Written byQuick Highlights:
- Toyota confirms an all-electric Highlander for the 2027 model year
- Production set for Kentucky starting late next year
- Will offer three-row seating and a familiar name, not a “bZ” badge
- One of seven new EVs Toyota plans to launch in the U.S. by mid-2027
Toyota is finally giving the Highlander the electric treatment it deserves. After years of hesitating on family-sized EVs, the automaker is preparing to launch a fully electric, three-row Highlander—and it’s coming faster than most expected.
According to production details confirmed by Automotive News, the new model will roll out of Toyota’s Kentucky plant beginning in 2026. It’s expected to wear the 2027 model year badge and will arrive as the brand’s first true electric SUV with three rows of seating.
This isn’t another bZ4X or a forgettable compliance crossover. Toyota is leaning into a name buyers already know—Highlander—to cut through the noise and push into a segment that’s heating up fast.
Shedding the bZ Confusion
Originally, this new SUV was supposed to be called the bZ5X. But after a cold reception to the bZ4X and growing criticism around Toyota’s naming strategy, the company is changing course. Internally, the smaller of its two upcoming electric three-rows is now expected to carry the Highlander name, not an abstract code.
That move makes sense. Highlander has decades of brand equity in the U.S., and it sits right between the compact RAV4 and larger Grand Highlander—exactly where this new electric version will fit. Rather than inventing a new sub-brand, Toyota appears ready to evolve its existing lineup for the electric era.
Built in the U.S., For the U.S.
Toyota is investing heavily in its Georgetown, Kentucky facility, where the 2027 Highlander EV will be assembled. This change comes after earlier plans to build EVs in Indiana were reshuffled to meet surging demand for the Grand Highlander.
The Kentucky plant will now handle both the electric Highlander and a second, larger three-row SUV. That larger model—still unnamed—will likely go head-to-head with full-size electric options from Rivian, Kia, and GM.
Crucially, U.S. assembly means the Highlander EV is expected to qualify for the federal $7,500 EV tax credit, giving it a potential price advantage over many Korean- or European-built rivals.
Estimated Specs and Segment Rivals
Toyota hasn’t released specs yet, but analysts expect the 2027 Highlander EV to offer around 300–325 miles of range, with a likely starting price under $50,000. If that proves true, it could land squarely in the sweet spot for families eyeing their first EV.
Here’s how the Highlander EV might stack up:
| Model | Est. Range | Starting Price | Seats | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Highlander EV (est.) | ~300 miles | ~$48,000 (estimated) | 6–7 | Expected 2026–2027 |
| Kia EV9 | 304 miles (RWD Light Long Range) | $54,900 | 6–7 | On Sale Now |
| Rivian R1S | 321 miles (Dual Motor Large Pack) | $74,900 | 7 | On Sale Now |
| Hyundai Ioniq 7 (expected) | ~300 miles | ~$52,000 (estimated) | 6–7 | Expected 2025–2026 |
| Chevrolet Blazer EV | 279 miles (LT AWD) | $56,715 | 5 | On Sale Now |
For Toyota, this isn’t just about joining the pack—it’s about delivering a trusted nameplate in a new electric form, one that dealers can sell nationwide with full service and support baked in.
Part of a Bigger EV Strategy
The 2027 Highlander EV isn’t a one-off. It’s part of a broader rollout that includes seven electric vehicles hitting the U.S. market by mid-2027. Those include a refreshed version of the bZ SUV, the upcoming bZ Woodland, and the next-gen Toyota C-HR EV.
Still, Toyota isn’t abandoning its hybrid playbook. The company will continue offering plug-in hybrids, traditional hybrids, and even hydrogen models like the Mirai. But the Highlander EV stands out—it’s the first time Toyota is putting serious weight behind a volume-selling electric family SUV.
“Our next EV wave is like having the bases loaded,” said David Christ, Toyota North America VP. “We’re stepping up to the plate with volume, variety, and timing.”
Why the Timing Matters
Sales of the gas-powered Highlander have taken a backseat to the newer, roomier Grand Highlander, which has quickly become a crowd favorite. Launching an electric Highlander gives Toyota a chance to revive the nameplate, target younger buyers, and finally compete with rivals like the Kia EV9, Hyundai Ioniq 7, and Chevy Blazer EV.
Unlike many early EV efforts, the Highlander EV isn’t niche. It’s the kind of SUV that could become the first electric vehicle for a huge number of American families, especially those who’ve owned a Highlander or RAV4 before.
A full reveal is expected before the end of 2025. If Toyota gets the pricing and real-world range right, the 2027 Highlander EV could go from overdue to overachieving—and become one of the most important models in Toyota’s modern history.
Expect pricing, full specs, and possibly a concept preview at the 2025 LA Auto Show or CES — Toyota is keeping its cards close, but for now, the Highlander EV is shaping up as one of its most high-stakes plays yet.
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