Toyota teases new vehicle that may or may not be the next Highlander: Jalopnik

According to Toyota’s latest press release: “Something new is on the horizon.” And since the image you see here was in that press release, it’s probably safe to assume the “something new” is an SUV of some sort. On the other hand, I can’t say for sure, since ‘There’s something new on the horizon’, also the full text in the press release. That’s it. That’s all we get. At least for now.

But what are we actually looking at here? Since it looks quite large and vaguely SUV-shaped, it would make sense if it’s a redesigned Highlander. We’re approaching seven years since Toyota last unveiled a new Highlander, and that’s long enough that it’s likely due for a replacement soon, even if what we see here isn’t actually the new Highlander. So maybe it’s the new Highlander.

Based on the direction Toyota has been taking with some of its other bestsellers lately, don’t be surprised if it goes hybrid-only. Not that that’s a bad thing when we’re talking about a family car that’s far too big to ever be fun to drive.

Still, we’re no closer to figuring out what we’re actually looking at, and there are no guarantees that it’s the new Highlander. You’d think that ‘something new’ would mean an addition to the line-up, but in Automotive World it can also just mean that a car has been given a major freshening, and you won’t really know until the official unveiling. Just look at what Toyota did with the ‘new’ Camry.

I’ve also heard rumors that Toyota was working on a three-row electric vehicle to take on the Kia EV9, which would make sense on some level. But I also heard that the project has been canceled. Could it be that the cancellation has been reversed? Was it ever canceled? If Toyota builds a three-row EV, won’t it be a Highlander, even if it goes by a different name?

Of course, we don’t even know if we’re looking at a three-row crossover here, and technically we don’t even know if it’s a crossover. For all we know, it could end up being something cool, and not just another minivan without the convenience of sliding doors. Or it could be a truck, although that seems a lot less likely. But until Toyota decides to reveal more, your guess is probably as good as mine.