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The 2023 RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition is the first-ever hybrid off-road special edition SUV from Toyota.

The Toyota 4Runner is an iconic SUV known for its off-roading prowess. Despite the current generation being unchanged since 2009, people still love it for the versatility offered both on and off the roads. And while we eagerly wait for the anticipated sixth-gen Toyota 4Runner, the Japanese automaker decided to give us an appetizer with the beefed-up 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition.

Talking a few valuable lessons from its senior, this RAV4 Hybrid gets an off-roading treatment that goes skin-deep. Apart from the rugged visual appeal with chunky off-roading tires and roof rack crossbars, Toyota has also given the suspension a notable upgrade to give this hybrid RAV4 more confidence while on the trails. It is not "rock-climbing" confidence but enough to go way further than a standard RAV4 Hybrid.

The Woodland Edition also gets a rugged makeover for the interior with custom all-weather floor mats and an in-built inverter. Powertrain bits are unchanged and the RAV4 Hybrid enjoys an AWD layout with a CVT gearbox. This is not a hardcore drivetrain combo but is ample for calculated off-roading adventures. Completing this package is a wholesome set of standard safety and technology features.

The 2023 RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition is the first-ever hybrid off-road special edition SUV from Toyota.

The RAV4 Woodland Edition is offered in three shades - Cavalry Blue, Midnight Black Metallic (our favorite), and Ice Cap. The most notable upgrade on the outside is cool bronze-colored flow-formed wheels wrapped around chunky Falken WILDPEAK AT tires. Adding to the "trail-ready" look is a raised black roof rack with crossbars that can hold lots of off-the-grid supplies.

Other exterior unique bits include black mudguards, dual black chrome exhaust tips, and black badging. All of these particularly look badass with the Midnight Black Metallic shade. Also LED projector-beam headlights and integrated fog lamps are standard on the Woodland Edition.

Under the subtle exterior makeover, the RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition gets a notable suspension upgrade. TRD has extensively tuned the suspension setup to improve body control on fairly demanding trail runs. The coil springs are tuned to be more off-road-focused and to handle bumps. The compression-direction wheel travel has also been maximized.

To keep body roll under control, the twin-tube shocks now pack internal rebound springs and a unique valving setup. All these tweaks coupled with the sturdier rims and capable off-road-ready tires are sure to make the RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition a capable off-grid vehicle.

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While most of the interior features are unchanged from the standard 2023 RAV4 Hybrid, the Woodland Edition adds two bits that elevate its durability and off-the-grid experience. The floor and cargo mats have been replaced with cool-looking custom all-weather ones that make cleaning the cabin after a messy day, quite simple. The other addition is a 120V inverter unit that can help power up various car-compatible household electronics for camping scenarios.

The inlet is located in the cargo space for easy access and storage of sizable components. The cabin is spacious and this RAV4 comes with a lot of storage options. It packs side-by-side cup holders, an open tray, and an in-dash tray for each of the front passengers that can hold electronics, sunglasses, and other bits. The rear seats have a 60/40 folding ratio and the cargo compartment packs a reversible floor insert and side nets to store small items securely.

There are no changes on the powertrain front. This souped-up RAV4 Hybrid packs a 2.5-Liter NA inline-4 motor coupled to two electric motors churning out a combined 219 hp. Power is sent to all four wheels via a CVT gearbox.

The gasoline motor and electric motor power the front wheels, and the other electric motor powers its rear wheels. This makes it a forward-biased layout which isn't necessarily a "hardcore" off-roading layout. But then again, neither is 219 hp capable of challenging off-roading.

But despite carrying over the standard RAV4's humble powertrain, the Woodland Edition modifications by TRD are ample to give it an edge on the roads less traveled. The chunky tires will steal a bit from the standard RAV4 Prime's 40 MPG combined rating, but the reduced rating won't be bad either. But the Woodland Edition would have been even more exciting if Toyota coupled it with the 302 hp RAV4 Prime!

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Toyota has packed the RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition with lots of technology features, including new bits taken from the 2023 RAV4 update. Safety continues to shine with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 suite that packs standard features like Pre-Collision System, Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, and Lane Departure Alert to name a few.

Newly added features include Toyota Audio Multimedia and Gauge Cluster Tech. The dashboard flaunts a new standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment screen and a 7.0-inch digital gauge cluster. There is also a new larger optional 10.5-inch infotainment and 12.3-inch instrument cluster unit.

The infotainment screen runs on a new version of Toyota's interactive software and also supports OTA upgrades. It also comes with voice recognition and "Hey Toyota" activates this function. A nifty set of features that can come in handy on your trails.

Toyota has not shed light on the pricing of the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition. But by the looks of its feature list, we expect it to sit between XSE and Limited trim levels. And so expect it to be priced between $35,555 and $40,000. Expect the 2023 RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition to go on sale by the end of summer 2022.

Tijo is an engineer, mechanic, gamer, and an avid content creator. He is a grease-monkey who loves tinkering with automobiles every now and then, when not busy penning down his passion for them. He has always had a soft spot for JDM and is keen on diving deep in for anything that involves wheels and engines.