Toyota adds 2027 SUV “Highlander” to electric vehicle lineup
Toyota is expanding its electric vehicle lineup in the United States with the 2027 Highlander SUV.
- The 2027 Highlander EV is scheduled to go on sale in the second half of 2026.
- It’s 3.9 inches longer than the current Highlander.
- The 2027 Toyota Highlander EV will be produced in Kentucky.
As some other automakers scale back their electric vehicle plans, Toyota said on February 10, “Hold on to the beer,” and unveiled the first electric version of one of its core vehicles, the Highlander family of SUVs.
The 2027 Highlander EV is scheduled to go on sale in the second half of 2026. The six- or seven-passenger, three-row SUV, which will be built in Georgetown, Kentucky, will have front- or all-wheel drive, up to 338 horsepower and a range of 320 miles on a single charge.
With the Highlander EV, Toyota will increase the number of EVs it sells in the United States from one to four now.
Toyota plans to reveal prices near the start of sales.
2027 Toyota Highlander EV Trim Level
Source: Toyota
long, low and elegant
The Highlander EV is a large vehicle and is 3.9 inches longer than the current Highlander. It’s just 2.6 inches shorter than the Grand Highlander. But it doesn’t look bulky, thanks to a low roof, large windows and a low beltline that emphasizes its streamlined profile. The nose features Toyota’s iconic “hammerhead” design LED lights and low-mounted headlights.
The EV is 2.3 inches wider than the combustion engine/hybrid Highlander, further enhancing the impression of a well-mounted vehicle.
The interior is equally attractive, with plenty of legroom in all three rows and elegant materials throughout, including the suede-like surfaces that cover the twin wireless chargers in the center console.
The middle row has a bench or twin captain’s seats with a floor-level console for drinks and other items. The third row seats two and has plenty of leg space.
A new shifter with a drive/neutral/reverse toggle and a park button seems to offer intuitive use.
There’s a volume dial, and Toyota promises “hard buttons” for temperature control, but that wasn’t apparent in the Highlander EV I sat in.
Electricity to drive your car and run your home
Toyota is manufacturing batteries for the Highlander at a new plant in North Carolina.
The base model comes with a 77 kWh unit paired with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Toyota estimates range at 487 miles with FWD and 270 miles with AWD.
A large 95.8 kWh battery, available only with AWD, provides a range of 320 miles on a single charge. The front-wheel drive Highlander EV is powered by a single motor that produces 221 horsepower and 198 pound-feet of torque. AWD adds a second motor to the rear axle and produces 338 horsepower and 323 pound-feet of torque, 73 horsepower and 13 pound-feet more than the most powerful gasoline Highlander.
Toyota says the EV can power everything from picnics to homes, but hasn’t provided details on its capabilities. The battery can be preconditioned for faster charging on long drives or to reduce the effect of cold weather on range.
The Highlander has a NACS charging port for accessing Tesla-style chargers. Toyota-approved adapters are available for other chargers.
Toyota has not disclosed the maximum charging speed, but says that under ideal conditions the battery can charge from 10% to 80% in 30 minutes.
Level 2 (240v), which most EV owners use regularly, should provide a full charge overnight. The Highlander can be set to automatically charge during low rate periods or when power from renewable sources is available.
Key features of the 2027 Toyota Highlander EV
- Seating for 6 or 7 people
- Front wheel drive or all wheel drive
- wireless charging
- Up to 320 miles of range
- NASC charging portal
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- 14 inch touch screen
- 12.3-inch configurable gauge cluster
- 19 or 22 inch wheels
- Panoramic sunroof available
- Blind spot and intersection warning
- Automatic front brake with pedestrian/bicycle detection
- adaptive cruise control
- automatic high beam
- Lane change alert and assist
- lane centering
Why buy the 2027 Toyota Highlander EV?
Hyundai, Kia and Volvo have surpassed Toyota in bringing three-row electric SUVs to market, but there’s no denying the Highlander’s towering position in the family car market. Highlander EV’s elegant styling, spacious and attractive interior, and many features build on its strengths.
All that remains is for Toyota to give the Highlander EV a competitive price and deliver the quality and reliability expected.
Anyone want to bet on that?
2027 Toyota Highlander EV Overview
Electric 3-row SUV with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive
6 or 7 seats
Scheduled to be released in late 2026
Basic price: TBA
Power: 1 or 2 electric motors for FWD or AWD respectively
Output: FWD: 221 hp, 198 lb-ft of torque. AWD 338 hp, 323 lb-ft of torque
Transmission: Single speed direct drive automatic
Battery capacity: 77 or 95.8kWh
EPA estimated range: FWD – 297 miles with 77 kWh battery. AWD – 270 miles with 77 kWh battery. Equipped with 320 95.8 kWh battery
Estimated charging time: DC fast charge — 10% to 80% in 30 minutes. Level 2 (240v) charging to be determined.
Wheelbase: 120.1 inch
Length: 198.8 inches
Width: 78.3 inches
Height: 67.3 inches
Ground clearance: To be determined
Vehicle weight: TBA
Towing capacity: TBA
Cargo volume: 15.9 cubic feet to third row. 45.6 cubic feet with the third row folded down.
Assembled in Georgetown, Kentucky
Contact Mark Phelan: mmphelan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mark ferran. read more car and sign up for our service automotive newsletter. become a subscriber.
