Toyota is taking one of its best-known SUVs in a completely different direction. The 2027 Toyota Highlander will ditch gasoline power entirely and return as an all-electric three-row SUV, marking one of the most significant changes in the model’s history. The next-generation Highlander will feature only battery-electric powertrains, replacing the familiar hybrid and gas engines that have powered the family SUV for decades. When the Highlander hits showrooms in late 2026, it will be the fourth fully electric vehicle in Toyota’s U.S. lineup.
The decision represents a major shift for the brand, which has been a core part of Toyota’s U.S. product portfolio since the early 2000s. The new Highlander will no longer measure fuel economy ratings in miles per gallon, moving instead to electric efficiency ratings and battery range estimates. Toyota ranks the SUV alongside other all-electric models in its lineup, including the bZ crossover, bZ Woodland and the recently revived C-HR electric model.
Under the skin, the redesigned Highlander introduces new battery options and drivetrain configurations depending on trim level. Base XLE models will come standard with a front-wheel drive system powered by a 77-kilowatt-hour battery pack. Buyers who choose the all-wheel-drive XLE will get a larger battery option, extending the vehicle’s capacity and range. The top-of-the-line Limited model will use a larger battery as standard and will only be available with all-wheel drive.
Toyota hasn’t released official range figures yet, but early estimates suggest the electric Highlander could offer about 270 to 320 miles of driving range, depending on configuration. The shorter estimate relates to the all-wheel-drive XLE, which uses a smaller battery pack, while the larger 95.8-kilowatt-hour battery could push the range of XLE or Limited models toward the 320-mile mark.
Charging capabilities will rely on North American Charging System connectors, making the Highlander compatible with an expanding network of high-speed chargers across the country. The SUV will support Level 3 DC fast charging, which can replenish the battery from 10% to 80% in about 30 minutes under optimal conditions. Toyota has also built battery pre-conditioning into the system to regulate temperature and increase charging efficiency before enabling fast chargers.
Performance varies depending on drivetrain configuration, but both versions offer more power than earlier gasoline models. The front-wheel-drive XLE produces 221 horsepower and 198 pound-feet of torque, numbers that put it firmly within the range expected for a large family crossover. The all-wheel-drive version gets a big boost in performance thanks to an extra electric motor driving the rear axle, producing 338 horsepower and 323 pound-feet of torque.
These figures are designed to move a vehicle that has grown slightly in size compared to the previous generation. The new Highlander has an overall length of nearly 200 inches and a wheelbase of 120 inches. Compared to its predecessor, the SUV is about 5 inches longer and has an increased wheelbase of about 8 inches. The body is also slightly wider and taller, changes designed to improve passenger space in all three rows.
The exterior design draws from Toyota’s growing electric lineup, with sharper lines and flatter surfaces than earlier Highlanders. At the front, styling is very similar to the smaller bZ crossover, with narrow lighting elements and a smooth front fascia that reflects the lack of a traditional engine cooling grille. Looking out back, the Highlander adopts a more distinctive silhouette, with a clean roofline and a simplified rear end, eliminating the split rear spoiler used on the bZ model.
Inside the cabin, Toyota has moved to a more digital interior layout while retaining some physical controls. The 14-inch infotainment screen is prominently located in the center of the dashboard, paired with a 12.3-inch driver digital instrument display. A few tactile buttons and switches remain below the screen, including controls for the defroster and climate temperature adjustment, as well as a traditional volume knob.
The center console has been redesigned to create additional storage space, a benefit brought by the packaging advantages of the electric platform. The ignition button and gear selector are located within this console area, while the surrounding layout leaves more open space for personal belongings and equipment. The Highlander continues to offer three rows of seats, with seating for up to seven passengers.
Toyota also plans to offer a panoramic glass sunroof option, which will be the largest fixed glass sunroof ever installed on a Toyota vehicle. Combined with the increased size of the SUV, this feature is designed to create a more open and spacious cabin feel for all three rows of passengers.
Production of the 2027 Highlander will take place in the United States. Toyota confirmed the SUV will be assembled at its manufacturing plant in Georgetown, Kentucky. The vehicle’s battery packs will be supplied from the company’s battery assembly plant in Liberty, North Carolina, along with components from other yet-to-be-identified supplier partners.
The electric Highlander is expected to go on sale in late 2026 as a 2027 model. Pricing has yet to be announced, and Toyota has yet to release final EPA range figures or full performance specifications. These details are expected to be revealed closer to the vehicle’s launch.
It’s obvious that Highlander is entering a new chapter. One of Toyota’s best-known family SUVs is moving away from gasoline power for the first time, replacing its traditional engine with battery-electric hardware in an effort to push the model into the automaker’s next-generation lineup.
