Toyota Highlander Going Electric For 2027

Ojai, CA — In what can best be classified as a massive paradigm shift, Toyota is taking its popular three-row Highlander SUV and thrusting it into EV realm. That’s right; the gas Highlander lives on for now but come 2027, that’s all she wrote, with only the gas Grand Highlander soldiering on. For now.

The Highlander BEV (its official name, if we go by the tailgate badging) will be available as only a three-row SUV with either a single-motor, front-wheel-drive powertrain or a more powerful AWD dual-motor set-up. Range will be anywhere from 431 km all the way up to 511 km depending on spec, with the max range model being the XLE trim with the smaller of two available wheel sizes (19” and 22”) and the larger of two available battery sizes (77 kWh or 95.8 kWh). Charging will be done via either a NACS port – that’s the Tesla Supercharger one – or a DC fast charge. Charge times have not yet been posted for thew NACS, but expect 10-80 per cent in about 30 minutes on a DC level III charger.

Power from the dual motor models is rates at 338 horsepower and 323 pound-feet of torque, with the single-motor FWD version making 221 hp and 198 lb-ft. There will be five trims in total when the Highlander BEV goes on sale later this year: LE, XLE, XLE AWD, Premium and Limited. Of these, only the XLE is available with either FWD or AWD. In addition to the extra power, the AWD models also get crawl control and multi-terrain select system as well as a 1,179 kg (2,600 lbs.) tow capacity.

Styling-wise, this is the first time we’re seeing the Highlander get the Toyota signature “hammerhead” front end, and it gets a longer wheelbase than previous. It sits lower to the ground than before and is also wider, for a more squat look. An all-new “Spellbound” colour joins stalwarts like Wind Chill Pearl, Everest and Resevoir Blue seen here – I think it would look better in a lighter colour (especially with those dark 19” turbine-style wheels), but I digress.

Inside, there’s room for six or seven depending on whether you opt for the second row captain’s chairs or bench seats, and up to 2,265 litres of cargo space if you fold the second and third rows. The 1,200 L and change you get behind the second row is generous as well, but there is no frunk as that area’s reserved for cooling gear and the EV motor.

All Highlander BEVs come equipped with a 12.3” digital gauge cluster as well as a 14” central display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a six-speaker sound system comes as standard. This can be upgraded to an 11-speaker JBL system. Softex synthetic leather seating (with heated front seats) will be your only option, but higher-end models get adds like contrast-colour stitching as well as ventilated front seats and heated rear seats.

No pricing has been announced; we’ll be seeing that when the Highlander BEV begins production later this year.