2027 Toyota Highlander Reinvented as All-Electric 3-Row SUV

Toyota is leaning a little further into electrification that counts, reinventing the Highlander as a three-row SUV that runs on nothing but electrons.

OK, the brand still has the bigger Grand Highlander; that’s perfect for those who aren’t ready to make the move to an electric vehicle (EV) just yet. But for those who are, the 2027 Toyota Highlander serves as a sleek and stylish sport utility to take on the likes of the Kia EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq 9 that came before it.

Like the EV9, there are two batteries to choose from: a 77-kWh pack that comes in a single-motor setup, or a 95.8-kWh unit that can be combined with a second motor and all-wheel drive. Unlike those SUVs from Kia and Hyundai, both of which come with the choice of rear- or all-wheel drive, the single-motor version of the Highlander is front-wheel drive — a format shared with two of Toyota’s other EVs, the recently renamed bZ and the funky-looking C-HR.

That’s a simple bit of trivia more than anything else, and it shouldn’t negatively impact the way the Highlander performs with two-wheel traction. More importantly, it means the SUV can operate especially efficiently and deliver more range even with a relatively small battery. And according to Toyota, the entry-level XLE should be able to go 458 km on a full charge with front-wheel drive — more than the 370 km the Kia EV9 is expected to travel with a similarly sized battery.

Opting for all-wheel drive means a still respectable 431 km of range with the 77-kWh pack along for the ride, while the big battery is expected to provide between 473 and 511 km, depending on wheel size. Official numbers — along with pricing, of course — will be available closer to the 2027 Highlander’s on-sale date late this year.

Like the other EVs in the Toyota lineup, the new Highlander will come with a Tesla-style charge port for access to that automaker’s stations. However, as with other non-Tesla EVs that have switched to that easy-to-use interface, only the latest stations to come online will be accessible — an issue that’s attributed to a non-compatible communications protocol used by older units.

Although Toyota didn’t provide maximum charging speeds at the time of this writing, it said to expect the benchmark 10-to-80 per cent charge to take about 30 minutes in ideal conditions. The 2027 Highlander will also feature an 11-kW onboard charger, battery preconditioning, plug-and-charge capability, and bidirectional charging for powering auxiliary items.

The single-motor version is rated for 221 hp and 198 lb-ft of torque, numbers that swell to 338 hp and 323 lb-ft of torque with a second motor and all-wheel drive. This being an EV, the output figures matter less than the way that stuff is delivered, and the instantaneous nature of electric torque means acceleration should be brisk for a vehicle this size.

Among the criticisms of the outgoing version of the Highlander has been the relatively limited space inside compared to most other three-row SUVs. And while the Grand Highlander addressed that concern in a big way, the all-electric Highlander aims to do something similar. So while its overall height is slightly lower at 1,710 mm (67.3 in) compared to 1,730 mm (68.1 in), the packaging of an EV like it means the cabin looks and feels more spacious.

Helping matters is a wheelbase that now measures 3,050 mm (120.1 in) versus 2,850 mm (112.2 in), while this electric version is wider, too. It’s 1,990 mm (78.3 in) across compared to 1,930 mm (76.0 in) for the outgoing version. Specific interior dimensions weren’t made available by Toyota, although it said folding the third row would provide 1,290 L — slightly less than the current Highlander (1,370 L).

Beyond all those essentials, the 2027 Highlander will come standard with a 14-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument display, as well as a heated steering wheel and front seats, second-row captain’s chairs, and a full advanced safety and driver assist suite, among other features. Meanwhile, pricier trims add extras like ventilated front seats and heated rear ones, a head-up display, and more.

Expect more information about the 2027 Toyota Highlander prior to its arrival at dealers starting in late 2026.