Flash Drive

2022 Toyota RAV4 TRD

March 14, 2022 - Behind The Wheel - Comments: 

Model Tested: 2022 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off Road

The Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road is the most adventuresome variant of the popular RAV4 line of mid-size SUVs.

Engine: 2.5-liter I-4, 203 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft torque

Transmission: 8-speed automatic, all-wheel-drive

EPA Rating: 25-mpg city, 32-mpg highway, 28-mpg combined

Base Price: $36,455

As Tested: $40,460

Performance:

Agile, capable off-road features

Good fuel economy—our best was 29.8-mpg highway

Engine a little noisy on steep hills

The RAV4 TRD is at home on paved roads as well as unimproved trails.

Lots of drive modes: Eco, Normal, Sport, Snow, Hill Descent

Separate dial for Mud & Sand and Rock & Dirt

Traction control button

Excellent standard safety features

Comfort:

Excellent, very supportive front seats

Leather trimmed

Heated and cooled front seats (3 temps)

Excellent driver power lumbar support

The RAV4 TRD has several drive/terrain modes to best suit the prevailing conditions.

Stretch-out driver and passenger legroom

Very good telescopic steering column range

OK tilt range

Heated leather steering wheel

Good auxiliary steering wheel controls

Excellent rear seat room

Very good rear shoe room

Low rear floor hump

Soft, wide rear armrest

Front row space, comfort and features are all great on all versions of the Toyota RAV4.

Utility:

Power liftgate with ample headroom for tall people

Large cargo area

Flat floor

No lift-over

Roof slope affects cargo space

Split, folding rear seats have some slope

Medium size console bin

Nice, wide console bin armrest

RAV4 backseat room and comfort are excellent.

Good size infotainment screen

Cell phone charging pad

Medium size locking glovebox

Large owner’s manual crowds space

Open storage ledge above glovebox

WOW Factors:

Crisp, rugged styling

Heated steering wheel

TRD Off-Road package’s extra features

Smart phone charging pad

Spacious, adult-size interior

A flat floor and high opening liftgate make cargo access easy, but the sloped roof does take away some capacity.

Versatile cargo space

Whines:

Rear hatch slope robs some cargo space

Lots of rear door wheel well intrusion

Tiny rear door bins

Bottom Line:

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 is an excellent mid-size SUV that can be equipped in several trim levels to fit almost anyone’s needs and budget. There are base models and premium ones, hybrids and the TRD Off-Road reviewed here. The TRD includes all the standard pluses and adds more rugged styling and improved off-road capabilities that are ideal for active families.