The Highlander has been one of Toyota’s best-selling vehicles for two decades. The 2027 model, revealed at the 2026 New York International Auto Show, is fully electric. No gas option. No hybrid. Just batteries and motors.
That is not a hedged transition. Toyota eliminated every combustion powertrain from its second-most-popular SUV in a single generation.
Key Takeaways
- Fully electric, no gas or hybrid option for the first time in Highlander history
- Dual-motor AWD makes 338 hp; single-motor FWD makes 221 hp
- Up to 320 miles of range from a 95.8 kWh battery (manufacturer estimate, EPA pending)
- Shares platform with Subaru Getaway but makes 82 fewer hp and offers FWD
- Towing: 3,500 lbs with 95.8 kWh battery; 2,600 lbs with 77 kWh
- Built in Georgetown, Kentucky with batteries from North Carolina
- On sale late 2026; pricing estimated $50,000-$60,000
The End of the Gas Highlander
Every Highlander sold in the United States since 2000 has had a gasoline engine. The hybrid variant, introduced in 2005, became one of the most popular electrified vehicles in America. Both are gone.
Buyers who want a three-row Toyota with a combustion engine now have one choice: the Grand Highlander, which retains gas and hybrid powertrains. The Highlander nameplate is electric-only going forward.
Toyota is not framing this as a philosophical shift. The company is letting the product make the argument.
Powertrain: Less Power, More Range
The Highlander EV shares its platform with the Subaru Getaway, which debuted alongside it at NYIAS. Both use the same battery options: a 77.0 kWh standard-range pack and a 95.8 kWh long-range pack. The similarities end at the motor tuning.
The Getaway produces 420 hp from dual motors with standard all-wheel drive on every trim. The Highlander AWD puts down 338 hp. The base Highlander is front-wheel drive with a single motor at 221 hp.
Eighty-two fewer horsepower from the same platform. Toyota chose range over power.
A front-wheel-drive three-row electric SUV is unusual. The Kia EV9 starts with rear-wheel drive. The Getaway is AWD-only. Toyota chose FWD to maximize range and reduce cost on the entry trim.
The tradeoff paid off in the range numbers. The 95.8 kWh AWD Highlander is estimated at 320 miles, roughly 20 more than the Getaway on the same battery. The FWD model with the smaller 77.0 kWh pack aims for 287 miles. All range figures are manufacturer estimates; EPA certification is pending.
2027 Toyota Highlander EV Specifications
| Specification | XLE FWD (77 kWh) | XLE/Limited AWD (95.8 kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| Motors | Single front | Dual (front + rear) |
| Horsepower | 221 hp | 338 hp |
| Torque | 198 lb-ft | 323 lb-ft combined |
| Range (mfr est.) | 287 miles | 320 miles |
| DC Fast Charge (10-80%) | ~30 minutes at 150 kW | |
| Charging Port | NACS (native Supercharger access) | |
| Towing | 2,600 lbs | 3,500 lbs |
| Seating | 7 (bench) or 6 (captain’s chairs) | |
| Cargo (3rd row up) | 15.9 cu ft | |
| Cargo (3rd row folded) | 45.6 cu ft | |
| Wheelbase | 120.1 inches | |
| Length / Width / Height | 198.8 / 78.3 / 67.3 inches | |
| Curb Weight | TBA | |
| Ground Clearance | TBA | |
The wheelbase stretches to 120.1 inches, 8.1 inches longer than the outgoing Highlander and 4 inches longer than the Grand Highlander. That extra length goes directly to passenger space. Edmunds noted during its hands-on preview that adults can sit in the third row without issue, a significant improvement over the current model’s cramped rear bench.
Charging: Slower Than the Koreans
DC fast charging peaks at 150 kW, bringing the battery from 10 to 80 percent in approximately 30 minutes. The NACS port provides native Tesla Supercharger access.
For a family road-trip vehicle, that charging speed matters in context. The Kia EV9 charges 10-80% in 20-24 minutes on its 800-volt architecture. The Hyundai Ioniq 9 does it in roughly 24 minutes. The Highlander appears to run 400-volt architecture, which explains the gap.
On a multi-stop road trip with three rows of passengers, an extra 6-10 minutes per charge adds up.
Interior and Technology
A 14-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster anchor the dashboard. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included. Toyota’s Drive Recorder acts as a built-in dashcam. A 64-color ambient lighting system runs through the cabin.
Jalopnik called the interior “successfully weird” and “very un-Toyota in a good way,” noting the angular design language breaks from the brand’s typically conservative approach.
SofTex synthetic leather covers the seats across both trims.
No Nappa leather, not even on the Limited. The Getaway has it on its top trim.
Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 is standard. The Limited adds a head-up display, 360-degree camera, ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, rear window shades, and Lane Change Assist.
Towing Depends on Your Battery
This is the detail most buyers will miss on the configurator. The 95.8 kWh battery models tow 3,500 lbs. The 77.0 kWh models tow 2,600 lbs.
That 900-pound difference determines whether you can pull a mid-weight boat trailer or a small camper. Buyers who plan to tow need the larger battery regardless of whether they need the extra range.
How It Competes
| Highlander EV AWD | Subaru Getaway | Kia EV9 AWD | VW ID. Buzz AWD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 338 | 420 | 379 | 335 |
| Range | 320 mi (est.) | 300+ mi (est.) | 283 mi | 231 mi |
| Towing | 3,500 lbs | 3,500 lbs | 2,500 lbs | N/A |
| 10-80% Charge | ~30 min | ~30 min | 20-24 min | ~30 min |
| AWD | Available | Standard | Available | Available |
| 3rd-Row Cargo | 15.9 cu ft | 15.9 cu ft | 20.2 cu ft | TBD |
| Est. Price | $50K-$60K | $55K-$70K | $56,545+ | ~$60K-$70K |
The Highlander leads on range among AWD three-row electric SUVs. It matches the Getaway on towing. Cargo behind the third row is smaller than the EV9 by over 4 cubic feet, a platform limitation it shares with the Getaway.
The charging speed disadvantage against the 800-volt Koreans is real. For suburban commuting and weekend errands, it will never matter. For the summer road trip to the coast with six passengers, it will.
Pricing and Availability
Toyota has not announced official pricing. Industry estimates place the XLE FWD between $50,000 and $55,000. The Limited AWD with the 95.8 kWh battery could approach $70,000. For reference, the Kia EV9 starts at $56,545.
Federal EV tax credit eligibility has not been confirmed. The Highlander is assembled at Toyota’s Georgetown, Kentucky plant with battery modules from North Carolina. Whether it meets the battery component and critical mineral sourcing requirements for the full $7,500 credit remains to be seen.
The 2027 Highlander goes on sale in late 2026, with the full lineup available through early 2027. The vehicle is on display at the New York International Auto Show through April 12 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2027 Toyota Highlander fully electric?
Yes. The 2027 Highlander is EV-only. Toyota eliminated the gas and hybrid powertrains entirely. Buyers who want a three-row Toyota with a combustion engine should look at the Grand Highlander, which retains those options.
How much range does the 2027 Highlander EV have?
The 95.8 kWh battery targets 320 miles (AWD) or 270 miles (AWD with 77 kWh). The FWD model with the 77.0 kWh battery targets 287 miles. All figures are manufacturer estimates; EPA ratings are pending.
How much can the 2027 Highlander EV tow?
Towing capacity depends on battery size, not drivetrain. The 95.8 kWh models tow 3,500 lbs. The 77.0 kWh models tow 2,600 lbs. Buyers who tow should choose the larger battery.
How does the Highlander EV compare to the Subaru Getaway?
Same platform, same battery options, different priorities. Subaru tuned for power (420 hp, AWD standard). Toyota tuned for range (320 miles vs. 300+) and a lower entry price via the FWD base. The Getaway gets Nappa leather on top trims; the Highlander stays with SofTex synthetic across the board.
How much will the 2027 Highlander EV cost?
Toyota has not announced pricing. Industry estimates range from $50,000 for the base XLE FWD to roughly $70,000 for a fully loaded Limited AWD. The Kia EV9, its closest competitor, starts at $56,545.
How fast does the Highlander EV charge?
DC fast charging reaches 10-80% in approximately 30 minutes at 150 kW. The native NACS port provides Tesla Supercharger access without an adapter. Home charging runs at 11 kW on the included dual-voltage cable.
Does the 2027 Highlander EV qualify for the federal tax credit?
Eligibility has not been confirmed. The vehicle is assembled in Kentucky with batteries from North Carolina, which supports domestic manufacturing requirements. Whether it meets the battery component and critical mineral sourcing thresholds for the full $7,500 credit is unknown at this time.
Where is the 2027 Highlander EV built?
At Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky (TMMK) in Georgetown, Kentucky. Battery modules come from Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina (TBMNC), a $13.9 billion facility in Liberty, North Carolina. It is the first Toyota BEV assembled in the United States.
Sources and Additional Reading
- Toyota Newsroom: 2027 Highlander Press Release
- Toyota Newsroom: Five Things to Know
- Edmunds: 2027 Highlander EV First Look
Article Last Updated: April 12, 2026.
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Michael Kahn is the publisher of The Weekly Driver, serving as writer, photographer, and content creator. With a keen eye for storytelling and a passion for adventure, he specializes in uncovering the stories and experiences of automobile enthusiasts. Michael’s work is inspired by his love for off-the-beaten-path road trips, global exploration, and the pursuit of exceptional culinary experiences, all captured through the lens of a world traveler and automotive enthusiast.