The Woodland edition has a one-centimetre increase in ground clearance and off-road accoutrements to better equip it to explore the bumpy roads.Doug Firby/The Globe and Mail
The Woodland edition of Toyota’s popular compact SUV fills an important gap in the lineup that competitors have been exploiting for years.
When looking at soft roaders, Subaru, with its Crosstrek, Outback and Forester, has been an obvious choice. But now, even Subaru has added increased off-road capability with its Wilderness trim. Others have also jumped on the bandwagon with specialty trims: Nissan’s Rock Creek, Honda’s TrailSport, Hyundai’s XRT Pro and GMC’s AT4. Enter Toyota’s Woodland trim.
For all its merits, the RAV4 has been a “sport” utility vehicle largely in name only. It’s a thrifty set of wheels that is largely confined to pavement and urban settings. Now, with a few suspension tweaks, off-road driving modes, 18-inch Dunlop Grandtrek all-terrain tires and kayak-ready roof rails, the Woodland edition is nosing into a crowded but popular space that includes the Subaru Outback Wilderness and the Honda CR-V TrailSport.
Like its competitors, the Woodland is not a hard-core off-roader, such as the Jeep Wrangler or the bigger Ford Bronco. In many respects, this hybrid-only vehicle is the same fuel-efficient SUV you drive to the grocery store.
The Woodland comes as a plug-in hybrid or a regular hybrid, which we drove. The PHEV adds up to 79 kilometres of all-electric range. For both versions, its modest one centimetre increase in ground clearance and off-road accoutrements better equip it to explore the bumpy roads not taken by the urban set.
The RAV4 has a 10.5-inch multimedia screen in the centre and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. There are few switches and knobs.Doug Firby/The Globe and Mail
The hybrid version has 236 horsepower and 242 lb-ft of torque.Doug Firby/The Globe and Mail
This model comes with six drive modes. Click into Trail, and you get stiffer suspension and higher revs. On climbs up muddy trails, the clever all-wheel-drive system engages electric motors on the rear wheels – eliminating the need for bulky drivetrain components. The rear wheel drive is activated through electronic on-demand signals. When slippage occurs or under acceleration, power is sent to the rear wheels.
It is equally well-mannered on pavement, although the knobby tires and elevated roof rails add a bit of cabin noise.
On a road trip from Calgary to Creston, B.C., the Woodland delivered an impressive average of 5.5 litres per 100 kilometres – notably outperforming its official 6.2 litres per 100 kilometres combined rating. The conditions varied from Alberta’s sweeping Cowboy Trail to twisty turns at 60 kilometres an hour along B.C.’s Kootenay Lake and even a little off-roading on the way to a campsite. The Woodland was content with it all, its firm seats and compliant suspension cutting driver fatigue to a minimum.
Toyota notes the sixth generation of the RAV4 has the stiffest chassis yet. That shows in its confident cornering and rugged feel over bumpy terrain. It finally delivers a complete and affordable alternative in the moderate off-road segment. Toyota seems ready to get down in the dirt with Subaru, which has long been the unofficial vehicle of choice for the mountain adventure set.
Priced at nearly $50,000 including freight and fees, it commands approximately a $9,500 premium over the entry level RAV4 LE, though it still sits well below the cushier XSE and Limited editions. For drivers who want a daily driver that isn’t afraid to get a little rough, the Woodland’s off-road upgrades are worth every penny.
The Woodland comes with a distinctive roof rack.Doug Firby/The Globe and Mail
Looks
Toyota’s squared-off, chunky style suits the compact Woodland. A distinctive roof rack and bold shiny black alloy rims shod with all-terrain tires help it stand apart from the other RAV4 iterations. The bumpers, over-fenders, raised roof rails with crossbars and LED lighting are all distinct to the Woodland. It looks ready to eat some weeds on its way to the cottage.
A pair of Rigit supplementary lights are neatly tucked away in the front grille just above the bumper.Doug Firby/The Globe and Mail
Interior
As with other RAV4s, the Woodland puts function over fashion. There is more hard plastic than soft trim. The seats are covered in Toyota’s durable, leather-like SofTex branded synthetic, which comes standard on this trim. While the seating is firm, it provides only modest lumbar support. Leg and head room are not substantially changed from the previous generation – adequate for those of average height, but not so great for taller people. It’s the price you pay for keeping the RAV4 a true compact.
In addition to five USB-C ports, the Woodland also has this 120-volt household electrical outlet on the right rear of the cargo area.Doug Firby/The Globe and Mail
Performance
The combined engine/electric horsepower and torque move the vehicle along smartly for passing. Under hard acceleration, the engine spins up to about 5,200 rpm and lets the electric boost do the rest of the work. Toyota’s highly refined fifth-generation hybrid system makes the transition to electric boost virtually undetectable. Even with all-terrain tires, body lean is modest in cornering. The suspension remains compliant but never feels mushy.
The Woodland edition has 18-inch Dunlop Grandtrek all-terrain tires. The the knobby tires add a bit of cabin noise.Doug Firby/The Globe and Mail
Technology
The 10.5-inch multimedia screen is just the right size, although it relies heavily on touch controls rather than physical switches and knobs. It is driven by Toyota’s slick Arene software, which seamlessly unifies the car’s operating system to manage infotainment, digital displays and driver assistance systems. The 12.3-inch gauge cluster is digital. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and the RAV4 comes equipped with Toyota’s Safety Sense 4.0 suite of features. The rear wheels are powered by an independent electric motor, eliminating the need for a driveshaft and transfer case. Drivers can toggle between Normal, Eco, Sport, Custom, Trail, and Snow modes.
Cargo
The space is virtually identical to other RAV4s. With the seats up, the rear cargo area has a respectable 1,070 litres behind the second row. Thankfully, there is enough room underneath for a spare tire. The 711-millimetre lift-over height makes for easy loading. A full-length rubberized liner provides continuous protection from dirt when you drop the rear seats.
A full-length rubberized liner provides continuous protection from dirt when you drop the rear seats.Doug Firby/The Globe and Mail
The verdict
If you love the fuel efficiency and reliability of the RAV4, the Woodland adds just enough off-road readiness to make it capable on modest trail adventures. Rock climbing is out, but this sporty SUV can take you down rutty mud roads and paw through Canadian snow. That’s a genuine plus over its street-bound RAV4 siblings and makes it a credible match for off-road competitors.
Tech Specs
2026 Toyota RAV4 Woodland hybrid
- Price: $49,078.92 (includes environmental fees, plus $1,930 delivery and destination charge)
- Powertrain: 2.5 litre, four cylinder gas engine paired with electric motors
- Horsepower/torque (lb-ft): Gas engine: 183/163; total system (with hybrid): 236/242
- Transmission/drive: CVT/AWD
- Fuel consumption (litres per 100 kilometres): 5.7 city/6.7 highway/6.2 combined
- Alternatives: Honda CR-V TrailSport Hybrid, Subaru Forester Wilderness, Ford Bronco Sport Badlands
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