Toyota Highlander vs Toyota RAV4

For the 2022 Toyota Highlander, the SUV showcased a modern and somewhat aggressive front-end design. Its flared fender arches and the distinctive third-row window that kicked up slightly gave it a more compact appearance, despite its ample cabin space. When drivers stepped inside, they were greeted with an abundance of cabin space, along with clever storage solutions perfect for iPads and juice boxes.

The XSE trim, which we tested, stood out with its bold interior design. One of the striking features was the optional red leather package that contrasted vividly against a sedate navy blue exterior. Apart from the eye-catching interior, the XSE trim included unique exterior styling, ambient interior lighting, and a sport-tuned suspension.

The Highlander was available in several trims: L, LE, XLE, XSE, Limited, and Platinum. Even the base L trim was well-equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, pushbutton start, and proximity/remote keyless entry. It also featured three-zone climate control, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, five USB ports, and a comprehensive 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa.

Moving up the trim levels, the Highlander LE brought LED fog lights and smart key system enhancements, while the XLE and XSE added silver roof rails, synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, and various other upscale features. For a truly upscale experience, the Limited and Platinum trims offered high-output LED fog lights, genuine leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and more auditory excellence with a JBL premium audio system.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 adhered closely to the design introduced in 2019, particularly for the Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims. Known for their distinct two-part face, these trims harbored unique badges, blacked-out wheels, and faux or real skid plates, respectively.

Our Adventure trim tester sported orange interior accents, including stripes on the seats and contrast stitching. Despite its off-road aesthetic, the trim was more of a poser than a doer, better suited for urban environments than rugged terrains. Inside, it featured a frameless rearview mirror, adding a sense of premium feel to an otherwise basic interior. The Adventure trim's orange plastic borders on the center console also added a pop of color.

While the base trims, LE and XLE, featured fabric seats, the XLE Premium offered synthetic leather upholstery. Adjustability varied across trims, with higher trims featuring heated and ventilated power front seats and memory settings for the driver. The 2023 RAV4 stood out for its practical storage solutions, including a long shelf running the length of the glove compartment and generous door pockets.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander was powered by a robust 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. The powertrain was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and offered either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). Drivers could customize their driving experience with Sport, Normal, and Eco modes using a drive-mode button on the center console. Additionally, an AWD dial offered Mud/Sand, Rock, and Normal modes.

Despite its horsepower advantage, the Highlander’s V6 engine excelled more when cruising or reaching highway speeds. While its initial pickup was competent, the engine truly shined during overtakes and produced a satisfying exhaust note in the process. The XSE trim's sport-tuned suspension significantly improved handling, reducing body roll and delivering a comfortable ride even over bumps.

The Highlander had a towing capability of up to 5,000 pounds and a max payload of 1,685 pounds, making it adequately proficient for its class.

In comparison, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 came standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, which was preferable to a CVT found in some competitors but didn't necessarily enhance acceleration. While the RAV4's performance was unobjectionable, it lacked the excitement found in other vehicles. The engine was louder than some but quieter than others, like the Subaru Forester's boxer engine.

Standard FWD was available across all trims, except Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims, which featured AWD by default. AWD models included a Snow Mode to enhance winter driving. The Adventure trim's 19-inch wheels with all-season tires differed from the 18-inch wheels on the TRD Off-Road, which also featured a TRD-tuned suspension for better off-road performance.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander offered substantial cargo space. With the second- and third-row seats folded down, it provided up to 84.3 cubic feet of space. With just the second-row seats in use, this reduced to 48.4 cubic feet, and with all seats deployed, there were still 16 cubic feet available behind the third row. The seats could be easily folded and lifted using quick-release latches and pull-straps. Higher trims like the Limited and Platinum came with a hands-free power liftgate for added convenience.

The Highlander's interior was designed with utility in mind. The base L trim included an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and had well-thought-out storage options. The front doors featured deep pockets suitable for multiple large water bottles, and the center console provided even more storage space. The XSE trim’s second-row captain’s chairs facilitated access to the third row and provided additional space between passengers. However, the third-row seats were best suited for short trips, particularly for adult passengers.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4, designed to seat five, had different metrics for interior space. With a moonroof, it provided 37.7 inches of headroom in the front row and 39.5 inches in the back. It offered 41 inches of legroom in the front and 37.8 inches in the rear, making it comparable to the CR-V in front-row legroom but less generous in the back seat compared to both the CR-V and Forester.

The RAV4's cargo space measured 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and expanded to 69.8 cubic feet with those seats folded, placing it in the middle of its class. The front passenger had ample storage options, and the vehicle's center cupholders and lever-style gear shifter added to the rugged aesthetic.

In the 2022 Toyota Highlander, consumers enjoyed a standard WiFi hotspot, five USB ports, and an 8-inch touchscreen supporting Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The infotainment system was user-friendly due to its combination of a straightforward layout and hard buttons flanking the screen. While it lacked wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, it remained functional and intuitive.

Our XSE test model included a wireless charging pad, along with both USB and USB-C ports. A larger 12.3-inch touchscreen was available on higher trims, although it wasn't as intuitive as the base touchscreen. Additional features included a digital instrument panel and an optional 11-speaker JBL premium stereo system.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 saw a significant upgrade in its infotainment system. Standard screen sizes increased to 8.0 inches, with a 10.5-inch touchscreen available on Limited and TRD Off-Road trims. The new system, supporting over-the-air updates, offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, along with voice command features.

Our Adventure trim tester came with the upgraded multimedia system, which included the 10.5-inch screen and an 11-speaker JBL Premium audio system. Additionally, a 7-inch driver-information display was standard, while the Limited trim got a 12.3-inch version.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander came equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense suite of driver-assistance features, which included forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign recognition, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on all trims above the base L.

Upper-level trims could be outfitted with front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a surround-view parking monitor, a head-up display, and adaptive headlights. The lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist systems were highly active, sometimes to a fault, particularly on highways and back roads.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 came standard with a similar array of safety features, including lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam LED headlights, and a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection. High-end driver-assistance features like adaptive cruise control were also standard. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was available starting with the XLE trim.

With Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, the new RAV4 offered Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, allowing adaptive cruise control to operate at speeds below 20 mph. The 2023 RAV4 received top scores in crash-testing from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and earned a 2023 Top Safety Pick+ award.