Toyota raises the Grand Highlander and adds all-terrain tyres
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Toyota has added a Woodland Edition to the 2027 Grand Highlander range, with around 13 mm more ground clearance than the standard version, taller springs, all-terrain tyres and standard all-wheel drive. This is an official factory version, not a separate aftermarket lift kit.
Woodland comes only with a hybrid powertrain
The Grand Highlander Woodland Edition is based on the 2.5-litre hybrid, with a total system output of 183 kW. A separate electric motor drives the rear axle, so there is no driveshaft connecting the front and rear axles. Toyota's electronic all-wheel-drive system can distribute drive between the axles as needed.
Toyota estimates average fuel consumption at 34 mpg, or around 6.9 l/100 km. That is not bad at all for an SUV measuring nearly five metres long with three rows of seats.
Tyres and springs increase ground clearance
The Woodland's ground clearance increases by 0.5 inches, or 12.7 mm. Toyota achieves this through a combination of taller springs and higher-profile tyres. The 18-inch wheels are fitted with all-terrain tyres, while mud flaps, roof racks, LED fog lights and a tow hitch are also included.
This is not a substitute for a Land Cruiser. The large, unibody Grand Highlander remains primarily a family car, but the Woodland gives it more capability on gravel roads, snow and rougher terrain, where the standard version's lower ground clearance and road tyres become limiting factors sooner.
The third row remains
Toyota has not sacrificed space to create the more off-road-oriented version. The Woodland seats seven and features a removable cooler console between the two individual second-row seats, with room for six 355 ml cans.
Space is one of the Grand Highlander's greatest strengths. The third row is designed to accommodate adults too, and folding all the rear seats brings boot space to around 2,761 litres.
It will most likely remain a curiosity in Europe
Toyota does not officially sell the Grand Highlander in Europe. The model is built at its Indiana plant and is clearly designed around the needs of the North American market. The 2027 models will reach US showrooms later this year.
In Europe, the Highlander, Land Cruiser and various RAV4 versions are more likely to fill a similar role, but the Grand Highlander Woodland illustrates Toyota's current strategy well: a few fairly simple changes give the same unibody family car a more off-road-oriented character, without the need to build a separate model.
