You Won’t Believe What Toyota Did To The New Highlander

Hi, I’m Jana— I have something really exciting for you today.

I feel especially qualified to talk about this because I’m a two-time Highlander mom. When I found out I was pregnant, I rushed out and bought a Highlander because I believed it was the safest and best fit for my family. When baby number two was on the way, I traded that one in for a brand-new Highlander.

So imagine my excitement when I was invited to see the reveal of the 2027 Toyota Highlander.

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Guess who’s back.

Hi, I’m Jana, and if you’re new here, I have something really exciting for you today. This is one I feel especially qualified to talk about because I’m a two-time Highlander mom. When I found out I was pregnant, I rushed out and bought a Highlander because I believed it was the safest and best fit for my family. Then, when baby number two was on the way, I traded that one in for a brand-new Highlander.

So imagine my excitement when I was invited to see the reveal of the 2027 Toyota Highlander. And this one is a big deal, because Toyota has done something very different with it.

The first thing you notice: the design

The first thing you’re going to notice is the new look. The 2027 Highlander gets a sleek, modern front end with sharp LED lighting, and around back there’s a full-width light bar that really stands out.

And honestly, that matters.

A lot of three-row SUVs look like something you have to drive, not something you actually want to drive. But if this is going to Costco, Target, carpool, and soccer five days a week, it still needs to look good doing it. From the side, this new Highlander really does.

This one is the Limited trim, and it can be had in a two-tone finish, which looks especially sharp here. The larger 22-inch wheels and blacked-out details make it look a lot sportier than your typical family hauler. It’s definitely not giving off “basic grocery getter” vibes.

Around back, the styling stays clean and modern. Toyota even tucked the rear wiper away, which some people will love. My favorite design detail, though, is that LED light bar stretching all the way across the rear. It looks great, but more importantly, it’s functional. In traffic, when you’re slowing down, it grabs attention quickly, and that’s a real safety benefit.

The rear end is also wider and boxier, which usually means one thing for families: more usable cargo space.

Yes, it’s electric

If the flush-style electronic door handles didn’t already give it away, here’s the big news: every 2027 Highlander is electric.

Toyota says the front-wheel-drive version will offer about 320 miles of range, while all-wheel-drive models should land somewhere in the high-270s to 280-mile range. It also uses an NACS charge port, which means access to the Tesla Supercharger network. That is a major convenience win.

For a lot of families, that’s going to make EV ownership much easier.

Front-seat impressions

As a mom, I spend a huge part of my life in the driver’s seat, so this area has to be good. Thankfully, it is.

The Highlander Limited gets heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and not one but two wireless charging pads. Storage is also well thought out, which matters more than ever in a family SUV.

Toyota includes one of its newer double-sided center consoles, and there’s also a pass-through area that’s genuinely useful. That’s where I’d throw a purse, an iPad, a Nintendo Switch, snacks, or whatever else I need to keep nearby but out of sight. I love that because it helps keep the cabin tidy and also keeps valuables a little more hidden.

Toyota’s updated tech

The 2027 Highlander uses the latest version of Toyota Multimedia, and the voice assistant has a more natural, AI-style feel. You don’t have to awkwardly pause and wait for it to respond before speaking.

For example, saying, “Hey Toyota, I’m hot,” prompts the system to automatically lower the temperature and increase airflow. That might sound like a small thing, but when your kids are losing it in the back seat and you’re trying to adjust climate or audio controls without fumbling through menus, it matters.

That kind of ease of use is exactly what I want in a family vehicle.

Up front, the Limited also gets a head-up display and a fully digital gauge cluster. Ambient lighting is included too, with a long list of available colors. If you like matching your vibe to the season, this one will absolutely let you do that.

Second-row comfort

The second row gets a lot of thoughtful family-friendly touches.

In the Limited, rear passengers get heated seats, multiple USB-C ports, and their own climate controls that are easy to reach. That’s especially important if you have kids in boosters who can handle adjusting their own airflow. The controls are simple enough, and mom can still manage everything from the front when needed.

There’s also a substantial center console between the second-row seats with cupholders, storage, and room for devices. Is it practical? Yes. Is it also going to get stepped on by kids climbing into the third row? Also yes.

Let’s be honest: if you have boys, or honestly just active kids in general, they are going to walk all over it with cleats, dirt, and grass. That said, it does feel durable, which is exactly what it needs to be.

There are also sunshades, which I always appreciate in a family vehicle, and the fixed glass roof extends far enough back to make the cabin feel bright and open.

Car-seat setup and family practicality

This is where things start to matter for real families.

The Highlander offers four sets of lower anchors and top tethers, which means both second- and third-row seating positions can accommodate car seats. That’s a huge plus for families juggling multiple kids in different stages.

Toyota also places the rear air vents up top, which is exactly where I want them. That’s a much better setup for kids in car seats, since air coming from above actually reaches them. Vents down low or on the center console often don’t do much for rear-facing or booster-seat passengers.

The electronic rear door handles are simple to use, and Toyota has included a manual override. If the vehicle ever loses power, you can still open the door by pulling the handle twice. That’s an important safety detail.

Third-row space

To access the third row, second-row passengers can press a button and slide the seat forward. Once back there, you’ll find something I really appreciate: a dedicated two-person third row.

Toyota didn’t try to squeeze in a useless middle seat just to claim extra capacity. That’s the right move. Instead, the third row gets two real seating positions, each with its own head restraint, cupholder, vent, reading light, and USB-C port.

It looks usable, thoughtful, and family-friendly. Kids can also get out from the third row using the same seat-slide button, which should make school pickup and carpool a little easier.

Cargo area and power features

Like any good family SUV, the 2027 Highlander is designed to be practical in the back.

There’s a kick sensor for the power liftgate, which I personally love because my hands are always full. If you’ve got the key fob on you, you can kick under the rear bumper and the liftgate opens.

Behind the third row, cargo space looks strong, and the rear seats can slide depending on whether you need more passenger room or more room for bags and gear. There’s also additional storage underneath the cargo floor.

And yes, the seats fold flat. That matters.

If you’re hauling Costco runs, sports gear, or just trying to make room for real life, you need that flexibility.

Toyota also includes power outlets in the rear, and the new Highlander can send power outward like a generator. If you camp, tailgate, or just want emergency backup power, that’s a genuinely useful feature.

Final thoughts

The biggest thing to understand here is that this is not just the old Highlander with a battery stuffed into it. This is an all-new Highlander, designed from the ground up as an EV.

And based on this first look, Toyota seems to have done a lot right.

It looks good, the interior is family-focused, the tech appears easy to use, and the packaging makes sense for real life. For current Highlander owners, this is going to feel like a major shift, but it also feels like a thoughtful one.

The 2027 Toyota Highlander is expected to arrive early next year, with pricing to be released closer to production.

If you can handle this brand of chaos, you can find me all over social media, on Instagram, TikTok, and at Real Mom Car Tours.

For me, here in the middle of the Ohio Valley, that’s all I’ve got. Thanks for watching.

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