Update (February 9, 2026): The story has been updated with the confirmed branding.
Toyota will pull the wraps off its new three-row SUV with AWD on February 10, 2026, and the battery-electric family hauler will sport the Highlander nameplate.
While we’ve already talked about how taking the Highlander down the path of all-electric is a good long-term bet, 2026 isn’t the hottest year to launch a three-row EV or any EV for that matter, in the U.S.
The two newest and most recognizable mainstream three-row electric SUVs in the U.S. are still finding their way. The Kia EV9 posted 674 sales in January 2026, down from 1,232 units in January 2025. Full-year EV9 sales dropped from 22,017 units in 2024 to 15,051 units in 2025.
Hyundai’s first sales bulletin for the year confirms that the Ioniq 9 is facing an uphill climb in the U.S., with 580 sales in January 2026 and 5,189 units for all of 2025.
From everything we gather, Toyota wants the all-electric 2027 Highlander to appeal to U.S. shoppers who focus on space, practicality, and cabin usability, not just powertrain numbers. While we’ll get the full specs next week, an output of around 350 hp and 280-300 miles of EPA-est range feels non-negotiable.
Toyota’s largest EV stateside will feature a horizontal center display and digital instrument cluster that’s inspired by the 2026 RAV4. We can also spot a center console with physical controls that include a volume knob and dedicated climate interfaces.
Second-row climate controls, roof-mounted AC vents, ambient lighting, and a large panoramic glass roof have also been confirmed in the latest teaser.
Behind the scenes, Toyota has been doing the groundwork for U.S. EV production for years. In an April 7, 2023 management policy announcement, Toyota said it would start local production of a three-row SUV in the U.S. and that the vehicle would use batteries produced in North Carolina. Toyota’s battery plant in Liberty, North Carolina began shipping batteries in June 2025.
Toyota will assemble its new three-row battery-electric SUVs at its Kentucky facility as it revises production allocation between Kentucky and Indiana.
Toyota is no stranger to the three-row market in the U.S. The launch of the Grand Highlander in 2023 has proven to be somewhat of a master stroke, with sales of 136,801 cars last year, growing 90% YoY. Its minivan, the Sienna, was the wildcard entry among the biggest year-over-year gainers, with 101,486 units, up 35% from 2024.
Also See: First Look Review: Heritage-inspired 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser Hybrid gets pricier
With the launch of the 2027 Highlander, Toyota would have a complete EV lineup in the USD 35,000-55,000 range, including the bZ, C-HR BEV, and bZ Woodland. Now it comes down to what these models can do for Toyota’s bottom line at a time when the EV market is fighting the tide.
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 17 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading global CEOs and vehicle developers.
