Toyota Highlander EV Delayed to Q1 2027; 2028 Model

Toyota has pushed the launch of the all-electric fifth-generation Highlander from late 2026 into the first quarter of 2027, with the crossover arriving as a 2028 model. Production at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky in Georgetown, Kentucky was due to start later this year but is now slated for the start of 2027, the company confirmed.

The automaker has not disclosed an official reason for the second major timing change to the Highlander program. To limit a gap in availability, Toyota will extend production of the current gas and hybrid 2026 Highlander through December 2026, Automotive News reports. Automotive News also reports that the final fourth-generation Highlander will roll off the production line in December 2025, a schedule that could leave dealers with little or no Highlander inventory for several months.

Powertrains and range

The fifth-generation Highlander represents a full redesign and a shift to battery electric only, with Toyota dropping gas and hybrid variants from the Highlander nameplate. The model will be offered with six or seven seats and two battery choices. The base front-wheel-drive variant is rated at 221 horsepower and uses a 77-kWh battery for an advertised range of 287 miles (462 kilometers).

A 338-horsepower all-wheel-drive setup using the same 77-kWh pack is rated at up to 270 miles (435 kilometers). The range-topping configuration pairs a larger 95.8-kWh battery with 338 horsepower in an all-wheel-drive layout for an estimated range of up to 320 miles (511 kilometers).

Production changes and the decision to convert the Highlander to an EV-only nameplate mark a notable shift for Toyota. Dave Christ, head of the Toyota brand in the United States, told Automotive News last month, "It's really a good product" and called the Highlander EV "a good option for smaller families." Pricing will be announced closer to the market launch date.