The 2027 Toyota Grand Highlander adds a new Woodland Edition to its lineup, giving the three-row family SUV a more rugged, trail-ready trim for the first time. Toyota announced the addition on October 1, 2026, through its U.S. and Canadian newsrooms. The Woodland Edition joins the existing XLE, Limited and Platinum grades, and it slots into the hybrid side of the range. The rest of the 2027 Grand Highlander carries over largely unchanged, with a few cosmetic updates to higher trims.
What’s New for the 2027 Toyota Grand Highlander
The headline news is the Woodland Edition, a hybrid model that follows other Toyota Woodland-badged vehicles in emphasizing rugged design details and gear for active lifestyles. Toyota’s announcement also lists smaller changes for the Hybrid MAX Platinum grade and new wheel finishes for XLE gas and hybrid models.
The Woodland Edition, Explained
The Woodland Edition is a hybrid with all-wheel drive. Its key features, according to Toyota, include:
- Matte black 18-inch alloy wheels with all-terrain tires
- About 12 mm (roughly half an inch) of additional ground clearance from the taller tires and springs combined
- A Woodland-branded removable console and cooler for the second row that holds up to six 12-ounce cans
- All-weather floor mats with the Woodland logo and a rear cargo tray with pop-up dividers
- A 120V/1500W power outlet in the second row and enhanced cargo-area lighting
- Black badges, roof rails, mirror caps, shark-fin antenna and accent trim around the headlights and windows
Powertrains and Fuel Economy
The Grand Highlander continues to offer three powertrains. A 2.4-liter turbocharged gas engine makes 265 horsepower, a 2.5-liter hybrid delivers 245 total system horsepower, and the Hybrid MAX setup produces 362 total system horsepower. Toyota says gas grades and the Hybrid MAX model can tow up to 5,000 pounds, while hybrid grades are rated at 3,500 pounds. In Canadian figures, the hybrid XLE, Woodland and Limited are rated at a combined 7.0 L/100 km, the XLE gas at 10.0, the Limited gas at 10.7 and the Hybrid MAX Platinum at 8.8.
All-wheel drive is standard across the Canadian range and available in the U.S., with Dynamic Torque Control AWD on gas models, electronic On-Demand AWD on hybrids and Full-Time Electronic AWD on the Hybrid MAX Platinum.
Hybrid MAX Platinum and Other Updates
For 2027, the Hybrid MAX Platinum swaps several bright-finish details for black, including the grille mesh, hood trim, roof rails, window trim, mirror caps and shark-fin antenna. XLE gas and hybrid models move to 18-inch dark gray painted wheels. These are small changes, but they sharpen the top and mid trims at a time when the Grand Highlander competes against the Honda Pilot, Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade.
Interior and Standard Technology
The Grand Highlander is known for a genuinely usable third row and a quiet cabin. A 12.3-inch Toyota Multimedia touchscreen is standard, and a JBL premium audio system with 11 speakers and an amplifier is standard on Limited and Platinum grades. Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 is standard, and the Platinum grade adds Traffic Jam Assist capability with an active subscription.
Price, Release Date and the Highlander Family
The 2027 Grand Highlander is built exclusively at Toyota’s Princeton, Indiana plant, and 2027 models are expected to reach dealerships later in 2026. Toyota says pricing will be announced closer to the on-sale date, so the Woodland Edition’s premium over a regular hybrid has not been confirmed. The Grand Highlander was introduced in February 2023 for the 2024 model year as a longer, roomier companion to the standard Highlander.
How the Grand Highlander Compares
In the three-row midsize SUV class, the Grand Highlander lines up against the Honda Pilot, Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade and Mazda CX-90. Its case rests on a genuinely adult-sized third row, a choice of three powertrains including a 362-horsepower Hybrid MAX option, and standard all-wheel drive in Canada, as detailed in Toyota Canada’s Woodland Edition release. Where some rivals chase off-road capability, the Grand Highlander stays focused on space, quiet and efficiency, which is exactly why the Woodland Edition is a modest, lifestyle-oriented upgrade rather than a hardcore trail trim.
Inside, the Grand Highlander keeps its reputation for a usable third row and generous cargo space, with second-row seats that slide and fold and a third row that folds flat. That practicality, combined with hybrid fuel economy in the 7.0 L/100 km range, is the real reason families choose it over a truck-based SUV.
Our take
The Woodland Edition is the right idea executed with restraint. It gives families who leave the pavement a reason to choose the Grand Highlander over a Pilot or Telluride without forcing them into a body-on-frame SUV. The half-inch lift and all-terrain tires will help on forest roads and gravel, but nobody should mistake this for a 4Runner. Buy it if you want three real rows, hybrid economy and a bit more dirt-road confidence; skip it if you need genuine rock-crawling hardware.
FAQ
What is the 2027 Grand Highlander Woodland Edition?
It is a new hybrid, all-wheel-drive trim with all-terrain tires, about 12 mm more ground clearance, a removable second-row cooler and black exterior accents.
How much can the 2027 Grand Highlander tow?
Toyota rates gas grades and the Hybrid MAX model at up to 5,000 pounds, while hybrid grades including the Woodland Edition are rated at 3,500 pounds.
When will the 2027 Grand Highlander go on sale?
Toyota expects 2027 models to start arriving at dealerships later in 2026, with pricing announced closer to the on-sale date.
Related reading: our 2021 Highlander review, our 2021 Highlander changes and redesign, and a look at the 2021 Highlander spy photos and engine specs.
