Toyota Confirms 2027 Highlander Goes Totally Electrical and the New Three Row SUV Teasers Lastly Make Sense : Automotive Addicts

Automotive

Toyota’s current run of teasers had everybody guessing whether or not we had been a brand-new three-row SUV or a direct alternative for the Highlander. Now now we have the lacking puzzle piece. A contemporary teaser video successfully confirms the 2027 Toyota Highlander will likely be totally electrical, and it seems just like the “thriller” household hauler we lined is definitely the subsequent chapter of the Highlander story, not a separate mannequin. That strains up completely with what Toyota’s been hinting at in its gradual drip marketing campaign main as much as the reveal on February 10, together with the three-row focus we talked about and the blockier, extra SUV-like stance that had Land Cruiser and 4Runner vibes written throughout it.

The brand new clip is brief however fairly telling. Toyota exhibits the Highlander badge on a redesigned liftgate together with BEV and AWD badging, which is about as near an official affirmation as you may get with out the total press deck. Toyota additionally added a simple assertion that calls it the “all-new 2027 Highlander,” promising glossy trendy strains, an electrical powertrain, and a spacious three-row cabin. The larger twist is the naming method. Toyota will not be calling it “Highlander EV,” it’s simply Highlander, which instantly raises questions on what occurs to the present gasoline and hybrid variations and whether or not they proceed alongside this new battery-electric mannequin.

This transfer additionally seems like a notable shift in Toyota’s long-running EV warning. The model has been comfortable to dominate with hybrids whereas different automakers sprinted towards full electrification, so placing the Highlander identify on a three-row BEV is a fairly loud assertion. It’s additionally attention-grabbing that the design cues we’ve seen up to now level towards a extra squared-off form, which could possibly be Toyota’s manner of giving the Highlander a more durable, extra purposeful look because it enters a extra aggressive electrical SUV area. Between households cross-shopping practicality and consumers who need just a little extra visible perspective, a boxier Highlander might land proper within the candy spot.

We’ll get the total image on the official reveal scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET on February 10, and that’s when the actual questions ought to lastly be answered, like vary expectations, platform particulars, charging information, trims, and the place pricing would possibly land. For now, Toyota’s teaser technique has finished its job: the three-row “thriller SUV” and that blocky silhouette we lined now join on to a nameplate folks already know. If Toyota nails the packaging and delivers the correct mix of vary, worth, and on a regular basis usability, the 2027 Highlander going electrical could possibly be the second the corporate’s EV method begins feeling quite a bit much less tentative.

Lloyd Tobias is a seasoned automotive journalist and passionate fanatic with over 15 years of expertise immersed on the earth of automobiles. Whether or not it’s exploring the most recent developments in automotive expertise or conserving an in depth pulse on breaking business information, Lloyd brings a pointy perspective and a deep appreciation for all issues automotive. His writing blends technical perception with real-world enthusiasm, making his contributions each informative and fascinating for readers who share his love for the drive. When he’s not behind the keyboard or below the hood, Lloyd enjoys check driving the latest fashions and staying forward of the curve in an ever-evolving automotive panorama.