Luxurious vehicles aren’t getting any cheaper within the U.S., and it’s simple to see why. Growth prices hold climbing, logistics aren’t getting less complicated, and automakers know they will cost extra for premium fashions and defend their margins.
On the similar time, consumers are asking for extra upscale options throughout the board. That strain has pushed mainstream manufacturers to rethink their SUVs and sedans, including extra polish, higher tech, and richer supplies to maintain up.
For 2027, one Japanese SUV is getting a full redesign with a much bigger deal with consolation and refinement. The aim is to ship a genuinely premium really feel with out the eye-watering price ticket that often comes with it.
With a view to provide the most modern and correct info potential, the information used to compile this text was sourced from Toyota and different authoritative sources, together with Automobile and Driver, Edmunds, and TopSpeed.
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The place the luxurious automobile market stands immediately
How competitors, know-how, and pricing are reshaping the phase
Credit score: Toyota
The U.S. luxurious automobile market is in the course of a serious shift. Electrification and software-driven options are reshaping the phase, and longtime leaders are actually sharing the highlight with newer challengers.
As of 2026, manufacturers like BMW, Lexus, and Mercedes-Benz nonetheless sit close to the highest, with BMW holding a slight lead and Lexus gaining floor because of its hybrid lineup. At present’s best-selling luxurious fashions are largely crossovers and SUVs, such because the Tesla Mannequin Y, Lexus RX, and BMW X5, whereas conventional midsize sedans have taken a again seat.
Over the previous twenty years, the definition of luxurious has moved from engine measurement and mechanical status to know-how, connectivity, and effectivity. What as soon as revolved round manufacturers like BMW, Mercedes, and Audi has advanced right into a panorama formed by electrical powertrains, superior driver help techniques, and large digital shows, with firms akin to Tesla and Cadillac leaning arduous into that tech-first method to achieve momentum.
Toyota’s evolving SUV lineup
Credit score: Toyota
Over the previous decade, Toyota has quietly pushed its SUVs upmarket. By transferring to a extra unified international platform, the model centered on strengthening the construction and enhancing the best way its autos really feel on the highway.
That change helped decrease the middle of gravity and refine the suspension setup, giving these SUVs a extra composed, assured drive. The result’s a smoother, extra managed expertise that feels nearer to a luxurious automobile than a conventional mainstream SUV.
Inside, Toyota has made simply as many modifications. Onerous plastics have given strategy to softer supplies, cleaner digital shows, and extra upscale touches all through the cabin, together with expanded security tech and luxury options like panoramic roofs and ventilated seats. The general impact is an SUV lineup that feels noticeably extra polished and fashionable than it did just a few years in the past.
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How the 2027 Toyota Highlander raises the bar
A better have a look at its design, tech, and worth upgrades
The 2027 Toyota Highlander appears to be like fully totally different from the outgoing mannequin, and that’s intentional. With its new electrical identification, it adopts Toyota’s hammerhead entrance finish, that includes a closed grille and slim full-width LED lighting for a cleaner, extra fashionable look.
The proportions have been reshaped to look decrease and wider. The roof sits practically an inch decrease, the physique is over two inches wider, and the wheelbase stretches by eight inches to present it a extra planted stance.
Aerodynamics had been a key focus within the redesign. Semi-flush door handles and new wheel designs assist scale back drag, with sizes starting from 19-inch aero-capped alloys to out there 22-inch wheels on greater trims.
Toyota additionally refreshed the colour palette with new shades like Everest, Spellbound, and Reservoir Blue. Two-tone combos can be found as properly, pairing colours like Wind Chill Pearl or Heavy Steel with a contrasting Midnight Black roof.
A tech-forward premium cabin
The 2027 Highlander’s cabin takes a transparent step towards the premium aspect of the market. A panoramic glass dashboard combines a 12.3-inch driver show with a normal 14-inch infotainment display into one modern digital interface.
The longer wheelbase additionally improves inside area. With over eight further inches between the wheels, the third row is designed to comfortably match adults and features a motorized seating system for simpler entry.
Toyota has additionally upgraded the supplies all through the cabin. SofTex upholstery, soft-touch surfaces, and a redesigned middle console with suede-lined wi-fi charging pads assist give the inside a extra upscale really feel.
New ambient lighting provides one other layer of polish. A 64-color system, Toyota’s largest panoramic glass roof but, and improved acoustic glass all work collectively to create a quieter, extra refined cabin.
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Extra space for passengers and cargo
An extended wheelbase and smarter packaging enhance inside room
Credit score: Toyota
The 2027 Highlander features noticeably extra inside area because of its new electrical platform. The most important change is an 8.1-inch wheelbase stretch, bringing the entire to 120.1 inches and even surpassing the bigger Grand Highlander in that measurement.
Though the roofline sits barely decrease to enhance aerodynamics, the flat-floor EV structure opens up extra usable room inside. The third row now will get an additional 1.5 inches of legroom and about an inch extra headroom in contrast with the earlier mannequin.
That added area makes the Highlander really feel extra like a real three-row household SUV quite than a good occasional-seater. Cargo capability additionally improves, rising to 18.5 cubic toes behind the third row and about 87.5 cubic toes with the seats folded.
Total, the redesign makes higher use of the automobile’s footprint. It’s nonetheless shorter than the Grand Highlander, however the longer wheelbase helps shut the hole in the case of passenger consolation.
Two electrical powertrain choices
Credit score: Toyota
The 2027 Highlander takes a serious leap ahead by going absolutely electrical, leaving gasoline engines behind solely. As an alternative, consumers can select between two battery-electric powertrain setups.
The entry-level XLE makes use of a single electrical motor driving the entrance wheels, producing 221 horsepower and 198 lb-ft of torque. For extra efficiency and traction, a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system boosts output to 338 horsepower and 323 lb-ft of torque.
As a result of the motors drive the axles instantly, the standard eight-speed computerized transmission is gone. As an alternative is a straightforward single-speed direct-drive setup that delivers clean, instant energy.
The brand new structure additionally provides helpful EV options. Car-to-load functionality lets the Highlander energy exterior gadgets, whereas a normal warmth pump helps keep effectivity in colder climate.
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Battery choices constructed for vary and suppleness
Two pack sizes provide totally different driving ranges and charging efficiency
Credit score: Toyota
The 2027 Highlander affords two battery sizes, giving consumers a bit extra flexibility relying on how they plan to make use of the SUV. The usual 77.0-kWh pack delivers an estimated 287 miles of vary in front-wheel-drive fashions, or about 270 miles with the dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup.
For drivers who need extra vary, a bigger 95.8-kWh battery is accessible. It comes commonplace on the Restricted and optionally available on the XLE AWD, growing the estimated driving vary to round 320 miles.
Charging can be extra handy because of a normal NACS port, which provides the Highlander entry to the Tesla Supercharger community. On a DC quick charger, both battery can go from 10 to 80 % in roughly half-hour below ideally suited circumstances.
House charging is pretty fast as properly. With the built-in 11-kW onboard charger and a 240-volt Degree 2 setup, a full cost takes about seven hours with the smaller battery or round 9 hours with the bigger pack.
The place the Highlander may land on worth
Credit score: Toyota
The all-electric 2027 Highlander is predicted to reach within the U.S. early subsequent 12 months, with manufacturing seemingly starting at Toyota’s Kentucky plant earlier than the top of this 12 months. Official pricing hasn’t been confirmed but, however analysts from Automobile and Driver and Edmunds estimate the entry-level XLE single-motor mannequin will begin round $48,000.
That’s a noticeable soar over the present hybrid model, largely as a result of new battery-electric platform. Even so, the quantity of normal tech and tools included may make the worth really feel pretty aggressive.
Transferring as much as the XLE all-wheel-drive model is predicted to push the worth to roughly $51,500. The larger-battery Restricted dual-motor mannequin may land nearer to $57,000.
These numbers would place it proper within the combine with rivals just like the Kia EV9. Consumers who nonetheless choose gasoline or hybrid energy will seemingly proceed wanting on the Toyota Grand Highlander because the bigger different in Toyota’s lineup.
