For nearly 25 years, the Toyota Highlander has been the safe, familiar choice for families who wanted a three-row SUV that wouldn't cause them any trouble. It ran on gasoline, then gas or hybrid, and it sold in huge numbers precisely because it never asked buyers to take a risk. That changes with the redesigned Highlander that Toyota unveiled for the 2027 model year: a battery-electric SUV, the automaker's first EV assembled in the United States and its first three-row EV for the U.S. market, according to Toyota. This isn't a mid-cycle update or a new trim. It's a different kind of vehicle wearing a familiar name — and, as of this writing, one that still hasn't actually gone on sale.

That last part matters. Toyota confirmed in July 2026 that production of the EV Highlander would be delayed beyond its original late-2026 target, and as recently as early September 2026, a Nikkei report suggested the launch could slip even further, to "2027 or later," before Toyota pushed back and told outlets its plan still calls for a 2027 arrival. In the meantime, the current gas- and hybrid-powered Highlander — the vehicle most people still mean when they say "Highlander" today — keeps rolling off the line and is expected to remain on dealer lots well into 2027. So while Toyota has clearly committed to an EV-only future for this nameplate, the transition is happening in stages, not overnight, and that's worth understanding before you decide whether to wait for it.

Why the 2027 Highlander Is Such a Significant Change

Toyota didn't tweak the Highlander formula for this redesign; it rebuilt the vehicle around a battery. The outgoing Highlander rides on a version of the TNGA-K platform shared with gas and hybrid Toyota models. The new EV Highlander uses a modified version of that same architecture, adapted specifically to package a large battery pack under the floor — the same EV-specific TNGA-K platform reportedly underpinning the related Subaru Getaway, a three-row electric SUV that Subaru has also delayed and that will be built alongside the Highlander at Toyota's Kentucky plant. That platform decision reshapes almost everything else about the vehicle: its proportions, its interior packaging, its weight distribution, and — most importantly for shoppers — who it's actually for.

If you liked the old Highlander because it was simple, familiar, and gas-powered, the EV Highlander isn't a continuation of that vehicle. Toyota still sells the larger, gas- and hybrid-powered Grand Highlander, which functions as the internal-combustion option for buyers who aren't ready to go electric. That's an important piece of context Toyota hasn't spelled out clearly in its own marketing: the traditional Highlander buyer isn't being forced into an EV. Once the current-generation Highlander finishes its run, they're effectively being redirected to a different nameplate.

How the 2027 Highlander's Exterior Design Has Evolved

A Cleaner, More Aerodynamic Face

The new Highlander adopts the grille-less, thin-light-bar face that Toyota introduced on the latest Prius and has since extended across its EV lineup. Full-width LED daytime running lights and a largely enclosed front fascia replace the busier, more traditional grille treatment of the current gas Highlander. This isn't just a styling exercise — an EV doesn't need to feed as much air to an engine, so the smoother front end also helps manage airflow and extend range, one of the few areas where form and function are pulling in the same direction.

Around back, styling cues echo Toyota's newer EV models, with a strong shoulder line, a thin full-width light bar, and a more aggressive rear taper than anything in the current Highlander lineup. The overall shape trades the old model's rounder, more organic surfacing for flatter panels and straighter lines — a look Consumer Reports' early impressions described as smooth and efficient, if a little appliance-like compared with the outgoing SUV.

Bigger Outside, Different Inside

According to figures reported by Cars.com after viewing a pre-production vehicle, the new Highlander measures roughly 198.8 inches long, 78.3 inches wide, and rides on a wheelbase of about 120.1 inches — notably wider and longer-wheelbase than the current gas Highlander, whose wheelbase runs closer to 112 inches. That's an increase of roughly eight inches, and it's the real headline for anyone shopping based on interior space: without a transverse engine to package up front, Toyota's engineers had far more freedom to push the wheels toward the corners and stretch usable cabin length, particularly benefiting the third row. Toyota also trimmed roughly an inch of height from the design compared with the outgoing SUV. Semi-flush door handles and a fixed panoramic glass roof — described by Toyota as the largest in its current lineup — round out an exterior that's visibly trying to read as a dedicated EV rather than a converted gas SUV.

Inside the 2027 Highlander, Toyota Bets Heavily on Space and Screens

Cabin Quality and Seating for Families

Toyota carried over the Highlander's core value proposition — seating for up to seven with an available second-row bench, or six with captain's chairs — but the extended wheelbase noticeably improves third-row usability, an area where the current Highlander has always trailed larger rivals. A Car and Driver editor who sat in a pre-production example described the third row as comfortably fitting a 6-foot-3 adult once the second row was slid forward a couple of inches, a meaningful upgrade over the tighter third row in today's Highlander, though that's one journalist's early impression rather than a formal measured comparison. SofTex-trimmed seats with standard heating, and optional ventilation on higher trims, are part of the package, along with customizable ambient lighting and an acoustic front glass setup aimed at cutting down road and wind noise — a detail that matters more in an EV, since there's no engine noise to mask what's happening outside the cabin.

Infotainment, Displays, and Connectivity

The dashboard is dominated by a 14-inch touchscreen running Toyota's latest Audio Multimedia software, paired with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Toyota says the system adds AT&T-based 5G connectivity, customizable home-screen widgets, and an upgraded "Hey Toyota" voice assistant that responds faster than the previous generation. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, along with dual Bluetooth pairing, dual wireless charging pads, and USB-C ports spread across all three rows.

Reviewers who've seen the cabin in person, including Consumer Reports, describe the large center screen as functional but not particularly well integrated — more like a tablet mounted to the dash than a display built into it. That's a minor aesthetic complaint rather than a functional one, but it's worth knowing if you were hoping for the more sculpted, screen-blended dashboards now common among some rival EVs.

Cargo Space and Everyday Usability

Toyota lists 15.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind a fully occupied third row, and 45.6 cubic feet with the third row folded flat, according to figures reported by Cars.com. Both numbers are actually a bit tighter behind the third row than the outgoing gas Highlander's roughly 16 cubic feet in the same spot, and well behind the Hyundai Ioniq 9 (21.9 and 46.7 cubic feet, respectively) and Kia EV9 (20.2 and 43.5 cubic feet) in that same measurement. With the third row folded, the Highlander is closer to competitive. If everyday cargo room with all seats in use is a priority, it's worth sitting in — and loading up — all three of these vehicles before deciding. All three rows get USB-C charging, which is a small but genuinely useful upgrade for families managing multiple devices on long trips.

What We Know About the 2027 Highlander's Electric Powertrain

This is the section that matters most, and Toyota has been reasonably specific about it — though final EPA range and efficiency figures haven't been certified yet, so the range numbers below are manufacturer estimates, not government-confirmed ratings.

Motors, Batteries, and Range

The base Highlander XLE comes with a single front-mounted motor producing 221 horsepower and 198 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 77.0-kWh battery, and is available in front-wheel drive. A dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup is also offered on XLE, and it can be equipped with either the 77.0-kWh battery or a larger 95.8-kWh pack. The top Limited trim comes standard with all-wheel drive and the 95.8-kWh battery only. The dual-motor AWD configuration is rated at up to 338 combined horsepower and 323 lb-ft of torque, according to Toyota's own release.

On range, Toyota's manufacturer estimates — reported consistently by Cars.com, CarsDirect, and Electrek — put the 77-kWh FWD version at up to 287 miles, the same battery in AWD trim at up to 270 miles, and the larger 95.8-kWh battery at up to 320 miles regardless of drivetrain. None of these are EPA-certified numbers yet, and real-world range for any EV typically runs below manufacturer estimates, especially in cold weather or at highway speeds, so treat these as a ceiling rather than an expectation.

Charging and Towing

The Highlander uses a North American Charging Standard (NACS) port — the same connector Tesla uses — giving owners direct access to Tesla's Supercharger network without an adapter, plus a Toyota-approved adapter for other charging standards. Toyota says the battery can go from 10% to 80% in as little as 30 minutes under ideal conditions on a DC fast charger. For context, Hyundai's Ioniq 9 — one of the Highlander's closest competitors — claims a faster 24-minute 10-80% charge, but only on 800-volt-capable stations delivering around 350 kW; on a Tesla Supercharger, whose lower-voltage design isn't a natural match for the Ioniq 9's 800-volt architecture, Hyundai says that same charge stretches to around 40 minutes. Since Toyota's 30-minute figure applies specifically to the Highlander's own NACS-native charging, the practical gap between the two vehicles may be smaller than the headline numbers suggest, though independent real-world testing of the Highlander's charging curve isn't available yet.

Toyota Canada lists towing capacity at 2,600 pounds for AWD models with the 77.0-kWh battery and up to 3,500 pounds for models equipped with the larger 95.8-kWh battery — modest figures next to gas-powered three-row SUVs, and worth confirming against U.S. specifications once Toyota finalizes them, since manufacturers sometimes adjust ratings by market. The Highlander also supports vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability, letting owners power external devices or use the SUV as a backup power source in an emergency, though Toyota notes that purchasing compatible bidirectional accessories separately is required — it isn't plug-and-play out of the box.

What This Means for Different Buyers

If your household drives mostly around town and has reliable home charging, the base 221-hp single-motor Highlander with the 77-kWh battery is probably enough SUV, and its estimated 287-mile FWD range should comfortably cover most weeks without a mid-trip charging stop. If you regularly tow, need maximum year-round range confidence, or drive in a climate where cold weather meaningfully eats into range, the AWD version with the larger 95.8-kWh battery is the safer pick — though you'll pay for that flexibility, and the 338-hp dual-motor setup is the only way to get the Highlander's stronger torque figure, a real consideration for a vehicle that will often be loaded with passengers and cargo.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Technology

The 2027 Highlander comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense 4.0, the automaker's newest driver-assistance suite. Standard features include pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, automatic high-beam assist, lane tracing assist, traffic sign recognition, and proactive driving assist, along with blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Toyota's Star Safety System — covering stability control, traction control, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, anti-lock brakes, and Smart Stop Technology — is also standard across the lineup.

Front and rear parking assist with automatic braking is standard as well, while a panoramic view monitor and Advanced Park (a semi-automated parking assist system) are available on higher trims. None of this equipment has been formally rated by the IIHS or NHTSA yet, since crash testing typically happens closer to launch, so treat any specific safety-rating claims you see elsewhere with skepticism until official results are published.

Expected Pricing, Trims, and Availability

Toyota has not announced official pricing for the EV Highlander, and won't until closer to launch. The lineup will consist of two grades in the U.S. — XLE and Limited — a simpler structure than the current gas Highlander's multiple trim levels. Because the EV Highlander is a fundamentally more expensive vehicle to build than a gas or hybrid model, expect a meaningfully higher starting price than today's Highlander, which starts in the mid-$30,000s. Some outlets, including autoevolution, have floated an estimated starting price around $50,000 for the base XLE FWD, and others have pointed to the Kia EV9's roughly $55,000 starting point and the Hyundai Ioniq 9's sub-$65,000 range as likely benchmarks — but until Toyota confirms numbers, any specific price you see quoted, including the ones in this paragraph, is an estimate, not a fact.

Timing has become the more complicated story. Toyota originally targeted a late-2026 on-sale date, then confirmed in July 2026 that production would be delayed so it could make what a company spokesperson described to Cars.com as "additional adjustments to the vehicle prior to launch," without specifying what those adjustments involve. In the interim, Toyota confirmed the current 2026 Highlander — still available in gas and hybrid form — would remain in production through December 2026, with demand for the hybrid variant described as particularly strong; that inventory is expected to remain on dealer lots well into 2027. In early September 2026, a Nikkei report claimed the EV Highlander's launch could slip further, to "2027 or later," with Kentucky production potentially not starting until January 2027 at the earliest; a Toyota spokesperson subsequently told CarScoops the timeline "has not changed" from the 2027 target announced in July. Given that back-and-forth, treat any specific on-sale date you encounter — including "early 2027" estimates from some outlets — as unconfirmed until Toyota states one directly. If you're planning around a specific delivery window, build in real flexibility.

How the 2027 Highlander Compares With Its Closest Rivals

Kia EV9 — The EV9 has a multi-year head start in the three-row electric SUV space and offers a similar spread of single- and dual-motor configurations, starting around $55,000. It's a useful benchmark for range and pricing expectations, since Toyota is clearly positioning the Highlander to compete directly with it. The EV9's advantage is real-world track record and slightly more cargo room behind its third row; the Highlander's potential advantage is Toyota's broader dealer network and brand loyalty among existing Highlander owners.

Hyundai Ioniq 9 — Similarly sized and positioned, the Ioniq 9 offers notably fast charging on compatible 800-volt stations — Hyundai claims a 24-minute 10-80% session — though that advantage narrows considerably on Tesla's own Supercharger network, where the Ioniq 9's charging slows due to the voltage mismatch. It also offers more cargo space behind its third row than the Highlander, on paper. If DC fast-charging speed at non-Tesla stations matters more to you than badge familiarity, the Ioniq 9 is worth a serious look; if you'll mostly rely on Tesla Superchargers, the gap may matter less.

Toyota Grand Highlander — This is arguably the most important comparison of all, because it's the vehicle many longtime Highlander buyers will actually cross-shop, whether Toyota promotes that comparison or not. The Grand Highlander keeps the gas and hybrid powertrains, offers more outright cargo volume, and doesn't require any change in driving habits or charging infrastructure. For buyers who want a bigger three-row Toyota without adopting EV ownership, it's the closer successor to what the old Highlander used to be — and reportedly the vehicle Toyota dealers are already steering traditional Highlander shoppers toward once current-generation inventory runs out.

Honda Pilot / Kia Telluride / Hyundai Palisade — These remain the standard gas-powered three-row comparison set, and they're relevant primarily for buyers who've decided an EV isn't right for them yet. None of them compete directly with the new Highlander on powertrain, but all three continue to sell well precisely because they don't ask buyers to change anything about how they fuel or charge a vehicle.

The Biggest Strengths and Potential Drawbacks

Strengths:

A genuinely longer wheelbase that should meaningfully improve third-row space, historically one of the standard Highlander's weaker points.

NACS charging access to Tesla's large existing fast-charging network without needing an adapter.

A comprehensive Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 suite as standard equipment across the lineup.

Practical touches like tri-row USB-C charging and V2L capability that address real family and emergency-use needs.

Drawbacks and open questions:

No confirmed pricing yet, and EVs in this segment routinely start above $55,000 — a significant jump from today's Highlander.

A production timeline that has already shifted once, with conflicting reports as recently as this month about whether it will shift again — real uncertainty for anyone trying to plan a purchase around this vehicle.

Behind-the-third-row cargo space that trails both the Ioniq 9 and EV9 on paper, even if folded-seat capacity is more competitive.

Buyers who specifically wanted a gas or hybrid Highlander no longer have that option under this nameplate going forward — they'll need to consider the Grand Highlander instead, which changes the size, price, and packaging equation.

Real-world range, efficiency, and charging performance remain manufacturer estimates until EPA certification and independent testing are complete.

What the 2027 Toyota Highlander Means for Buyers

If you've been a loyal gas or hybrid Highlander owner and simply wanted the next generation of the same idea, this isn't it — the Grand Highlander is now the closer match to that experience, gas engine and all. But if you were already considering an electric three-row SUV and wanted Toyota's take on the format, the EV Highlander looks like a legitimate, well-equipped entry rather than a rushed reaction to competitors. The extended wheelbase and resulting interior space are real, tangible benefits of the EV-specific architecture, not just marketing language — though the tighter behind-the-third-row cargo figure is a genuine tradeoff worth weighing against that added passenger room.

The bigger question is value, and it's currently unanswerable. Until Toyota announces actual pricing, there's no way to say definitively whether the new Highlander undercuts, matches, or trails the EV9 and Ioniq 9 on cost per mile of range or per feature. Buyers who need a vehicle soon, or who aren't ready to commit to EV ownership and home charging, are better served looking at the Grand Highlander or a competing gas three-row SUV right now rather than waiting on a vehicle whose own launch timeline Toyota has struggled to pin down.

Is the 2027 Toyota Highlander Worth Waiting For?

For a specific kind of buyer — someone who wants a three-row Toyota EV, has access to home or reliable public charging, and doesn't need a vehicle immediately — waiting can make sense, provided you go in with realistic expectations about timing. The extended range on the larger battery, the NACS charging standard, and the comprehensive standard safety suite all suggest Toyota built a genuinely capable product rather than a token EV entry, even if it isn't uniformly best-in-class on every spec.

For buyers who prioritize a known price today, who tow regularly, or who simply want the traditional Highlander experience with a gas or hybrid engine, waiting doesn't make sense — that vehicle now exists under a different name. The honest answer is that "the Highlander" as a single, predictable choice no longer exists. Toyota has split it into two distinct vehicles serving two distinct kinds of buyers, and figuring out which one you actually are is now the first step, not an afterthought.

Sources

Toyota USA Newsroom, "Elevated Style Meets Modern Power in the Next Generation 2027 Toyota Highlander," February 10, 2026

Toyota Canada Media, "Elevated Style Meets Modern Power in the Next Generation 2027 Toyota Highlander"

Cars.com, "2027 Toyota Highlander: Toyota Reinvents Its Three-Row SUV as an All-Electric Vehicle" and "The 2027 Toyota Highlander Is Your Bigger bZ, Up Close"

CarsDirect, "2027 Toyota Highlander Preview: Redesign Info, Price, Photos, Release Date" and "Toyota Delays Highlander EV Production"

Cars.com, "Toyota Delays 2027 Highlander EV; Current Gas and Hybrid Versions Will Stay in Production"

Electrek, "Toyota Denies It's Delaying the Highlander EV SUV Again," September 3, 2026

Edmunds, "2027 Toyota Highlander Prices, Reviews, and Pictures"

CarGurus, "2027 Toyota Highlander Pricing, Specs, and Release Date"

Consumer Reports, "2027 Toyota Highlander Road Test Report"

InsideEVs, coverage of Hyundai Ioniq 9 charging performance and 800-volt architecture