2023 Toyota RAV4 Arrives With New Rugged Woodland Edition

Buyers love it when automakers offer rugged versions of popular family vehicles, even if they have zero intention of ever taking them offroad. That's why Toyota sells a rugged version of its Sienna minivan called the Woodland Edition.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is the latest model to get a Woodland Edition, borrowing some styling flare from the Highlander Bronze Edition. This isn't just a styling exercise, it comes with some genuine off-road goodies.

Toyota equipped the RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition with TRD-tuned suspension. It features off-road tuned coil springs with bump stops to maximize compression-direction wheel travel. There's no mention of any additional ground clearance, but the Woodland Edition rides on Falken Wildpeak all-terrain tires.

The exterior looks more aggressive than a standard RAV4 Hybrid thanks to bronze wheels, black badging and mud guards, raised black roof rack cross bars, and dual black chrome-tipped exhaust. Three exterior colors are available: Midnight Black Metallic, Cavalry Blue, and Ice Cap.

Since the Woodland Edition is based on the RAV4 Hybrid, it uses a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder Dynamic Force four-cylinder engine paired with electric motors sending power to an electronic AWD system through a CVT. Output should remain the same as last year's model at 219 horsepower. The Woodland Edition includes a 120V inverter in the cargo area to power various electronics at a campsite. Along with the launch of this new trim, Toyota will donate $500,000 to the National Environmental Education Foundation to support public lands.

Toyota mentions other improvements across the 2023 RAV4 lineup, which still includes the gas-powered model and the plug-in hybrid RAV4 Prime. An eight-inch Multimedia touchscreen now comes standard on lower trims while the TRD Off-Road, Hybrid XSE, Limited/Hybrid Limited, and Prime XSE get a larger 10.5-inch display.

A seven-inch multi-information screen now comes standard on lower grades, while the upper models receive a new 12.3-inch display. Every 2023 RAV4 includes Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, bundling a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, radar cruise control, lane trace assist, automatic high beams, and road sign assist. Other safety features become available higher up the trim ladder. The 2023 Toyota RAV4 should arrive at dealers later this year, with pricing set to be revealed closer to the on-sale date.