Toyota RAV4 XSE 2WD Hybrid 2022 Review

Although the Toyota RAV4 has gone through a series of metamorphoses since the first, trailblazing compact model appeared, in three-door form, in July 1994, there probably hasn’t been a more class-conquering RAV than the one we know today, when the popular model continues to command 12-month wait times for delivery.

The styling may be a little elaborate for some tastes, but Toyota’s meticulous gathering-together of all the elements that make for a fully qualified mid-size SUV ensures it’s a consummate all-rounder.

The competition is keen, but Toyota has the nous to not just sit on its laurels and wait for the RAV to be outclassed. Hence the updated MY23 RAV4 line-up announced in late November 2022, bringing a series of equipment upgrades across the range.

For this review we chose to look at the front-drive version of the new XSE, which like many variants has increased in price by $2450 to $45,700 plus on-road costs, which remains $3000 less than its AWD sibling.

For a circa-$3000 increase over equivalent GXLs, that doesn’t sound like a bad deal, especially to potential GXL buyers who may have been mulling over whether the $5300 extra for the Cruiser model was a step too far.

The RAV4 XSE’s pricing tends to be a little more than similarly-equipped market equivalents including the $42,880 Mazda CX-5 Touring Active AWD (which reflects Mazda’s heavy bias away from front-drive in the mid-spec CX-5 line-up), Mitsubishi’s $42,990 seven-seat front-drive Aspire-spec Outlander, Kia’s front-drive Sportage SX+ ($41,500) and Hyundai’s also front-drive Elite-spec Tucson ($39,400).

Some worthwhile additions sit on top of the lower-level GXL’s (the GX is base-level) standard equipment. Over and above sat-nav, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, dual-zone climate-control air-con and 18-inch alloy wheels, the XSE brings a larger 10.5-inch touch-screen infotainment system (up from 8.0-inch in GX and GXL), as per the recently updated Corolla.

All MY23 RAV4 models come with cloud-based satellite navigation as standard, with the higher grades also scoring a new-look embedded navigation system, plus the latest Toyota Connected Services suite providing owners with remote vehicle supervision, emergency assistance and the ability to update vehicle software over-the-air.

The new multimedia system also brings improved functionality and graphics, plus wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto connectivity, and in XSE, Cruiser and Edge models is backed by a new configurable 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster (instead of a 7.0-inch driver’s display – up from 4.2-inch on GX and GXL).

Other MY23 changes include a faster opening and closing powered tailgate where fitted, the replacement of most cabin USB ports with USB-C outlets, white lighting for the switches and interior lamps and upgraded microphones for the voice recognition system.

Other XSE extras include upgraded ‘Softex’ leather-look seat trim with contrasting stitching (the front seats are heated and the driver gets power adjustment), upgraded door trim with leather-look inserts, ambient cabin lighting and a power tailgate.

The 2023 RAV4’s exterior colour palette will continue to comprise nine finishes, with Frosted White replacing Crystal Pearl.

Like all RAVs, there’s a swag of standard safety equipment including adaptive cruise control, pedestrian and cyclist detection (the latter daytime only), lane-departure warning, lane-trace assist, road-sign recognition and auto-dipping headlights.

The XSE adds a high-speed version of the active cruise control system, plus the projector LED headlights previously introduced to hybrid RAVs.

As part of the MY23 update, the active safety and pre-collision safety suites have been expanded to detect oncoming vehicles when turning right at an intersection as well as oncoming pedestrians on either side of an intersection, providing audible warnings and automatic braking if required.

Emergency steering assist is also now fitted, along with dynamic guidelines for the sharpened reversing camera.

However, the airbag count of seven, because it doesn’t include an increasingly-common front-centre airbag, is a little behind the times.

With its leatherette seat trim, powered driver’s seat, phone-charging pad in the centre console, the larger touch-screen and instrument display, the availability of a two-tone paint job and, at a more subtle level, changes in the mixing and matching of black highlights on various parts of the body – including the black alloy 18-inch wheels – the XSE RAV4 is clearly a step up from the second-rung GXL.

The general ergonomics don’t conceal any hidden nasty surprises where operational ease is concerned and the driving position – especially with the help of the 10-way powered seat – is pretty faultless.

In terms of cabin space and luggage-swallowing capabilities the RAV4 XSE excels with its generous cabin and big, 580-litre boot – complete with a two-level floor and electric tailgate – that gives way to a thoroughly competitive load space of more than 1600 litres (Toyota doesn’t tell us exactly how much) when the seats are folded. A space-saver spare wheel resides under the boot floor, where it’s hopefully never brought into play.

The five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty is right up to scratch, and capped-price servicing is in place for the first five years. An extra-cost basic Roadside Assist plan is available from $99 a year, while ‘Roadside Assist Plus’, which adds extra services, is priced from $139 a year.

There’s no getting away from the fact that the RAV4’s hybrid drivetrain does an outstanding job. It produces a solid combined output of 160kW (which sees it comfortably out-powering the aforementioned – non-hybrid – competition, while trashing them all on fuel consumption).

At a quoted 4.7L/100km, it’s officially thriftier by far than the also 2.5-litre Mazda CX-5 (7.4L/100km) and Mitsubishi Outlander (7.7L/100km) as well as the 2.0-litre Kia Sportage/Hyundai Tucson duo, which both quote 8.1L/100km.

It’s worth mentioning though that our RAV’s average consumption, although it would have improved in more hybrid-friendly circumstances (a lot of the driving was spent on freeways where hybrids aren’t always able to demonstrate their best efficiency) worked out to more like 6.2L/100km.

The front-drive XSE is nicely balanced on the road, with the extra 202Nm of torque provided by the electric motor adding substantially to the Atkinson-cycle petrol engine’s 221Nm.

Toyota doesn’t give a combined torque figure for the hybrid but its solid, electrically-enhanced boost is – practically from any speed – always ready to step in, quietly and smoothly, when required.

In terms of dynamics, the RAV4 XSE plays the same conservative game as other RAVs. It’s responsive to the slightly low-geared steering, rides on relatively compliant suspension and is handy enough around town with a competitive 11-metre turning circle. It’s also a quiet cruiser on the open road.

Although front-drive RAV4 hybrids are pretty unimpressive for their rated towing ability (480kg, which is well over one tonne less than Mazda CX-5, Mitsubishi Outlander and Kia Sportage/Hyundai Tucson), at least there’s a built-in trailer-sway control system.

And if towing is a necessary part of your mid-size SUV wishlist, there is a solution: the AWD version of the XSE is rated at a more competitive 1500kg.

But the bottom line is that RAV4 hybrids are accomplished examples of the genre. The front-drive RAV4 XSE is more economical, but only just, than the 55kg heavier eFour AWD variant.

Buyers will need to judge whether or not the AWD’s greatly increased towing capacity, extended dirt-road capability and the added security on rain-slicked roads is relevant to them and worth the extra $3000. For some, that will be a no-brainer.

Good visibility from inside the cabin – although small kids will be hampered by the low-set rear-seat cushions – a deep storage bin between the two front seats and plenty of soft-touch padding all add up to what is a pretty swish interior.

Filling neatly the (small) gap that existed between GXL and Cruiser-spec RAV4s, the XSE leaves buyers a half-way option for relatively modest price differentials, positioned around $3000 above an equivalent GXL or $2500 below an equivalent Cruiser.

And when it comes to resale time, it will probably pull more interest than the cheaper GXL, while not being seen as too downmarket of the Cruiser.

Spanning a price range from $36,550 to $55,150 and with 13 variants to choose from, the Toyota RAV4 has the mid-size SUV segment well and truly covered.

How much does the 2022 Toyota RAV4 XSE 2WD Hybrid cost?
Price: $45,700 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol hybrid
Output: 131kW/221Nm
Combined power: 160kW
Transmission: continuously variable automatic
Fuel: 4.7L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 107g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (2019 ANCAP year)

*Outgoing model pictured