2023 Toyota RAV4 vs 2022 Ford Explorer

The 2022 Ford Explorer had a vast lineup, including eight different models with prices ranging from $33,745 to $54,495, excluding a $1,495 destination charge. The lineup expanded from previous years to include the rugged Timberline and the luxurious King Ranch trims. In 2022, Ford introduced the Explorer ST-Line, providing the popular Explorer XLT with a sporty look.

Our test model, the Explorer King Ranch, had a premium price tag of $59,880, inclusive of the destination charge, largely due to its 4WD capability, Rapid Red paint, Premium Technology package, and twin-panel sunroof. Visually, the King Ranch’s unique features included emblems on the doors and liftgate, shiny 20-inch 10-spoke wheels, and quad exhaust outlets, though it largely resembled other Explorer models.

The Explorer’s design, founded on a rear-drive platform, gave it a long and tall hood, short front overhang, rakish roofline, and a tapering greenhouse, resulting in a taut and athletic appearance. Sleek blacked-out roof pillars contributed to the familiar "floating roof" effect. Inside, the King Ranch boasted Del Rio leather seating with lasso-perforated inserts and exclusive branding. However, despite its premium touch, the cabin displayed a mix of quality materials and some less impressive elements, occasionally reminding occupants of less expensive trims.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 came in six trims, priced below $30,000 for the base LE and offering a range of features in higher trims like the Limited with ventilated seats. The Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims stood out with their rugged styling. We tested the Adventure trim, which featured an aggressively styled grille, blacked-out wheels, a faux skid plate, and prominent black cladding around the wheel arches. Despite its rugged appearance, it was more show than substance when it came to off-roading.

Inside, the Adventure trim added orange accents, including stripes on the seats and orange plastic borders on the center console. It featured a frameless rearview mirror to lend a touch of premium ambiance. With fabric seats in the LE and XLE trims and synthetic leather (SofTex) in the XLE Premium, comfort options expanded with offer heated and ventilated power-adjustable front seats and dual-zone climate control across most trims.

The 2022 Ford Explorer provided three powertrain options. Base, XLT, ST-Line, Limited, and Timberline trims featured a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and available in RWD or 4WD. This setup achieved up to 24 mpg combined and a towing capacity of 5,300 lbs.

Hybrid enthusiasts had the option of a hybrid drivetrain in the Limited trim, which could lower the Platinum trim price by $1,400. It was powered by a 3.3-liter V6 engine delivering 318 hp and 322 lb-ft of torque, with a towing capacity of 5,000 lbs and 27 mpg in combined driving. This too came with RWD or 4WD and a 10-speed automatic transmission.

For those prioritizing acceleration and max towing, a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 was standard in ST, Platinum, and King Ranch trims, producing 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain towed up to 5,600 lbs, achieved 21 mpg in combined driving, and provided a lively driving experience. Our King Ranch 4WD logged 20.6 mpg on our test loop.

The Explorer King Ranch’s traditional SUV feel with a robust build made off-roading a capable affair, even with 7.9 inches of ground clearance. Trail settings facilitated climbs and descents on challenging terrains, while the Timberline model offered even better off-road specs with 8.7 inches of ground clearance.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 featured a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, paired exclusively with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Unlike some competitors with CVTs, the RAV4’s traditional transmission was noted for its smooth operation despite not excelling in acceleration. Noise levels weren’t the most refined, although quieter than the Subaru Forester’s boxer engine.

The RAV4 Adventure trim was more attuned to styling cues with its larger wheels and all-season tires, compared to the TRD Off-Road’s all-terrain tires and TRD-tuned suspension. The TRD’s specific off-road components like unique shocks and jounce bumpers made it the better choice for avid off-roaders. In contrast, the Adventure trim posted just an attempt at ruggedness without substantial capability enhancements.

The 2022 Ford Explorer comfortably seated a family of four and occasionally accommodated five with the second-row bench seat. However, the low roofline and tapered rear limited third-row usability to children. Our King Ranch tested model offered heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats with substantial adjustability and comfort for long drives. The second row was well-equipped with heated captain’s chairs and sunshades, yet the third row remained inaccessible and uncomfortable for adults.

While the Explorer’s cabin provided some practicality with rear seat cupholders and shallow trays, it lacked ample storage pockets and cubbies, reflective of its lean towards a sportier design over utility. Behind the third row, the Explorer offered 18.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 47.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 87.8 cubic feet with both rear rows folded down.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 seated five passengers with more headroom for rear occupants owing to 39.5 inches of rear headroom, compared to 37.7 inches upfront with the moonroof. The RAV4’s legroom of 41 inches in the front was comparable to competitors, although the rear legroom of 37.8 inches lagged behind. Cargo space in the RAV4 measured 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and expanded to 69.8 cubic feet with the seats down, offering solid competition in its class, especially compared to the Mazda CX-5 but surpassed by the Honda CR-V.

The RAV4’s interior was notable for convenient storage solutions, including a shelf running along the glove compartment and ample door pockets. Despite its car-rivaling utility, front-row features like side-by-side cupholders and a rugged gear shifter complemented its SUV aspirations.

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered two Sync 3 infotainment systems: an 8-inch touchscreen and a 10.1-inch portrait-style screen. While the smaller screen integrated seamlessly into the dashboard, the larger screen seemed tacked on. Our test vehicle was equipped with the full Sync 3 suite, including FordPass Connect, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, Ford+Alexa, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, navigation, and wireless charging. The standout was the 14-speaker Bang and Olufsen sound system.

However, the older Sync 3 revealed its limitations compared to Ford’s newer Sync 4, particularly in voice recognition. Testing prompts often led to misdirections, and the system struggled with specific commands. The King Ranch’s additional tech like a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and Active Park Assist 2.0, which could park the Explorer autonomously, added value, though a rear-seat entertainment system was an extra-cost option.

For 2023, the Toyota RAV4 received a significant tech upgrade with a new infotainment system. Base models featured an 8.0-inch touchscreen, while Limited and TRD Off-Road trims boasted a 10.5-inch display. The system supported OTA updates, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and voice command as standard.

Our RAV4 Adventure tester featured a $3,490 multimedia upgrade including the 10.5-inch screen and an 11-speaker JBL premium audio system. A 7-inch driver-information display was standard, with a 12.3-inch display offered in higher trims. This brought the RAV4’s tech offerings up to current expectations with efficient functionality across end-user engagement.

The 2022 Ford Explorer garnered a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, an accolade awarded regardless of trim. NHTSA ratings for 2022 were incomplete, though the previous model scored five stars in most categories except rollover resistance.

Standard safety features in the Explorer included Ford Co-Pilot360, delivering essentials like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Advanced features in Co-Pilot360 Assist+ encompassed adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, and evasive steering assist. Additional safety tech included post-collision braking and MyKey programmable functions for teen drivers, showcasing an array of safety measures aimed at retaining control and minimizing risks during unforeseen incidents.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 upgraded to the TSS 2.5 suite of advanced driver-assistance systems over the 2022 model’s TSS 2.0. Standard safety features included lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam LED headlights, and a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection. Higher trims came with adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert from XLE trims onward.

The RAV4 performed commendably in IIHS tests, earning a Top Safety Pick+ award despite facing challenges in updated crash tests. The integration of TSS 2.5 brought enhanced safety measures, ensuring all-round vigilance and protective responses, bolstered the SUV's reputation as not just functional but safe.