2027 Toyota Highlander BEV Review

AutoNetwork's expert review of the 2027 Toyota Highlander BEV, including POV test drive footage, 360° walkaround, real-world driving impressions, and honest pros and cons for car buyers.

Read the full 2027 2027 Toyota Highlander BEV review with detailed photos, video walkaround, and buyer guidance.

Quick Facts

Alright, let’s talk. For years, I’ve had folks coming up to me at the gas station, at church, sending me messages on AutoNetwork.com, all asking the same thing: “Roosevelt, when is Toyota going to get serious about a real, family-sized electric car?” We’ve all seen the other guys roll out their big three-row EVs, and Toyota, the company that basically invented the modern hybrid with the Prius, has been mighty quiet on that front. Well, I’m here to tell you that the quiet is over. I just got back from a media event where Toyota pulled the covers off the 2027 Highlander BEV, and it’s clear they weren’t just sitting on their hands; they were taking notes. This isn’t just another electric vehicle; this is Toyota making a statement that it plans to be a leader in the electric era, just like it was in the hybrid one.

Now, they wouldn’t let me take it for a spin just yet—this was one of those static walkaround events where we get to touch and feel everything but the accelerator pedal. But what I saw tells me a lot. First off, this isn't your cousin's old Highlander. The designers have given this fifth-generation model a complete overhaul. It's lower by about 0.8 inches, but it’s wider by a noticeable 2.3 inches, giving it a much more planted and athletic stance. They stretched the wheelbase to a generous 120.1 inches, which is a big reason the proportions look so right. The front end is clean and modern, with a full-width LED light bar that gives it a signature look, and the door handles are flush with the body for better aerodynamics. On the Limited grade I was looking at, it was wearing a set of massive 22-inch wheels that really filled out the fenders and gave it a premium presence you might expect from a German luxury brand. They’ve even got some interesting new colors, like a deep purple called Spellbound, and two-tone options with a black roof that make it look even sleeker.

But for the families I talk to in places like Gardena, California, or Camden, New Jersey, looks are nice, but what really matters is what’s on the inside. And that’s where this new Highlander really starts to cook with gas—or, well, electrons. You get seating for seven as standard, with comfortable captain’s chairs in the second row that make it easy for the kids to get to the back. A bench seat is available if you need to haul eight, but those captain's chairs are the way to go for family harmony on a long trip. The third row is there, and with the longer wheelbase, it’s designed to be more than just a penalty box. I climbed back there, and while it’s still best for kids on a cross-country trek, adults can fit for shorter trips around town. With all the seats up, you have 15.9 cubic feet of cargo space, which is enough for a big grocery run or a couple of duffel bags. Fold that third row down, and you’re looking at 45.6 cubic feet—plenty of room for all the gear for a weekend soccer tournament. Drop both rear rows, and it opens up to a cavernous 80 cubic feet.

The driver’s seat feels like a command center. Your eyes are immediately drawn to the huge 14-inch touchscreen in the center of the dash, running Toyota’s latest infotainment system. Right in front of you is a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster that you can customize. For the first time in a Toyota, you can have the navigation map take over that entire screen, which is a fantastic feature. The whole cabin is trimmed in standard SofTex, which feels durable and looks upscale, and the front seats are heated on all models. I was particularly impressed by the little details. There’s a clever angled tray on the center console, trimmed in suede, that holds two phones and charges them both wirelessly. They’ve put USB-C ports in all three rows so nobody’s device is going to die. And get this—there are 18 cupholders. Eighteen. Toyota knows its audience. The Limited model I saw adds goodies like ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, and a massive fixed panoramic glass roof that makes the whole cabin feel bright and airy.

Of course, the real headline here is what makes it go. This Highlander is 100% battery-electric. Toyota is offering a few different configurations. The base XLE model comes with front-wheel drive, a 77.0 kWh battery, and a single motor putting out 221 horsepower and 198 lb.-ft. of torque, good for an estimated 287 miles of range. But the version most people will want is the all-wheel-drive model. With AWD, you get dual motors that combine for a seriously impressive 338 horsepower and 323 lb.-ft. of torque. That’s a huge jump from the 265 horsepower in the outgoing gas-powered Highlander. You can get that AWD setup with the standard battery for 270 miles of range, or you can step up to the big 95.8 kWh battery, which pushes the range to an estimated 320 miles. That’s the sweet spot. A 320-mile range and 338 horsepower in a three-row family SUV from Toyota? That’s a combination that will be tough to beat. It suddenly puts the Highlander on the same playing field as vehicles like the excellent Kia EV9.

Toyota also knows that charging is a major concern for first-time EV buyers. So, they’ve made it as simple as possible. The Highlander BEV comes standard with the NACS port, which means you’ll be able to plug directly into Tesla’s massive Supercharger network without needing a clumsy adapter. That’s a game-changer for road-trip confidence. When you do plug into a DC fast charger, Toyota says you can go from 10% to 80% in about 30 minutes, and the system includes battery preconditioning to make sure you get the fastest speeds possible. But here’s the feature that really got me excited: Vehicle-to-Load, or V2L. This is a first for Toyota in the U.S. It means you can use the Highlander’s big battery as a mobile power source. You can run a TV and a grill at a tailgate, power your tools at a job site, or, in an emergency, it can even provide backup power to your home. That single feature adds a layer of utility that transforms the car from just transportation into a versatile family tool.

Finally, you can’t talk about a family Toyota without talking about safety. The 2027 Highlander comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense 4.0. That’s the whole suite: Pre-Collision System, full-speed adaptive cruise control, Lane Tracing Assist, Blind Spot Monitor, and even a built-in dashcam. You don’t have to pay extra for the most important features, which is how it should be. The Limited grade adds some advanced tech like Traffic Jam Assist, which can handle steering, braking, and accelerating in stop-and-go traffic, and a Panoramic View Monitor that gives you a 360-degree bird’s-eye view when parking—a must-have for a vehicle this size.

So, what’s the verdict? Toyota hasn’t announced the price yet, and that will be a critical piece of the puzzle. But based on everything I saw and touched, this is a very serious contender. It’s spacious, packed with thoughtful family-friendly features, and offers strong performance and range. The fact that it will be built right here in America, with batteries from a new plant in North Carolina, is the cherry on top. For the family that’s been on the fence about going electric, waiting for a trusted brand to deliver a no-compromises three-row SUV, the wait appears to be over. This isn't just an electric version of a Highlander; it feels like the Highlander that Toyota was always meant to build. As long as the price is competitive, this is a definite BUY. It’s the perfect, practical, near-luxury upgrade for the family that’s ready for the future but still wants the peace of mind that comes with a Toyota badge.

The Bottom Line

Buy it if you are a family waiting for a trusted brand to deliver a no-compromises three-row electric SUV, and the price is competitive. It puts the Highlander on the same playing field as vehicles like the Kia EV9.

Best For

• Families needing a spacious three-row electric SUV
• Buyers prioritizing range and performance in an EV
• Those who value family-friendly features like V2L and multiple charging ports
• Consumers seeking a trusted brand for their first EV

Skip It If

• You need to take it for a test drive immediately (static walkaround only)
• Price is a primary concern (not yet announced)

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