The 2027 Toyota Highlander EV has been delayed again, potentially pushing the start of production into early 2027. The redesigned three-row crossover is set to become Toyota’s first electric vehicle manufactured in the United States and its first EV with three rows of seats.
The New Highlander Brings Several Firsts for Toyota
Toyota is taking a different approach with the seven-seat electric crossover by incorporating full electrification into the popular Highlander’s fifth-generation redesign rather than creating an entirely new nameplate.
The strategy comes with some challenges, including an electric vehicle market that has not gained as much traction among new-car shoppers as originally expected.
The Highlander EV will be assembled at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, marking the automaker’s first U.S. electric vehicle assembly operation. Its battery modules will come from an entirely new Toyota facility in North Carolina, giving the company two major production lines to prepare for series production.
The Highlander EV was originally expected to reach U.S. dealerships in fall 2026. However, Nikkei Asia reports that Toyota may 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 producing the vehicle and its components.
Toyota Confirms Highlander EV Production Delay
CarBuzz contacted Toyota for additional information. Earlier this year, Toyota confirmed that the Highlander EV had been delayed but did not provide a specific timeframe.
A Toyota spokesperson now says production will begin in “early 2027.” That timing aligns with the Nikkei report, although the early 2027 window leaves some flexibility around the exact production launch date.
As a result, an additional delay of several weeks, if one occurs, could still keep the production target within the broader early 2027 timeframe.
What the 2027 Toyota Highlander EV Could Offer
While Toyota has not yet fully revealed the electric Highlander’s final specifications, the newest EV offers several numbers that could make it appealing to potential buyers.
The shortest-range model is expected to travel around 270 miles on a charge using a 77.0-kilowatt-hour battery. A larger 95.8-kWh battery is also available, increasing the range to as much as 320 miles.
A NACS charge port is standard, allowing the Highlander EV to charge at Tesla Superchargers.
2027 Toyota Highlander EV vs. Key Rivals
| 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 |
Against its primary rivals, the Hyundai Ioniq 9 and Kia EV9, the Highlander EV’s figures are positioned around the middle of the segment. None of the listed specifications appear to make the electric SUV an automatic turnoff for potential buyers.
Combined with Toyota’s electric vehicle sales momentum and reputation for quality, the new Highlander could appeal to loyal customers who are ready to move away from gasoline power.
For buyers who are not ready to make that transition, the larger Grand Highlander will continue to be offered with pure combustion and hybrid powertrains.
