Electric Cars

Embrace the Future: Toyota's All-Electric Highlander Redefines Family Adventure

Toyota's Electrification Strategy Amidst Market Fluctuations

While some major automakers like Ford and Stellantis have adjusted their electric vehicle production plans, Toyota is forging ahead with an aggressive expansion of its EV offerings. This counter-cyclical approach signals Toyota's long-term vision for sustainable mobility. The introduction of the Highlander EV, alongside other new models like the bZ Woodland and C-HR, demonstrates a concerted effort to capture a larger share of the emerging electric market. Toyota's confidence stems from a belief that despite recent slowdowns in EV demand, there remains a significant opportunity to cater to diverse customer segments, especially in the popular mid-size SUV category.

Introducing the 2027 Highlander EV: Familiarity Meets Innovation

The 2027 Highlander EV maintains a design aesthetic that will be immediately recognizable to current Toyota enthusiasts, drawing heavily from the established gasoline and hybrid Highlander models. While retaining a foundational familiarity, the electric variant incorporates subtle yet impactful design changes. A key distinction is the streamlined front grille, now sealed to reflect the absence of an internal combustion engine's cooling requirements. Furthermore, flush door handles contribute to an enhanced aerodynamic profile, crucial for maximizing the electric vehicle's range and efficiency. These design elements blend the traditional Highlander appeal with modern EV advancements.

Optimized Interior Space and Family-Focused Amenities

The new battery-powered SUV boasts generous dimensions, measuring 198.8 inches in length, 78.3 inches in width, and 67.3 inches in height. A significantly extended wheelbase of 120.1 inches, approximately 8 inches longer than the conventional Highlander, translates into exceptional interior volume for both passengers and cargo. This enhanced spaciousness is further amplified by the clever placement of batteries and powertrain components beneath the vehicle's floor. With the third-row seats folded, the Highlander EV provides a substantial 45 cubic feet of cargo capacity, making it a practical choice for families requiring ample storage. The interior is meticulously designed to accommodate family needs, featuring numerous storage solutions, including an under-tray bin in the center console, dedicated slots for phones and tablets behind the front seats, and a remarkable total of 18 cup holders. Access to the third row is simplified with an electrically assisted one-touch folding mechanism for the second row, ensuring convenience for all occupants.

Driver-Centric Cockpit and Advanced Technological Integration

The interior design of the Highlander EV prioritizes the driver, featuring a prominent 14-inch touchscreen that serves as the central hub for infotainment and vehicle controls. Complementing this is a customizable 12.3-inch LED gauge cluster, providing essential driving information. In a nod to user preference, Toyota has retained physical buttons for crucial climate control functions, balancing modern digital interfaces with traditional tactile controls. Optional upgrades include a Head-Up Display package for enhanced driver awareness. The cabin is upholstered in SofTex trim across all Highlander EV versions, offering a premium and durable finish. The vehicle is equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced technology, including dual wireless smartphone chargers, multiple USB-C ports, and the intuitive Toyota Audio Multimedia system with voice assistant capabilities. Seamless integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard, alongside access to SiriusXM radio and Spotify streaming. For added peace of mind, a built-in dashcam system provides an extra layer of security and convenience.

Diverse Powertrain Options for Varied Driving Needs

The 2027 Toyota Highlander EV will be available in two distinct trim levels, offering a variety of powertrain configurations to suit different preferences and driving conditions. Customers can choose between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) options, coupled with two battery pack capacities. The XLE FWD model, equipped with a 77.0-kWh battery, is projected to deliver an estimated driving range of 287 miles. The XLE AWD variant, also with a 77.0-kWh battery, offers an estimated 270-mile range. For those seeking extended range, both the XLE AWD and Limited AWD trims will feature a larger 95.8-kWh battery, providing an impressive manufacturer-estimated range of 320 miles. In terms of performance, the XLE FWD's single motor produces 221 horsepower and 198 lb-ft of torque. All AWD models elevate the performance significantly, generating 338 horsepower and 323 lb-ft of torque. While specific acceleration figures for the Highlander EV are yet to be released, its greater mass compared to the smaller bZ model, which shares similar drivetrain components, suggests a slightly more measured acceleration profile.

Comprehensive Safety Features and Bi-Directional Charging Capabilities

True to its family-oriented design, the new Highlander EV is engineered with an extensive array of safety and convenience technologies. The integrated Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 package includes advanced driver-assistance systems such as pre-collision warning with pedestrian detection, full-range active cruise control, lane departure and steering alerts, road sign assist, and proactive driving assist, all working in concert to enhance occupant safety. A notable technological advancement is the Highlander EV's capability for V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) bidirectional charging, allowing the vehicle to supply power to external devices or even homes, thus adding a layer of utility and emergency preparedness.

North American Production and Market Rollout

The 2027 Toyota Highlander EV is poised to be a landmark vehicle as the automaker's first battery-electric model produced on American soil. Manufacturing is scheduled to commence in the latter half of 2026 at Toyota's Georgetown, Kentucky facility, a plant currently responsible for producing the popular Camry sedan. The vehicle's batteries will be supplied by Toyota's newly established $13.9 billion plant in Liberty, North Carolina, reinforcing a localized supply chain. The new EV is expected to arrive in U.S. showrooms by early 2027, with the possibility of an earlier debut. While pricing details remain unannounced, Toyota anticipates strong sales volumes. Historically, EVs often carry a premium over their gasoline counterparts, typically around $5,000, often justified by an increased standard feature set. For context, the 2026 Kia EV9, a direct competitor, ranges from approximately $56,495 to $80,000 for its top-tier configurations.

Embrace the Future: The 2027 Highlander EV – Power, Redesigned, and Electrified

From Gasoline to Grid: The Powertrain Evolution

The previous generations of the Highlander offered robust powertrain options. The outgoing gasoline model, equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, generated 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, with all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard. Its hybrid counterpart, slightly less potent, produced a combined 243 horsepower from a 2.5-liter four-cylinder and three electric motors, also featuring all-wheel drive but utilizing a continuously variable automatic transmission.

The 2027 Highlander EV takes a different route, standardizing front-wheel drive. It draws its power from the same electric systems found in the Toyota bZ line. The front-wheel-drive XLE variant delivers 221 horsepower and 198 pound-feet of torque, supported by a 77-kWh battery that offers an estimated 270 miles of range. For those seeking more power and traction, the all-wheel-drive XLE and Limited models include an additional rear electric motor, boosting the total output to 338 horsepower and 323 pound-feet of torque. These versions are equipped with a larger 96-kWh battery, extending the estimated range to an impressive 320 miles.

Redefined Proportions: A Look at the EV's Dimensions

In terms of size, the all-electric Highlander finds a unique niche between its traditional internal combustion counterparts and the more expansive Grand Highlander. The EV model features a slightly lower roofline, measuring 67.3 inches, a reduction of just under an inch. However, its width has been expanded to 78.3 inches, an increase of 2.3 inches. A more significant change is seen in the wheelbase, which has been extended by 8.1 inches, now spanning 120.1 inches. This lengthened wheelbase also contributes to the new Highlander's overall length of 198.8 inches, making it 2.6 inches shorter than its combustion engine predecessor, offering a balanced and modern stance.

Modern Comfort and Reduced Capacity: The Interior and Cargo Space

The interior of the Highlander EV showcases a modern upgrade compared to previous models. It features a larger 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an expansive 14.0-inch touchscreen display, both surpassing the sizes offered in older versions. Convenience is enhanced with wireless charging pads and multiple USB-C ports strategically placed throughout the cabin, alongside ample cupholders, adhering to typical design expectations.

Despite the increased wheelbase, Toyota has yet to release comprehensive interior dimension details. Curiously, the new model offers less cargo space than its predecessor. With the third row in use, the 2027 Highlander provides 16 cubic feet of cargo volume, a decrease from the previous 23 cubic feet. Similarly, with the third row folded, the new EV offers 46 cubic feet, compared to the outgoing model's more generous 57 cubic feet. Notably, the electric Highlander does not feature a front trunk (frunk), despite the absence of a traditional engine, which could have provided additional storage.