2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition takes off-roading to next level in US

MANILA: Toyota is bringing the RAV4 Hybrid to a whole new level of action with the new 2023 Woodland Edition. The RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition is the brand's first hybrid off-road special edition SUV, and it comes with everything needed for an outdoor adventure.

The RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition, which will be available in US dealerships this fall, also shows Toyota's support for a cause. Toyota has donated US$500,000 to the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) to improve accessibility in these valuable areas, in order to help local communities and make public lands more accessible and pleasant for Americans of all abilities. Through local outreach projects, education programs, and accessibility improvement efforts, Toyota and NEEF will make a difference that extends beyond the pavement.

The new RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition, which comes in Midnight Black Metallic, Cavalry Blue, and Ice Cap exterior colors, has a rugged design and premium interior styling, as well as the versatile features that the fifth-generation RAV4 is known for. The TRD-tuned suspension on the RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition is designed to improve body stability and small-bump isolation on rough city streets and trails. Coil springs and bump stops are optimized for off-road use and to maximize compression-direction wheel travel. Internal rebound springs for optimal roll control and innovative valving to help body control over large bumps and dips are included in the twin-tube shocks.

The RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition also comes standard with Falken Wildpeak AT tires for optimal off-roading, raised black roof rack cross bars to load an array of equipment for a weekend trip, and a 120V inverter to power up compatible household items for a quick day trip or an overnight camping excursion.

Other notable standard features include flow-formed bronze-colored wheels for greater strength, custom all-weather floor and cargo mats, black badging, black mud guards, and dual black chrome-tipped exhaust.

LED projector-beam headlights and integrated fog lights are also standard on the RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition. The RAV4 Hybrid has many storage options, including a large console, side-by-side cup holders, and an open tray that can accommodate small items. Additionally, an in-dash tray located within easy reach of the front passenger can be used to store electronics, sunglasses, and other travel essentials. A reversible cargo floor insert and side nets for storing small items are also included in the rear cargo area. The rear cargo area may be easily expanded, thanks to the 60/40 folding rear seats.

The fifth-generation RAV4 is built on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA-K) platform and is designed to handle urban, suburban, and outdoor adventures. The new RAV4 upgrades the desirable crossover features that made the first RAV4 an instant success a quarter-century ago. It features a sharply chiseled look inspired by Toyota's rugged trucks. The new RAV4 can be anything the customer wants it to be, from the very well-equipped LE model to a technology tour de force plug-in hybrid, with varying levels of luxury and adventure in between.

The Toyota Hybrid System II (THS II) works in tandem with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder Dynamic Force Engine to make the hybrid variants the performance and efficiency leaders of the RAV4 family.

A continuously variable transmission (CVT) is combined with an electronic all-wheel drive system (AWD) in the hybrid variants, allowing them to operate at all vehicle speeds. The rear axle motor, which is an upgrade over previous generations, runs proactively whenever rear torque is needed to keep the vehicle on the driver's desired path or when the road becomes slippery. The AWD system uses an independent electric motor at the rear wheels instead of a torque distribution system in the transmission and an additional driveshaft to the rear.

All 2023 RAV4 variants will also come with the new Toyota Audio Multimedia system.

The new RAV4  has a wide range of upgraded connectivity and convenience features, including being over-the-air (OTA) updatable. Touch and voice activation controls allow users to interact with the system. The driver and passengers can use Intelligent Assistant, Cloud Navigation, and Destination Assist with the available Connected Service Drive Connect trial or subscription. Simple phrases like "Hey Toyota" activate Intelligent Assistant, which allows the use of voice commands to get directions, find Points of Interest (POI), modify audio controls, change the cabin temperature, and more. Cloud Navigation uses the cloud to download the most up-to-date map, traffic, and routing data. POI search is powered by Google Points-of-Interest data to guarantee that users have the latest search capabilities. In addition, Destination Assist provides 24/7 live agent support in locating the next destination.

The new Toyota Audio Multimedia is compatible with dual Bluetooth phone connectivity, as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The available Wi-Fi Connect trial or subscription also provides 4G connectivity for up to five devices, thus converting the RAV4 into an AT&T Hotspot. An active WiFi Connect trial or subscription also enables the new Integrated Streaming feature, which allows users to connect separate Apple Music and Amazon Music subscriptions to the vehicle for onboard control, in addition to the already comprehensive offering of audio playback ability with HD Radio, USB data, and a SiriusXM Platinum Plan three-month trial subscription.

Both the Multimedia and Multi-Information Display panels on the RAV4 have been upgraded. LE/Hybrid LE, XLE/Hybrid XLE, XLE Premium/Hybrid XLE Premium, Adventure, and Hybrid SE now come standard with an eight-inch Multimedia screen, while TRD Off-Road, Hybrid XSE, Limited/Hybrid Limited, and Prime XSE come with a new 10.5-inch Multimedia display. A 12.3-inch Multi-Information Display is also new, and it comes standard on Limited/Hybrid Limited and Prime XSE grades, as well as an available upgrade on XLE Premium/Hybrid XLE Premium, TRD Off-Road, and Hybrid XSE grades. A seven-inch Multi-Information Display screen is now standard on the LE/Hybrid LE, XLE/Hybrid XLE, and Hybrid SE grades.

Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS2.5), Toyota's suite of active safety systems, is also standard on the 2023 RAV4. It comes with a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection that features improvements over the previous generation, such as the ability to recognize an incoming vehicle or a pedestrian at junctions while turning. The Pre-Collision System detects vehicles, pedestrians, and bikers and provides audio/visual alerts as well as automatic braking in certain circumstances. Emergency steering assist is a feature that helps avoid lane departure by detecting pedestrians and regulating the driver's emergency evasive steering motions.

Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) is also included in TSS2.5. If the vehicle leaves the lane without using a turn signal, the Lane Departure Alert will sound an audible alert to the driver. Lane Tracing Assist is also included to assist the driver by applying a slight steering force to help center the vehicle in its lane using visible lane markers or a preceding vehicle when DRCC is set and active.

Meanwhile, Automatic High Beams detect approaching or preceding vehicles and switch between high and low beam headlights automatically. Road Sign Assist uses a forward-facing camera to identify some road sign information and display them on the multi-information display (MID).

Aside from the TSS 2.5 system, the new RAV4 also comes with a Blind Spot Monitor, which helps identify and alert the driver of vehicles coming or positioned in the adjacent lanes. It also comes standard with Rear Cross Traffic Alert which can give the driver added peace of mind by detecting vehicles coming from either side as they back out and notifying them with a visual and audible warning. Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking provides warning and, if necessary, brake control, when a possible collision with a stationary object or an incoming vehicle is detected while parking.

Toyota's Rear Seat Reminder is also standard on the RAV4. If a rear door is opened within 10 minutes of the vehicle being turned on, or at any time after the vehicle has been turned on, the feature will display a warning message in the instrument cluster, followed by multitone chimes.

Photos from Toyota

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