Toyota’s 5 Woodland SEMA Concepts Are Giving Almost-Rugged Vibes

• A small grouping of mods, including a lift and off-road tires, optimizes Toyota’s family-friendly fleet for adventure.
• The Woodland concepts that will appear at this year’s SEMA show have cosmetic updates that include Horizon Blue paint, a color plucked from Toyota’s past.
• Details are sparse, but it appears many of these modifications could be released for consumer use if they receive favorable feedback.

The whole “getting outside” thing has seen an enormous resurgence in popularity in recent years, so Toyota figured it couldn’t go wrong by modifying a handful of its mainstream models to reflect the crunchy vibe.

Naturally, the project was entrusted to the staff of its CALTY Design Research arm, who explored the idea of how daily drivers—primarily the RAV4, Grand Highlander, Sienna, bZ Woodland, and Crown Signia—could be modified to better perform in and near the boonies without compromising their on-road comfort and usability.

Toyota

Despite their obvious differences, the team started with a single-shot approach covering each model in a coat of Horizon Blue paint, inspired by a hue used in the 1960s on Toyota models like the Stout, Crown, and Corona. A contrasting black is used for the roofs and hoods. The shared modifications include lift kits, large overfenders, stylized satin-black wheels, all-terrain tires, roof racks, and cross bars. Each also wears a “Woodland” logo badge on its tailgate.

Toyota

Toyota didn’t offer details or specifics regarding the modifications, but even causal viewers will recognize the Yakima logo on the roof racks and the Yokohama Geolander X-AT tires mounted to the Toyota-branded wheels, complete with tiny “Woodland” badges on the rims of some models. Look closely, or you’ll miss low-profile driving lights deftly worked into the Crown Signia’s fasciae just above the grille.

Toyota

Toyota

As SEMA exercises go, the Woodland treatment is pretty mild, but likely is intended to gauge public perception of some simple modifications that could possibly be earmarked for future production and sale through official Toyota dealers and channels. If that theory proves correct, sign us up for the sweet Sienna Woodland in all its minivan glory.

More SEMA Stories

➡️ Skip the lot. Let Car and Driver help you find your next car.

Andrew Wendler brings decades of wrenching, writing, and editorial experience with numerous outlets to Car and Driver. His work has appeared in numerous publications, including Car and Driver, Esquire, Forbes, Hot Rod, Motor Trend, MPH, MSN, and Popular Mechanics, among others. A Rust Belt native and tireless supporter of the region, he grew up immersed in automotive, marine, and aviation culture. A lifetime of hands-on experience and a healthy dose of skepticism provide him the tools to deliver honest and informative news, reviews, and editorial perspective. Of note, he once won a $5 bet by walking the entire length of the elevated People Mover up track that encircles downtown Detroit.

Source: www.caranddriver.com — article syndicated from the publisher’s feed; all rights remain with the original publisher.