Follow us today...
This week, Torque News reported that Toyota is releasing a new, electric, 3-row SUV, which it is calling the Highlander. Under our original story, commenters said we were crazy, and that Toyota would never switch the Highlander to an all-EV platform. We can now confirm that the new 2027 Highlander will no longer have any hybrid or conventionally powered option. The Highlander is now a battery-electric vehicle, meaning it is battery-only. We call that BEV, in the business.
2027 Toyota Highlander - Lower and Wider - Too Wide?
The new Highlander is 2.3 inches wider. Is this a good thing? Not if backing into your garage to charge is the plan. It’s also slightly lower, by about 1 inch. The wheelbase is now 120 inches. That adds battery space, but means turning in tight parking lots will be a bit harder.
2027 Highlander - Infotainment
The Highlander will have a 14-inch center infotainment screen and a huge 12.3-inch driver information display. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay will be standard. Expect a new infotainment assistant with the “Hey Toyota” prompt.
270-320 Mile Estimated Range - Close to The Original Highlander
As the proud owner of a first-generation AWD Highlander, I can tell you that it never had a range much longer than 300 miles when it launched back in 2005. I remember many long business trips in my Highlander, and the “Get Gas” warning would come on around 290 miles. Officially, the V6 AWD Sport earned an EPA-estimated 363-mile range, but I never drove that vehicle past 300 miles on a fill-up.
Three 2027 Highlander Trims
The Highlander will be made in three versions. There will be an XLE with 2WD, an XLE with AWD, and a Limited all-wheel drive.
2027 Highlander Power and Torque - Advanced Drive Modes
The Highlander will have a lot of power. The XLE 2WD delivers 221 hp, again comparable to the original. XLE AWD and Limited get 338 hp. Toyota says that the new Highlander will feature Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control.
2027 Highlander Cargo Volume
The new Highlander will have a lot of cargo space. It will be within a cubic foot of the current Highlander. 15.9 cu ft with all seats up, and 45.6 cu ft with the third row folded.
2027 Highlander Warranty and Included Maintenance
ToyotaCare is changing. Included maintenance is now just one year or 10,000 miles. There is the usual 3/36 bumper-to-bumper warranty and the usual 5/60 powertrain warranty, and the components that make it an EV, including its traction battery, are warrantied for 8 years or 100,000 miles.
2027 Highlander NACS Charge Port & V2L
The Highlander will not need an adapter to charge at stations that use the Tesla-style NACS connection. Battery preconditioning is a feature to allow for quicker DC charging. With V2L capability, you will be able to use the Highlander to power a house in an emergency with the right electrical panel equipment. The new Highlander will offer a 77 kWh battery in lower trims and a 95.8 kWh battery in higher AWD trims.
Our Take On The Significance Of an All-Electric Toyota Highlander
Having covered Toyota for two decades, I found this move a bit of a surprise. I would have assumed the Highlander would continue with all-hybrid power, with a new model sold alongside it. However, in retrospect, based on the delivery data, it is clear that the Grand Highlander is the new torch-bearer for those who want a hybrid or gas-powered Highlander. The larger size is a huge hit for Toyota, and the new RAV4 will be roomy enough for those who don't need a third row.
As a long-time Highlander owner who has had a Toyota in the family since my first (pre-owned) 1979 Supra, I miss the smaller form factor of the first-Gen Highlander and its small third-row jump seat. My kids loved that rear seat. However, I recognize that most reviewers of SUVs with compact, temporary third rows criticize them for being “Too small for full-sized adults!” To that I say, “What color is your Highlander?”
As crazy as this may sound, Toyota is emerging as an EV leader in the American market. The left-leaning EV publications (which is 100% of them) are now decidedly anti-Tesla in their reporting. Watch as they start to realize that not only is Toyota emerging as a volume leader, out-selling the EVs from every brand in America except Tesla, but now Toyota has an EV for families that is very likely to be looked at through the lens of affordability, durability, and reliability by many loyal Toyota buyers.
The new Toyota Highlander will be built in America at the Georgetown, Kentucky, plant. The battery will be built by Toyota in Liberty, North Carolina, along with a supply partner. Toyota says the all-new all-electric 2027 Toyota Highlander will begin deliveries this year in late 2026.
Do you like the idea of a new Toyota Highlander battery-electric vehicle? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section below.
John Goreham is the Vice President of the New England Motor Press Association and an expert vehicle tester. John completed an engineering program with a focus on electric vehicles, followed by two decades of work in high-tech, biopharma, and the automotive supply chain before becoming a news contributor. He is a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE int). In addition to his fourteen years of work at Torque News, John has published thousands of articles and reviews at American news outlets. He is known for offering unfiltered opinions on vehicle topics. You can connect with John on LinkedIn and follow his work on his personal X channel or on our X channel. John employs grammar and punctuation software when proofreading, and he sometimes uses image generation tools.
Images courtesy of Toyota.
Set as google preferred source
Follow us today...
