Another refreshed Toyota RAV4: new optics and range expansion

By Lukas Müller On Sep 5, 2022

An upgraded SUV designed for the US market is presented. Only the basic version remained virtually untouched, while the rest of the options have changed slightly in appearance. Technique, according to preliminary data, is the same.

Toyota announced the facelifted RAV4 in September, but it was a Europe-only crossover. Now it's the turn of the American version. By the way, the debut of the updated SUV is timed to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the presence of the model in the United States (in general, the first Rafik series was introduced in 1993). Well, let's add that the RAV4 is doing well in the States: in the first three quarters of this year, it tops the ranking of the best-selling SUVs in the country with a result of 313,447 units sold (+ 4.5% compared to January-September 2020). In the general classification, cross-country takes fourth place, only pickup trucks, which are loved by Americans, are better (ahead of the Ford F-Series, followed by Ram trucks and Chevrolet Silverado).

Hybrid Toyota RAV4 XSE-2022 in a new color

The cheaper RAV4 has not changed outwardly, the rest of the versions have new LED headlights – the same as those of the cross for Europe, with built-in navigation light strips. Some versions, including the off-road Adventure and TRD Off-Road, still had the new LED fog lamps, and the expensive “normal” hybrid (i.e. without the ability to charge from the mains) had separate vertical DRLs (the first of these received high-end battery-powered prime hybrid). In addition, the assortment of rims has been updated, in addition, for some trim levels, the body color palette has been expanded (a shade of Calvary Blue has been added). All versions now have a lockable glove box and LED interior lighting, and the Rafiks now have a more expensive electrically adjustable passenger seat.

Toyota RAV4-2022 TRD off-road version

The “standard” hybrid has also acquired a new SE package: at the price of the RAV4 Hybrid line, it will be exactly in the middle, that is, between the XLE Premium (the pre-reform version costs $ 32,900, about 2,404,000 conventional units at the current exchange rate) and XSE (the price of the dorestyle is $ 34,850 or 2,547,000 conventional units). The seats in the new version are upholstered in fabric, the body can only be one-color (for XSE – a two-tone paintwork), a multimedia system with a 7-inch display is standard (for XSE an 8-inch tablet). For a surcharge for such a rafik, you can order a heated steering wheel and seats, a sunroof and multimedia with a 9-inch touchscreen.

Toyota hybrid RAV4-2022, new SE version

There is no word on technology in the Toyota release, so everything is the same. In the States, the regular RAV4 is available with a 2.5 “atmospheric” gasoline engine (206 hp) and 8 automatic transmissions. The “standard” hybrid is equipped with a 177 horsepower 2.5 engine, an electric motor and an electromechanical CVT, for a total output of 222 horsepower. And the total output of the rechargeable all-wheel drive hybrid RAV4 Prime (it also has an installation based on the 2.5 engine) is 306 hp.

Toyota hybrid RAV4-2022, new SE version

All the details of the updated crossover in the American office are promised to be revealed in mid-December, and prices will be announced.

the current RAV4 is likely to receive a belated update. The current SUV? is available with atmospheric 2.0 (149 hp) and 2.5 (199 hp), the first is combined with a six-speed “mechanics” or CVT, the second engine is equipped with an eight-speed “automatic”.