NEW Toyota RAV4 Adventure review: cool but pointless?

The new, 2022 Toyota RAV4 Adventure is the best looking version yet, but we can’t work out why you’d buy one.
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If you're on the lookout for a well-built, economical, practical and comfortable SUV that's likely to major on reliability, the Toyota RAV4 is a strong choice. It may be a relatively modest seller in the UK, but it is a model with real global significance. Back in 2017, before the last generation RAV4 started to be phased out, it was the fourth best-selling car on the planet - and the best-selling SUV of them all. Over the 25 years since the original RAV4’s debut, though, a plethora of similar vehicles has arrived - to the point where Toyota’s offering has risked becoming ‘just another SUV’, swamped by dozens of rivals.
In response, Toyota has released this: the RAV4 Adventure, a more ruggedly styled version with a chunkier body and plastic body cladding for off-road excursions. The trouble is, our Nicola Hume can’t figure out who would buy one…
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Chapters
00:00 A RAV4 adventure
01:00 Designed for the great outdoors?
01:55 How does it drive?
04:11 Cabin design close look
06:01 Space for passengers and luggage
06:18 Verdict

[@abidfarooqui4899]

3500 lbs of towing instead of 2000 pounds. That's a big one but not for everyone just those of us who need that occasionally without having to have a gas guzzler for 95% of the year when we don't need that towing capacity

[@Darthadios]

It´s way better looking than the standard version.

[@jamiep61]

I enjoyed watching the Video Review. I particularly like the Body Styling Introduced for the revised Model

[@deenoc3622]

People who buy a rav4, buy them for their reliability and the solid build quality of toyota. Not to mention the 10 year toyota warranty. If you want a sporty suv or one that looks like luxury but breaks down all the time, then there are plenty of other SUVs from other manufacturers who can accommodate you.

[@bondjamesbond9041]

Completely agree.

[@Toyota4Life]

There’s other reasons things to buy this for then reliability and quality.

[@Jan123.]

Nice review!

[@EdgarRenje]

Nicola now has a signature pose for the thumbnail.

[@keithnewton8981]

I am a little confused her 2019 I purchased hybrid tav4 excel awd 2.5ltr in the vehicle infro from toyota it states The front wheel drive 219bhp The awd version has 224bhp this figure is on my conformity docs.

[@user-ck6sk5fo7r]

Love the way you present, very informative, yet entertaining, Rav4 Adventure is where it is at.

[@joelgauntlett9072]

Not interested at all in this vehicle but love this lady’s reviews. Keep them coming!

[@phillipbeharall6271]

Well I like both 😀 😂😂😂👍

[@Theratron]

Another very entertaining review! Won't be buying that car anytime soon though :P

[@johnmartin7158]

Probably around London traffic you can get 48 mpg. But long distance combined with town driving I get 40-42 mpg and I’m driving conservatively. NZ

[@casperskestrel]

Adventure trim no longer on Toyota UK's website. Have they sold out or discontinued it?

[@druidsongevergreens]

replaced with the TRD

[@DumbDudesAdventures]

This is probably one of the most professional and entertaining reviews of a car that I've ever watched 👍🏻

[@RichieAustinMagician]

only 1 eclectic motor ? doesn't the normal one have one at front and one at the back in 4wd version, the only difference is the front bumper which in all fairness looks great

[@JamesNgare]

What about the ground clearance? Does the Adventure have more clearance?

[@MirceaPaz]

it's the same

[@thebranndoful]

@@MirceaPazNope 2024 Toyota RAV4 LE Ground Clearance 8.4 inch 2024 Toyota RAV4 XLE 8.4 2024 Toyota RAV4 XLE Premium 8.6 2024 Toyota RAV4 Limited 8.6 2024 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road 8.6 2024 Toyota RAV4 Adventure 8.6 2024 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (All Trims) 8.1 2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime SE 8.0 2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE 8.2

[@druidsongevergreens]

it’s higher in the US

[@Bouchon211]

Pretty sure this isn't available in America, we have the adventure but not a hybrid version of it.

[@sl-rt5kv]

Rav4 Adenture has more than twice the towing capacity of any other Rav4. If you need that kind of towing capacity out of a Rav4, it's the only game in town..

[@ABSVabeautifulsunsetvlog]

Wonder why they don’t put the panoramic roof on the American version?

[@nomadchad8243]

It does have a different awd than a standard rav4. the gas one anyways but this is uk and you guys get a hybrid adventure which north america does not.

[@liveny]

From england??

[@MaubyMaster69]

This lady is like the female version of Mat Watson from Carwow lol....good review 👍🏽

[@mtlsi]

She is much better. And really tells the real bad points. Not o look at the stick of truth...

[@meryuk]

Better

[@davewallerius8753]

We just got ours home yesterday. We love the look of the 2022 adventure. The ruby red paint is beautiful. It has the most metallic look of any red I’ve seen. It may not be a off road vehicle but we got it for Wisconsin winters. This is my wife’s vehicle and she likes the interior and all the features. We didn’t get the hybrid. It seems to have a comfortable ride and decent acceleration. The only thing I noticed was the transmission/engine noise is there when you accelerate aggressively. Time will tell. But she seems very happy with the addition. The first 2 years maintenance is also included which is a plus. 👍👍👍

[@CHATO629]

Theres a RAV4 HYBRID Adventure?

[@Oxinder]

For me it’s the extra tow capacity

[@ABSVabeautifulsunsetvlog]

I Love and Hate mine….I’ve had issues with the automatic lift gate struts not always working, I’m getting a weird “engine maintenance required” warning (not the oil change one, something different) that NO ONE seems to know what to do about because it’s not throwing any codes, and I’ve had the electromagnetic clutch in the transfer case replaced because of a groaning sound only to have the noise return. A shame because it has the potential to be a good car, but if I could do it over again I’d go with the standard Mazda CX-50 in a heartbeat over this (smaller wheels so bigger tires that are better for “off-road”).

[@r0ut366]

" I’ve had the electromagnetic clutch in the transfer case replaced" ??? This is a hybrid and it doesn't have a transfer case. These are just regular hybrid cars with a 2.5 litre 4-cylinder engine assisted by an exectric motor powering the front wheels through a eCVT transmission. On 4WD hybrid versions, these are like the regular FWD hybrids, but with an extra electric motor powering the rear. No diff locks (real ones, there may be electronic equivalents), transfer cases, etc Maybe you're referring to a different, older (perhaps), non-hybrid model?

[@ABSVabeautifulsunsetvlog]

@@r0ut366 I have an adventure model ….mine isn’t a hybrid. But if this one has the dynamic torque vectoring system then it’s the same setup as mine.

[@r0ut366]

@@ABSVabeautifulsunsetvlog All the european models (like this one) are Hybrids. The back wheels are driven by an electric motor so no mechanical dynamic torque vectoring system required. As the Hybrids have simpler transmissions and better economy, why did you not go for the Hybrid?

[@ABSVabeautifulsunsetvlog]

@@r0ut366 because at the time I was worried about having to replace the battery one day because I typically keep cars for a very long time and drive a LOT (23,000miles/year)….I was told that the replacement hybrid battery on these is over $6k so that was definitely a deterrent seeing how I may need one in the first 6 ish years

[@r0ut366]

@@ABSVabeautifulsunsetvlog The general experience with Toyota / Lexus Hybrids is that they are VERY reliable. Batteries can last for a long time - with your mileage, I'd say 10 years would be no problem. A lot of taxis in Europe are Toyota Hybrids so I think that says everything you need to know about how bulletproof these are! Anyway, hope your transmission woes get resolved to your satisfaction!

[@mjcapinto]

You don't "floor" an eCVT like you do with other transmissions. These professional reviews aren't particularly great.

[@russellham2094]

Good review But you wouldn't want to be reliant upon this vehicle, if you were silly enough to try and tackle some rough stuff.

[@patricioluque2009]

Anyone know what is the name of her? I'm depply in love hahaha

[@SuperWolffie]

the same with the gr upgrade on the Corolla....just show

[@8arcbal]

Not interested in Toyota, but Nicola looks great

[@miizhimutrakha11]

Big fan of Toyota but when you have sportage, Tucson around that price range. I don’t think I’ll make mistake of buying rav.

[@graemewhitehead6233]

When is buying a quality product like a Toyota ever a mistake?

[@miizhimutrakha11]

@@graemewhitehead6233 I’m only talking about that particular product that it doesn’t justify the price.

[@jazzyb8886]

@@miizhimutrakha11 problem is Hyundai engines are just not as well built. Having had a Kia with an engine that suddenly decided to let go I have realised while this is not common, it's a lot more frequent than a Toyota!

[@dd9ag]

Rav4 a much better ownership proposition than either of those. They are cheap glitzy nonsense. This is a superbly engineered car that I bet will last longer and be more reliable than any rival. It's also larger than those 2 and more economical.

[@johnmartin7158]

Tuscan & Sportage hybrids are extremely expensive. I have a 2022 Toyota RAV4 Adventure Hybrid and I’m really impressed. Also 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is good value in NZ.

[@Silver-st2zq]

I know looks are not everything but apart from the Supra and the Corolla Toyota are 😱

[@DarkStryder360]

Remember when Rav4's were 3 door cuties 20 years ago? Look at it now 😢

[@mustafahejran5453]

This lady is marvellous and she definitely know how to review. Can you please review Toyota CHR GR facelift . Thank you

[@Toyota4Life]

Love these rav-4 they look good

[@casperdog777]

''Safe and boring'' LOL. ''Baby Land Cruiser'' LOL. ''Well screwed together'' - yes it is ! I can assure you as an ownwer !!!! ''Rugged'' yes it is ! ''Chunky'' well yes, the ordinary RAV 4 (5th Gen) is CHUNKY LOL. Motor makers always make ''special editions''. Oh by the way if you have a PHEV do use the petrol engine at least once a week (Toyota mechanics advice not mine). I can assure you it does do light trials as I do light trails on my PHEV RAV 4. It is a stonkingly good car. 10 out of 10. Oh it is in PHEV format very very fast.

[@FormulaWhine]

I think Nicola is a great reviewer, but it always makes me laugh when reviewers bemoan the CVT gearbox. The majority of buyers of this type of car, with this type of engine set up, really aren't bothered. They aren't the foot to the floor type of driver, while reviewers spend their days slipping from manuals to CVTs to DSGs and PDKs, so they notice it. Joe down the road who 'needs' a family SUV isn't that type of driver. And nobody really 'needs' a family SUV, so if Joe down the road does want to have a family car that's hybrid but with good sporting performance and no CVT gearbox, then he'd go buy a BMW 330e Touring...

[@trz_maier7154]

So you told us all the ways it differs from the regular RAV4 and the extra styling you get THEN you proceeded to tell us “all of what I have mentioned you get on a regular RAV4”. Solid logic

[@aleksandaraleksandrov324]

There's really no difference in off-road performance? Sounds a bit scammy from Toyota!

[@chriskelly509]

Got rid of mine after a month because of how loud it was on the interstate/ freeway

[@98Blackbess]

3:20. Wing mirrors. They went out in the 80's. Not a professional review then. I turned it off after that. You need to find another job dear. 🤣🤣

[@AMAN-gp7zg]

Sometimes reliable utilitarian suv/4x4 much neaaded... post-pendemic headache-free..

[@user-vu4tf3eb9l]

Is she single ? Cause im interested

[@myselfandi3574]

We all are.

[@rg6982]

I love her, shes too funny 🤣

[@rogermagana73]

Who likes this color??? Please need your help!

[@angela1984a]

Pointless. Not cool whatsoever.

[@yudhabagaskara98]

mat watson's proper replacement

[@alanwayte432]

Bland boring ugly car, entertaining review however

[@TenzWang88]

This gen Toyota RAV4 got so many problems like roof water leak, gas tank issue, transmission issues and engine failure. Toyota dealership not fixing those problems under five years limited warranty. Toyota is not a reliable car brand anymore. If you value your money Save your money for the all-new Honda CRV.

[@tectoramia-sz1lu]

A pretty pathetic review, but she certainly loves herself. I reckon she'd be happier reviewing a German car, but doesn't quite like to say so.