Toyota Motor North America introduced the 2027 Highlander, an all-electric midsize SUV that marks the brand’s first three-row battery electric vehicle (BEV) for the U.S. market and its first BEV assembled in the United States.
The new Highlander, revealed in Ojai, California, will seat up to seven passengers and be offered in XLE and Limited grades. “This new Highlander is designed to be a stylish, high-tech leader in the midsize SUV segment,” said David Christ, group vice president and general manager of the Toyota division at Toyota Motor North America. He added that the vehicle’s design, interior space and technology features position it as a key addition to Toyota’s expanding BEV lineup.
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Toyota said the 2027 Highlander will come standard with a battery electric powertrain and offer multiple battery configurations. The XLE front-wheel-drive variant will feature a 77.0-kWh battery with a manufacturer-estimated range of 287 miles, while all-wheel-drive versions will offer either a 77.0-kWh battery with an estimated 270-mile range or a 95.8-kWh battery with up to 320 miles of range. The Limited grade will include all-wheel drive and the larger battery as standard.
The SUV will be assembled at Toyota’s Georgetown, Kentucky plant, with batteries supplied from the company’s $13.9 billion battery facility in Liberty, North Carolina, as well as a supplier partner. Toyota said the model will include a North American Charging System (NACS) port compatible with Level 3 DC fast chargers and will be capable of charging from 10% to 80% in around 30 minutes under ideal conditions.
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Chief engineer Yoshinori Futonagane said the development team focused on balancing efficiency and performance. “Our goal with the new Highlander was to develop a BEV that fits customers’ lives and brings a smile to their faces with sharp acceleration feel and a quiet ride,” he said. Sales of the 2027 Highlander are expected to begin in late 2026, with pricing to be announced closer to launch.
Source: Toyota