2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 2021 Toyota RAV4

Toyota designed the 2021 RAV4 with a rugged-looking exterior that gave the appearance of an SUV. The boxy fender flares, chiseled taillights, and aggressive front end marked a stark contrast from previous generations. The RAV4’s exterior stood out against most other compact crossovers on the market, establishing it as more than just an ordinary vehicle. Under the metal, though, the RAV4 was based on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, the same foundation used for models like the Camry and Sienna.

The RAV4 Adventure model featured a distinctive look with an Ice Edge roof and orange interior accents, while the TRD Off-Road version came with matte black 18-inch wheels, fog lights, gray exterior trim, red interior accents, and a front skid plate. Inside, the design included rugged touches like large rubberized knobs and door handles. Although the material quality was fairly good on lower trims, it didn’t elevate in higher trims, with no real leather option even on the highest trims.

The first-ever 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 offered a futuristic yet refined exterior. With its Parametric Pixel design, this EV boasted a polished exterior without over-the-top styling. The use of 8-bit pixel design elements was prevalent, especially in the lighting, making the Ioniq 5 appear more like a concept car than a production vehicle.

The Ioniq 5’s cabin was a stark contrast to its exterior, featuring a calming and comfortable "Living Space" theme. Interior colors included black, gray, and dark green, with a "Relaxation mode" available for the driver’s seat when parked. Sustainable materials were prominent throughout the cabin, with seats made of stain-resistant cloth or leatherette on higher trims, and door inserts and armrests made of recycled fibers.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 came with a single engine option: the 2.5-liter four-cylinder "Dynamic Force" engine, producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, it offered standard front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive. The engine achieved 40% thermal efficiency, a level usually seen in racing engines. However, the transmission's responsiveness was lacking, and the steering felt artificial despite quick inputs.

Off-road, the RAV4 Adventure and TRD Off-Road models provided enhanced capability with torque-vectoring rear axles and 8.6 inches of ground clearance. The TRD Off-Road also featured specific suspension tuning and all-terrain tires, but lacked traditional off-road components like locking differentials. Towing capacity for these models was 3,500 pounds, compared to 1,500 pounds for other versions.

In comparison, the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 offered more configurations. Available in SE, SEL, and Limited trims, it featured rear-wheel drive standard with all-wheel drive as an option. The base SE Standard Range had a 128-kW motor producing 168 horsepower with a range of 220 miles. The extended-range variants offered a 225-hp rear motor with 258 pound-feet of torque and a 303-mile range. The dual-motor AWD setup powered the Ioniq 5 with 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque, but range dropped to 256 miles.

The Ioniq 5, though not a performance EV like the Polestar 2 or Porsche Taycan, handled well through both canyon roads and highways. Its Sport mode re-tuned the torque split for added excitement but reduced range. The vehicle also incorporated paddle shifters for regenerative braking control. Hyundai focused on reducing noise and vibration, resulting in a quiet cabin experience thanks to acoustic tires and sound-deadening materials.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4’s high roof provided good headroom and outward visibility. While the front seats were comfortable, the rear seats had flat and hard cushions. The rear seat was a 60/40 split-folding bench, but it couldn’t slide fore and aft. Cargo capacity was 37.6 cubic feet with the rear seats in place, above average but still behind competitors like the Honda CR-V. The cargo area had a wide aperture for easy loading but a higher lip compared to competitors.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, built on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), offered an expansive interior due to its longer wheelbase of 118.1 inches, even surpassing the seven-passenger Hyundai Palisade. With an interior volume of 133.7 cubic feet, it was more spacious than competitors like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4. However, the Ioniq 5 prioritized passenger volume over cargo space, offering 106.5 cubic feet of passenger volume and 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space.

The interior was designed for comfort and usability, with soft touchpoints and a moveable center console armrest. Unlike traditional setups, the lack of an extended center console allowed for ease of movement within the cabin. The seats were noted for their comfort, providing a balanced cushion and snug support.

In the 2021 Toyota RAV4, standard features included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio with a three-month trial. Most trims came with a 7-inch touchscreen, while the Limited trim featured an 8-inch screen. The RAV4 Prime offered a 9-inch screen. Up to five USB ports were available, and a JBL premium audio system could be added. The infotainment system, although easy to use, wasn’t particularly flashy and lacked features like a head-up display (HUD), which was available on the RAV4 Prime.

For the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, technology was a standout. The EV supported ultra-fast charging, reaching 80% battery capacity within 18 minutes and gaining 68 miles of range in just 5 minutes using a 350-kW charger. Owners received unlimited 30-minute fast-charging sessions for two years via a partnership with Electrify America.

The Ioniq 5 featured a redesigned Blue Link app for EV management, digital key, advanced smartphone pairing, and over-the-air updates. The 12.3-inch instrument cluster and infotainment screens were user-friendly and anti-glare coated for clear visibility even with polarized sunglasses.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 earned a “Top Safety Pick” rating from IIHS with top scores in crash tests and superior front-crash prevention. It missed the “Top Safety Pick+” rating due to mixed headlight scores. NHTSA awarded the RAV4 a five-star overall rating. Standard safety features included Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 with adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, pedestrian detection, and more. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic emergency braking, and park assist.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 came with Hyundai SmartSense, including blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and collision avoidance. Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I provided semi-autonomous driving with adaptive cruise control. The vehicle featured a head-up display (HUD) with augmented reality overlays for navigation and driver information. Although crash ratings weren’t yet available, Hyundai’s track record suggested high ratings were likely.