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:
2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid AWD Woodland Edition | 2021 Toyota RAV4 AWD TRD Off Road | |
Curb weight (pounds) | 3775 lbs. | 3615 lbs. |
Powertrain - petrol | 2.5L 16V DOHC gas I-4 | 2.5L 16V DOHC gas I-4 |
Powertrain - electrified | MG 2 PMS (front): 88 kW (118 hp), 149-lb-ft MG 3 PMS (rear): 40 kW (54 hp), 89 lb-ft | N/A |
Battery - electric propulsion | LiIon 259.0V, 70 cells x 3.7V @ 4.3 Ah, 1.6 kWh capacity | N/A |
Drivetrain | 10 step CVT, on-demand, rear E-Motor all-wheel drive | 8-speed torque converter planetary automatic transaxle on-demand viscous clutch differential all-wheel drive |
Horsepower petrol / Torque (pound- feet) | 176 hp / 163 lb-ft @ 4400 r.p.m. | 203 hp / 184 lb-ft @ 5000 r.p.m. |
Horsepower hybrid (net) / Torque (pound- feet) | 219 hp / 163 lb-ft @ 3600 r.p.m. | " |
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
2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid AWD Woodland Edition | 2021 Toyota RAV4 AWD TRD Off Road | |
Fuel Economy - miles per gallon combined EPA | 37 m.p.g. (observed) | 27 m.p.g. (observed) |
Driving Range - highway (miles) | 508 miles (14.5 gallons) | 413 miles (14.5 gallons) |
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
2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid AWD Woodland Edition | 2021 Toyota RAV4 AWD TRD Off Road | |
Ground clearance (inches) | 8.1" | 8.6" |
Approach / Departure / Breakover angles (degrees) | 18.0o / 20.0o / 19.0o | 19.0o / 21.0o / 20.0o |
Suspension F/R | F: Strut + lower A arm / R: 4-link; F+R sway bars, TRD dampers, red springs, bump stops | F: Strut + lower A arm / R: 4-link; F+R sway bars, TRD dampers, red springs, bump stops |
Tires / Wheels | 225/60-H Falken Wildpeak all terrain Trail / 18" bronzed alloys / doughnut spare tire | 225/60-H Falken Wildpeak all terrain Trail / 18" graphite alloys / doughnut spare tire |
Brakes F/R | F&R 1-Piston Sliding calipers 12.0" vented Disc/ 11.1" solid Disc; ABS; EBD; Pre-braking, Hill Start control | F&R 1-Piston Sliding calipers 12.0" vented Disc/ 11.1" solid Disc; ABS; EBD; Pre-braking, Hill Start control |
Off road driving assistance | Hybrid AWD Woodland Ed.: Trail Mode (ABS torque vectoring) | TRD Off-Road: Mud & Sand, Rock & Dirt [ASC disengaged] off road modes (under 25 mph); Descent cruise |
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
2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid AWD Woodland Edition | 2021 Toyota RAV4 AWD TRD Off Road | |
Wheelbase (inches) | 105.9" TNGA-GAK | 105.9" TNGA-GAK |
Headroom Row 2 (inches) | 37.7" | 37.7" |
Legroom Row 2 (inches) | 37.8" inches | 37.8" inches |
Cargo Capacity (nom. - max. cubic feet) | 37.5 cu.ft. - 69.8 cu.ft. | 37.5 cu.ft. - 69.8 cu.ft. |
Towing (pounds) | 1750 lbs. | 3500 lbs. |
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 GoogleSearchTM 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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