2027 Toyota Highlander EV Debuts: 320-Mile Range and 3 Rows

The reveal on 10th February in Ojai, California, changed the family car game. The 2027 Toyota Highlander EV Debuts as a pure electric powerhouse, leaving the gas-only era in the rearview mirror. This marks the official end of the gas-only Highlander as we know it. From the reveal in Ojai, California, it’s obvious that Toyota is skipping the hybrid halfway-point here. They’ve used a modified TNGA-K platform to build a family hauler that actually tackles range anxiety and finally offers a spacious third row.

Twenty-five years. That’s how long the Highlander has been the safe bet. But the Kia EV9 changed things, so Toyota stretched the car. It’s four inches longer, but the eight-inch boost to the wheelbase is what matters. It’s 120.1 inches now. Wheels are at the corners, and the cabin is huge. Adults can actually sit in the back now—no chiropractor needed.

A Design That Actually Makes Sense

The best part of the 2027 Highlander’s debut? It looks like a high-end SUV, not a science project. Toyota calls the new styling “hammerhead,” and it’s surprisingly clean. You get ultra-slim LED daytime running lights that span the width of the front, flush door handles that pop out when you approach, and a roofline that’s nearly an inch lower than before to help it slice through the wind.

It is also wider by about two inches. The new proportions make for a much more aggressive, planted stance. It’s a clean look—no “spaceship” gimmicks here—just a very modern, upscale Highlander. The goal was aero efficiency to boost range, yet it keeps that boxy, vertical look. It’s still a real three-row tool for moving people, not just a slippery design experiment.

Power and the 320-Mile Range

Range is the only number most families care about when they talk about EVs. Toyota is offering two different battery paths to keep everyone happy.

• The Standard Battery (77.0-kWh): XLE FWD. That’s the entry point. 221 horsepower and 287 miles of range. It’s the most affordable way to get into the electric Highlander.
• The Long-Range Battery (95.8-kWh): This is the high-capacity version you’ll actually want. It is standard on the Limited AWD and an option for the XLE AWD. This setup hits the headline-grabbing 320-mile range.

Performance is a huge leap over the old V6 or hybrid engines. Those dual motors deliver 338 horsepower and 323 lb-ft of torque directly to the wheels. There’s no waiting for an engine to rev up—the torque is instant and surprisingly strong. Forget waiting for a turbo to wake up or the gears to hunt for a downshift. You just mash the pedal and the thing goes—it’s got a level of snap that’ll probably catch you off guard if you’re used to an old-school SUV.

A Cabin Built for Seven (Real) People

The interior of the 2027 Toyota Highlander EV Debuts with a massive tech upgrade. Every trim level comes with a 14-inch center touchscreen. It’s snappy, clear, and runs the newest Toyota multimedia system with 5G connectivity. In front of the driver, there’s a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster that can show everything from your battery percentage to turn-by-turn navigation maps.

The third row is the highlight here. Thanks to the 120.1-inch wheelbase, it’s actually adult-friendly now. Toyota threw in some soft-touch trim and USB-C ports for the back row, which feels much more premium. You get 15.9 cubic feet of space for the basics, but the 45.6 cubic feet you get with the seats down is where the real hauling happens. And yeah, it still has 18 cupholders. Because apparently, we’re all very thirsty. It’s a Toyota, after all—they know we travel with a lot of water bottles.

Charging and the Tesla Advantage

One of the smartest moves Toyota made was ditching the old charging ports for the North American Charging System (NACS) port. This means you have native access to the Tesla Supercharger network. No adapters, no fighting with weird apps at third-party stations. It’s basically as easy as pulling up and plugging in.

You can expect to spend about 30 minutes at a DC fast charger to get the battery from 10% back up to 80%. To make sure you actually get those speeds, the car has a “battery preconditioning” system. If you put a charger into the built-in GPS, the car will automatically warm or cool the battery while you’re driving so it’s at the perfect temperature the moment you arrive at the plug.

Innovative Utility: V2L and Home Power

This is the first Toyota SUV in America that can actually give power back. It uses V2L technology to turn the car into a mobile power source. You can use it to keep your appliances running during a storm or power your gear at a campsite. It’s not just an SUV anymore; it’s a tool you can actually put to work.

Toyota’s latest safety tech, TSS 4.0, is standard here and it’s impressive. It includes all the must-haves like adaptive cruise, plus the new “Safe Exit Assist.” This system is specifically designed to stop “dooring” accidents. It uses the blind-spot sensors to detect approaching cars or bikes and warns passengers before they step out into danger.

Made in America: Production and Pricing

This Highlander isn’t an import; it’s being built right here in Georgetown, Kentucky. Even better, the battery modules are coming from a massive new $13.9 billion facility over in North Carolina. Since it’s all assembled in the U.S., it should be a prime candidate for that $7,500 federal tax credit, which makes the final price tag a lot easier to swallow.

We’re still waiting on official MSRPs, but you can safely bet the XLE will land somewhere in the mid-$50,000s. If you’ve got your heart set on a Limited AWD with that massive 95.8-kWh battery and those flashy 22-inch wheels, expect to see a price tag creeping toward $70,000. Look for these to start hitting local lots in late 2026.

The Bottom Line

Toyota was late to the electric three-row game, but this was worth the wait. They solved the old model’s space issues and smartly plugged into the nation’s top charging network. They basically fixed everything people hated about the old cabin and hooked into the best charging network in the country. Now, the Highlander EV looks ready to grab back its “king of the driveway” title. It’s quiet, it’s massive inside, and for once, the whole crew can actually travel in peace without fighting for legroom.

FAQs – 2027 Toyota Highlander EV Debuts: 320-Mile Range and 3 Rows

1: What is the max range of the new Highlander EV?
The 95.8-kWh pack is the range king at 320 miles. The standard battery is more of a budget play, offering about 287 miles.

2: Can you just pull up and plug into a Tesla charger with this EV?
Yeah, it does. Toyota actually put a NACS port right on the car. This means you can just pull up and plug in without needing any clunky adapters.

3: How much power does the AWD version have?
The dual-motor setup is honestly pretty punchy. You’re looking at 338 horsepower and 323 lb-ft of torque that hits the ground the second you touch the pedal.

4: Can the car power my house during a blackout?
Well, in a way, yes. It has V2L technology. That basically turns the SUV into a giant mobile battery for things like your fridge or power tools if the grid goes down.

5: Is the back row actually usable for adults?
Yes sure. Since they added eight inches to the frame, there’s a lot more breathing room in that third row.

6: Is the Highlander EV American-made?
It is. Assembled in Kentucky with batteries from a brand-new facility in North Carolina.

7: Can it handle fast charging?
About half an hour. That’ll get you back to 80% if you’re using a fast-charging station.

8: What’s the deal with the “Safe Exit Assist” feature?
It’s a smart safety move, honestly. The car uses sensors to watch for bikes or passing traffic and keeps you from opening your door right into someone’s path.

9: Is there room for luggage?
Yeah, especially if you fold the third row. That opens up over 45 cubic feet of flat storage.

10: Can I pre-order it?
Not yet. We should see them on lots by the end of that year.

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