Toyota brings a big electric SUV to America with the 2027 Highlander

Toyota is finally ready to show the world that it can build more than just hybrids. The Japanese car company focused on gasoline engines and small electric motors for a very long time, but now, it is finally jumping into the world of large electric cars with the 2027 Toyota Highlander. This is a giant leap for a company that once seemed slow to join the electric race.

The new vehicle is a three-row SUV that runs entirely on electricity. Toyota will build the car in Kentucky, and it will use batteries made in the United States, making the Highlander a home-grown choice for families who want to stop using gasoline. Other companies are busy changing their plans and moving away from EVs, but Toyota is moving forward with this big project, hoping to compete directly with other large EVs like the Kia EV9 and the Hyundai Ioniq 9.

The size of the 2027 Toyota Highlander is very similar to the gas-powered version we already know. It measures 16.57 ft long and 6.53 ft wide. It stands 5.61 ft tall, and the wheelbase is 10.01 ft, which creates a lot of room inside. You get 15.9 ft³ of cargo space behind the third row of seats, and if you fold those seats down, that space grows to 45.6 ft³ - enough room for plenty of camping gear or sports equipment.

Toyota gives buyers two choices for the battery. The basic battery has 77 kWh of energy. If you choose the model with one motor in the front, you get 221 horsepower. This version can drive about 287 miles on a full charge. If you want more power, you can get the all-wheel-drive version. It has 338 horsepower, but it can only travel about 270 miles because the extra motor uses more energy.

There is also a larger battery for people who drive long distances. This 95.8 kWh pack is only available in the all-wheel-drive version. It allows the Toyota Highlander to travel 320 miles on a full charge. Toyota's main rival, the Hyundai Ioniq 9, needs a much bigger 110.3 kWh battery to go the same distance. It seems Toyota's engineers worked hard to make their electric cars use energy more wisely.

Charging this SUV will be easy for most people since Toyota is using the same plug that Tesla has. This means you can use many different charging stations across the country. Toyota says you can charge the battery from 10% to 80% in about 30 minutes. The car even prepares the battery for charging while you drive, helping it take in power faster when plugged in. You can even use the car's battery to power small tools or electronics through a special adapter.

Inside the cabin, the technology is very impressive. The driver looks at a 12.3-inch digital screen for speed and information. In the middle of the dashboard, there is a 14-inch touchscreen and the car uses fast 5G internet to stay always connected. You can control the car using just your voice - you can change settings, and it even works with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto without any wires, and the built-in camera records your drives.

The 2027 Toyota Highlander comes in two main versions: XLE and Limited. The XLE is the starting model. It has 19-inch wheels and seats that keep you warm in the winter. It also has double-layer acoustic glass to keep the wind noise outside. If you want more luxury, the Limited version adds seats that blow cool air and a camera system that sees all around the vehicle. You can even choose a glass roof or 22-inch wheels to make the SUV look more stylish.

Most models will come with six seats. This layout features two comfortable chairs in the middle row. If you have a bigger family, you can choose a bench seat for the middle row on certain models, turning the SUV into a seven-seater.

We expect production to start soon, and we should see the new electric Highlander in showrooms by the end of 2026. Toyota has not shared the final price yet, but the consensus is that it will cost between $55,000 and $80,000 - the same price range as its main competitors.

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