Luxury cars aren’t getting any cheaper within the U.S., and it’s simple to see why. Growth prices hold climbing, logistics aren’t getting easier, and automakers know they’ll cost extra for premium fashions and defend their margins.
On the identical time, patrons are asking for extra upscale options throughout the board. That strain has pushed mainstream manufacturers to rethink their SUVs and sedans, including extra polish, higher tech, and richer supplies to maintain up.
For 2027, one Japanese SUV is getting a full redesign with an even bigger deal with consolation and refinement. The purpose is to ship a genuinely premium really feel with out the eye-watering price ticket that normally comes with it.
To be able to provide the most recent and correct info doable, the info used to compile this text was sourced from Toyota and different authoritative sources, together with Car and Driver, Edmunds, and TopSpeed.
New cars are so expensive that a six-figure salary barely cuts it
The trendy automobile market is leaving common patrons behind.
The place the posh automobile market stands right now
How competitors, know-how, and pricing are reshaping the section
The U.S. luxurious automobile market is in the midst of a serious shift. Electrification and software-driven options are reshaping the section, and longtime leaders at the moment are sharing the highlight with newer challengers.
As of 2026, manufacturers like BMW, Lexus, and Mercedes-Benz nonetheless sit close to the highest, with BMW holding a slight lead and Lexus gaining floor because of its hybrid lineup. At present’s best-selling luxurious fashions are principally crossovers and SUVs, such because the Tesla Mannequin Y, Lexus RX, and BMW X5, whereas conventional midsize sedans have taken a again seat.
Over the previous 20 years, the definition of luxurious has moved from engine dimension and mechanical status to know-how, connectivity, and effectivity. What as soon as revolved round manufacturers like BMW, Mercedes, and Audi has developed right into a panorama formed by electrical powertrains, superior driver help methods, and big digital displays, with firms akin to Tesla and Cadillac leaning arduous into that tech-first method to realize momentum.
Toyota’s evolving SUV lineup
Over the previous decade, Toyota has quietly pushed its SUVs upmarket. By shifting to a extra unified international platform, the model centered on strengthening the construction and bettering the way in which its autos really feel on the highway.
That change helped decrease the middle of gravity and refine the suspension setup, giving these SUVs a extra composed, assured drive. The result’s a smoother, extra managed expertise that feels nearer to a luxurious automobile than a conventional mainstream SUV.
Inside, Toyota has made simply as many modifications. Exhausting plastics have given strategy to softer supplies, cleaner digital shows, and extra upscale touches all through the cabin, together with expanded safety tech and luxury options like panoramic roofs and ventilated seats. The general impact is an SUV lineup that feels noticeably extra polished and trendy than it did just a few years in the past.
This Toyota hybrid makes some luxury SUVs hard to justify
Seems you don’t want a luxurious badge to really feel spoiled—this Toyota SUV is refined and severely snug.
How the 2027 Toyota Highlander raises the bar
A more in-depth take a look at its design, tech, and worth upgrades
The 2027 Toyota Highlander appears to be like fully totally different from the outgoing mannequin, and that’s intentional. With its new electrical identification, it adopts Toyota’s hammerhead entrance finish, that includes a closed grille and slim full-width LED lighting for a cleaner, extra trendy look.
The proportions have been reshaped to look decrease and wider. The roof sits almost an inch decrease, the physique is over two inches wider, and the wheelbase stretches by eight inches to offer it a extra planted stance.
Aerodynamics had been a key focus within the redesign. Semi-flush door handles and new wheel designs assist scale back drag, with sizes starting from 19-inch aero-capped alloys to accessible 22-inch wheels on larger trims.
Toyota additionally refreshed the colour palette with new shades like Everest, Spellbound, and Reservoir Blue. Two-tone combos can be found as effectively, pairing colours like Wind Chill Pearl or Heavy Metallic with a contrasting Midnight Black roof.
A tech-forward premium cabin
The 2027 Highlander’s cabin takes a transparent step towards the premium facet of the market. A panoramic glass dashboard combines a 12.3-inch driver show with an ordinary 14-inch infotainment display into one smooth digital interface.
The longer wheelbase additionally improves inside area. With over eight additional inches between the wheels, the third row is designed to comfortably match adults and features a motorized seating system for simpler entry.
Toyota has additionally upgraded the supplies all through the cabin. SofTex upholstery, soft-touch surfaces, and a redesigned heart console with suede-lined wi-fi charging pads assist give the inside a extra upscale really feel.
New ambient lighting provides one other layer of polish. A 64-color system, Toyota’s largest panoramic glass roof but, and improved acoustic glass all work collectively to create a quieter, extra refined cabin.
10 Toyota and Lexus Models That Compete With the World’s Most Luxurious Automakers
These are the Toyota and Lexus fashions that tackle the world’s most luxurious automakers, delivering unmatched fashion, efficiency, and luxury.
More room for passengers and cargo
An extended wheelbase and smarter packaging enhance inside room
The 2027 Highlander positive aspects noticeably extra inside area because of its new electrical platform. The most important change is an 8.1-inch wheelbase stretch, bringing the overall to 120.1 inches and even surpassing the bigger Grand Highlander in that measurement.
Although the roofline sits barely decrease to enhance aerodynamics, the flat-floor EV format opens up extra usable room inside. The third row now will get an additional 1.5 inches of legroom and about an inch extra headroom in contrast with the earlier mannequin.
That added area makes the Highlander really feel extra like a real three-row household SUV quite than a good occasional-seater. Cargo capability additionally improves, rising to 18.5 cubic toes behind the third row and about 87.5 cubic toes with the seats folded.
Total, the redesign makes higher use of the automobile’s footprint. It’s nonetheless shorter than the Grand Highlander, however the longer wheelbase helps shut the hole on the subject of passenger consolation.
Two electrical powertrain choices
The 2027 Highlander takes a serious leap ahead by going absolutely electrical, leaving gasoline engines behind fully. As an alternative, patrons can select between two battery-electric powertrain setups.
The entry-level XLE makes use of a single electrical motor driving the entrance wheels, producing 221 horsepower and 198 lb-ft of torque. For extra efficiency and traction, a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system boosts output to 338 horsepower and 323 lb-ft of torque.
As a result of the motors drive the axles instantly, the normal eight-speed automated transmission is gone. As an alternative is an easy single-speed direct-drive setup that delivers clean, quick energy.
The brand new format additionally provides helpful EV options. Automobile-to-load functionality lets the Highlander energy exterior gadgets, whereas an ordinary warmth pump helps preserve effectivity in colder climate.
The Japanese SUV With The Highest Fuel Cost Savings
SUVs, particularly the larger ones, aren’t identified for his or her gas effectivity, however one Japanese mannequin stands out from the group–and it has three rows.
Battery choices constructed for vary and suppleness
Two pack sizes provide totally different driving ranges and charging efficiency
The 2027 Highlander presents two battery sizes, giving patrons a bit extra flexibility relying on how they plan to make use of the SUV. The usual 77.0-kWh pack delivers an estimated 287 miles of vary in front-wheel-drive fashions, or about 270 miles with the dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup.
For drivers who need extra vary, a bigger 95.8-kWh battery is on the market. It comes customary on the Restricted and elective on the XLE AWD, growing the estimated driving vary to round 320 miles.
Charging can also be extra handy because of an ordinary NACS port, which supplies the Highlander entry to the Tesla Supercharger community. On a DC fast charger, both battery can go from 10 to 80 p.c in roughly half-hour underneath best circumstances.
Residence charging is pretty fast as effectively. With the built-in 11-kW onboard charger and a 240-volt Level 2 setup, a full cost takes about seven hours with the smaller battery or round 9 hours with the bigger pack.
The place the Highlander may land on worth
The all-electric 2027 Highlander is anticipated to reach within the U.S. early subsequent yr, with manufacturing doubtless starting at Toyota’s Kentucky plant earlier than the top of this yr. Official pricing hasn’t been confirmed but, however analysts from Automotive and Driver and Edmunds estimate the entry-level XLE single-motor mannequin will begin round $48,000.
That’s a noticeable bounce over the current hybrid version, largely as a result of new battery-electric platform. Even so, the quantity of normal tech and gear included may make the value really feel pretty aggressive.
Transferring as much as the XLE all-wheel-drive model is anticipated to push the value to roughly $51,500. The larger-battery Restricted dual-motor mannequin may land nearer to $57,000.
These numbers would place it proper within the combine with rivals just like the Kia EV9. Patrons who nonetheless desire gasoline or hybrid energy will doubtless proceed wanting on the Toyota Grand Highlander because the bigger different in Toyota’s lineup.
Source link
