Toyota has dropped a bomb in the global market. The Japanese carmaker has revealed the next-generation Highlander SUV in the US as an electric car. The upcoming Highlander EV is Toyota’s first-ever three-row electric vehicle. Check out its complete details below.

You can also find the best used Toyota Highlander cars at Cars24 UAE.

Also read: iCaur V27 UAE prices announced - Top 5 highlights to know before buying

2027 Toyota Highlander - Everything you need to know

Exterior design

The new Highlander has evolved completely in terms of exterior styling. It looks sharper and more futuristic now, making it stand in line with Toyota’s latest design philosophy, which we have recently seen on the RAV4 Hybrid as well.

The front fascia dominates with the C-shaped LED DRLs and a smiling face design with projector headlights and a minimal grille size. The side profile gets the retractable door handles, dual-tone 19-inch alloys, and blacked-out mirrors and roof for a sporty profile.

The rear design is even more interesting with its steeply raked windshield, roof-integrated spoiler, and full-width LED taillight with an upright boot. The overall stance is more mature and upright than the previous Highlander.

Interior design

On the inside, it features an all-new cabin layout with three rows offering seating for seven people. The cabin theme features a mix of ivory white, matte black, and silver accents.

The dashboard has a unique stepped design accentuated by the silver highlights. The new three-spoke steering wheel is identical to the Land Cruiser 300, and it gets a dual-tone leather cover. There are soft-touch leather highlights overall, while the 450-litre boot can be expanded to 1,274 litres by folding the third row seats.

Similarly, the new seats, new door panels, and a spacious centre console are designed to offer more luxury and comfort. The new-gen Highlander is equipped with modern comfort and convenience features, which include the following:

• 12.3-inch digital driver console
• 14-inch infotainment console
• Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• Wireless charging
• Glass roof
• Ambient lighting
• Toyota Multimedia system
• Electric seats with ventilation and heating (first and second row)
• Dual-zone climate control
• Drive modes
• Electronic tailgate
• Electronic parking brake
• Vehicle-to-Load (V2L)
• Boss Mode

Safety features

On the safety front, the new Highlander is the first Toyota car to introduce the new Safety Sense 4.0 autonomous safety system. These features include an array of self-assisting equipment that enhances the overall safety of the car. These include the following:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Blind spot monitoring and alert
• Lane change assist
• Lane keep assist
• 360-degree camera
• Automatic emergency braking
• Front collision detection
• Rear-cross traffic alert
• High-beam assist
• Pedestrian emergency braking

Battery specs and range of the 2027 Toyota Highlander

The new Highlander EV will be offered in two trims in the US: XLE and Limited. Further, these will be offered in two battery options: 77 kWh and 95.8 kWh. The batteries will be locally assembled in North Carolina with the help of the vendors.

As per the details, the XLE RWD version will exclusively feature the 77 kWh battery. This makes 221 bhp and 268 Nm.

Meanwhile, the 95.8 kWh battery can be had with the XLE AWD and the Limited AWD, exclusively. This pack is claimed to deliver 338 bhp and 380 Nm, while offering a claimed range of 515 km.

When will it launch in the UAE?

Toyota has announced that the new Highlander EV will go on sale in America later this year, and its pricing will be revealed near the launch date. The brand has plans to launch it globally next year, including the UAE market.

Cars24 UAE says

The seventh generation of the Toyota Highlander marks a major shift in the brand’s identity. The Highlander not only becomes pure electric, but it also upscales the luxury and safety quotient exponentially as compared to the previous version.