A few weeks ago, I was traveling in Baja, Mexico, and my companion, the driver of a drool-worthy Land Cruiser, would lose his mind every time an old ’90s RAV4 wobbled by. I didn’t get it; where I am from (South Africa), the RAV4 was driven by cute and adventurous girls and guys who couldn’t yet afford a Hilux. I might understand if he were as enthusiastic about the new RAV4 Hybrid; this vehicle certainly is a head-turner with rock-solid DNA and direct competition for the Subaru Outback Wilderness. I expect to see herds of RAV4 Hybrids zooming up and down the Donner Pass this winter, skis, and snowboards strapped to their roof racks.
Toyota is taking the RAV4 Hybrid to a whole new level of adventure with the new 2023 Woodland Edition. Equipped with everything needed for an outdoor excursion, the RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition is the brand’s first hybrid off-road special edition SUV.
The new RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition, available in Midnight Black Metallic, Cavalry Blue, and Ice Cap exterior colors, offers a distinctively rugged exterior and premium interior styling with the versatile features one would expect from the fifth-generation RAV4. Featuring a TRD-tuned suspension, the RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition is engineered to enhance body control and small-bump isolation to help smooth out trails and rough city streets. The twin-tube shocks feature internal rebound springs for optimal roll control and unique valving to help body control over large bumps and dips. Coil springs are tuned for an off-road focus, and bump stops maximize compression-direction wheel travel.
Designed with a focus on versatility and efficiency, the RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition also comes standard with Falken Wildpeak AT tires for optimal off-roading, raised black roof rack cross bars to pack an array of supplies for a weekend camping trip, and a 120V inverter to power-up a variety of compatible household items for a short day trip or an overnight camping excursion. Other mentionable standard features include:
- Flow-formed Bronze-colored wheels for greater strength
- Custom all-weather floor and cargo mats
- Black badging
- Black mudguards
- Dual black chrome-tipped exhaust
And with the roominess to fit people, pets, and recreational gear – the RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition also comes standard with features like LED projector-beam headlights and integrated fog lights. Handy storage abounds in the RAV4 Hybrid, including the console’s large volume, side-by-side cup holders, and an open tray capable of holding small items. In addition, an in-dash tray within easy reach of the front passenger can hold electronics, sunglasses, and other travel must-haves. Rear seat passengers will appreciate the spacious cabin. The rear cargo area features a reversible cargo floor insert as well as side nets for storing small items. The 60/40 folding rear seats quickly expand the rear cargo area.
Engineered to tackle urban, suburban, and outdoor adventures, the fifth-generation RAV4 is built on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA-K) platform. With a boldly chiseled design inspired by Toyota’s tough trucks, this latest RAV4 amplifies the desirable crossover traits that made the first RAV4 a success a quarter-century ago. Depending on model grade and options, the current RAV4 can be whatever the customer needs it to be, from the exceptionally well-equipped LE model to a technology tour de force plug-in hybrid, with various levels of luxury and adventure in between.
In any RAV4 Hybrid, the Toyota Hybrid System II (THS II) works in sync with the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder Dynamic Force Engine to make the hybrid models performance and efficiency leaders of the RAV4 family. It is truly the no-compromise compact SUV.
In the hybrid models, a Continuously-Variable Transmission (CVT) is exclusively paired with an Electronic All-Wheel Drive system (AWD), making it possible to operate at all vehicle speeds. An improvement from the previous generation, the rear axle motor works proactively anytime rear torque would be beneficial to keep the vehicle on the driver’s intended line or when conditions get slippery. The AWD system uses an independent electric motor at the rear wheels rather than a torque-distribution system in the transmission and an additional driveshaft to the rear.
The 2023 RAV4 will receive some updates across all trims, as well. For 2023, all RAV4 models have the new Toyota Audio Multimedia system designed and engineered by Toyota’s Texas-based Connected Technology team. RAV4 drivers will be at the ready thanks to a wide range of enhanced connectivity and convenience features, including being Over-the-Air (OTA) updatable. Users can interact with the system through intuitive touch and voice activation controls. With the available Connected Service Drive Connect trial or subscription, drivers and passengers have access to Intelligent Assistant, Cloud Navigation, and Destination Assist. With Intelligent Assistant, simple phrases like “Hey Toyota” awaken the system for voice-activated commands to search for directions, find Points of Interest (POI), adjust audio controls, change the cabin temperatures, and more. Cloud Navigation, the available onboard navigation solution, utilizes the cloud to download the latest available map, traffic, and routing information. To ensure users have the most up-to-date search capabilities, POI search is provided by Google Points-of-Interest data. Destination Assist also gives access to 24/7 live agent assistance to locate the next destination.
The 2023 RAV4 comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, Toyota’s suite of active safety systems. It includes Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection that features enhancements over the previous generation, including the ability to detect an oncoming vehicle or a pedestrian at intersections when making a turn. The Pre-Collision System detects vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists and provides audio/visual alerts and automatic braking in certain conditions. Emergency steering assist is an additional function designed to detect pedestrians and stabilize the driver’s emergency evasive steering maneuvers and help prevent lane departure.
TSS2.5 on RAV4 also includes Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC). Lane Departure Alert is designed to notify the driver via an audible alert if it senses the vehicle is leaving the lane without engaging a turn signal. When DRCC is set and engaged, Lane Tracing Assist is designed to assist the driver by providing a slight steering force to help center the vehicle in its lane using visible lane markers or a preceding vehicle.
Automatic High Beams are designed to detect preceding or oncoming vehicles and automatically switch between high beam and low beam headlights. Road Sign Assist is designed to recognize certain road sign information using a forward-facing camera and display them on the multi-information display (MID).
In addition to the TSS 2.5 system, other standard safety features include Blind Spot Monitor, which is designed to help detect and warn you of vehicles approaching or positioned in the adjacent lanes. Rear Cross-Traffic Alert can offer added peace of mind by helping to detect vehicles approaching from either side while backing out and alerting you with a visual and audible warning.
RAV4 also comes with ToyotaCare, a complimentary plan covering routine factory-scheduled maintenance for two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first, and two years of Roadside Assistance, regardless of mileage.
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