Toyota teases the all-new 2027 Highlander electric SUV

Toyota is finally ready to join the big leagues of family-sized electric cars. The company has officially confirmed the 2027 Toyota Highlander will arrive as its very first three-row SUV powered entirely by batteries. It's a big change for one of America's favorite family haulers - the Highlander used to rely on gasoline or hybrid power, but the next generation is ditching the tailpipe for a plug.

The company has released a final teaser video ahead of the official unveiling, showing a sleek rear design. It features a modern light bar that stretches across the back and a "BEV" badge, which stands for Battery Electric Vehicle. This confirms that the new Highlander is a full member of the EV family. Toyota also showed off an "AWD" badge, meaning the SUV will use all-wheel drive. This likely comes from a dual-motor setup that provides power to both the front and back wheels at the same time.

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Inside, the 2027 Highlander EV stays true to its roots by offering plenty of room. Early looks at the cabin show three rows of seating that can accommodate at least seven people. Families can expect high-tech features, and to make the ride even better, the second row will offer comfortable captain's chairs.

The new electric SUV is a step up for Toyota. The largest electric Toyota on the market right now is the bZ Woodland at 15.85 ft long. The gasoline Highlander is longer at 16.24 ft, and the Grand Highlander is even bigger at 16.67 ft. We expect the electric Highlander to be around 16.24 ft long, giving it a massive footprint that is perfect for carrying kids and gear.

While Toyota is saving the exact power numbers for the full debut, we can make some good guesses based on their other electric cars. The smaller bZ Woodland already makes 375 horsepower. Since the Highlander is larger and built to carry more people, it will likely match or possibly even beat that number. This power will help it tow heavy loads, with an estimated towing capacity of 4,410 lb to 5,512 lb.

The battery is expected to be quite large to help the heavy SUV travel long distances. Most industry experts predict a battery size between 95 and 100 kWh. This should allow the Highlander to drive between 298 miles and 311 miles on a single charge. Toyota is also focusing on fast charging, with the goal of letting drivers charge the battery from 10% to 80% in a very short amount of time at public charging stations.

Buying a large electric SUV is not cheap. You can get a gas-powered Grand Highlander for about $41,660 in the US, but it's obvious the electric version will cost more. Prices for the 2027 Highlander EV are expected to start around $55,000, putting it right in the middle of the market where it will fight for customers against other big EVs like the Kia EV9 and the Hyundai Ioniq 9.

Toyota is positioning all of its new electric models as premium vehicles. They want them to feel more upscale and powerful than their older gas cars. By using the famous Highlander name, Toyota hopes to convince loyal fans that switching to an electric lifestyle is a smart and easy move. The vehicle will be built in the United States, which should help it avoid tariffs and lower the price for buyers.

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