Toyota unveiled the 2027 Highlander for the media on Feb. 10, a year or so before it will go on sale/thegreencarguyToyota stylists adopted a no-nonsense, blunt-nosed, big box look for the 2027 Highlander/ToyotaA 14″ Infotainment screen dominates the dash, and passengers in the second row get their own climate system controls, along with USB-C ports in indents on the front-seat backs, just below the head restraints /thegreencarguyHeated faux-leather “SofTex” upholstery is standard, but colors and patterns differ by trim/thegreencarguyThe ’27 Highlander’s bi-level center console has a large open tray is topped by a covered storage compartment, a pair of cup holders and a “bridge” that holds push buttons controls for transmission and drive modes plus dual charging trays for wireless devices/thegreencarguyCaptain’s chairs are standard in both trim levels and while dimensions aren’t yet available, there was plenty of legroom for a six-footer even with the driver’s seat pushed well back/thegreencarguyA second-row bench seat is optional bench for the XLE with all-wheel drive, turning the new Highlander into a seven-seater. And bench or captain’s, the second-row seats slide and flip forward with the touch of a button to make accessing the third row fairly easy, even for adults/thegreencarguyThird-row seats are comfortable and fairly easy to accessToyota calls this a “semi-flush” door handleA closer look at USB port location for the second rowDetail photos above courtesy of Toyota
Driver information screen is behind steering wheel rather than atop the dash as in Toyota’s other EVs. That makes it easier for drivers to get an unobstructed view of the screen through the top half of the wheel, and allows room on the windshield for an optional projected head-up display/thegreencarguy
At 15.6 cubic feet, the new Highlander’s cargo bay isn’t quite as large as competitors’, but it still holds quite a bit/thegreencarguyWith third-row seats stowed – and they do fold flat – cargo space nearly triples to 45.6 cubic feet/thegreencarguy
