top speeds. The Ford Escape Hybrid matches the RAV4 Hybrid on horsepower but lags behind in everything else and has the lowest top speed among its competitors. The Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid takes second place with good acceleration and top speed. The Honda CR-V Hybrid gets the shorter end of the stick due to its poor acceleration and top speed, however, it has a good quarter-mile record. 

2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid SUV Ride and Handling 

For the most part, the RAV4 Hybrid is a competent and capable crossover. For its size, it handles well, and the ride is generally smooth due to the CVT transmission. However, we would advise not taking sharp bends as traction control can be an issue with stock tires. The XSE has the sport-tuned suspension setup and feels more athletic and well-placed than the other RAV4 Hybrid trims. However, we believe the other Japanese vehicles that the RAV4 Hybrid competes with perform better in terms of ride and handling. This is one of the weaker parts of the RAV4 giving it a longer learning curve when it comes to handling. 

2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid SUV Braking performance

This is one of the RAV4’s weak points, its braking. Being a heavy vehicle with a curb weight of 3690 lbs, The RAV4 Hybrid naturally struggles to come to a halt. Other than that, the brake pedal feels mushy and there’s a noticeable lag between pressing the brakes and the action kicking in. Toyota has tried remedying the problem with the addition of ABS with electronic brake distribution and brake assist but the braking action of the RAV4 Hybrid still remains a point of contention. The Hybrid and Prime models have had numerous complaints about this issue along with complaints about vibrations in the brake pedal when applying pressure. Nevertheless, Toyota has provided 12-inch brake rotors in the front and 11.1-inch brake rotors in the rear of the SUV. 

As stated previously, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid suffers from its braking configurations and thus takes the longest to stop from 60 to 0. The Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid has the quickest brakes in this segment, despite having the highest curb weight among its competitors. Honda CR-V Hybrid comes second. The Ford Escape Hybrid is right behind it with a decent braking distance but poorly sized brake rotors which affect the braking power. Overall, the Crosstrek Hybrid takes the lead in this segment with the shortest braking distance despite its high curb weight and the RAV4 Hybrid is on the lower end with the highest stopping distance. 

The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid has one of the best fuel economies among its competitors. With its EPA estimated fuel economy of 41 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid returns a clean 40 mpg combined. It comes with a 14.5-gallon fuel tank which grants it a range of 595 miles in the city and 551 miles on the highway. The RAV4 Hybrid is much more efficient than the regular gas-powered RAV4. The Hybrid configuration really shines in efficiency and range as it makes the SUV a viable daily driver with its high estimates. Coupled with the biggest gas tank among its competition, the RAV4 Hybrid gets a massive boost to its range as well. 

With its hybrid drivetrain the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid almost beats the Ford Escape Hybrid but the Escape Hybrid remains the most fuel-efficient Crossover Hybrid SUV for now. The Honda CR-V Hybrid also comes close with its estimated fuel efficiency of 40 mpg in the city but cannot hold a candle to either the Escape Hybrid or the RAV4 Hybrid. The data on the Subaru Crosstrek is unverified and we have an estimated combined fuel efficiency of 35 mpg which would put it at the bottom as the least fuel-efficient among its competitors. Overall, the RAV4 Hybrid has the best fuel efficiency among its competition and one of the best ranges we see among the competition.

For 2022 the RAV4 Hybrid’s interior remains largely unchanged. The practicality that we have come to expect from this no-nonsense SUV is most prominent in the interiors. The dashboard prevents excess clutter and a digital driving display is available in the higher trims. The interiors are also spacious and don't feel claustrophobic for adults either in the front or the rear. The front seats are high ensuring good visibility ahead and the cabin supports the same by providing good visibility in all directions. The RAV4 Hybrid also has best-in-class cargo capacity which makes sure you have plenty of space to work with. We did observe the touchscreen is a bit hard to reach at a glance but other than that the Toyota RAV4 has a decent interior. All trims come with features like Dual Zone Climate Control With Rear Vents, an Intuitive Storage Tray, and a Passenger Shelf. Higher trims get SofTex trimmed 8-way adjustable front-row seats, Panoramic Glass Roof, and a little extra. 

The interiors of these SUVs are pretty evenly matched and they marginally beat each other in some regards. The Ford Escape hybrid has the best front-row space while the Honda CR-V Hybrid has the best rear-row space. The Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid is an interesting one as it compromises on Cargo Capacity to provide interior space which can be detrimental depending upon the user. Overall, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid has average interior space considering the competition and the best cargo space available. It could do with a little more legroom.

Some of the standout interior features of the 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid are:- 

• Dual-zone automatic climate control system w/ rear AC vents
• Fabric-trimmed seats
• Intuitive Storage Tray and Passenger Shelf
• 8-way adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support
• Panoramic Glass Roof
• SofTex trimmed seats (available)
• Heated front seats (available)
• Digital rearview mirror w/ HomeLink (available)

2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Infotainment System

The infotainment system provided in the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is once again utilitarian in nature as it gets all the basics right. It comes with a 9-In. Multimedia Display that has an intuitive UI and provides all the necessary information easily. Along with that, we see five USB Ports and Qi-Compatible Wireless Charging which is always handy. Another addition is the one-year trial of the Toyota Remote Connect feature that lets you locate your vehicle, lock or unlock the doors and even start the engine from your smartwatch. Standard connectivity like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also present.

Some of the standout interior features of the 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid are:- 

• 9-In. Multimedia Display
• 5 USB Ports
• Qi-Compatible Wireless Charging
• Six-speakers
• Dynamic navigation (available)
• SiriusXM w/ 3-month all-access trial
• Toyota Remote Connect w/ 1-yr trial

The blocky exterior of the RAV4 Hybrid has a lot of cuts and creases which make it look sharp and sleek. The 2022 RAV4 Hybrid takes advantage of the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform which gives it a lower, wider stance and extended wheelbase. A standard two-tone paint scheme helps it stand out from the rest of the competition and so do the distinctive LED Projector-Beam Headlights with LED accent lighting. The RAV$ Hybrid is offered by Toyota in 17-inch and 18-inch alloy wheels which provide a nice contrast to the crossover. The all-new SE trim includes piano-black accents on the bumpers and overfenders, a black grille, silver bumper trim, black 18-inch wheels, and a refreshed headlight design which helps it stand out from the rest of the competition. 

While being the tallest among its competitors, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid lags behind in all other areas. It has decent ground clearance, wheelbase and curb weight but is outclassed by others by a small margin. The Honda CR-V Hybrid is the lightest SUV in this segment and has a longer body and higher ground clearance than the RAV4 Hybrid. The Ford Escape Hybrid has the lowest ground clearance but the longest wheelbase and a larger body than the RAV4 Hybrid. The Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid is the smallest among its competition with the highest ground clearance and the highest curb weight.

Some of the standout exterior features of the 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid are:- 

• 17/18-inch alloy wheels
• LED headlights
• Dual chrome-tipped exhaust
• LED tail lights
• Panoramic Moonroof (available)
• Fog Lights (available)
• Heated and powered outside mirrors (available)
• Power liftgate (available)

2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Safety Features

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid comes with a boat load of safety features only enhanced by the inclusion of Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 which gives the crossover a Pre-Collision System With Pedestrian Detection, Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Automatic High Beams, Lane Departure Alert With Steering Assist, Lane Tracing Assist, and Road Sign Assist. Other than that there are also available features that can be integrated with the RAV4. These features are Front and Rear Parking Assist With Automatic Braking, Blind Spot Monitor With Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, and a comprehensive Star Safety System. These measures are matched with the inclusion of eight airbags.

Some of the standout safety measures found in the 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid are:- 

• Pre-collision system with pedestrian detection
• Road sign assist
• Dynamic radar cruise control
• Automatic high beam
• Lane departure alert with steering assist 
• Brake assist
• Brake force distribution
• Lane Tracing Assist

2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid VS 2022 Ford Escape Hybrid

To compare the two, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid has quick acceleration, a far higher top speed, it's also lighter and has more space for both people and cargo. While both the Hybrids have similar fuel efficiency on average, the Ford Escape Hybrid has a bigger gas tank and thus a longer range. It also catches up to the RAV4 in the quarter mile, it has a longer wheelbase and better braking action. The 2023 RAV4 Hybrid is the better choice but only marginally, its power which is also its best asset gives it an edge over the 2023 Ford Escape.

2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid VS 2022 Honda CR-V Hybrid

Being historic rivals, the competition is always fierce between Toyota and Honda over the years. However, the RAV4 Hybrid is all around the better hybrid with its quick acceleration, higher top speed, better fuel efficiency, and range due to a bigger gas tank, a longer wheelbase, and a higher cargo capacity. The Honda CR-V Hybrid has bigger brake rotors and faster braking action, better interior space, and a lighter body which are good additions but are not enough to be considered as a dealbreaker. Overall, the RAV4 Hybrid is still the better choice as it is also the cheaper option among the two. 

2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid VS 2022 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid has quicker acceleration, better interior space and cargo capacity, a longer wheelbase, and a lighter boy. Whereas, the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid has a higher top speed, bigger brake rotors in the back, and a higher ground clearance. As a daily driver, the RAV4 hybrid makes a better case with its far better interior quality which the Crosstrek admittedly lacks. Along with that, the RAV4 Hybrid is also cheaper and a more value for money option. Historically, the Subaru lineup in the US has been underwhelming despite their best efforts and the RAV4 Hybrid once again comes out on top as the better compact SUV.