2027 Toyota Grand HighlanderMotorTrend - MotorTrendPhoto credit: MotorTrend - MotorTrendPhoto credit: ToyotaPhoto credit: ToyotaPhoto credit: ToyotaPhoto credit: ToyotaPhoto credit: ToyotaPhoto credit: ToyotaPhoto credit: ToyotaPhoto credit: ToyotaPhoto credit: ToyotaTwo available hybridsLots of space for your stuffGood ride qualitySafety rating could be betterOverly firm brake pedalBland stylingCould this be the grandest 3-row Toyota available today? That depends entirely on what you're after, because Toyota now offers an incredibly diverse selection. There's the pricey Sequoia for towing, the Sienna minivan for the most practicality, and the 2028 Highlander if you seek the conveniences of an EV.So where does that leave the 2027 Toyota Grand Highlander? In a good spot, actually. With the regular Highlander becoming a full EV for 2028 (there is no 2027), the Grand Highlander is now the sensibly priced 3-row SUV in Toyota's lineup.The 2027 Grand Highlander competes with the Hyundai Palisade, Honda Pilot, and a number of other 3-row SUVs.What's NewNot much changes for the 2027 Grand Highlander aside from a new Woodland special edition on the hybrid. The new trim level is more about the off-road look than actually finding new roads, and includes badges, all-terrain tires, all-weather floormats, a dividable cargo tray, and a neat cooler in the second row that's removable.Also, the 2027 Grand Highlander Hybrid Max powertrain is now only available in Platinum trim. The Limited version with the sweet 362-hp hybrid is gone, meaning that this smooth and powerful setup is now positioned as the flagship trim of the lineup.Finally, the non-hybrid Platinum has a new wheel style for 2027. The Nightshade isn't available for 2027, but we suspect more buyers will appreciate the XLE's addition of a standard heated steering wheel.What We ThinkThe 2027 Toyota Grand Highlander is best described as a perfectly acceptable 3-row SUV with a Toyota badge. We know how exciting that sounds, but that's really the core of the Grand Highlander; this is a practical SUV that plays it safe in design and driving experience. If you want something fresh and new, try the fully electric 2028 Highlander.Most buyers want gas, though, and the 2027 Grand Highlander mostly delivers. Even for its 3-row SUV class, the Toyota has plenty of cargo space. All engine options are efficient, and that's the other major strength of this SUV: It offers three engine options.In a segment where many competitors only offer one, the fact that Toyota offers gas, standard hybrid, and more powerful hybrid options is commendable. We just wish we had more positive to say about the way it drives. The brake pedal is a little hard to modulate smoothly, but at least the SUV rides well.Inside, second-row seat folding isn't as easy as the one-touch operation on the Honda, Hyundai, and Kia rivals. We'd also like to see a better safety rating on the 2027 model; the 2026 didn't earn a safety award from IIHS where many rivals did.The sweet spot with the 2027 Grand Highlander is probably the standard hybrid. Yes, it costs more than the standard gas models, but the hybrid travels more than 170 miles longer on a tank of fuel. And that's one advantage that's hard to find elsewhere in this class.Top-Ranked CompetitorsHyundai PalisadeHonda PilotKia TellurideToyota SiennaValueRecommended TrimThe biggest question with value on the 2027 Toyota Grand Highlander is hybrid versus non-hybrid. For us, we'd lean toward a 2027 Grand Highlander XLE Hybrid, which has just enough features to feel convenient.At that roughly $50,000 price, a non-hybrid Limited is far fancier. If we were looking for an upscale ride, however, we wouldn't stop our search at this Toyota; we'd pay Hyundai a visit and check out the Palisade.