The Highlander has been one of Toyota’s best-selling vehicles for two decades. The next generation is fully electric. Toyota showed it at the 2026 New York International Auto Show in April as a 2027 model and has since redesignated it the 2028 Highlander.
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 315 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 early 2027 as a 2028 model; Toyota has not announced pricing
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.
Buyers who want a three-row Toyota with a combustion engine can still buy 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.
Powertrain: 338 HP and 315 Miles on the Getaway’s Platform
The Highlander EV shares its platform with the Subaru Getaway, which debuted at NYIAS. Both use the same battery options: a 77.0 kWh standard-range pack and a 95.8 kWh long-range pack.
The Getaway produces 420 hp from dual motors with standard all-wheel drive on every trim. The Highlander AWD puts down 338 hp, 82 fewer than the Getaway. The base Highlander is front-wheel drive with a single motor at 221 hp.
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 95.8 kWh AWD Highlander is estimated at 315 miles, against Subaru’s estimate of more than 300 for 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.
2028 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 | 315 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: 10 to 80 Percent in About 30 Minutes
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.
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.
The Limited does not get Nappa leather, which the Getaway has 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
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 | 315 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 | Not announced | $55K-$70K | $56,545+ | ~$60K-$70K |
The Highlander leads this group on range. 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.
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.
The federal EV tax credit will not apply. The IRS says the New Clean Vehicle Credit is not available for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025. The Highlander is assembled at Toyota’s Georgetown, Kentucky plant with battery modules from North Carolina.
Sales of the AWD grades with the 95.8 kWh battery are expected to begin in early 2027 as 2028 models, and the XLE FWD with the 77.0 kWh battery is expected in mid-2027. The vehicle was on display at the New York International Auto Show through April 12, 2026, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2028 Toyota Highlander fully electric?
Yes. The 2028 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 2028 Highlander EV have?
The 95.8 kWh battery targets 315 miles with AWD. With the 77.0 kWh battery, the AWD model targets 270 miles and the FWD model 287 miles. All figures are manufacturer estimates; EPA ratings are pending.
How much can the 2028 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?
The Highlander EV and Getaway share a platform and battery options. Subaru tuned for power (420 hp, AWD standard). Toyota tuned for range (315 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 2028 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 2028 Highlander EV qualify for the federal tax credit?
No. The IRS says the New Clean Vehicle Credit, which was worth up to $7,500, is not available for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025. The Highlander goes on sale after that date.
Where is the 2028 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: 2028 Highlander Press Release
- Toyota Newsroom: Five Things to Know
- Edmunds: 2027 Highlander EV First Look
Michael Kahn
Michael Kahn is the writer, photographer, and publisher behind The Weekly Driver. He cares about how cars drive and what they're like to own. He covers automobile industry news, car shows and events, and new car reviews. The reviews come from behind the wheel: day trips that favor back routes, treating a good meal as half the reason to go. He directs and produces the visual media, matching each car to a setting and mood that fit it. When he's not reviewing new cars, Michael races paddleboards, camels, and ostriches, along with the occasional exotic car on the racetrack, and has driven in every state and country visited.
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