2022 Toyota RAV4 vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid arrived with a bold new design, featuring sharp, angular cues across its fascia and sides. It was longer and wider than its predecessor, making it unmistakable from the 2021 model. The grille, shared with the Santa Cruz, blended seamlessly with the LED headlights, creating a dramatic, futuristic look. The base-level Blue trim had 17-inch wheels, while the SEL Convenience trim included a panoramic sunroof and a hands-free smart tailgate. Inside, the Tucson offered heated front seats, cloth upholstery, and an eight-way power driver seat on the Blue trim. The SEL Convenience trim added a 10.25-inch digital driver information display, wireless device charging, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The Limited trim upgraded to 64-color ambient lighting, a heated steering wheel, and ventilated front seats.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4, a mature crossover SUV, continued to build on its legacy with a design that fit well within the current crossover vehicle aesthetic. Its exterior featured angular flourishes in the wheel arches and crisp lines, complemented by expressive headlights and a snub-nosed grille. Inside, the RAV4 had a layered dash with contrasting textures and colors, anchored by an uncomplicated center stack. The touchscreen interface was positioned for minimal driver distraction. The Adventure-trim test vehicle showcased a circuit-board-inspired geometric pattern that tied the cabin together, from the cloth seat inserts to the sill plates and dash pieces. The 19-inch matte gray alloy wheels added to the distinctive design.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid impressed with its 1.6-liter turbo-four engine paired with an electric motor, delivering a combined 226 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The six-speed automatic transmission managed the power efficiently, and the AWD system provided excellent traction. The Tucson Hybrid's suspension soaked up road imperfections while maintaining balance through corners. Fuel economy was commendable, with the EPA rating it at 37 mpg city, 36 highway, and 37 combined. The upcoming plug-in hybrid variant promised even better efficiency with an 80 MPGe rating and 33 miles of all-electric range.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 offered three powertrains. The gasoline-only model had a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The FWD models achieved 27-28 mpg city, 35 mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined, while AWD models were slightly less efficient. The RAV4 Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter engine with an electric motor for 217 net hp and an EPA rating of 41 mpg city, 38 highway, and 40 combined. The RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid delivered 302 hp, 40 mpg city, 36 highway, and 38 combined, with an all-electric range of 42 miles and a 94 MPGe rating. The Adventure AWD model provided smooth power delivery and car-like handling, with three drive modes to tailor performance.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid offered impressive cargo space, with 38.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 74.5 cubic feet with the seats folded down. It provided over 41 inches of legroom in both the front and rear, and the rear seats reclined for added comfort. The cargo floor had a dual-level system for flexibility, and the cabin featured ample storage options, including cupholders and bottle holders.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4, while still classified as a small SUV, offered 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 69.8 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. It had a healthy payload capacity of 1,050-1,230 pounds, depending on the configuration. Towing capacity varied by model, with the Adventure and TRD Off-Road models capable of towing up to 3,500 pounds. Inside, the RAV4 was roomy and comfortable for four, with plenty of legroom, hip room, shoulder room, and headroom in the front row. The cabin featured numerous storage options, including cupholders, bottle holders, and a roomy glove compartment.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen in the Limited trim, though it only utilized about 8 inches for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which required a wired connection. The smaller 8-inch screen in the Blue and SEL Convenience trims offered wireless connectivity. The touch-capacitive buttons for the infotainment and HVAC controls were less user-friendly, but the steering-wheel controls helped mitigate this issue. The Tucson also provided plenty of USB ports and a Bose premium stereo in the test vehicle.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, six-speaker audio, and compatibility with Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and Apple CarPlay. Higher trims upgraded to a 9-inch touchscreen and an 11-speaker JBL audio system with navigation. The RAV4 Prime featured five USB ports, two 12-volt/120-watt auxiliary power outlets, an available 120-volt/1,500-watt AC power outlet, and blue ambient illumination. The top trim also included a Qi-compatible wireless charging pad, a bird’s-eye view camera system, and a 10-inch color head-up display.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-keeping assist. The Limited trim added a surround-view monitor, highway-driving assist with adaptive cruise control, blind-spot view monitor, and remote smart park assist. The IIHS awarded the Tucson a Top Safety Pick+.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 included Toyota’s Star Safety System, with features like enhanced vehicle stability control, traction control, and anti-lock braking. It also had eight airbags and Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure alert. Higher trims added a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and front and rear parking assist. The RAV4 received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.