AutoTrader SCORE
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STYLING8/10
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Safety9/10
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PRACTICALITY9/10
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USER-FRIENDLINESS7/10
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FEATURES7/10
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POWER8/10
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COMFORT8/10
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DRIVING FEEL7/10
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FUEL ECONOMY9/10
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VALUE9/10
The Toyota RAV4 is a tried-and-true SUV with a proven track record, and the hybrid might be the most compelling model in the lineup.
To make its appeal even wider, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Woodland makes this popular SUV more well-suited for outdoorsy types who want extra capability but don’t want to sacrifice efficiency.
Styling: 8/10
The RAV4 looks great in general, but its design might have lost some of its initial sizzle simply because it’s so common on our roads. The Woodland package helps it stand out with cool 18-inch matte bronze wheels, chunkier all-terrain tires, mud guards, and black roof rails and crossbars. It looks the adventurous part without being so hardcore that it would be out of place in a shopping mall parking lot.
Inside, the story is a bit more bleak. It does the job but isn’t raising the bar in any way, and I wish the Woodland package added some extra flair to the very dark and drab interior. There’s a lot of hard black plastic and the cloth seats feel especially cheap – a sign of obvious cost-cutting. Plus, faux-leather upholstery would be better suited to the theme since it’s easier to clean should it get dirty.
Power: 8/10
The RAV4 Hybrid is powered by a 2.5L four-cylinder engine and Toyota’s excellent “self-charging” hybrid system. Total system output is 219 hp, which is enough to get up to highway speeds and pass a slower moving vehicle without too much stress. This is one big reason why I prefer the hybrid over the gas-only model – it accelerates faster because it can pull on the instant torque provided by the hybrid battery. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) works smoothly and unobtrusively in the background.
The all-wheel drive setup is genius. It uses an electric motor powered by the hybrid’s battery pack for the rear wheels and only sends power back there when slippage is detected and during acceleration, meaning there’s extra traction without any real penalty on efficiency. It will also run on battery power in low-speed situations like parking or coasting.
Driving Feel: 7/10
The RAV4 Hybrid flips from gas to electric power and back smoothly, and it’s one of the most seamless systems I’ve experienced. It handles a corner decently enough, and the upgraded TRD-tuned suspension that comes with the Woodland package does a great job soaking up rough roads. Visibility is fantastic and there aren’t any huge blind spots, and parking is a breeze – even without any guiding lines in the reverse camera display.
The steering, however, is too light and provides no feedback. The brakes also suffer from the same mushy, numb feeling and lack of responsiveness as the steering, and require a driver to fully stomp on the pedal to get any sort of braking action. It resulted in a lot of panic stops during this test because the brakes were nowhere near as sharp as they need to be.
Fuel Economy: 9/10
The RAV4 Hybrid is officially rated for 5.8 L/100 km in the city, and 6.3 on the highway. After 575 km of mixed testing mostly in eco mode, the RAV4 Hybrid returned 5.7 L/100 km combined, which is fantastic considering the all-terrain tires alone, which typically negatively impact fuel economy.
Features: 7/10
The RAV4 Hybrid doesn’t raise the bar for features, as isn’t anything too noteworthy, but in the most popular trims it has most of the basics covered. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, five USB ports, and a power tailgate are all included. Meanwhile, more expensive trims add heated rear seats, wireless phone charging, a kick sensor for the tailgate, ventilated front seats, and a larger touchscreen, among other features.
Safety: 9/10
I’m always impressed by how Toyota includes just about its entire suite of advanced safety and driver-assistance technology as standard. In the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, it includes everything from full speed adaptive cruise control, lane tracing, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic high-beam headlights, a rear-seat reminder, left turn oncoming traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and more.
Practicality: 9/10
As part of the Woodland package, all-season rubber floor mats are included, which makes cleanup easy and means there’s no need to worry about tracking mud, dirt, sand, or water inside. The included crossbars up top also make it that much easier to install equipment racks or roof boxes. There’s also a 120-volt household outlet in the trunk, which will come in handy for powering stuff like small electronics or an air compressor.
The RAV4 Hybrid holds 1,059 L of cargo in the trunk with the seats up and 1,977 L with the 60/40 split second row manually folded flat. These figures are the same as the gas-powered model, so it’s great that the hybrid doesn’t sacrifice practicality. (That’s because the battery is under the back seat, and the rear-mounted electric motor is small.) There are also decent cubbies in the cabin for small-item storage.
Comfort: 8/10
The foam used in the seat cushions is not very supportive and proved to be uncomfortable during testing, even on short drives. There is, however, ample head- and legroom for all occupants. I do, however, wish the front passenger seat was height adjustable.
User Friendliness: 7/10
I’m not a big fan of the infotainment system in the RAV4, which already feels dated. While I’m grateful that the dashboard has physical buttons for climate control, I wish the touchscreen had more useful shortcuts for everything else. Even the addition of a home or back button would be helpful, because this system requires too many taps to complete a simple task like changing the radio station, which can be distracting while driving. Thankfully, the rest of the dashboard’s layout is logical, and everything is mostly where you’d expect it to be.
Value: 9/10
The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid starts at $34,840 before the non-negotiable $1,930 destination fee. The XLE version is next at $37,990, and it’s the only way to get the $2,190 Woodland package.
The Verdict
Of all the RAV4s available, the hybrid is my favourite because it takes what we already love – practicality, value, and reliability – and makes it much more efficient. While I have a few complaints about it, none of them are deal breakers. In general, you can’t go wrong with the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.
| Engine Displacement | 2.5L |
|---|---|
| Engine Cylinders | Hybrid I4 |
| Peak Horsepower | 219 hp |
| Peak Torque | N/A |
| Fuel Economy | 5.8 / 6.3 / 6.1 L/100 km cty/hwy/cmb |
| Cargo Space | 1,059 / 1,977 L seats up/down |
| Model Tested | 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XLE AWD |
| Base Price | $37,990 |
| A/C Tax | $100 |
| Destination Fee | $1,930 |
| Price as Tested | $42,210 |
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Optional Equipment
$2,190 – Woodland Package, $2,190
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