Picture this: you’re walking through the lot of a Toyota dealer, looking at rows of brand new vehicles eagerly glimmering back at you. Lines of identical cars seem to stretch on forever, and you’re getting dizzy looking at the repetitive succession. But wait! There’s a pinstripe there! And over there! Smoked headlights! Special edition vehicles can break up the monotony of a car that sells in the hundreds of thousands, offering something more unique to drivers who want to stand out. These special edition vehicles with limited runs and production numbers can add zest to a lineup in a sales slump. They also serve to capitalize on market trends or even commemorate a model’s milestone birthday.
There are a lot of different reasons why vehicle manufacturers opt to add a little something special to their roster of regulars, and Toyota is delivering some extra special options for the 2023 model year. The next time you’re feeling overwhelmed at a Toyota dealer, keep an eye out for these upcoming special editions. They’re sure to offer a fresh perspective.
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition
The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition marries two car concepts that are flying off the lots right now: fuel-efficient hybrid powertrains and cars that can seamlessly transition from road to trail. Even before the Hybrid Woodland Edition, the RAV4 was already a vehicle capable of appealing to a wide customer base. It has an affordable base model, with safety features and cargo space that make it great for families, and a spread of trims that include the off-roading TRD, hybrids, and the top-tier, luxurious Limited.
The Hybrid Woodland Edition adds to the RAV4’s versatility by being its only hybrid version designed with off-road adventuring in mind. It has an electrically-powered AWD that kicks on when extra traction is needed, and trail mode can be activated for further control over the limited-slip differential for even more grip. A 120 V outlet in the rear cargo space will come in handy when there are no other outlets in sight.
Off-roading isn’t just about powertrains, suspensions, and skid plates; style is a huge component of the culture as well. Anyone that tells you otherwise is lying. Toyota gets it, which is why the RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition gets bronzed wheels and a palette of exclusive body paint colors. Mud flaps and roof rails compliment the exterior, while floor mats with a pine tree design help bring a touch of the great outdoors to the cabin.
Toyota Venza Nightshade Edition
Toyota has pioneered hybrid technology, mass producing the world’s first hybrid vehicle in the form of the Prius. During their fledgling years, hybrids were a tough sell to a lot of drivers, and the Prius’ awkward styling certainly didn’t help. The new Toyota Venza Nightshade Edition is a stunning example of how far hybrids have come. Its exterior and interior are completely devoid of any quirky touches, opting instead for a sleek and upscale display. Its body has three paint color options: Celestial Black, Wind Chill Pearl, and Ruby Flare Pearl. As the name Nightshade implies, several black accents are peppered throughout the vehicle’s interior and exterior. The mirror caps, rocker panels, handles, and optional roof rails are all black, as is the grille, and most chrome found on the vehicle is smoked for a dark appearance.
The Venza Nightshade Edition isn’t just about looking smart; it’s got smart tech too. It can be equipped with one of the niftiest features in the car game right now; the Star Gaze Panoramic Roof. With the switch of a button, users can swap the glass roof from transparent to frosted modes. The latter brightens the interior while blocking direct sunlight, while the former gives a clear view of the sky above.
The Venza Nightshade Edition comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, so features like Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control and Lane Tracing Assist are included. All-wheel drive is standard as well, as is Toyota’s Predictive Efficient Drive, which, when activated, tracks driver behavior and road conditions to optimize battery performance. Its high-efficiency 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with three electric motors gets a manufacturer-estimated 39 MPG combined.
Toyota GR86 10th Anniversary Special Edition
The Scion FR-S debuted for the 2013 model year, marking the start of an illustrious line that would eventually be rebranded as the Toyota 86 and, more recently, the GR86. The rear-wheel drive, lightweight sports car makes the most of its power. Like its twin, the Subaru BRZ, the GR86 runs with a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter four-cylinder Boxer engine that delivers 228 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque for a 0-60 mph time of 6.1 seconds (down from the 7.0 seconds achieved by the previous generation). For the transmission, you can choose either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic.
The GR86 finds perfection in simplicity and celebrates the unadulterated joy of driving. Now, Toyota is celebrating a decade of the 86 with the 2023 GR86 10th Anniversary Special Edition. Production is limited to 860 units, and this exclusive model will have several unique attributes that set it apart from other GR86s. Most noticeably, the Solar Shift shade of orange is a paint color only found on this vehicle. The GR86 10th Anniversary Special Edition also gets an upgraded cat-back exhaust system built from stainless steel that spews a guttural audio output. Matte black 18-inch wheels match the exhaust, as well as the duckbill spoiler and black striping added to the C pillar.
Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition
The 4Runner is another vehicle celebrating a big birthday in 2023. Yes, the Toyota best known for driving over hills is going over the hill, and Toyota is commemorating the occasion with a 40th Anniversary Special Edition of the SUV. When the first generation 4Runner debuted in 1983, it was essentially a short-bed pickup truck with a back row of seats added and a removable, fiberglass canopy. Over the years, it picked up a new body, improved suspension, better engines, and two more doors, eventually becoming the modern 4Runner it is today.
Over four million units of the 4Runner have sold since its debut, but production of the 40th Anniversary Special Edition will be kept at a fairly exclusive 4,040 (it’s the 4Runner’s birthday, it can have a “four” themed party if it wants to). There will be 4,040 4Runners sporting perfectly retro red, yellow, and orange stripes set against one of three body paint colors: Barcelona Red Metallic, Ice Cap (white), or Midnight Black Metallic. The vehicle also gets unique badging with the same tri-color stripes, “40th” graphic, and “1 in 40” script, all set on a bronze-colored plate. The badge is found outside and inside the vehicle, as are other bronze touches like stitching on the seats and shift knob. The 4Runner’s 17-inch wheels are also bronze. As an additional homage to its off-roading roots, the 40th Anniversary 4Runner will come standard with four-wheel drive, all-season tires, and a power roof for maximum sun soaking.
The Toyota Specialty
Toyota has been pairing character with capability since its founding in 1937. Each vehicle in their lineup has something unique to offer, and these special editions take it one step further. It’s looking like 2023 is going to be a special one for Toyota and an exciting one for consumers who want something outside of the norm.
