2027 Toyota Grand Highlander Adds Hybrid Woodland Edition
Toyota is adding a more outdoors-focused version of its largest crossover for 2027. The new Grand Highlander Hybrid Woodland Edition combines the standard 2.5-liter hybrid system with all-wheel drive, a modest suspension lift, all-terrain tires and several utility-focused cabin features.
The company announced the model on October 1, 2026, and says 2027 Grand Highlanders should begin reaching U.S. dealerships later this year. This report is based on Toyota’s published specifications; Chiefs Review has not driven or independently tested the vehicle.
What changes with the Woodland Edition
The Woodland Edition is based around the 245-total-system-horsepower Grand Highlander Hybrid and comes with electronic on-demand all-wheel drive. Toyota says the trim gains half an inch of ground clearance through taller springs and its tire package. Matte-black 18-inch wheels wear all-terrain tires, while mud guards, a tow hitch, fog lamps, roof rails with crossbars and black exterior trim give the model a more functional appearance.
- Standard hybrid powertrain and all-wheel drive
- 0.5 inch more ground clearance than other Grand Highlander grades
- 18-inch matte-black wheels with all-terrain tires
- 3,500-pound manufacturer-rated towing capacity
- Removable second-row console that doubles as a cooler
- 120-volt, 1,500-watt outlets and an enhanced cargo-area lighting package
The cooler is sized for up to six 12-ounce cans, according to Toyota. It can be removed when passengers need easier access between the second-row captain’s chairs. The Woodland is configured for seven occupants rather than the eight-seat layout offered on some other grades.
Three powertrains remain available
| Powertrain | Output | Manufacturer estimate | Maximum towing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4-liter turbo gas | 265 hp | Up to 24 mpg combined | 5,000 lb |
| 2.5-liter hybrid | 245 total system hp | Up to 36 mpg combined; 34 mpg for Woodland AWD | 3,500 lb |
| Hybrid MAX | 362 total system hp | 27 mpg combined | 5,000 lb |
Those fuel-economy figures are Toyota estimates, not final independent test results. The standard hybrid is the efficiency choice, while Hybrid MAX trades fuel economy for substantially more power and towing capacity. Buyers comparing the Woodland with the Hybrid MAX Platinum should therefore decide whether all-terrain hardware and fuel economy matter more than acceleration and the higher tow rating.
The broader 2027 lineup includes LE, XLE, Limited and Platinum grades across the available powertrains. Gas models start at a manufacturer-suggested $42,560 and hybrid models at $45,910, before Toyota’s processing and handling charge, dealer fees, taxes and options. Toyota has posted full-line pricing separately.
Space, technology and safety
Toyota lists 33.5 inches of third-row legroom and 97.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity with the rear seats folded. With all three rows in use, the company says the cargo area can hold seven carry-on suitcases. The standard 12.3-inch center touchscreen supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and seven USB-C ports are fitted across the cabin.
Every 2027 Grand Highlander receives Toyota Safety Sense 3.0. The package includes forward-collision warning and automatic braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert with steering assistance, lane-tracing assistance, road-sign recognition, automatic high beams and Proactive Driving Assist. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and Safe Exit Alert are also standard.
What shoppers should compare
The Woodland’s half-inch lift is useful context: it is an all-weather family crossover with mild trail-oriented upgrades, not a dedicated rock crawler. Prospective buyers should compare tire replacement cost, ride noise, third-row access and real-world cargo needs before paying for the package. The hybrid’s 3,500-pound tow rating also leaves less margin than the gas and Hybrid MAX versions for heavier trailers.
Toyota’s growing hybrid-SUV range now stretches from the smaller 2027 Corolla Cross Hybrid to this three-row model. Shoppers considering a compact pickup instead can also see how the Maverick Hybrid performed in Ford’s latest sales report.
Sources
- Toyota USA Newsroom: 2027 Grand Highlander and Woodland Edition announcement, published October 1, 2026.
- Toyota USA Newsroom: full-line pricing, updated October 2, 2026.
Featured image: illustrative archive photograph by Erik Mclean via Unsplash. The vehicle shown is not the 2027 Toyota Grand Highlander. Toyota’s exact-vehicle press image was not used because its download endpoint did not permit retrieval.