- The 2027 Toyota Highlander ditches its gas and hybrid powertrains and goes all-electric.
- The new three-row Highlander EV can travel up to 320 miles on a charge, and all-wheel drive models produce 338 horsepower.
- Sales will begin late this year and we expect the 2027 Highlander to retail for around $50,000.
Toyota’s latest EV carries a familiar name. Meet the 2027 Toyota Highlander. Yes, the midsize SUV that first came onto the market in 2001 is ditching gas propulsion for its fifth generation. The new electric Highlander will compete against the Kia EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq 9, the only other two mainstream three-row electric SUVs currently available, when sales start later this year.
No need for gas
Built on a modified version of Toyota’s TNGA-K platform, the 2027 Highlander will be available in two trims: XLE and Limited. XLE models offer front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, with the former paired exclusively with a 77 kWh battery and the latter available with the smaller battery or a 96 kWh pack. The Limited, meanwhile, comes standard with all-wheel drive and the larger battery.
Toyota’s range estimates are respectable, but not changing. The automaker says the XLE FWD can travel 457 miles on a charge, while the XLE AWD gets a range of 275 miles with the same battery. Upgrading to the larger battery delivers an estimated range of 520 miles for both the XLE and Limited with all-wheel drive.
Charging is done via a standard NACS port, and Toyota says the Highlander will take about 30 minutes to go from 10 to 80 percent when connected to a DC fast charger. There’s also an onboard 11kW charger for AC charging, and Toyota supplies a 120/240-volt charging cable. The Highlander can also be loaded from vehicle, a first for Toyota sold in the United States. This allows owners to use the SUV to power appliances or, in the event of an outage, as a power backup for their home.
The switch to electric power should give the Highlander a spicier feel than its gas-fired predecessor. Front-wheel drive models produce 221 horsepower and 198 pound-feet of torque from a single electric motor, while all-wheel drive adds a second motor that helps generate a combined 338 horses and 323 pound-feet of torque. If those endings sound familiar, that’s because the Highlander’s setup is identical to that of the smaller bZ electric SUV.
Toyota hasn’t released any performance figures, but we certainly expect the AWD models to show a significant improvement over the current Highlander’s 7.2-second run to 60 mph. Electric all-wheel drive models also feature terrain-specific driving modes and Crawl Control, where the vehicle accelerates and brakes at low speeds so the driver can concentrate on steering around obstacles.
A boxy new look
Compared to the fourth-generation Highlander, the new EV has a blockier style, with chunky fenders and full-length daytime running lights that emphasize its width and echo Toyota’s other electric models. The new Highlander is now also considerably larger. While the roofline is almost an inch lower, the SUV is 2.5 inches wider and almost 4 inches longer, with an approximately 8 inch longer wheelbase.
The Highlander is characterized by straight lines and hard edges, with the headlights tucked into geometric housings at the bumper edge. Sharp creases distribute the visual mass along the side of the SUV, along with a ribbed fin that extends from the lower body cladding. At the rear, the rectangular taillights are located just below the glass and wrap around the sides of the vehicle. The Highlander can be ordered with a trendy two-tone look with a black roof on the Limited trim, which also offers large 22-inch wheels.
Big screens and lots of space
The cabin looks suitably modern, with a 14.0-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The infotainment system features 5G connectivity, a voice assistant and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the Highlander can connect to two phones simultaneously via Bluetooth. The SUV also comes standard with what Toyota calls ‘Drive Recorder’, a built-in dashcam that uses the exterior cameras.
Fortunately, despite the large screens, Toyota still offers physical controls for functions like the HVAC system, driving modes, and stereo volume. A head-up display is standard on the Limited, and there are plenty of ways to keep your devices charged, with dual wireless chargers in the center console and USB-C ports for the second and third rows. Ambient lighting that can glow in 64 different colors is standard and is linked to the Safe Exit Assist system, where the lights flash to warn passengers if a vehicle is approaching before they open the door.
The Highlander has room for up to seven passengers when equipped with a second-row bench seat, but this configuration is available exclusively on the XLE AWD trim. The seats are covered in SofTex, Toyota’s leatherette upholstery, and all Highlanders come with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Ventilated front seats are standard on the Limited trim, as are heated second-row seats. The third row folds completely flat to expand cargo space to more than 45 cubic feet of storage space.
Toyota maximized interior space in other ways, too, with 18 cupholders spread throughout the SUV and storage spots in the center console and second-row cubby, including slots designed for storing phones and tablets. The Highlander also has a hands-free power liftgate.
The standard sound system is a six-speaker setup, but buyers of the XLE AWD and Limited can upgrade to an 11-speaker JBL system. A fixed-glass panoramic roof, the largest in the Toyota range, is optional on both Highlanders. Toyota promises a quiet ride, with sound-absorbing material integrated into the door panels, front pillars, wheel arches, roof and underfloor. Acoustic glass for the windscreen and front side windows, as well as a dynamic damper on the rear door panels, should help further minimize noise.
When can you buy one?
As with many modern cars, a range of functions can be controlled via the Toyota app on your smartphone, including remote battery preconditioning and charging management. Toyota’s Connected Services features will initially be offered as a free trial before requiring a subscription. The Highlander also features a comprehensive suite of driver assistance systems, including a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning with steering assist, blind spot monitoring and automatic high beams.
The Highlander is Toyota’s first electric vehicle to be assembled in the U.S., and production will begin at Toyota’s plant in Georgetown, Kentucky. The SUV’s batteries will also come from America, following a $13.9 billion investment in a new battery assembly plant in Liberty, North Carolina. Toyota says sales should begin in late 2026 and early 2027, giving some wiggle room for production of the Highlander. Pricing will be announced later, but we expect it to start around $50,000.
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