Toyota Motor Corporation premiered a battery electric vehicle (BEV) version of its Highlander SUV in Ojai, California, on February 10 PST, with sales in North America anticipated to begin in late 2026.
The new Highlander BEV will be produced at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky (TMMK), becoming the fourth BEV model manufactured at the facility, joining the bZ4X, TOYOTA C-HR, and bZ Woodland. The vehicle will utilize batteries sourced from a Toyota assembly plant in Liberty, North Carolina, representing a $13.9 billion investment in domestic battery production.
Toyota intends the Highlander BEV to cater to families seeking a three-row SUV with both spaciousness and off-road capability, building on the success of the gasoline-powered Highlander, which has exceeded 3.6 million units in sales since its U.S. Debut in 2001.
The Highlander BEV will be offered in XLE and Limited grades. The base XLE model, equipped with a 77-kilowatt-hour battery and a front-mounted electric motor, will deliver an estimated 221 horsepower and 198 pound-feet of torque, with a projected range of 287 miles. A dual-motor, all-wheel drive configuration will also be available with the 77-kWh battery, increasing output to 338 horsepower and 323 pound-feet of torque.
The Highlander BEV is designed to compete with other three-row electric SUVs, including the Hyundai Ioniq 9 and Kia EV9. The 2027 Highlander will have a maximum estimated range of 320 miles on a full charge.
Toyota’s expansion of its BEV lineup in North America is part of a broader strategy to achieve carbon neutrality through a “multi-pathway approach,” offering a variety of electrified vehicle options tailored to regional customer needs.
