For over a quarter of a century, the Toyota Highlander has been a steadfast companion for millions of families, fundamentally reshaping how we think about the modern road trip. When it first turned heads at the New York International Auto Show in April 2000, it broke the mold by ditching the era's traditional, truck-like body-on-frame design. Instead, the 2001 Highlander cleverly utilized a modified Camry unibody platform, delivering car-like road manners, unprecedented interior space, and rugged style. It wasn't long before Toyota pushed the envelope again, introducing the 2006 Highlander Hybrid—the brand's very first hybrid SUV and a decorated winner of critical acclaim from Consumer Reports and Popular Mechanics. From its second generation, which marked the transition to U.S. manufacturing in Princeton, Indiana, through the tech-heavy third and fourth generations, the Highlander has constantly adapted. Now, the fifth-generation 2027 model takes its biggest leap yet, continuing a proud legacy of elevating everyday usability, comfort, and cutting-edge efficiency.

To kick off this stunning fifth generation, Toyota's designers completely reinvented the Highlander as a battery-electric vehicle, guided by a philosophy they call the "Best Experience Vehicle." The mission was simple yet ambitious: blend robust SUV proportions with the high-tech aerodynamics required for all-electric performance. Built on a modified, ultra-quiet TNGA-K platform specially engineered to house a massive underfloor battery, the 2027 Highlander is wider, lower, and longer than its predecessor. Upfront, it commands attention with a striking, slim "hammerhead" daytime running light design and a geometric bumper layout. The sleek profile flows into a tapered cabin with expansive windows, broad, confident fenders, and minimalist semi-flush electronic door handles. To pull the entire look together, you can choose from expressive single-tone paints like the all-new Spellbound, or eye-catching two-tone combinations topped with a sleek black roof.

Step inside the 2027 Highlander, and you are greeted by an open, tech-forward cockpit designed to keep the entire family comfortable and connected. The driver-focused dash features a customizable LED digital gauge cluster, an available Head-Up Display, and a massive, slim-bezel touchscreen, while keeping vital temperature controls bound to easy-to-use hard buttons. Premium SofTex-trimmed seating comes standard, with the Limited trim adding luxurious ventilation and heated second-row captain's chairs. Passengers will love the effortless third-row access via a one-touch electronic button, as well as the sheer abundance of conveniences, including 18 cup holders, rear window shades, and dedicated storage slots for tablets. Power needs are fully covered with an angled, non-slip dual Qi wireless charging pad up front and rapid USB-C ports strategically placed throughout all three rows.

The 2027 Highlander eliminates range anxiety by offering multiple robust battery configurations tailored to your driving habits. Buyers can opt for the highly capable 77.0-kWh battery pack—offering a manufacturer-estimated 287 miles of range in front-wheel drive or 270 miles in all-wheel drive—or step up to the massive 95.8-kWh battery pack, which pumps out an exceptional estimated 320 miles of range on both the XLE and Limited AWD models. Road trips are completely seamless thanks to a standard North American Charging System (NACS) port, allowing you to tap into thousands of Level 3 DC fast chargers nationwide to juice up from 10% to 80% in roughly 30 minutes. To guarantee top speeds at the plug, standard Battery Preconditioning automatically warms or cools the battery to the ideal temperature when you navigate to a station, while Plug & Charge capability handles payment and authorization automatically, without requiring a single mobile app.