The 2027 Toyota Highlander Is Going Electric.

Toyota is giving the Highlander name one of the biggest changes in its history. For 2027, the Toyota Highlander becomes an all-electric three-row SUV, bringing battery-electric driving to one of Toyota’s most familiar family SUV nameplates.¹

That is why the announcement has generated so much attention. Highlander shoppers already know the name for everyday utility, family space, and Toyota familiarity. The 2027 model adds a new question: what happens when that kind of SUV goes fully electric?

For drivers around Norwood, the answer matters in practical ways. A three-row EV needs to handle more than a short commute. It has to work for University Ave errands, I-95 connections through Neponset Street, school pickups, grocery runs, sports bags, weekend plans near Patriot Place, and the kind of full-family schedule that made Highlander popular in the first place.

Shop New Toyota Highlander

Quick Specs on the 2027 Highlander

• The 2027 Highlander is an all-electric three-row SUV.
• It is Toyota’s first three-row battery-electric vehicle for the U.S. market.
• It is Toyota’s first BEV assembled in America.
• It will be offered in XLE and Limited grades.
• XLE will offer front-wheel drive or electronic all-wheel drive.
• Limited will come with all-wheel drive.
• Estimated driving range reaches up to 320 miles on XLE AWD and Limited AWD models equipped with the 95.8-kWh battery.
• A North American Charging System port will be standard.

The Big Story Is Familiarity Meets Electric Power

The most interesting part of the 2027 Highlander is not just that Toyota is launching another EV. It is that Toyota is putting a known family SUV name into the EV conversation.

That matters because many shoppers are not looking for a science experiment. They want something that feels useful, understandable, and ready for normal life. The Highlander name already carries that expectation. The 2027 Highlander now has to bring that confidence into a battery-electric package.

Toyota says the new Highlander will offer three rows, seating for up to seven, a quiet electric drive, a modern cabin, and meaningful range options. It is also part of a larger Toyota electrified lineup, joining models such as Toyota bZ, bZ Woodland, and C-HR as Toyota expands its BEV offerings.¹

Which 2027 Highlander Gets the Most Range?

The longest-range 2027 Toyota Highlander configuration announced so far is the XLE AWD or Limited AWD model equipped with the 95.8-kWh battery. Toyota gives both a manufacturer-estimated total driving range rating of 320 miles.¹

Here is the range breakdown Toyota has announced:

Those numbers are estimates, actual range will vary depending on weather, driving style, and other factors.¹

That distinction is important for New England shoppers. Cold mornings, highway speed, passenger load, tire choice, and climate control use can all affect real-world EV range. Still, Toyota’s early estimates give shoppers a useful way to compare battery and drivetrain choices before pricing arrives.

Charging Looks More Straightforward Than Many Shoppers May Expect

Range answers only half the EV question. Charging is the other half.

The 2027 Highlander will include a standard North American Charging System port, also called NACS. This gives the Highlander access to thousands of Level 3 DC fast charging stations nationwide. Under ideal DC fast-charging conditions, Toyota says the Highlander can charge from 10% to 80% battery capacity in around 30 minutes.¹

For daily use, the Highlander also supports Level 1 and Level 2 AC charging, and Toyota says a dual-voltage 120V/240V charging cable will be included.¹ That gives shoppers more flexibility as they think through home charging, workplace charging, and public charging around regular driving routines.

Toyota also lists battery preconditioning and Plug & Charge capability among the Highlander’s charging-related technologies.¹

The Highlander Still Has to Work Like a Three-Row SUV

The 2027 Highlander may be electric, but Toyota is still positioning it around family utility. It offers three-row seating for up to seven when equipped with an available bench seat. Second-row captain’s chairs are standard, and Toyota says a second-row bench seat will be available for the XLE AWD grade.¹

That is the kind of detail families will want to know early. Captain’s chairs can make third-row access easier, while a bench seat can add the seventh seating position. The right choice depends on how often you carry extra passengers, car seats, older kids, grandparents, or a mix of people and gear.

Cargo space is another important piece. The 2027 Highlander offers more than 45 cubic feet of rear storage with the third row folded flat.¹ That should make the electric Highlander relevant for errands near University Station, youth sports gear, luggage, folding chairs, grocery bags, and the everyday clutter that finds its way into a family SUV.

Vehicle-to-Load Could Be a Sleeper Feature

One of the more interesting details is vehicle-to-load capability, or V2L. Toyota says the 2027 Highlander can potentially power external devices or serve as a backup power source in an emergency with the purchase of required bi-directional accessories.¹

That could be useful for tailgating, camping gear, outdoor equipment, or power backup during an outage. It is not a feature to overstate before Toyota releases more ownership details, but it is one worth watching because it makes the Highlander’s battery useful beyond driving.

For local families, that kind of flexibility feels easy to understand. A three-row SUV is already the household vehicle that gets asked to do a little bit of everything. V2L gives the electric Highlander one more practical job.

How the 2027 Highlander Fits with Toyota Hybrid SUV Shoppers

A lot of the early conversation around the 2027 Highlander comes down to one natural question: is an electric Highlander the right move, or does a Toyota hybrid SUV still make more sense?

That depends on the shopper. Drivers with reliable home charging, predictable daily mileage, and interest in a fully electric SUV may see the 2027 Highlander as a major step forward. Shoppers who are not ready to plan around charging may still prefer a hybrid Toyota SUV, especially if they need something sooner than the Highlander EV launch window.

That is why this announcement should not be viewed in isolation. Toyota shoppers may also compare Grand Highlander Hybrid models, RAV4 Hybrid, Crown Signia, Sienna, or other Toyota electrified vehicles depending on seating needs, cargo space, budget, timing, and driving routine.

For a deeper model-specific breakdown as more information becomes available, explore the Toyota Highlander model profile at Nucar Toyota of Norwood.

2027 Toyota Highlander FAQ

Is the 2027 Toyota Highlander fully electric?

Yes. Toyota says the 2027 Highlander will have a battery-electric powertrain standard. It is Toyota’s first three-row BEV model for the U.S. market.¹

How far can the 2027 Toyota Highlander drive on a charge?

Toyota’s highest manufacturer-estimated total driving range rating is 320 miles for XLE AWD and Limited AWD models equipped with the 95.8-kWh battery. Other announced configurations range from 270 to 287 manufacturer-estimated miles, depending on battery and drivetrain. Actual range will vary.¹

Does the 2027 Highlander have three rows?

Yes. Toyota says the 2027 Highlander has three-row seating for up to seven when equipped with an available bench seat. Second-row captain’s chairs are standard, and a second-row bench seat is available for XLE AWD.¹

Stay Connected with Nucar Toyota of Norwood

The 2027 Toyota Highlander gives Toyota families something genuinely new to watch: a familiar three-row SUV name moving into fully electric driving with real attention to space, range, charging, and everyday usability. Nucar Toyota of Norwood will continue helping local shoppers follow Toyota updates, compare current Toyota options, and prepare for the next step when 2027 Highlander availability becomes clearer.

Browse our new Toyota inventory, value your trade, or contact our team with questions about upcoming Toyota models. Everyone Loves A Nucar, and the next Highlander gives Toyota shoppers another reason to keep an eye on what is coming next.