Toyota has officially drawn a line in the sand. With the reveal of the all-new 2027 Toyota Highlander, the Japanese automaker has gone all-in on electricity for one of its most beloved nameplates — dropping gas and hybrid options entirely and delivering its first-ever three-row battery electric vehicle for the U.S. market. This isn’t a refresh. It’s a full reinvention.
The Toyota Highlander has been a family SUV staple for over 25 years, with more than 3 million units sold since its debut in 2000. The fourth-generation model served families faithfully since 2019, but it was aging. For the fifth generation, Toyota didn’t just update the Highlander — it started over.
The 2027 Highlander is the fourth BEV in Toyota’s U.S. lineup and will be assembled at Toyota’s plant in Georgetown, Kentucky, with batteries from Toyota’s newly opened $13.9 billion battery facility in Liberty, North Carolina. That’s a serious commitment to domestic production at a time when it matters more than ever.
Design: Finally, a Toyota That Turns Heads
The 2027 Highlander arrives with the boldest design of any Highlander ever made. The front end features L-shaped daytime running lights, a ridged hood, a chunky front fascia, and large horizontal air vents — all built around a fully sealed grille that signals this is a pure EV. A full-width LED light bar runs across the front, and a built-in charge level indicator lets you check your battery state at a glance.
Compared to the outgoing model, the EV is 0.8 inch lower, 2.3 inches wider, and 3.9 inches longer. That lower, wider stance gives it a planted, athletic look that’s impressive for a three-row family hauler. Semi-flush door handles and an available two-tone black roof round out the exterior styling options.
Powertrain and Range
Toyota offers two trims — XLE and Limited — across four powertrain configurations:
| Trim / Drive | Battery | Horsepower | Torque | Est. Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XLE FWD | 77.0 kWh | 221 hp | 198 lb-ft | 287 miles |
| XLE AWD | 77.0 kWh | 338 hp | 323 lb-ft | 270 miles |
| XLE AWD | 95.8 kWh | 338 hp | 323 lb-ft | 320 miles |
| Limited AWD | 95.8 kWh | 338 hp | 323 lb-ft | 320 miles |
The base XLE FWD uses a single motor producing 221 hp and 198 lb-ft of torque with an estimated 287-mile range. Step up to AWD and you get a dual-motor setup with 338 hp and 323 lb-ft. The top configurations with the larger 95.8 kWh battery deliver up to 320 miles of estimated range — more than enough for most families on any given day.
Charging: Fast and Flexible
Every 2027 Highlander comes standard with an NACS (North American Charging Standard) port, giving owners access to the Tesla Supercharger network and thousands of other compatible stations. Under ideal conditions, DC fast charging takes the battery from 10% to 80% in approximately 30 minutes. Battery preconditioning and Plug & Charge are also included for seamless cold-weather charging.
Level 1 and Level 2 AC charging are supported, and Toyota includes a dual-voltage 120V/240V cable in the box. The 2027 Highlander is also Toyota’s first U.S. vehicle with Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability — meaning it can power your home during an outage, run appliances at a campsite, or charge external devices on the go.
Interior: Three Rows of Smart, Modern Space
The cabin is a major step forward. A 14-inch central touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster dominate the dashboard, running Toyota’s latest Audio Multimedia system with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 5G connectivity, cloud navigation, and a built-in voice assistant. Dual wireless charging pads and USB-C ports in all three rows are standard.
The longer wheelbase opens up meaningful space across all three rows. Behind the third row is 15.9 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 45.6 cubic feet with the third row folded. The second row comes standard with captain’s chairs, with a bench seat option on XLE AWD. Toyota’s largest-ever panoramic roof is available, spanning all three rows. A built-in dashcam with 20-second event recording is also included.
Safety: Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 Standard on Every Trim
Every 2027 Highlander comes equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 as standard, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control with lane centering, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, automatic high beam control, traffic sign recognition, and proactive driving assist. Blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front/rear parking assist with automatic braking are also standard. Available options include a panoramic view monitor and Toyota’s Advanced Park hands-free parking system.
Pricing and Availability
Official pricing has not been announced. Toyota expects sales to begin in late 2026, continuing into early 2027. Analysts expect the base XLE FWD to start around $50,000–$55,000, putting it in direct competition with the Kia EV9 (from $54,900) and Hyundai Ioniq 9 (from $58,955). Pricing will be confirmed closer to the on-sale date.
The Bottom Line
The 2027 Toyota Highlander Electric is the most compelling EV Toyota has ever brought to the U.S. market. It’s bold in design, practical in execution, competitive on range, and built in America. With 320 miles of range, 338 horsepower, V2L capability, and a genuinely striking new look, it enters the three-row EV segment as an immediate contender. The Kia EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq 9 have competition. Toyota’s most important family SUV is electric — and it’s ready.