The 2027 Toyota Highlander is facing a delay that could push its U.S. dealership arrival into early 2027, according to Nikkei Asia. The redesigned electric crossover is set to mark several firsts for Toyota, including becoming its first electric vehicle manufactured in the United States and its first EV with three rows of seats.
The New Highlander Brings Major Changes
Rather than launching a separate nameplate for its seven-seat electric crossover, Toyota has incorporated full electrification into the popular Highlander’s fifth-generation redesign. The approach gives the automaker a new entry in the family EV market, but it also comes as electric vehicles are not gaining as much ground with new-car shoppers as originally intended.
The 2027 Toyota Highlander will be assembled at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, making it the first time Toyota has manufactured an electric vehicle in the U.S. Its battery modules will come from an entirely new Toyota facility in North Carolina.
With two major production operations being prepared for series production, the Highlander’s U.S. launch was originally expected to begin in fall 2026. Nikkei reports that Toyota may instead delay the start of production until January 2027, giving the company additional time to conduct final quality checks before the Kentucky and North Carolina facilities begin building Highlanders and their components.
Reports Differ on the Highlander EV Delay
Confirmation of the reported delay remains unclear. Toyota was asked for independent confirmation of Nikkei’s reporting but had not responded.
Nikkei said it spoke with a Toyota representative who acknowledged the delay. However, Carscoops reported that the delay was denied.
The distinction may depend on how the production timing is characterized, as a delay of several weeks could still leave the overall production target within the same general period. The report remains subject to further clarification from Toyota.
What the 2027 Toyota Highlander Could Offer
Although Toyota has not fully revealed the electric Highlander’s final specifications, the model is positioned with competitive range figures. The shortest-range version can travel around 270 miles on a charge using a 77.0-kilowatt-hour battery, while an available 95.8-kWh battery increases the range to as much as 320 miles.
A NACS charge port comes standard, allowing the Highlander to charge at Tesla Superchargers.
| Model | Output | Range | DC Charge Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Toyota Highlander | 221 hp (FWD) / 338 hp (AWD) | 270–320 miles | 150 kW (est.) |
| 2027 Hyundai Ioniq 9 | 215 hp (FWD) / 303–422 hp (AWD) | 311–335 miles | 230 kW (est.) |
| 2026 Kia EV9 | 201–215 hp (FWD) / 379 hp (AWD) | 230–305 miles |
Highlander EV Faces Established Rivals
Against its primary competitors, the Hyundai Ioniq 9 and Kia EV9, the Highlander’s reported figures fall around the middle of the segment. None of the figures appear likely to completely turn a potential buyer away from an electric vehicle.
Toyota’s electric vehicle sales momentum and reputation for quality could also support the new Highlander’s appeal among loyal customers who are ready to move away from gasoline power. For buyers who still want combustion or hybrid powertrains, the larger Grand Highlander will continue to provide those options.
A Key Test for Toyota’s Family EV Strategy
The 2027 Toyota Highlander, along with its largely identical Subaru Getaway platform-mate, represents an important test for family-friendly EVs. Toyota’s customers are described as highly loyal, and the company’s growing EV presence could encourage more of them to trade gasoline and hybrid flexibility for fully electric efficiency.
For now, the Highlander’s U.S. arrival remains tied to the reported production delay. The electric three-row crossover was originally expected at American dealers in fall 2026, while Nikkei’s report points to sales beginning in early 2027.
