2027 Toyota Highlander: Electric SUV with Impressive Range

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Toyota Highlander electric SUV offers 320 miles range

  • Toyota’s 2027 Highlander is a fully redesigned, three-row electric SUV aimed at America’s most popular vehicle segment.
  • Top estimated range is up to 320 miles on AWD models with the 95.8kWh battery.
  • Two trims launch: XLE (FWD or AWD) and Limited (AWD standard).
  • It adopts NACS for Tesla Supercharger access and targets 10–80% in ~30 minutes on DC fast charging.

Estimated Range Varies by Configuration
– The “up to 320 miles” figure is an estimate tied to the AWD setup with the 95.8kWh battery (as reported at reveal by The Verge).
– Other reported configuration estimates: 287 miles (XLE FWD with 77kWh) and 270 miles (XLE AWD with 77kWh) (reported by outlets including Car and Driver / InsideEVs).
– Range can move with real-world variables Toyota and other reports call out: wheel size (e.g., optional 22-inch wheels), temperature, and driving speed.

Overview of the 2027 Toyota Highlander Electric SUV

Toyota is putting one of its most recognizable nameplates into the center of its US EV push. The 2027 Toyota Highlander arrives as a fully redesigned midsize SUV and, crucially, Toyota’s first three-row electric vehicle for the US market. It’s also positioned as the first Toyota EV assembled in America, a notable shift as automakers weigh supply chains, tariffs, and the economics of building EVs closer to where they’re sold.

The move is as much about product strategy as it is about branding. Toyota has sold gasoline Highlanders for more than two decades, and the company is leaning on that familiarity after learning that its “bZ” naming didn’t resonate with many shoppers. In a segment where practicality often beats novelty, “Highlander” signals family utility and mainstream intent—exactly the audience three-row EVs are chasing.

Toyota’s timing is also shaped by the broader EV market. As global EV sales growth cools and rivals report losses tied to aggressive EV investment, Toyota’s long emphasis on hybrids looks, at minimum, defensible. But the Highlander EV is an acknowledgment that the three-row electric SUV category is now too important to ignore—and that Toyota wants a credible contender in one of the most lucrative parts of the US market.

Key Details Still Pending
This model is being discussed off early reveal details, with several buyer-critical items still pending (notably final pricing, EPA-certified range, and full V2L accessory specifics). The big strategic signals so far are (1) Toyota returning to a familiar Highlander nameplate for mainstream clarity and (2) emphasizing US assembly for a high-volume segment.

Dimensionally, the Highlander EV is sized to compete directly with other three-row electric SUVs. Toyota lists it at 198.8 inches long, 78.3 inches wide, and 67.3 inches tall, riding on a 120.1-inch wheelbase—figures that put it in the same conversation as vehicles like the Rivian R1S, Kia EV9, and Hyundai Ioniq 9.

Key Features and Specifications

Toyota’s headline for the Highlander EV is straightforward: a three-row family SUV with modern EV hardware and a tech-forward cabin, without asking buyers to learn a new sub-brand. The vehicle is offered with two trims and a familiar set of comfort and convenience features aimed at daily usability—especially for families using all three rows.

Inside, Toyota is aligning the Highlander EV with its newest electric models, borrowing an updated infotainment approach seen on the latest C-HR and bZ Woodland electric SUVs. The goal is a cabin that feels contemporary and connected, while still emphasizing practical touches like device charging across all rows and flexible cargo space.

Seating is configured for seven passengers, with a third row designed to hold two. When that third row isn’t needed, it folds flat to open up more than 45 cubic feet of rear storage—an important number for a vehicle that will likely spend much of its life hauling strollers, sports gear, and luggage.

A few standout details underscore Toyota’s intent to make the Highlander EV feel like a premium step forward: a fixed panoramic glass roof described as the largest ever offered by Toyota, plus features such as wireless charging trays, multiple USB-C ports across all three rows, rear HVAC controls, optional rear window shades, and a hands-free power liftgate.

Tech-Forward Comfort for Seven
– Seating/cargo: 7 seats (third row for 2) + third row folds flat for 45+ cu ft rear storage
– Cabin tech: 14-inch center display + 12.3-inch gauge cluster; wireless CarPlay/Android Auto
– Connectivity: AT&T 5G, “Hey Toyota” voice commands, dual Bluetooth phone pairing
– Everyday power: device charging across all three rows (USB-C, wireless trays)
– Comfort touches: rear HVAC controls, optional rear window shades, hands-free power liftgate
– EV hardware highlights: battery preconditioning, heat pump, adjustable regen via paddles

Battery Options and Range

Toyota is offering two battery packs, with range and performance varying by configuration.

  • A 77kWh battery is available depending on trim and drivetrain. In front-wheel-drive (FWD) form, Toyota lists output at 221 horsepower and 198 lb-ft of torque.
  • A larger 95.8kWh battery is available depending on configuration and is paired with all-wheel drive (AWD). With that setup, Toyota quotes 338 horsepower and 323 lb-ft of torque, along with up to 320 miles of estimated range.

Range also varies across other combinations. Reported estimates include 287 miles for an XLE FWD configuration with the 77kWh pack, and 270 miles for an XLE AWD configuration with the 77kWh pack. Toyota also notes that wheel choice can matter: optional 22-inch wheels (available on the Limited) are expected to reduce range compared with smaller wheels.

Toyota is also building in tools meant to protect real-world range. The Highlander EV includes battery preconditioning (to prepare the pack for optimal charging) and is equipped with a heat pump, both aimed at reducing cold-weather penalties that can hit EV efficiency.

Interior Technology and Comfort

The Highlander EV’s cabin is built around a tech stack that Toyota is now standardizing across its newer EVs. The centerpiece is a 14-inch central touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch gauge cluster, plus customizable ambient lighting. Smartphone integration is wireless, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto included.

Connectivity is a major part of the pitch. Toyota says the infotainment system is powered by AT&T 5G connectivity and supports a customizable home screen, enhanced voice recognition with “Hey Toyota” commands, and dual Bluetooth phone connectivity—a small but meaningful feature for households where two drivers regularly swap seats.

Toyota also bakes in media services directly into the system, including Spotify and SiriusXM, reflecting how many drivers now treat the car as another connected device rather than a standalone stereo.

Comfort and convenience are reinforced with practical family features: charging options for devices in all three rows, rear HVAC controls, and available rear window shades. Above it all sits that fixed panoramic glass roof, positioned as a visual signature and a way to make the three-row cabin feel more open.

Trims and Drive Configurations

Toyota is keeping the launch lineup simple: the 2027 Highlander EV will be sold in two trims—XLE and Limited—with drivetrain choices tied closely to each.

The XLE is the volume play. It’s available in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, giving buyers a choice between a simpler, likely more efficiency-oriented setup and an AWD configuration better suited to varied weather and traction needs. In FWD form, Toyota lists output at 221 hp and 198 lb-ft of torque, positioning it as the more modestly powered option in the range.

The Limited is the more premium trim and comes standard with AWD. In the AWD configuration paired with the larger battery, Toyota quotes 338 hp and 323 lb-ft, along with the model’s best estimated range of up to 320 miles when equipped with the 95.8kWh pack.

Battery availability is configuration-dependent. In practice, that means shoppers will need to decide early whether they prioritize the Highlander EV’s maximum range and performance (AWD with the larger pack) or a potentially simpler setup (such as XLE FWD).

Equipment differences also matter because they can affect real-world efficiency. For buyers who want the Limited’s features but also want to preserve range, wheel choice could become a surprisingly important decision.

That leaves the trim walk—XLE versus Limited—less about dollars for now and more about how much capability buyers want baked in from the factory.

Trim / drivetrain Battery (kWh) Est. range (miles) Output (hp / lb-ft) Notes that can change the outcome
XLE FWD 77 287 (reported) 221 / 198 Likely the efficiency-oriented pick; range varies with speed/temp.
XLE AWD 77 270 (reported) — AWD traction trade-off can reduce range vs FWD.
XLE AWD (with larger pack) 95.8 up to 320 (estimated) 338 / 323 “Up to” depends on conditions; wheel/tire choice matters.
Limited AWD (standard AWD) 95.8 up to 320 (estimated) 338 / 323 Optional 22-inch wheels are expected to reduce range.

Manufacturing and Production Details

The 2027 Highlander EV is not just a new model—it’s also a manufacturing statement. Toyota says it will be built at the company’s factory in Kentucky, making it Toyota’s first EV assembled in America. For a brand that has long balanced global production with regional assembly, the decision signals how central the US market is to Toyota’s next phase of electrification.

Domestic production also intersects with policy and trade realities. Toyota’s Kentucky build plan comes at a time when building vehicles in the US is framed as a way to reduce exposure to tariffs—an especially relevant consideration as automakers navigate shifting rules and political pressure around imported vehicles and components.

Toyota has said it will release pricing later in the year, timed to when the Highlander EV goes into production. While Toyota hasn’t detailed ramp rates or supplier specifics here, the production timing matters because the Highlander EV is arriving alongside a broader refresh of Toyota’s EV lineup. The company has already revamped the bZ (formerly bZ4x), and additional EVs like the C-HR hatchback and bZ Woodland are expected to go on sale in the US later this year.

Key Rollout Milestones to Watch
– Reveal/spec phase: core specs (battery sizes, trims, NACS, 10–80% claim) are public, but some details remain TBD.
– Pre-production: Toyota has indicated pricing will come later, closer to when the vehicle goes into production.
– Production: assembly planned in Kentucky (Toyota’s first US-assembled Toyota EV).
– Rollout checkpoints to watch: final pricing, final EPA range by trim/wheel, and the finalized V2L/bidirectional accessory package details.

In that context, the Highlander EV becomes a flagship of sorts for Toyota’s EV credibility in the US: a high-volume segment, a familiar name, and a vehicle built domestically. It’s also a test of whether Toyota can translate its scale and manufacturing discipline into a competitive EV product at a moment when some rivals are absorbing heavy EV-related losses.

Performance Metrics and Driving Experience

Toyota is offering two distinct performance profiles, largely defined by drivetrain and battery configuration.

At the entry end, FWD versions are rated at 221 horsepower and 198 lb-ft of torque. That output suggests a setup tuned for everyday usability—commuting, school runs, and highway cruising—rather than outright acceleration bragging rights. For many three-row buyers, smoothness and predictability matter more than peak numbers, and Toyota’s choice to offer FWD also signals an attempt to keep the lineup accessible and efficient.

Step up to the AWD configuration with the larger battery and the Highlander EV becomes notably more muscular. Toyota quotes 338 horsepower and 323 lb-ft of torque for AWD models with the 95.8kWh pack. In a three-row midsize SUV, that kind of torque is less about sportiness and more about effortless merging, confident passing, and maintaining composure with a full cabin.

Toyota is also giving drivers tools to shape how the vehicle feels in motion. The Highlander EV includes adjustable regenerative braking, controlled via steering wheel paddles, allowing drivers to tune energy recovery. In practice, that can change the day-to-day driving experience—especially in stop-and-go traffic—while also helping optimize efficiency.

Efficiency, Traction, and Range
– FWD vs AWD: FWD is typically the simpler, efficiency-leaning choice; AWD adds traction and power but can cost range depending on conditions.
– Bigger battery vs lighter feel: the 95.8kWh AWD setup targets the headline range and stronger output, but real-world efficiency still depends on speed, temperature, and tires.
– Wheels: larger wheels (like the Limited’s optional 22-inch) can trade style/stance for reduced range.
– Regen paddles: stronger regen can make city driving smoother and more efficient for some drivers, but it’s a “feel” preference—worth testing if you’re sensitive to one-pedal-like behavior.

The vehicle’s size places it squarely in the mainstream three-row category. Those proportions typically translate into stable highway manners and a cabin designed around passenger space rather than a tight, sporty footprint. Toyota is clearly aiming the Highlander EV at families who want EV benefits—quiet operation, instant torque, home charging—without giving up the packaging advantages that made the Highlander name popular in the first place.

Charging Capabilities and Infrastructure

Toyota is leaning into charging convenience as a core part of the Highlander EV’s value proposition—both through hardware choices and through access to existing networks.

Most notably, the Highlander EV will ship with a NACS port, enabling access to Tesla’s Supercharger network. In the US, where public fast-charging reliability and coverage can shape buying decisions, NACS compatibility is increasingly seen as a practical advantage rather than a spec-sheet detail.

On DC fast charging, Toyota says the Highlander EV can charge from 10% to 80% in approximately 30 minutes under the right conditions. As with all EVs, that caveat matters—temperature, charger output, and battery state can all influence results—but Toyota is clearly targeting the mainstream expectation for road-trip-viable charging stops.

To support more consistent fast-charging performance, it comes standard. Drivers can activate it manually, or it can be triggered automatically through a Drive Connect subscription that Toyota prices at about $15 per month. The inclusion of preconditioning as standard hardware is significant; the subscription element is about automation and convenience rather than access to the underlying capability.

For home and overnight charging, the Highlander EV supports Level 1 and Level 2 charging and includes a dual-voltage 120V/240V charging cable. Toyota is also adding a new capability with broader implications: vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality, allowing the Highlander EV to act as a mobile power bank. With optional bidirectional accessories, Toyota says it can even serve as a backup power source during a blackout, with more details promised later.

Efficient Charging and Power Use
– At home (daily routine): use Level 1/2; if you can install Level 2, it’s typically the easiest way to keep a three-row EV topped up overnight.
– Before a fast-charge stop: use battery preconditioning (manual, or automatic via Drive Connect) so the pack arrives at a better temperature for DC charging.
– On a road trip: plan around the 10–80% window Toyota cites (~30 minutes) and remember it’s “under the right conditions” (charger power, temperature, starting state of charge).
– At the plug: the vehicle’s NACS port is intended to simplify access to Tesla Superchargers (availability and speeds can still vary by site).
– For backup power: V2L is built in, but the blackout/backup use case depends on optional bidirectional accessories Toyota says it will detail later.

Competitive Landscape in the Electric SUV Market

The Highlander EV enters one of the most contested—and commercially important—parts of the EV market: the three-row midsize SUV. Toyota is explicit about the competitive set, positioning the Highlander EV against vehicles such as the Rivian R1S, Kia EV9, and Hyundai Ioniq 9. Dimensionally, it’s right in the mix, and its top estimated range figure—up to 320 miles—lands on a benchmark that many shoppers now treat as the threshold for road-trip confidence.

Toyota’s approach has a few clear competitive levers.

First is brand familiarity. Toyota is betting that “Highlander” carries more weight with mainstream buyers than a new EV sub-brand. That matters in a segment where many customers are moving from gasoline SUVs and want the transition to feel low-risk.

Second is charging strategy. By adopting NACS and enabling Supercharger access, Toyota is addressing one of the biggest friction points for EV adoption: the perceived hassle of public charging. In a family vehicle, where trips can be less predictable and time is at a premium, network access can be as persuasive as range.

Third is efficiency-by-design. The Highlander EV reaches its top range estimate with a 95.8kWh battery. Competitors can hit similar range numbers, but Toyota’s ability to do so with a sub-100kWh pack will be read by many buyers as a sign of efficiency—though real-world results will depend on conditions, wheels, and driving style.

Finally, Toyota is arriving with momentum in the US EV market. The revamped bZ has performed better than many expected, ranking fourth in overall US EV sales in January, ahead of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ford Mustang Mach-E. With additional EVs like the C-HR and bZ Woodland also slated for the US, the Highlander EV isn’t a one-off experiment—it’s part of a broader attempt to scale Toyota’s EV presence quickly.

Model Seating Max range (as discussed here) Battery (as discussed here) Charging connector / access Quick take
Toyota Highlander EV (2027) 7 up to 320 mi (est.) 95.8 kWh (max-range config) NACS (Supercharger access) Mainstream three-row with strong charging-network story.
Kia EV9 3-row ~320 mi (varies by trim) — — Direct three-row rival often cross-shopped on space/value.
Hyundai Ioniq 9 3-row ~320 mi (varies by trim) ~110.3 kWh (reported by InsideEVs) — Similar range benchmark; larger reported pack highlights efficiency comparisons.
Rivian R1S 3-row — — — More adventure/performance-leaning alternative; typically priced/positioned differently.

Final Thoughts on the 2027 Toyota Highlander Electric SUV

A New Era for Toyota’s Electric Vehicles

The 2027 Highlander EV reads like Toyota’s most direct answer yet to what US EV buyers have been asking for: a mainstream, three-row family SUV with competitive range, modern cabin tech, and a charging setup that reduces anxiety. It also represents a strategic pivot in presentation—moving away from niche EV branding and toward familiar nameplates that don’t require explanation.

Just as important, the Highlander EV is tied to Toyota’s manufacturing and market reality. Building it in Kentucky makes it a domestic product in a segment where pricing, incentives, and tariffs can shape demand. And by keeping the lineup to two trims, Toyota appears to be prioritizing clarity and scale over complexity.

The Highlander’s Competitive Edge in the EV Market

On paper, the Highlander EV’s strongest advantages are easy to summarize: up to 320 miles of estimated range, NACS with Supercharger access, and a family-first interior with three rows and meaningful cargo flexibility. Add in V2L capability and standard battery preconditioning, and Toyota is checking boxes that matter in daily life—not just in marketing.

The remaining question is one Toyota has intentionally left open until later in the year: price. Once Toyota publishes pricing alongside production timing, the Highlander EV’s true competitiveness will come into focus. But the product direction is clear: Toyota is aiming squarely at the heart of the US market, with an EV that looks designed to win on practicality rather than novelty.

Highlander EV Decision Guide
– Choose the Highlander EV if you want: a familiar three-row nameplate, NACS convenience, and you’re comfortable buying based on early estimates while waiting for final EPA numbers.
– Lean XLE FWD if you prioritize: simpler drivetrain and the reported 287-mile estimate with the smaller pack.
– Lean AWD + 95.8kWh if you prioritize: the headline up to 320 miles estimate plus higher output (and you’re okay with potential range swings from wheels/conditions).
– Consider waiting if you need certainty on: price, final EPA range by wheel, real charging curve performance beyond the 10–80% claim, and the exact V2L/bidirectional accessory setup.

Perspective note: This analysis is written from the viewpoint of Martin Weidemann (weidemann.tech), a digital transformation strategist and builder of technology-driven businesses in regulated, multi-stakeholder environments—experience that shapes how product decisions like charging access, subscriptions, and operational scalability are evaluated.

These specs and estimates reflect publicly available information at the time of writing and may carry some uncertainty. Final pricing, EPA-certified range, and certain feature details—especially bidirectional/V2L accessories—may change as Toyota releases full production specifications and updates become available.

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