Toyota unveils all-electric Highlander SUV with 514km driving range
Words: Andrew Sluys
Toyota has taken the covers off the 2027 Highlander, which arrives with three rows of seating and an all-electric powertrain.
Despite being lower than the current model, it’s wider, and features a longer wheelbase, which Toyota claims it uses to extend interior space.
Revealed by Toyota North America, this new Highlander looks to have borrowed a lot of its aesthetics from the bZ4X SUV.
It features full-width LED daytime running lights, wide fenders, and flush door handles. This all contributes to quite a boxy look.
Beneath this new skin, the Highlander EV is fitted with either a 77.0-kWh or 95.8-kWh battery.
Front-wheel drive models will get the smaller battery, whilst all-wheel drive buyers will have the choice of the two.
With the 77kWh battery, front wheel drive models are rated to 461km of range, while all-wheel drive variants get 434km. All-wheel drive models with the 95.8kWh battery are rated to a range of 514km.
As for peak outputs, the front-drive models make 164kW, while all-wheel drive variants make either 240kW or 252kW depending on spec.
Charging speed details are yet to be released, but Toyota notes this Highlander can be charged at 11kW with an AC connection.
It can, however, be charged from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in 30 minutes using a DC fast charger.
On the inside the Highlander looks to be a spacious affair, with seating for up to seven occupants.
With the third row folded, it has over 1,270 litres of storage space in the rear.
The infotainment screen measures 14-inches in size, and is flanked by a 12.3-inch digital cluster.
It also gets a panoramic glass roof that Toyota claims is the largest in its extensive line-up.
It remains unclear if the Highlander will be offered with its hybrid powertrain in markets outside of the US, but it would be a surprise to see it pulled from local shelves.
