2022 Ford Bronco vs 2022 Toyota RAV4

The 2022 Ford Bronco and the 2022 Toyota RAV4 each boasted distinct styles that catered to different types of buyers. The Bronco, with its attractive retro styling, go-anywhere attitude, and extensive lineup, quickly became one of the most sought-after vehicles following its wildly successful debut. Ford introduced two new range-topping models for 2022: the Everglades and the Bronco Raptor. The Everglades was particularly notable for its swamp-trekking and deep-water capabilities, equipped with an intake snorkel, a Warn winch, and 35-inch Goodyear mud-terrain tires. This model expanded the Bronco's trim options to seven, with off-road capabilities that improved incrementally with price increases. Unfortunately, due to its popularity, the 2022 Bronco was sold out swiftly, leaving many potential buyers on the waiting list.

The Bronco's design was unapologetically utilitarian, with short overhangs, low-profile bumpers, tall ride heights, and large recovery hooks that catered to off-road enthusiasts. It retained a charming yet rugged appearance, complemented by modular construction for easy customization. Inside, the Bronco's interior continued the utilitarian theme with features such as sealed switches, marine-grade vinyl upholstery, and drain plugs for hose-down cleaning after muddy adventures. Despite its brawny exterior, the Bronco was technologically advanced, thanks to its digital instrument panel, large infotainment touchscreen, and numerous advanced safety features. Overall, the Bronco was a hit, marked by its rare combination of brawn and brains.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota RAV4 evolved from its early days as a "cute-ute" into a mature, sophisticated crossover SUV. The latest iteration, part of a 2019 redesign, came with angular flourishes in the wheel arches, expressive headlights, and a snub-nosed grille that provided a playful yet aggressive look. The RAV4's exterior was further elevated by Toyota's renowned fit-and-finish quality. Inside, the RAV4 featured a layered dash with contrasting textures and colors, complemented by a centrally mounted touchscreen infotainment system. The cabin design drew inspiration from a circuit-board, with geometric patterns repeated throughout to tie various elements together, ultimately creating an inviting and ergonomically sound environment.

The 2022 Ford Bronco offered a robust performance with a base turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that produced 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. An optional turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine delivered 330 horsepower and a whopping 415 pound-feet of torque. The seven-speed manual transmission exclusive to the four-cylinder engine featured a crawl gear that enabled low-speed driving with high torque levels, ideal for climbing. A 10-speed automatic transmission was standard for the V6 and available with the four-cylinder. All Bronco models sported four-wheel drive and an electronic two-speed transfer case.

The Bronco's off-road prowess was unmatched across its range, from the base model to the high-end trims like the Wildtrak and Everglades. These models conquered challenging terrains with remarkable ease. Even during rigorous tests in Michigan's upper peninsula, the Everglades showcased its impressive capabilities, fording waters up to 36.4 inches deep and effortlessly handling muddy trails and steep rock climbs. On paved roads, the Bronco provided a surprisingly smooth ride, offering better handling and comfort than direct competitors like the Jeep Wrangler. However, the Bronco did exhibit some wind noise at high speeds, although it wasn’t significant enough to detract from the overall driving experience.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 offered three powertrain options, starting with a gasoline-only 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. This engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and came standard with front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive as an option. Fuel economy for the gas-powered RAV4 ranged between 27-28 mpg city/35 mpg highway for FWD models and 25-27 mpg city/32-34 mpg highway for AWD models.

The RAV4 Hybrid used a similar 2.5-liter engine, paired with a permanent magnet synchronous electric motor to deliver a combined 217 horsepower. It featured an electronic continuously variable transmission (eCVT) and standard all-wheel drive, achieving impressive fuel economy ratings of 41 mpg city/38 mpg highway. The RAV4 Prime, a plug-in hybrid, topped the lineup with 302 horsepower and an ability to run up to 42 miles on electricity alone, boasting an efficiency rating of 94 MPGe combined. The RAV4 Prime also came with a 3.3-kilowatt onboard charger (6.6-kilowatt optional for XSE models), significantly reducing battery recharge times.

In our tests, the gasoline Adventure AWD model delivered solid everyday performance, with smooth power delivery and responsive handling. The RAV4 retained car-like handling, enhanced by its MacPherson struts up front, multi-link rear suspension, and stabilizer bars, providing a stable and comfortable ride. AWD models came with Multi-Terrain Select tuning for different road conditions and dynamic torque vectoring, which directed more power to the outer wheels during cornering, significantly improving handling.

The 2022 Ford Bronco excelled in interior space, thanks to its iconic squared-off styling. Even the tallest passengers could comfortably fit within its generous headroom, both in the front and rear seats. Legroom and lateral space were equally ample. However, entering the higher-riding trims required some effort, although available grab handles and side steps helped. Accessing the rear seats in the two-door model was somewhat awkward due to the tight squeeze between the door frame and the front seat.

Cargo capacity varied depending on the Bronco's model and roof type. The two-door with a hard top offered 22.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 52.3 cubic feet with them folded down. The four-door hard-top model increased cargo space to 35.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 77.6 cubic feet with them folded. The soft-top versions slightly increased these figures. However, the rear seats did not fold flat, which complicated loading larger items and made it uncomfortable for sleeping. The Bronco also featured ample in-cabin storage solutions, including large armrest bins, netted door pockets, and rubberized phone trays. Accessories like stowable doors and easily removable fender flares added to its practicality.

In comparison, the 2022 Toyota RAV4 offered impressive cargo capacity for its class. It provided 37.5 cubic feet of space behind the second row, expandable to 69.8 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. The RAV4's payload varied from 1,050 to 1,230 pounds depending on the configuration. Towing capacities also differed, with LE, XLE, XLE Premium, and Limited models capable of towing up to 1,500 pounds, while the Adventure and TRD Off-Road models could handle up to 3,500 pounds. The RAV4 Hybrid could tow up to 1,750 pounds, and the RAV4 Prime had a towing capacity of 2,500 pounds.

Inside, the RAV4 was roomy and comfortable, accommodating four adults easily and five in a pinch. The front row featured generous legroom, hip room, shoulder room, and headroom, along with numerous cupholders and storage compartments. The rear middle seat, however, was less comfortable, making it less desirable for longer journeys.

The 2022 Ford Bronco seamlessly integrated technology to enhance its off-road capabilities. Its G.O.A.T. modes (Goes Over Any Terrain) provided off-road confidence for novice drivers, optimizing drivetrain and chassis settings for specific terrains. Experienced off-roaders could manually select their preferred setups. One of the standout features was the forward-looking trail camera, which offered lines indicating the tire paths, significantly aiding navigation in challenging terrains.

The Bronco’s infotainment system, Sync 4, was responsive, had excellent graphics, and included numerous off-road apps. Standard features encompassed wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration paired with a wireless charging pad. Additional features like Trail Turn Assist, which helped in making tight turns by braking individual wheels, further bolstered the Bronco's off-road prowess.

Higher trims upgraded to a 9-inch touchscreen, while the Premium Audio on Limited models and the RAV4 Prime XSE included an 11-speaker JBL audio system with navigation. The RAV4 Prime showcased even more advanced technology, featuring five USB ports, two auxiliary power outlets, and an optional 120-volt AC power outlet. The top-tier model also included ambient illumination and a Qi-compatible wireless charging pad. A bird’s-eye view camera system and a 10-inch color head-up display were also available, adding to the RAV4's comprehensive tech offering.

The 2022 Ford Bronco came with an array of safety features, such as hill-start assist, hill descent control, and trailer sway control. Advanced safety options included frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, a blind-spot monitor, lane-keep assist, rear parking sensors, and automatic high beams, available through the Mid package. The High package added front parking sensors and a surround-view camera system, while the Luxe package offered adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist.