In an era dominated by gas-guzzling SUVs, the Toyota RAV4 continues to shape the compact SUV segment, and dominates the global car market.
The Toyota RAV4 continues to shape the SUV market, despite its cute 2-door debut back in 1994. It’s hard not to see why it held the biggest market share in 2022. Paired with a sleek design, and powerful, yet reliable performance, the RAV4 became the best-selling SUV of the world in 2022. Keep reading to find out why the Toyota RAV4 stands on top of a pedestal in a crowded field of SUVs.
The Toyota RAV4 Comes In Gasoline And Hybrid Variants
Taking a closer look at the 5th gen RAV4, this SUV has something for everyone– a conventional gas model, a hybrid, and a plug-in hybrid option. Among the various models and trim offerings, the Toyota RAV4 hybrid variant is the go-to model for many buyers eyeing the SUV market. When it comes to power and reliability, the RAV4 doesn’t mess around. It boasts a solid 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers a modest 203 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. But that’s just the gasoline-only model.
Let’s not look past the true king, the RAV4 Hybrid. The electric motor paired with the gasoline engine boasts a massive 219 hp, despite the 176 hp rating. The RAV4 Prime, on the other hand, produces a healthy 302 hp with its two electric motors and beefier battery pack. Toyota knows what it’s doing, with its RAV4 lineup.
The RAV4 offers a variable transmission (CVT) in the hybrid variant, or an eight-speed automatic transmission in the gasoline-only model. All-wheel drive comes as a standard feature in the hybrid variant and is optional in the gasoline model.
The RAV4 Is The SUV King Of Fuel Economy And Reliability
Without a doubt, the RAV4 is the go-to SUV because of its fuel economy, that’s sure to save you a lot of money on gas consumption. According to EPA metrics, The RAV4 hybrid tops off at 40 mpg with a total range of 580 miles, while the numerous gasoline trims stand behind at a respectable 28-30 mpg, with an average range of 406–435 miles. But the RAV4 just keeps getting better from a financial perspective.
You don’t need to pay a big premium to get the hybrid model. Depending upon the trim you’re eyeing, the RAV4 hybrid will set you back by $29,575. That’s just an additional $1200–1800 over the gasoline trims. If you’re looking at this SUV from a financial perspective, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that the RAV4 will start to pay for itself within a few years, saving you nearly $500–1000 on fuel costs per year.
For the plug-in hybrid variant, the 2022 Toyota RAV4 Prime offers a staggering 94 mpg-e with a dedicated 42 miles of all-electric range. That brings in the total range to a whopping 600 miles. But drivers need to plug it in for a solid 12 hours on a regular outlet, and 2.5 hours on a level 2 charger, just to get some extra range. But that’s just mileage and range. What about reliability?
Toyota has been synonymous as a brand that offers with peace of mind and reliability, manufacturing the most reliable hybrid vehicles in the market, and the RAV4 lives up to that reputation. What’s amazing is that Toyota offers a 10-Year warranty on the hybrid battery pack and an 8-year warranty on the hybrid system.
In a market where electric cars are slowly, but steadily gaining momentum, the Toyota RAV4 still manages to remain a top contender among car fanatics. But that’s not just us saying this. According to JATO, the RAV4 has stood as the top-selling SUV in the United States for several years. This is quite a surprise, considering the current competitive climate of the SUV market.
The Toyota RAV4’s Success Owes To Its Competitive Price
While you’d still be fine with something like a Hyundai Tucson or a Kia Sorento, the RAV4 crushes the competition, owing it to Toyota’s proven cornerstone reputation when it comes to long-term reliability and competitive pricing.
The 2022 Toyota RAV4 still remains a worthy pick with a starting price of $26,975, offering a diverse selection of trims and features to cherry-pick from. And this SUV hasn’t just dominated the U.S. market. The RAV4 has enveloped the global passenger vehicle market, beating Tesla, and respectably standing behind the Toyota Corolla.
The RAV4 has been head-deep in the SUV loop for nearly three decades and has won the hearts of car buyers in every category. Toyota is continuing R&D on the RAV4 platform, with improvements in the interior, infotainment system, and minor exterior tweaks. This SUV just keeps getting better and better with each iteration. And if it wasn’t obvious enough, the RAV4 is here to stay as the top dog in the SUV and global automotive market.
