2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition - Greener Adventures Re-Driven Review

KNOBBY NUMBER ONE GREEN: Spreading the lean mien of gasoline battery electric hybrid propulsion to every non- Subaru or BMW made model is key to Japanese automaker Toyota's Beyond Zero strategy. The smashing success of the RAV4 crossover utility vehicle as best selling, non-truck nameplate in America has been shouldered by more than 40% packing hybrid and Prime plug-in hybrid power. Not even the introduction of the new wham glam 2023 Prius is likely to diminish RAV4's rank.

Two years ago the XA50 fifth generation Recreational Active Vehicle 4 wheel drive expanded to trail adventures with the RAV4 TRD Off-Road. Now Roadblazing.com Re- Drives the first mid size crossover SUV which can travel by hybrid electrification to the trail: the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid AWD Woodland Edition .

2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid AWD Woodland Edition Driving Hits:

_{Manufacturer Provided Specifications @2023 Roadblazing.com}

• First gas hybrid electric Trail Adventure ready CAV in America
  • 4th generation parallel series Hybrid Synergy Drive gas battery electric hybrid powertrain
  • E-Four on demand all wheel drive (rear propulsion purely separate e-motor)
  • CVT transmission with planetary first gear
  • Drive modes x 3: Eco, Normal, Sport
  • Trail Mode = ABS torque vectoring
  • Moves out with some verve
  • +37% fuel economy, +23% maximum range vs. non-hybrid RAV4 TRD Off-Road

_{Manufacturer Provided Specifications @2023 Roadblazing.com}

• Fully independent suspension:
  • Hybrid Woodlands Edition specific: ♦ TRD "Red' progressive rate coil springs; ♦ Stiffer bump stops;  ♦ Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail D1A tire all-terrain knobby tread tires

• Urban weighted electric assist power steering, Smooth slowing disc brake rotors + 1- sliding piston calipers x 4
• Still among the more comfortable riding and driving crossovers out there
• Rigid hot stamped high tensile steel body
• Generous cabin sound insulation for segment

_{Manufacturer Provided Specifications @2023 Roadblazing.com}

2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid AWD Woodland Edition Driving Misses:

• A CVT will always hang engine revolutions like a CVT
• On road responsiveness remains on the dull side
• Knobby all-terrain tire tread is noisier, short of howling, and issues coarse road sensation
• No skid plates
• Lower ground clearance vs. other RAV4 Hybrids (due to running boards)
• No off-road specific drive modes
• No locking f:r differential (physically un-connected rear E-motor)
• Half the towing capability vs. non-hybrid RAV4 TRD Off-Road

What the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid AWD Woodland Edition Has Got:

• Pricing: from $31,575 (incl. destination) for a CVT automatic 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid LE all-wheel drive.
  • As tested 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid AWD Woodland Edition trim priced at $35,604
  • Number 1 selling passenger vehicle in America

Appearance:

• "Taco" ma nosed, dramatically incongruous creased body panel, flared plastic clad fender, rising beltline compact crossover utility vehicle, which avoids segment blocky while boasting adventurous chunky.
  • Woodlands Edition specific: Darkened grille, bumper covers, body cladding and window, door trim & "Rock" insignia door sills, bronze high strength cast alloy wheels, body length running boards, darkened exhaust outlet

Space & Utility:

• 5 generously sized adult, 2-Row seating
• Compact approaching mid-size spaciousness
• 60/40% split folding 2nd Row seatbacks, with split back recline
• Mid dash driver and passenger shelving
• Generous cargo volume for compact segment

_{Manufacturer Provided Specifications @2023 Roadblazing.com}

• Fit & Finish: +1 Padded tiered contrast stitch padded upper and middle dash; Lower mid dash shelves for driver and passenger; Satin metallic mid dash, door panel & center console banding; Dual analog dials flanking 7.0" color TFT multi-function display gauge cluster; Wide center stack and lower wireless device storage shelf; Tightly grained soft plastics; Even & smooth finished switchgear; Oversized knurled rubber 2-zone climate temperature knobs.

Standard Feature Set:

• √ Remote keyless entry; √ 1-zone (optional 2-zone automatic) air-conditioned climate control
• √ LED headlights & taillights; √ Rain sensing windshield wipers
• √ Full express power windows x 4; √ Cup holders x4, Bottle holders x 4
• √ Ballistic fabric 6-way driver & 4-way passenger manual adjust seats; √ Tilt & telescoping leatherette steering wheel

Infotainment Technology:

• √ NEW FOR '23: Upper mid dash, pod mount, single knob controlled 8.0" landscape split pane touch LCD audio & media display w/ Toyota Connected powered by GoogleSearch^TM voice query, control, "Hey Toyota' wake-up phrase; √ USB-A x 1, USB-C x 2; 12V x 1; √ Bluetooth phone connectivity and smart phone SMS
• Standard 6-speaker, 240 W streaming audio with HD-radio
• √ wireless Android Auto, Apple CarPlay phone projection; √ Sirius XM satellite radio (90 days trial);

Safety & Driver Assistance:

• +1 2023 IIHS Top Safety Pick; 8 airbags; √ Backup camera w/ predictive grid lines + front & rear warning park assist, +1 Door mount wing mirrors
  • STANDARD Toyota SafetySense P 2.5 = √ Rear camera + predictive grid; √ Pedestrian & vehicle collision avoidance braking; √ Blind Spot View monitor; √ Full adaptive cruise control; √ Lane departure warning, trace assist; √ Post collision brake lock; √ Road sign recognition; √ Row 2 occupant reminder; √ Auto high beam LED headlamps

• Warranty: 3 year / 36k miles bumper to bumper, 5 yrs. / 60k mi. powertrain, 8 year / 100k mi. hybrid component warranties + 2 yrs. complimentary scheduled maintenance

What the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid AWD Woodland Edition Has Not (or Not Preferred):

• Some exclusivity to what is oh so common
• Still a dark low panel contrast cabin
• Cargo load floor lacks raising tether or latching
• No heated seats, No heated steering wheel; No power liftgate assist !!

Standout Feature(s) on 2023 TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID AWD WOODLAND EDITION:

• Google Search supported cloud GPS navigation + offline HDD mode w/ voice guidance
• "Woodland Edition" specific tree embossed rubber floor mats, cargo bay mat & 2nd Row seat back liners
• Running boards
• Raised crossbar roof rack
• Voice command / guidance, Google Search cloud GPS navigation
• Auto dimming rear view mirror; ♦ Comfort access; ♦ Push button ignition;
• Ballistic cloth, 8-way power driver, 4-way manual passenger adjust
• USB-A x 1; ♦ USB-C x 4 (incl. 2nd Row); ♦ 12V x 2; ♦ 110V AC outlet (cargo bay)
• Toyota Safety Connect, Service Connect, Remote Connect, Navigation assist
• 2 GB WiFi trial subscription by Verizon

Roadblazing.com Says: Finally, a cordless hybrid electrified compact SAV equipped for greener adventures.

Contributing Editor: S. Frissell

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