The Highlander’s history takes a new turn with the upcoming 2027 model. For the first time, Toyota releases the Highlander BEV as Toyota’s first three-row electric SUV for all of North America. The “Grand Highlander” is for the Highlander fans wanting the standard internal combustion and hybrid options.
The 2027 Highlander EV is meant to create adventures for the next generations. Known for Toyota’s reliable engineering, Highlander EV uses the newest battery technology.
Exterior & Design
The 2027 Toyota Highlander gets new exterior design with special highliglight on:
- Streamlined Profile: An absence of a grille in the front and semi-flush door handles result in minimalism and improved efficiency.
- Illumination Enhancement: LED’s line at the front and rear, and the light bar in the front serves as a charging indicator. Owners can look to this light to understand the level of charge.
- Overhead Visibility: With the largest fixed glass Panoramic Roof, there is a greater sense of spaciousness throughout the interior.
Battery Options, Powertrain, and Range
Toyota has sorted the line-up into two main trim levels, the XLE and Limited, and provide customizable drivetrain and battery options.
Battery Capacities
- Standard Range: For the XLE Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) model, a battery having a capacity of 77.0-kWh is included at no extra cost.
- Extended Range: For the XLE All-Wheel Drive (AWD) model, the 95.8-kWh battery is an optional purchase and is standard on the Limited grade.
Performance Specs
| Configuration | Horsepower | Torque | Est. Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| FWD (XLE) | 221 hp | 198 lb-ft | ~287 miles |
| AWD (XLE/Limited) | 338 hp | 323 lb-ft | 320 miles |
Interior
The 2027 Toyota Highlander is comfortable for seven passengers.its interior has got the variety of cutting-edge tech. It features a dash with a standard 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen, a 12.3-inch display for the digital gauge cluster, and can seat up to seven in its standard second-row captain seats or available second-row bench. If the third-row is difficult to access, it can easily be folded away using power-fold buttons.
It has also got plenty of cargo space, when you fold third row you get 45 cubic feet of space. A first for a Toyota in the U.S. is V2L support. V2L can turn the Highlander into a power bank to support a load for a variety of items from home appliances to camping gear.
Safety Features
The 2027 Highlander will have most advance and latest Toyota Safety Sense 4.0.
This new package enhances safety and protection features through advanced sensor technology and software that improves response time and flows more naturally with the control of the vehicle.
The Highlander will include Enhanced Proactive Driving Assist, which uses braking to help slow the vehicle when rounding turns, and Lane Change Assist to drive the vehicle through a turn signal activated lane change.
Other driving aids offered in the 2027 Highlander are Digital Key 2.0, an in-vehicle digital access method that also starts your Highlander through an iPhone or an Apple Watch (or other compatible Smart Device).
Release Date
The all new 2027 Highlander is an amazing example of how much Toyota is investing into the factory in Georgetown, KY. This big investment produces Toyota’s first fully electric, 3 row SUV. Once the factory in Georgetown produces these Highlanders, the battery will be manufactured at Toyota’s new $13.9 billion plant in Liberty, North Carolina.
This plant will set up a local supply line for next generation powertrains in the electric Highlanders. Sales are projected to start in 2026 or 2027 and will only be the first Highlander in a long line of electric SUVs.
