2022 Mitsubishi Outlander vs 2022 Toyota RAV4

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander sported a distinctive and unique exterior design. Mitsubishi's designers employed what could be considered outlandish front styling to ensure the Outlander had its identity. The "Dynamic Shield" grille and lighting concept gave the SUV a bold front face that seamlessly extended into a balanced and appealing form stretching from its front wheels to the rear bumper.

This model was available in several trim levels: ES, SE, SE Launch Edition, SEL, and SEL Launch Edition. Attractive 20-inch wheels came standard or were available as optional equipment across these trims. Pricing ranged from $25,795 to $35,345, with an additional $1,800 for AWD. A destination charge of $1,195 covered the shipment from the Japanese factory.

In testing, the Outlander in the SEL trim with AWD, bathed in extra-cost White Diamond paint and kitted out with the Touring option package, stood at a total price of $39,475, including the destination charge. The Touring Package endowed the Outlander SEL with premium semi-aniline leather upholstery in black and Saddle Tan with quilting and contrast stitching. Simulated leather door panel inserts enhanced the look, while a heated steering wheel, head-up display (HUD), premium sound system, and rear-window sunshades further boosted its luxurious appeal. A power panoramic glass sunroof upped the ante for interior ambiance.

Inside, a minimalist yet sleek black design with authentic aluminum accents and gloss black trim was the norm. While some interior plastics reflected the Outlander's position within the compact crossover SUV segment, the overall execution avoided obviously cheap materials.

The Toyota RAV4 had a storied history, launched in North America for the 1996 model year as a more compact alternative to the big SUVs that were taking over the market. Its unique appeal quickly earned the affection of young buyers, leading to a boom in similar car-based SUV competitors. By the time the fifth-generation RAV4 hit the market, it had matured into a leading crossover SUV frequently topping sales charts in the United States.

The 2022 RAV4, an iteration of the 2019 redesign, fitted well into the contemporary crossover design ethos. Its styling didn't stand apart from the crowd until a closer look revealed distinguishing details. Angular wheel arches and crisp lines contrasted with the body-side contours, while expressive headlights, a snub-nosed grille, and playful lower fascia openings created a Kabuki-like anthropomorphic face—a blend of playfulness and assertive demeanor. Traditional Toyota fit-and-finish elevated the perceived exterior quality.

Inside, the RAV4 boasted a layered dashboard with contrasting textures and colors, anchored by an uncomplicated center stack. A prominent touchscreen sat atop the dash's center, facilitating easy driver access with minimal road distraction. The cabin featured distinctive design cues, like a geometric pattern inspired by circuit boards, unifying various elements from the seat inserts to the dash and sill plates. The Adventure trim test vehicle came with 19-inch matte gray alloy wheels that echoed this design language.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 181 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 181 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) directed power to the front wheels, unless the optional Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) AWD system was chosen.

Despite the "super" designation, the S-AWC used a brake-induced rather than a mechanical torque-vectoring system. Paddle shifters allowed manual control over the CVT's eight stepped ratios but fell short of delivering significant driving satisfaction.

Drivers could select from multiple driving modes—Eco, Normal, Tarmac, Gravel, Snow, and Mud. Eco mode made the Outlander feel sluggish, while Tarmac mode held engine revs higher without enhancing the driving experience.

In urban and suburban settings, the Outlander's peak torque at relatively low rpm and a CVT that maximized available power made it feel responsive. However, sharper bumps and pavement irregularities infiltrated the cabin due to a taut suspension.

On highways, the Outlander lacked engine strength, making acceleration, passing, and tight traffic maneuvers feel underpowered. The steering, even without assistance systems active, felt vague and sticky. With steering-assistance technology engaged, handling seemed worse unless the Mi-Pilot Assist system was activated.

The suspension was too firm over minor road anomalies, though it handled school-zone speed humps and undulating rural roads well. Overall, the Outlander's ride and handling often fell short of expectations, presenting a need for refinement.

The Outlander returned 24.9 mpg in testing, missing the EPA rating of 26 mpg for AWD models.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 offered three powertrains. The gasoline-only model came with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. This engine used Toyota's direct injection and variable valve timing systems, operating on regular gasoline. An eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive (FWD) were standard, with AWD available on all trims. Fuel economy for FWD models ranged from 27-28 mpg city/35 mpg highway/30 mpg combined, while AWD models achieved 25-27 mpg city/32-34 mpg highway/28-30 mpg combined.

The RAV4 Hybrid paired a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a permanent magnet synchronous electric motor, producing 217 combined net hp, channeling power through an electronic continuously variable transmission (eCVT). The RAV4 Hybrid's fuel economy was 41 mpg city/38 mpg highway/40 mpg combined.

The RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid was the highest-performing variant. It used a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder gas engine paired with an 18.1-kilowatt-hour battery pack, delivering 302 hp, with standard AWD and an eCVT setup similar to the RAV4 Hybrid. The Prime achieved 40 mpg city/36 mpg highway/38 mpg combined, with a 42-mile electric-only range and a rating of 94 MPGe combined.

The Prime came with a 3.3-kilowatt onboard charger (6.6-kW optional on XSE), allowing recharges in 12 hours at 120 volts, 4.5 hours at 240 volts, or 2.5 hours with a 6.6-kW charger.

The gasoline Adventure AWD model tested showed it had sufficient power for daily driving and performed well on highways. The naturally aspirated engine provided smooth, immediate power delivery without turbo lag or noise. The eight-speed transmission facilitated a responsive kickdown during accelerative demands, like passing slower vehicles.

Car-like handling, facilitated by MacPherson struts in the front and multi-link suspension in the rear with stabilizer bars, made the drive pleasurable. AWD models included Multi-Terrain Select for road condition adaptation and dynamic torque vectoring for improved handling during cornering. Gasoline AWD models also had fuel-saving rear-driveline disconnect for highway cruising.

The Outlander excelled in form and function in many areas. The front seats were spacious and comfortable, with deeply padded armrests. SEL trim featured an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and both front seats, as well as the steering wheel, were heated.

Controls were user-friendly, and the displays, including the digital instrumentation and HUD, stood out for their clarity. The Outlander's center console, however, had wasted space, lacking the storage benefits typically gained from a shift-by-wire transmission design.

The rear seats provided generous room, catering well to taller passengers. They were comfortable, with excellent thigh support and proper seating positions. A sliding mechanism allowed for customizable room in the rear cargo area.

A third-row seat was included, although it was cramped for adults and less safe for children seated too close to the tailgate. Cargo capacity was limited to 11.7 cubic feet with the third row in use, expanding to 33.5 cubic feet when folded. Maximum cargo capacity was 79.7 cubic feet, or 78.3 cubic feet with a panoramic sunroof.

The RAV4 had expanded over generations, falling under the small SUV category with a generous cargo capacity of 37.5 cubic feet behind its second row. Folding the second row flat increased the space to 69.8 cubic feet. Depending on configuration, the RAV4's payload ranged from 1,050 to 1,230 pounds.

For towing, different trims had varying capacities: 1,500 pounds for LE, XLE, XLE Premium, and Limited trims; 3,500 pounds for Adventure and TRD Off-Road; 1,750 pounds for Hybrid; and 2,500 pounds for Prime, with corresponding tongue weight limits.

The interior was roomy for four adults and could accommodate five when necessary. The front row offered ample space for legroom, hip room, shoulder room, and headroom, with bucket seats separated by a capacious center console. Multiple cupholders, bottle holders, and storage compartments added utility, and the glove compartment and covered storage under the center armrest provided additional storage.

Three standout technological features in the Outlander SEL with the Touring Package were the 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display, the HUD, and the 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The digital instrumentation display, though increasingly common, was a pleasant surprise in a Mitsubishi.

The HUD was large and detailed, remaining visible even with polarized sunglasses, surpassing some HUDs in more expensive SUVs. The 9-inch touchscreen system included essential functions like wireless Apple CarPlay, a two-year subscription to Mitsubishi Connect Safeguard and Remote service plans, and wireless smartphone charging.

The 10-speaker Bose premium audio system provided surprisingly good sound quality. However, the voice recognition technology needed improvement, struggling to understand commands amidst road noise and tire slap when the vehicle was in motion.

In the RAV4, technology levels varied across trims but showcased advanced features, especially in higher trims and the RAV4 Prime. Standard offerings included a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a six-speaker audio system, compatibility with Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and Apple CarPlay, and several connectivity options like SiriusXM, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi Connect.

The XLE trim and above upgraded to a 9-inch touchscreen with Audio Plus. Premium Audio on Limited and RAV4 Prime XSE came with an 11-speaker JBL audio system and navigation. The presence of smartphone integration reduced the necessity of factory navigation for many users.

The RAV4 Prime included five USB ports, two 12-volt/120-watt outlets, ambient illumination, wireless smartphone charging, a bird's-eye view camera system with perimeter scan, and a 10-inch head-up display, signifying its tech-rich configuration.

The 2022 Outlander featured the Mi-Pilot Assist driver-assist system, akin to Nissan’s ProPilot Assist, offering refined, smooth, and accurate operation. It required hands-on engagement, providing enhanced steering assistance and lane-departure prevention.

Additional driver-assist technologies included forward collision avoidance, safe reversing, lane-keeping assistance, and blind-spot warning. Although effective, steering assistance could be intrusive and required deactivation through the touchscreen.

Crash-test results for the Outlander were unavailable at the time of review.

Every RAV4 model included Toyota’s Star Safety System with essential safety features like enhanced vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock braking, and more. The system also featured child-seat anchors, child-guard locks, eight airbags, and Safety Connect services.

Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 was standard, incorporating pre-collision systems with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert with steering assist, and several other driver-assist technologies. Higher trims included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, and automatic parking assist.

The 2022 RAV4 earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick and a five-star rating from NHTSA for the RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid, though the RAV4 Prime was not rated separately.