2027 Toyota RAV4 Adds Woodland Suspension and PHEV Updates

On November 5, Toyota announced updates to the 2027 RAV4, building on the momentum of its sixth-generation model with improvements to suspension, charging capabilities, and standard equipment. Among the key changes, the RAV4 Woodland grade receives a revised suspension system that increases ground clearance to 9.1 inches. Additionally, all plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) grades gain a North American Charging Standard (NACS) charging port and DC fast-charging capability, expanding the charging functionality across the electrified lineup.

The revised suspension for the 2027 RAV4 Woodland includes new springs, shocks, and jounce bumpers. These components form part of the updated suspension setup associated with the grade's increased ground clearance. The changes are among several updates introduced for the 2027 model year as Toyota continues developing the sixth-generation RAV4 lineup, which retains both hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) powertrain options.

Charging-related improvements are a major part of the 2027 RAV4 PHEV updates. All PHEV grades now feature a NACS port and DC fast charging, also referred to as Level 3 charging. The charging port has also been relocated to the driver's side across all PHEV grades. In addition, the onboard AC charger, supporting Level 1 and Level 2 charging, now delivers 11 kW on every PHEV grade.

Toyota has also introduced equipment and functionality improvements across the wider lineup. All 2027 RAV4 grades receive a backup camera washer, while all-wheel-drive (AWD) models gain Multi-Terrain Select with Rock & Dirt and Mud & Sand driving modes. The Remote Connect trial period has also been extended from one year to five years across all grades, increasing the duration of the included connected-service trial.

The 2027 RAV4 continues to offer HEV and PHEV powertrains as part of its fully electrified lineup. Hybrid variants use Toyota's fifth-generation hybrid system, combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with the hybrid powertrain. Front-wheel-drive (FWD) hybrid models produce 222 net combined horsepower, while AWD hybrid variants deliver 229 net combined horsepower.

The PHEV variants use Toyota's sixth-generation plug-in hybrid system, which combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with electric motors and a high-capacity traction battery. Electronic on-demand AWD is standard on these models, and the powertrain produces 321 total system horsepower. Alongside the introduction of NACS charging and DC fast-charging capability, the updated onboard AC charger provides an 11-kW charging capacity across all PHEV grades.

Availability will be introduced in two stages across the U.S. market. The 2027 RAV4 HEV models are expected to begin arriving at Toyota dealerships later in 2026. PHEV variants are scheduled to follow, with deliveries expected to begin in early 2027. These timelines distinguish the anticipated retail arrival of the two powertrain configurations.

Industry Impact & Outlook

The 2027 RAV4 updates demonstrate Toyota's continued development of hybrid and plug-in hybrid offerings through improvements to charging compatibility, powertrain functionality, and vehicle equipment. Standardizing NACS ports and DC fast-charging capability across all PHEV grades represents a significant charging-related update within the model lineup, while the 11-kW onboard AC charger adds further charging capacity. The Woodland suspension revision and increased ground clearance also extend the model's functional differentiation across grades. With HEV deliveries expected later in 2026 and PHEV arrivals scheduled for early 2027, the staggered introduction establishes separate availability timelines for the two electrified configurations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the major updates to the 2027 Toyota RAV4?
The 2027 Toyota RAV4 receives revised Woodland suspension, additional PHEV charging capabilities, and equipment improvements across the lineup. The Woodland grade gains 9.1 inches of ground clearance, while all PHEV grades receive NACS ports, DC fast charging, and an 11-kW onboard AC charger. Other updates include a backup camera washer for every grade, additional Multi-Terrain Select modes on AWD models, and an extended Remote Connect trial period of five years instead of one year.

What is the ground clearance of the 2027 RAV4 Woodland?
The 2027 RAV4 Woodland features 9.1 inches of ground clearance following its revised suspension update. The new suspension components include springs, shocks, and jounce bumpers. These changes are specific to the Woodland grade among the announced suspension updates. The revised setup forms part of Toyota's broader model-year improvements for the sixth-generation RAV4, which also include charging, technology, and equipment enhancements across the lineup.

What charging improvements are available on the 2027 RAV4 PHEV?
All 2027 RAV4 PHEV grades receive NACS charging ports and DC fast-charging capability as part of the model-year updates. The charging port is now positioned on the driver's side, while the onboard AC charger supports an 11-kW charging capacity for Level 1 and Level 2 charging. These improvements apply across all PHEV grades, providing standardized charging equipment throughout the plug-in hybrid lineup.

How much horsepower does the 2027 Toyota RAV4 produce?
The 2027 Toyota RAV4 delivers different horsepower outputs depending on its hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrain configuration. HEV models produce 222 net combined horsepower with FWD and 229 net combined horsepower with AWD. PHEV models use Toyota's sixth-generation plug-in hybrid system and produce 321 total system horsepower. The PHEV configuration also features electronic on-demand AWD as standard equipment.

When will the 2027 Toyota RAV4 HEV and PHEV models arrive?
The 2027 RAV4 HEV and PHEV models have different expected dealership arrival timelines in the U.S. Toyota expects HEV variants to begin arriving at dealerships later in 2026, while PHEV models are expected to start arriving in early 2027. These are the announced anticipated arrival periods for the two powertrain configurations, rather than a single shared launch date for the entire lineup.