Should You Take the 2022 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road Off Road?

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off Road has some off-road capabilities, but it’s not equipped to handle extreme road conditions.
Written by Mariza Morin
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
When you think of the best off-roading vehicles, compact SUVs usually don’t come to mind first. But the 2022
Toyota RAV4 TRD Off Road
is capable of handling casual off-roading adventures. 
If you’re looking to conquer the toughest roads, a great off-road vehicle is key. But before you take your RAV4 TRD Off Road out on unknown territory, you should make sure it can handle the unpredictably rough and bumpy terrain that lies ahead. 
That’s why
Jerry
, the
car insurance
comparison
super app
, is here to give you an overview of the off-road specs for the 2022 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off Road. We’ll take a closer look at what a real off-road vehicle should be made of, along with some off-roading alternatives to the RAV4. 
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Can the 2022 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off Road go off road?

Yes! As the name implies, the 2022 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off Road has the capacity to go off-road. 
Is it the number one choice for serious road warriors? Probably not. But it does come equipped with off-roading features like all-terrain tires and off-road-tuned suspension, and it comes at an affordable price, starting at $26,975
But is the 2022 RAV4 TRD Off Road considered a “real” off-road vehicle? Let’s look at some of the important specs. 

Ground clearance

You’ll want to protect the underbelly of your vehicle when off-roading, so having the right ground clearance is essential. The 2022 RAV4 TRD Off Road’s minimum ground clearance is 8.4 inches, so you should proceed with caution when you’re going off the beaten path.
Generally, you’ll want a ground clearance between 8.8 and 10.8 inches for the best off-roading experience. The higher your vehicle stands above the ground, the better it can handle a wide range of roads and terrain. Unfortunately, the RAV4 misses the mark by a mere 0.4 inches for handling rugged off-road adventures, but it’s still capable of light off-roading. 

Torque

Off-road vehicles require low-end torque, or high amounts of torque at lower rpm. When it comes to off-roading, turning power is more crucial than speed, so a low-end torque is a must.
The 2022 RAV4 TRD Off Road comes standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that gets a maximum torque of 184 @ 5000 RPM. This wouldn’t be considered powerful enough for harsh road conditions, making the compact SUV less than ideal for more extreme off-road trips. 

Tires

But let’s not lose hope just yet, because the 2022 RAV4 TRD Off Road does come equipped with a set of heavy-duty Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail P225/65HR17 tires
Designed for drivers who want the best of both worlds,
all-terrain tires
or A/T tires can handle paved and unpaved roads alike. But ideally, standard all-season tires would be the way to go, as they offer better traction that will help keep you situated when driving off-road.

Drivetrain

All-wheel drive comes standard on the 2022 RAV4 TRD Off Road, which is required for the best off-roading experience. RAV4’s other trims mostly come with front-wheel drive, but you should stick to the TRD Off Road or even the
Adventure
(though it’s not as well-equipped as the Off Road) with standard four-wheel drive. 
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Angles

Off-roading requires you to know the difference between the approach angle and departure angle: 
  • Approach angle: the maximum angle your vehicle can ascend without conflict 
  • Departure angle: the maximum angle your vehicle can descend without conflict
The 2022 RAV4 TRD Off Road has an approach angle of 19 degrees and a departure angle of 21 degrees. You might be able to handle some mildly steep climbs, but this vehicle isn’t meant for extreme rock crawling. 

Off-road rating: Rough and ready

So where does the 2022 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off Road stand using
Jerry’s
DIRT rating system? We break it down in the table below:
Rating
Meaning
Description
D
Don’t Try It
Vehicles better suited to highway conditions
I
In a Pinch
Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances
R
Rough and Ready
Vehicles designed for casual off-roading
T
Trail Boss
True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain
Based on the specs above, the 2022 RAV4 TRD Off Road receives an R rating. “Off Road” in the title may feel a little misleading, but the compact SUV is for more casual off-roading. It should be capable of handling most dirt roads and slightly bumpy terrain, but if you’re a serious off-roader, perhaps you should consider another off-roading vehicle

The best off-road alternatives to the 2022 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off Road

If you’re having second thoughts about the 2022 RAV4 TRD Off Road, there are plenty of other off-roading alternatives to choose from these days. Whether you’re looking for an off-road vehicle with a lower starting price or you just want something more powerful to handle any obstacle that comes your way.
Here are the best alternatives to the 2022 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off Road:
Alternative
Model
Price
Description
Best affordable alternative
2022 Subaru Forester
$25,195
The 2022 Subaru Forester offers a higher ground clearance at 8.7 inches and it’s almost $2,000 cheaper than the RAV4.
Best upscale alternative
2022 Mazda CX-5
$26,250
If you want a premium-looking vehicle with an available turbocharged engine for added power, consider the latest Mazda CX-5.
Best alternative for serious off-roading
2022 Ford Bronco Wildtrak
$49,780
If you’re a serious road warrior, look no further. The latest Bronco comes with all-wheel drive, a mighty V6 engine, and stands 11.6 inches off the ground for the best off-roading experience of your life.
MORE: Cheap off-road trucks
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How to find affordable car insurance for off-road vehicles

The one downside of owning an off-road vehicle is that they’re usually more expensive to insure due to the added risk off-roading can entail for providers. But with comparison super app
Jerry
in your pockets, finding the lowest rates around has never been easier! 
How does it work? Just download the Jerry app, answer a few basic questions about your current coverage, and in less than one minute we’ll provide you with several customized quotes from top insurance providers right at your fingertips. Find better coverage, and Jerry’s team will handle it from there—from finalizing all the paperwork to helping you cancel your old policy. 
With Jerry, it’s all about saving you time and money—especially when you’re busy planning your next off-road adventure. On average, Jerry customers save over $800 a year on car insurance!
Jerry
blew my mind, honestly. From start to finish, using the app took me 10 minutes and I ended up with $100 of savings a month. Best of all, customer service answered all my questions about rental car reimbursement and roadside assistance.” —Savanna R.
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