Toyota continues to impress me each year. In an age where EVs are growing more accessible and SUVs are more popular than ever, Toyota combines the best of both worlds. One of the brand’s most recognizable SUVs is being reformulated into an all-electric model. That’s right, the 2027 Toyota Highlander has gone electric.
The popular three-row SUV harnesses electricity to deliver the performance and range many drivers seek. Like the rest of its versatile fleet, the new electric Highlander is tech-savvy, featuring items that ensure connectivity and safety. It’s another shining example of Toyota offering a vehicle that checks all the boxes.
Today, I’m sharing my enthusiasm for the newest EV that’s bound to turn heads in the forthcoming year. I’ll be breaking down the performance, range, features, and technologies that make the 2027 Toyota Highlander a unique entry in its class.
Performance and Range
Any EV owner revels in the knowledge that they never have to worry about gas prices ever again. With charging stations becoming more available, owning an EV and having it juiced up and ready to go is easier than ever. Modern EVs offer performance that rivals many gas-powered vehicles. In fact, the new Highlander offers three unique powertrains that not only pack plenty of “get up and go” but also plenty of range between charges. It’s a pragmatic performance with electrifying excitement.
The first of three available options for the Highlander is a 77 kWh single motor. The base electric powertrain isn’t basic at all. In fact, it provides an ideal balance of performance and range. It produces 221 hp and 198 lb-ft of torque, and comes exclusively with front-wheel drive, with a maximum range of 287 miles.
Many SUV owners enjoy AWD for better road control and for engaging in recreational activities. AWD models of the Highlander get a dual-motor setup that delivers power to all four wheels. The 77 kWh dual-motor option delivers increased performance to all four wheels, with 338 hp and 323 lb-ft of torque. That performance doesn’t significantly hinder range, with a 270-mile range on a full charge.
Many EV owners enjoy the prospect of going farther with fewer stops. The Highlander’s third option, a 95.8 kWh Dual-Motor, helps you hit the road with both AWD and impressive range. It matches the torque of the 77 kWh dual-motor setup at 323 lb-ft and increases power to 338 hp. This configuration also provides the longest range of the Highlander, with 320 miles on a full charge.
Some EV owners want elevated performance that provides thrills. All EV owners enjoy the capability to avoid the pump. All three available options on the Highlander give drivers the right amount of performance and range they’re looking for.
Interior Motives
When reporting on any SUV, particularly one powered exclusively by electricity, performance and range tend to be a priority. All-electric SUVs are certainly the new phase in the evolving history of the vehicle class. However, SUVs have always been known for being highly pragmatic, offering plenty of seating and storage.
A popular component of many modern SUV interiors is second-row captain’s chairs. The new Highlander offers this seating option, allowing the vehicle to accommodate six passengers. Drivers who need more will be pleased to know that a bench seat is available on select trims.
SUV owners also enjoy having plenty of room for groceries, suitcases, and packages. In fact, ample cargo room has always been a hallmark of the vehicle class. The new Highlander, with all of its electrifying performance, still retains this practical aspect. With all three rows of seats occupied, the Highlander still offers 15.9 cu.ft. of room. When storage takes precedence, the second- and third-row seats fold down to offer 45.6 cu.ft. of cargo space.
Naturally, spacious seating and storage are features many SUV owners expect. The modern SUV owner also expects a discernible level of comfort. The Highlander features many items that ensure commuters are comfortable. Heated front seats are standard on all trims, making cold mornings a thing of the past. Ventilated seats are available on select trims, enhancing the Highlaner’s interior comfort. Ambient lighting and an optional panoramic roof add to the interior experience.
The more things change, the more they stay the same. The Highlander offers plenty of practicality in its seating and cargo room, just as it always has. These aspects have always been staples of any SUV. The new Highlander’s comfortable features give it a modern, refined feel.
Connectivity
In our digital age, staying connected to apps and other features is crucial. The new Highlander is a tech-savvy offering with the key features drivers seek. All Highlander models come equipped with a 14.1-inch infotainment screen. The interface provides connectivity to a wide range of apps and other features, including. wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 5G hotspot capability, voice assistance, wireless charging, and multiple USB ports.
Access to streaming services via the Highlander’s infotainment system is complemented by two different stereo systems that ensure audio quality. Base trims receive a six-speaker stereo system, allowing drivers to enjoy their favorite music and podcasts. Upper trims get an 11-speaker JBL stereo system. It’s a fine choice for discerning audiophiles.
Connectivity is important to many drivers. With an intuitive screen that comes standard across all trims and access to multiple apps and technologies, Toyota ensures its drivers stay connected and entertained wherever they go.
Safety and Driving Assistance Technology
I end my examination of the 2027 Toyota Highlander with the most important aspect of any major vehicle purchase: safety. Toyota has continuously been praised for its sustainability and safety, and the new Highlander is no exception. The Highlander is equipped with an abundance of standard safety features and driver-assistance technologies.
Many of these items are provided through Toyota Safety Sense 4.0, a comprehensive suite that covers the basics of protection and oversight. This includes a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Automatic High Beams, Lane Tracing Assist, Road Sign Assist, and Proactive Driving Assist, all as standard safety systems.
The safety features that grace the Toyota Highlander are not limited to those included on Safety Sense 4.0. The Highlander also comes with the Star Safety System. This includes many of the features we now take for granted, like Anti-Lock Brakes and Traction Control, but also ups the ante with Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control, Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking, Smart Stop Technology, and Brake Assist.
Nothing will ever be more important than safety. The Toyota Highlander offers drivers peace of mind through a wide range of standard features that keep them safe and protected. You can always rely on Toyota to build vehicles with its drivers’ needs as a top priority.
My Final Verdict: A Truly Electrifying SUV
It’s rare that I’m tasked with writing about a vehicle, and I walk away impressed by every one of its advantages and features. However, the 2027 Toyota Highlander offers something for every type of commuter. The major change with the 2027 Toyota Highlander becoming an EV exceeds expectations in the all-electric SUV segment. Electrifying performance and range are joined with comfort, connectivity, and the driving assistance technologies that all drivers enjoy. If 2027 is the year in which you decide to go electric, you can put your trust in Toyota.
