2023 Toyota RAV4 vs 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5

In 2022, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 made an impressive debut as a new chapter in Hyundai's EV lineage. With its sleek, polished exterior, this car showcased a minimalist yet complex Parametric Pixel design that evoked nostalgic sentiments of 8-bit gaming for older Millennials. The sheer number of LED pixels embedded in every lighting fixture—from headlights to taillights—ensured that the Ioniq 5 looked like a futuristic concept car come to life. Closer inspection revealed aerodynamic wheels with intricate designs and ornamental fender flares, adding to its unique aesthetic.

Inside, the Ioniq 5 contrasted its exterior’s complexity with a serene “Living Space” interior design. Offering hues of black, gray, and dark green, the cabin was both mellow and comfortable, featuring plush, stain-resistant cloth seats for the standard trims and leatherette upholstery for higher trims. Innovative features such as a driver's seat with “Relaxation” mode—which offered a zero-gravity resting position—further cemented its user-centric design ethos. Sustainability was also a critical theme, as recycled fibers and bio-materials from everyday items like plastic bottles were used throughout.

For the 2023 Toyota RAV4, the model offered six trim levels, providing various configurations to suit different needs. Aesthetic cues were maintained from the 2019 redesign, particularly noticeable in the Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims, which stood out with a bold two-part front fascia. The Adventure trim sported a more aggressive grille, blacked-out wheels, and more rugged-looking black cladding around the wheel arches. However, these design elements were mostly cosmetic, as only the TRD Off-Road trim came with functional skid plates and off-road-ready tires.

Inside, the Adventure trim featured orange accents on the seats and center console, providing a pop of color in an otherwise straightforward interior. It also included a frameless rearview mirror, giving a touch of modern luxury. Seat materials ranged from fabric in the lower trims to synthetic leather (SofTex) in higher trims, with varying levels of adjustability, heating, and ventilation features.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 in 2022 offered a range of powertrain options across its three trims—SE, SEL, and Limited. In its standard rear-wheel-drive (RWD) setup, the base model SE Standard Range featured a single 168-horsepower electric motor with a range of 220 miles. The extended-range versions offered more power and better range: 225 horsepower and 303 miles in RWD format. Opting for all-wheel-drive (AWD) included a dual-motor system boasting 320 horsepower and 446 lb-ft of torque, albeit with a reduced range of 256 miles.

Our test drive with an AWD Limited trim revealed a vehicle that handled elevation changes and various road conditions smoothly, thanks in part to its four drive modes, including an engaging Sport mode. Regenerative braking settings accessible via paddle shifters added an extra layer of driver customization, making the drive feel more interactive and controlled. Noise reduction measures, such as acoustic tires and sound-deadening materials, provided a surprisingly quiet cabin experience.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4's performance was centered around a single gas-powered engine—a 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 203 horsepower paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Although AWD was optional on most trims, it came standard on the Adventure and TRD Off-Road versions. This drivetrain's acceleration was steady but not particularly brisk, falling into the "unobjectionable" category. The vehicle was noisier compared to its competitors but managed to offer respectful handling and comfort.

The AWD Adventure trim, while visually prepared for off-road adventures, lacked the functional hardware to match. Its 19-inch wheels were clad in all-season tires, and its suspension setup was similar to non-off-road trims. For true off-road capabilities, only the TRD Off-Road trim with its 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, and specially tuned suspension components truly delivered.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 stood out with its Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), which provided a longer wheelbase of 118.1 inches, even surpassing Hyundai's seven-passenger Palisade. This extended wheelbase translated into a spacious interior with 133.7 cubic feet of total volume. While its rear cargo space of 27.2 cubic feet was less than its competitors like the Volkswagen ID.4, its cabin offered a lavish 106.5 cubic feet of passenger space. The Ioniq 5's innovative design included a moveable center console and highly supportive, comfortable seats, enhancing overall usability and comfort for passengers.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 offered respectable interior dimensions but fell short in some areas compared to its rivals. Front-row legroom of 41 inches was on par with competitors like the Honda CR-V, but rear legroom at 37.8 inches was less generous. Headroom, particularly when fitted with a moonroof, offered 37.7 inches in the front and 39.5 inches in the rear, which was slightly less than its main competitors. Nevertheless, the RAV4 provided practical storage solutions, such as a long shelf running above the glove compartment and spacious door pockets, adding to its functional appeal.

In terms of cargo capacity, the RAV4 led with 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 69.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down, which positioned it favorably against its rivals like the Mazda CX-5 and even the class-leading Honda CR-V.

Technology was a highlight for the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, offering an advanced high-voltage charging system that could both receive and deliver power. An impressive 250-kW output meant ultra-fast charging capabilities, recharging to 80 percent in just 18 minutes. Owners also benefited from unlimited 30-minute fast-charging sessions for two years, thanks to Hyundai's partnership with Electrify America.

Inside, the Ioniq 5 featured dual 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment system, both treated with an anti-glare coating. The infotainment system included a redesigned Blue Link app specific to the Ioniq brand, digital key technology, and advanced voice recognition, ensuring a seamless and modern user experience.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 received a significant tech upgrade with a new infotainment system. Standard models featured an 8.0-inch touchscreen, while higher trims boasted a 10.5-inch screen. Over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity were now standard. The Adventure trim we tested included an upgraded multimedia system with an 11-speaker JBL Premium audio system, enhancing the overall tech experience.

Additionally, a 7-inch driver-information display was standard, with the Limited trim upgrading to a 12.3-inch version. This showed Toyota's commitment to providing a more contemporary and user-friendly interface.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 came equipped with Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) including blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and front-and-rear collision avoidance. It also featured Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I, a Level 2 semi-autonomous system that learned and adapted to the driver's behavior, offering more personalized and safer driving experiences. The inclusion of a head-up display with augmented reality overlays added another layer of safety, despite being somewhat distracting in practical use.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 offered a comprehensive range of standard safety features like lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high-beam LED headlights. The upgraded Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 added Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, enhancing its adaptive cruise capabilities. The RAV4 also achieved high safety scores, earning a 2023 Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, reflecting its robust crash-test performance and overall safety.