The End of an Era, The Start of a New One

After 25 years and nearly 6 million sales globally, Toyota has dropped a bombshell: the 2027 Highlander will be all-electric, with gas and hybrid models discontinued entirely . The fifth-generation SUV—Toyota's first three-row BEV for the U.S.—represents a seismic shift for a nameplate that defined family transportation for a quarter-century . But is the market ready? Here's everything you need to know.

338 hp
AWD Power
320 mi
Max Range (est)
95.8 kWh
Largest Battery

A Historic Pivot: Why Toyota Killed the Gas Highlander

The decision wasn't made lightly. Highlander sales had been plummeting—from a peak of 264,128 units in 2021 to just 56,208 in 2025, a 37% drop from the previous year . Meanwhile, the larger Grand Highlander, introduced in 2023, sold over 136,000 units in 2025, a 90% year-over-year increase .

The math was simple: Buyers migrating to the Grand Highlander left the standard Highlander without a clear role. Toyota saw an opportunity to reinvent it as an EV without alienating its core customer base .

David Christ, group vice president of marketing for Toyota, explained: "This new Highlander is designed to be a stylish, high-tech leader in the midsize SUV segment."

2027 Highlander EV: Powertrain and Range

Model Battery Power Range
XLE FWD 77 kWh 221 hp 287 miles
XLE AWD 77 kWh 338 hp 270 miles
XLE AWD (Long Range) 95.8 kWh 338 hp 320 miles
Limited AWD 95.8 kWh 338 hp 320 miles

Toyota estimates the 95.8-kWh battery can deliver 320 miles of range, putting it in direct competition with the Kia EV9 (up to 305 miles) and Hyundai Ioniq 9 (up to 335 miles) . AWD models produce 338 horsepower and 323 lb-ft of torque, with the FWD version delivering 221 horsepower .

Charging: NACS Port and V2L Capability

The 2027 Highlander comes standard with a North American Charging System (NACS) port, granting direct access to Tesla's Supercharger network without an adapter . DC fast charging can take the battery from 10% to 80% in approximately 30 minutes under ideal conditions .

Vehicle-to-load (V2L): For the first time on a Toyota model sold in the U.S., the Highlander can power external devices, camping gear, or even serve as a home backup power source during outages .

Design: Wider, Longer, Lower

The fifth-generation Highlander rides on a modified TNGA-K platform with significant dimensional changes :

  • Wheelbase extended to 120.1 inches (up from 112 inches)
  • Width increased to 78.3 inches (2.3 inches wider)
  • Height reduced to 67.3 inches (0.8 inches lower)
  • Overall length: 198.8 inches

Chief Designer Masayuki Yamada described the mission: "Our design mission was to create a new Highlander that pursued the robust proportions of an SUV while also capturing the sophisticated, high-tech aspects of all-electric performance."

The result is a more planted, aggressive stance with Toyota's signature hammerhead front end, slim LED daytime running lights, flush door handles, and available two-tone paint options including the new "Spellbound" color .

Interior: Tech-Forward Family Space

Inside, the Highlander seats six or seven passengers depending on configuration . Standard XLE features include:

  • 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
  • 14-inch touchscreen with Toyota's latest multimedia system
  • Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
  • Dual wireless charging pads
  • Heated front seats and steering wheel
  • SofTex synthetic leather upholstery
  • 64-color customizable ambient lighting
  • 18 cupholders

Limited trim adds ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, head-up display, rear sunshades, and a 360-degree camera system .

Cargo space measures 15.9 cubic feet behind the third row and 45.6 cubic feet with the third row folded—competitive with the EV9 and Ioniq 9 .

Safety: Toyota Safety Sense 4.0

All 2027 Highlanders come standard with Toyota Safety Sense 4.0, including :

  • Forward collision warning with pedestrian detection
  • Automatic emergency braking
  • Adaptive cruise control
  • Lane departure warning and lane-keep assist
  • Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert
  • Parking sensors front and rear
  • Automatic high-beam headlights
  • Rear-seat alert

Limited trim adds Traffic Jam Assist, lane-change assist, and front cross-traffic alert .

Made in America: Kentucky Assembly, North Carolina Batteries

The 2027 Highlander will be assembled at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky in Georgetown, the first BEV built in America by Toyota . Battery modules come from the newly opened Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina (TBMNC) plant and a U.S. supplier partner .

This U.S. production should help insulate the Highlander from tariff-related pricing volatility .

Pricing and Availability

The 2027 Highlander will go on sale in late 2026, with pricing to be announced closer to launch. Industry observers expect it to start in the mid-to-high $50,000 range, positioning it against the Kia EV9 ($56,495 starting) and Hyundai Ioniq 9 ($61,055 starting) .

Two trims will be available at launch: XLE and Limited .

Market Context: A Bold Bet on EV Adoption

Dave Christ, Toyota Motor North America Group vice president, addressed the timing: "This is not a niche product. There will be volume. Yes, EV sales are down after the federal incentives went away, but we think that we deserve our fair share of the EV market."

Christ acknowledged that other mass-market brands have been selling EVs in higher volume for years, and "one of our portfolio holes was not having EV options in the showroom."

The Grand Highlander will continue with gas and hybrid powertrains, giving traditional buyers an alternative .

"As people get more familiar with the EVs, the market will grow. Obviously, the end of the government subsidies brought the market back a bit. But again, even if it's 5% of the market, you still want to have offerings. I don't know that it will be 5% of the market. I think it's going to be bigger than that. We're all in." — David Christ, Toyota Group Vice President

The Grand Highlander Factor

The decision to electrify the Highlander while keeping the Grand Highlander gas-powered is strategic. Grand Highlander sales surged 90% year-over-year in 2025, topping 136,000 units . As The Drive notes, "The gas Highlander won't be missed."

Buyers who want a traditional three-row Toyota SUV with gas or hybrid power can still get the Grand Highlander. The Highlander becomes the EV option.

Comparison: Highlander EV vs. Key Rivals

Highlander EV Kia EV9 Hyundai Ioniq 9
Max Range 320 mi (est) 305 mi 335 mi
Max Power 338 hp 379 hp 429 hp
Battery (max) 95.8 kWh 99.8 kWh 110 kWh
NACS Port Standard 2026+ standard 2026+ standard

Key Questions Answered

Will there be any gas or hybrid 2027 Highlanders?
No. Toyota confirmed the 2027 Highlander will be all-electric only, with no internal combustion or hybrid options available .
What is the range of the 2027 Highlander EV?
Toyota estimates up to 320 miles for the 95.8-kWh battery version, with the 77-kWh battery delivering 270-287 miles depending on configuration .
Does the Highlander EV have a NACS port?
Yes, the North American Charging System port is standard, giving access to Tesla Superchargers without an adapter .
When will the 2027 Highlander go on sale?
Sales are expected to begin in late 2026, continuing into early 2027 .
Where will the Highlander EV be built?
Assembly will take place at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky in Georgetown, with battery modules from Toyota's North Carolina plant .
Can I still buy a gas-powered three-row Toyota SUV?
Yes. The larger Grand Highlander will continue with gas and hybrid powertrains, giving traditional buyers an alternative .