Toyota reveals all-electric Highlander

The next-generation three-row SUV will be a battery-electric vehicle, starting with the 2027 model year.

2027 Toyota Highlander exterior front and side — *The fifth-generation Toyota Highlander will be an EV. – Toyota Canada Inc. photo*

Toyota has surprised in recent years by making its Camry and RAV4, two stalwart models, hybrid-only.

But neither of those is as bold a move as this one. The Highlander three-row SUV is going electric for its fifth generation.

The next-gen Highlander is expected to launch in late 2026 as a 2027 model year vehicle.

The Highlander is becoming the company’s fourth battery-electric vehicle and the first three-row BEV. It’s also the company’s first BEV to be assembled in North America. It will be assembled in Georgetown, Kentucky with batteries sourced from Toyota’s new facility in Liberty, North Carolina.

2027 Toyota Highlander side and rear — *The battery-electric Highlander will be available with two battery choices and two powertrain choices. – Toyota Canada Inc. photo*

Powertrain and battery options

In Canada, the 2027 Highlander will be available in three grades, XLE, XLE Premium and Limited.

The base XLE model will be available with regular- or long-range battery options (77 kWh or 95.8 kWh) as well as front-wheel and all-wheel drive. The other two grades both get the larger battery and all-wheel drive.

The front-wheel-drive XLE model gets a single-motor powertrain with 221 hp and 198 lb.-ft. of torque.

The all-wheel-drive versions of the Highlander get a dual-motor powertrain with 338 hp and 323 lb.-ft. of torque. This powertrain also gets Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control.

2027 Toyota Highlander Limited seats — *The 2027 Toyota Highlander, here in Limited grade, has six- and seven-seat configurations. – Toyota Canada Inc. photo*

Estimated range

Toyota offers its estimated range for each of the grades.

Estimated range is as follows:

XLE FWD (77 kWh) – 458 kilometres
XLE AWD (77 kWh) – 431 kilometres
XLE AWD (95.8 kWh) – 511 kilometres
XLE Premium AWD (95.8 kWh) – 473 kilometres
Limited AWD (95.8 kWh) – 473 kilometres

2027 Toyota Highlander side window — *The 2027 Toyota Highlander has available side window shades. – Toyota Canada Inc. photo*

Charging

The Highlander gets a North American Charging Standard port, giving it access to NACS-style Level 3 charging stations.

Toyota said with DC fast-charging the battery can recharge from 10 to 80 per cent in about 30 minutes.

A battery preconditioning feature is standard, which helps bring the battery up to optimal temperature for DC fast-charging, a feature particularly helpful in Canada’s cold winters.

2027 Toyota Highlander Limited side — *The fifth-generation Toyota Highlander is lower and wider than the model it replaces. – Toyota Canada Inc. photo*

Design and proportions

The new Highlander rides on a modified version of the company’s Toyota Next Generation Architecture-K (TNGA-K) platform, which was developed to hold the Highlander’s battery and maximize passenger space. The new Highlander is lower and wider than the version it replaces.

Dimensions (compared to the current Highlander) are as follows:

Length – 5,050 mm (up from 4,951 to 5,015 mm)
Width – 1,990 mm (up from 1,931 mm)
Height – 1,710 mm (down from 1,730 mm)
Wheelbase – 3,050 mm (up from 2,850 mm)

Toyota said these new proportions give the Highlander a more planted appearance while maximizing interior space.

2027 Toyota Highlander Limited cabin front — *Toyota’s electric Highlander is gaining a tech-forward cabin. – Toyota Canada Inc. photo*

Interior design and features

Toyota set out to create a refined and comfortable cabin, the automaker said. The interior is meant to be open and tech forward.

The driver gets an LED gauge cluster with customizable settings.

HVAC controls can be adjusted with physical buttons or via the centre touchscreen.

Ambient lighting with 64 colour choices is standard.

A head-up display is available.

2027 Toyota Highlander cargo area — *The Toyota Highlander’s cargo area has a 450-litre capacity behind the third-row seats and 1,290 litres behind the second row. – Toyota Canada Inc. photo*

Toyota said the seating upholstery is made up of durable materials and all grades get SofTex-trimmed seating.

Heated front seats are standard, while the Limited grade adds front seat ventilation and second-row heat.

Second-row captain’s chairs are standard on the XLE FWD, XLE Premium and Limited trims, which gives these models a six-seat layout, while the XLE AWD grades get a second-row bench, giving them seating for seven.

The second-row seats get a one-touch fold button to give people easy access to the third-row seats. Toyota said the third row can accommodate adults.

The centre console gets a dual Qi wireless charging tray, which is angled to prevent slipping. There are also USB-C charging ports throughout the interior, accessible in all three rows.

Rear window shades are available.

2027 Toyota Highlander Limited third-row seats — *Toyota says the Highlander’s third row can fit adults. – Toyota Canada Inc. photo*

Safety

Toyota Safety Sense 4.0, the company’s latest suite of advanced safety features, is standard. The suite features a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, full-speed range dynamic range cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beams, lane tracing assist, road sign assist, and proactive driving assist.

Additionally, the Highlander gets Toyota’s Star Safety System, as well as Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking.

The Highlander also has a rear seat reminder system, smart key with push button start, blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, and more.

2027 Toyota Highlander centre console — *The Highlander has dual wireless charging pads on the centre console and USB ports throughout the cabin. – Toyota Canada Inc. photo*

Technology

The Highlander also gets the Toyota Multimedia system with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, simultaneous dual Bluetooth phone connectivity, native turn-by-turn navigation available on the digital gauge cluster, a built-in drive recorder, which is a dashcam-style feature that uses the SUV’s exterior cameras, and more.

Canadian pricing has not been announced yet.

For full vehicle details and updates, visit the Toyota Canada website.