The Toyota Highlander enters an exciting new era for the 2027 model year. The latest version becomes a three-row electric SUV with bold styling, strong performance, and a flexible cabin designed for busy families. Modern charging features, advanced safety tools, and a wide range of comfort upgrades give the Highlander a fresh appeal. It combines everyday practicality with the smooth, quiet drive and updated technology many SUV buyers want.
A Big New Direction for the Highlander
The 2027 Highlander is Toyota’s first three-row battery-electric vehicle for the U.S. market. It will be offered in XLE and Limited grades, with front-wheel drive available on the XLE and all-wheel drive offered on both grades.
The design is also completely new. Broad fenders, full-width lighting, and smooth door handles give the SUV a cleaner and more modern shape. Toyota also plans to assemble the vehicle in Kentucky, while battery modules will come from U.S. production sources.
Electric Power for Family Travel
Drivers can choose between two battery sizes, depending on the trim and drivetrain. Models with the larger battery have a manufacturer-estimated range of up to 320 miles, while other versions offer different combinations of battery size, range, and drive layout.
All-wheel-drive models produce up to 338 combined horsepower. Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control will also be included on all-wheel-drive versions, adding extra help on loose or uneven surfaces.
Charging is designed to work at home and on the road. A standard NACS port provides access to many public fast chargers, while an included dual-voltage cable supports Level 1 and Level 2 charging. Under ideal conditions, DC fast charging can take the battery from 10% to 80% in about 30 minutes.
Comfort Across Three Rows
The cabin can seat up to seven people when fitted with the available second-row bench. Standard captain’s chairs create a more open path to the third row, and one-touch power-fold buttons help passengers reach the back seats.
Every version includes SofTex-trimmed seats, heated front seats, and soft-touch surfaces on the dashboard and doors. Ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, rear sunshades, and a fixed panoramic roof will be available for buyers who want more comfort.
Cargo space remains an important part of the design. The Highlander provides 15.9 cubic feet behind the third row. Folding both back rows opens as much as 80 cubic feet, giving families room for groceries, luggage, sports gear, or larger items.
Technology That Makes Daily Driving Easier
A 14-inch center touchscreen and a 12.3-inch driver display come standard. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support phone connections without a cable, while USB charging ports in all three rows help passengers keep devices powered.
Two wireless charging pads sit in the front console. The cabin also includes adjustable ambient lighting and front acoustic glass. An available Digital Key can let a compatible phone or smartwatch unlock and start the vehicle.
The electric system adds several useful touches. A light display at the front can show the battery’s charging progress. Vehicle-to-load equipment can also send power to outside devices when the correct accessories are connected.
Updated Safety and Parking Support
Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 will be standard on every 2027 Highlander. The system includes tools that can warn about a possible front crash, apply emergency braking in certain cases, help the driver stay in a marked lane, and maintain space from a vehicle ahead.
Standard equipment will also include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, front and rear parking help with automatic braking, and a rear-seat reminder. Available features include a panoramic camera view and an automated parking system.
These tools can make busy roads and tight parking areas easier to manage. They still require the driver to remain alert, watch the road, and take control whenever needed.
Ownership Support for a New Electric SUV
The move to electric power gives the Highlander a much different design from earlier versions. Its long-term ownership record will develop after the 2027 model reaches customers, but Toyota’s electric-vehicle warranty provides added support.
Toyota covers listed electric drive parts for eight years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. The coverage includes the traction battery, transaxle, and inverter, along with protection if battery capacity drops below 70% during the warranty period.
Warranty protection is not the same as a proven service record, but it can reduce concern about major electric parts. Buyers should still review the final warranty and maintenance guide for the exact Highlander they are considering.
A Fresh Family SUV for the Electric Era
The 2027 Highlander keeps the space and comfort families expect while adding electric power, modern charging, and a much newer cabin. Its strong available output, flexible seating, and useful technology make it an important addition to Toyota’s U.S. SUV range.
Before choosing a version, buyers should compare the battery, drivetrain, seat layout, and comfort features offered with each trim. That will help match the newest Highlander to the way the family drives, charges, and travels.