It’s been a quarter-century since Toyota introduced the ground-breaking model that went on to define a whole new type of passenger vehicle category. With ride, handling and comfort characteristics more akin to sedans than SUVs, the first RAV4 essentially created the template for what became the “crossover SUV” or just “crossover.” This unique vehicle left some mighty big footsteps to follow.
Now in its fifth generation, the Toyota RAV4 remains the leader in its size class, and it has also been Canada’s best-selling non-pickup passenger vehicle for two years.
With each of its five model generations, the RAV4 offered increased room, comfort, versatility, and performance while delivering higher fuel efficiency. The 2022 Toyota RAV4 offers a new SE Hybrid grade, as well as a multitude of exterior and interior upgrades across all grades.
The fifth-generation RAV4, introduced for 2019, offers the model’s widest selection ever, including the first-ever RAV4 TRD Off-Road, the Hybrid offered in LE, XLE, XSE and Limited grades, and the flagship RAV4 Prime PHEV with an NRCan-estimated range of 68 km on all-electric battery power alone.
For 2022, the RAV4 is getting some enticing updates, including a new SE Hybrid grade as well as some exterior and interior updates across all grades. Designed for customers looking for sporty performance and sporty style but at a lower price compared to the XSE, the new SE Hybrid grade for RAV4 includes mono-tone paint, fabric-trimmed seats, and a 7-inch touchscreen with six speakers. And the SE Hybrid grade’s standard features are exceptional, as well as smartly packaged. In Canada, the SE Hybrid offers a standard heated leather steering wheel, heated front seats, and rain-sensing windshield wipers with a de-icer function.
There are quite a few updates to the wheels as well. LE Hybrid, XLE, and XLE Hybrid get a new color for their wheels, as does the Trail grade. While the XLE Hybrid and Limited Hybrid get a new design, as does the XSE Hybrid.
XLE grades and above get updated headlamps– both for style and for capability improvement. New LED fog lamps are being introduced for Limited, Trail, and TRD Off-Road. More details on the 2022 RAV4, including pricing, will be released in mid-December.