2027 Toyota RAV4 Woodland towing a trailer on a desert road
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Toyota Gives the 2027 RAV4 Woodland an Extra Inch That Matters

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The useful part of the 2027 RAV4 Woodland update is hiding beneath the bodywork. Toyota has changed the suspension and raised the SUV’s quoted ground clearance from 8.1 to 9.1 inches. That matters more to a driver picking a line through a rutted trail than another round of rugged badges.

Toyota says the extra height comes from new springs, shocks, and jounce bumpers. The Woodland still gets all-wheel drive, all-terrain tires, crossbars, a tow hitch receiver, and a cargo-area 1,500-watt outlet. Toyota also adds Multi-Terrain Select with Rock & Dirt and Mud & Sand modes to all-wheel-drive RAV4 models, replacing the previous Trail mode. Those last two items make as much sense on a muddy campsite as they do on a paved weekend away. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions are planned, so buyers won’t have to choose the outdoor trim solely by charging habits.

Rear three-quarter view of the 2027 Toyota RAV4 Woodland on rocky terrain
Image: Toyota

There is a tradeoff worth seeing in Toyota’s own estimates. The 2027 hybrid Woodland is rated at 38 mpg combined, while several other all-wheel-drive RAV4 hybrid grades are estimated at 40 to 42 mpg. The plug-in Woodland is estimated to travel 46 miles on electricity, less than the plug-in SE’s 52. Both numbers are manufacturer estimates, not our test results. The plug-in’s new NACS port adds DC fast-charging capability, while the standard 11-kW onboard charger handles Level 1 and Level 2 AC charging. Those are separate upgrades, and actual charging speeds will still depend on the equipment and conditions.

What an Extra Inch of Clearance Can and Cannot Do

Toyota’s own vehicle-geometry explainer distinguishes ground clearance from approach and departure angles. Clearance helps keep the underside away from rocks or the raised middle of a track; the bumper angles determine whether the front or rear contacts a slope first. Toyota has announced the higher clearance, but that figure alone cannot tell us how much more difficult an obstacle the Woodland will clear. Tire grip, wheel placement, and the driver’s judgment remain part of the equation. It is an honest and useful upgrade without magically turning a compact crossover into a rock crawler.

For context, Man & Gear has also covered Toyota’s more theatrical Crown Signia GT-S concept. The Woodland is the practical counterpoint: a production-bound change underneath a vehicle people can use every day. Toyota expects 2027 hybrids at dealers later this year and plug-in hybrids in early 2027. The 2027 RAV4 Woodland starts at $42,250 for the hybrid and $47,650 for the plug-in hybrid, including the $1,595 destination charge.

What You Need to Know

  • Ground clearance: 9.1 inches, up from 8.1 inches.
  • Powertrains: hybrid or plug-in hybrid, both with standard all-wheel drive on Woodland.
  • Availability: hybrid arrivals expected later in 2026; plug-in hybrid in early 2027.
  • Woodland starting prices: $42,250 hybrid; $47,650 plug-in hybrid, including destination.

A Small Change That Makes a Real Difference

An extra inch earned with actual suspension changes is a better outdoor story than a fresh decal. The most useful question now is how it feels on a broken trail; that answer will require a drive.

Sources: Toyota’s 2027 RAV4 announcement, Toyota’s vehicle-geometry guide, and Kelley Blue Book’s 2027 pricing breakdown.