Toyota’s Beloved Family Hauler Just Got Its Biggest Update in 25 Years

The fifth-generation Highlander has arrived touting a bold new design and completely different powertrain options.

Close-up of the front left side of a silver Toyota vehicle showing a black alloy wheel and side mirror.

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By Gray Van Dyke

Published February 11, 2026

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Updated February 12, 2026

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When the Toyota Highlander first rolled onto the scene at the New York International Auto Show in April 2000, it was a revelation. As the brand’s first foray into midsize unibody SUVs, it utilized a modified version of the Camry platform, enabling respectable road manners with a spacious interior and rugged styling.

Over the years, Toyota has continued to update the Highlander, elevating the appearance, improving the safety features and increasing the powertrain efficiency. As such, each successive iteration has brought some impactful changes compared to its predecessor.

Silver Toyota Highlander Limited SUV parked on a paved surface in front of a glass building. — The first-generation Highlander marked Toyota’s first foray into the midsize unibody SUV market, a segment that has since exploded in popularity.

Yet, none can be considered quite as comprehensive as the latest update. For the fifth generation, Toyota has completely redesigned the Highlander inside and out, also giving the seven-seat SUV an entirely new set of powertrain options.

Elevated design with EV power

As a product of Toyota’s current hammerhead design language, the 2027 Highlander brings a more modern look that includes full-length LED daytime running lights, flush door handles and sleek aerodynamic lines.

Front view of a silver Toyota electric SUV parked on a stone driveway with trees and outdoor furniture in the background. — The full-width DRLs give the fifth-gen Highlander a much more modern look.

It’s a dramatic departure from the fourth-generation and its Grand Highlander sibling, as the SUV also sits lower, longer and wider. Toyota says that the model has grown by 2.3 inches side to side, while the wheelbase is up from 112 inches to 120.1 inches.

Of course, the changes come partly because of the new powertrain, as the 2027 model year forgoes internal combustion altogether. In lieu of the previous hybrid setup, the Highlander is joining the bZ, the CH-R and the bZ Woodland as the fourth EV in Toyota’s lineup and its first built in the United States.

Chrome "BEV AWD" badge with blue circular emblem on silver car rear above a red reflector. — The Highlander will be Toyota’s first BEV built in the United States.

In practice, it’ll offer the choice of two battery electric options: XLE and Limited. The former brings both front- and electronic all-wheel drive variants — with a 77.0-kWh battery as standard — while the latter comes equipped with all-wheel drive and the larger 95.8-kWh battery.

Toyota rates output from 228 horsepower and 198 lb-ft of torque in the case of the single-motor XLE FWD to 338 horsepower and 323 lb-ft of torque in the case of the dual-motor Limited AWD. Depending on which battery is under the floorboards, estimated driving range comes to anywhere from 270 to 320 miles, but fast-charging enables 10 to 80 percent top-ups in as little as 30 minutes.

Silver electric SUV with black roof and wheels parked on a concrete driveway near a modern building. — AWD-equipped models will deliver as much as 338 horsepower and 323 lb-ft of torque, so it’ll bring plenty of juice.

Moreover, while the brand says that only the AWD-equipped models will have adventure-ready features like Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control, all Highlanders will share a feature not offered on its other US-bound EVs: vehicle-to-load charging. For the first time in North America, owners will be able to use their Toyota to charge homes and devices.

Refined interior tech and safety

In keeping with its fresh exterior design and new EV powertrain, the 2027 Highlander brings some choice refinements to its three-row interior along with a series of tech improvements.

Interior of a modern Toyota car with white leather seats, digital dashboard, and central touchscreen display. — Toyota went big on the screens, but it didn’t ditch physical controls entirely.

Inside, this means that the cabin touts elevated features like a 14-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch driver’s display, customizable ambient lighting, wireless charging and clever integrated storage. What’s more the new Highlander will offer the largest fixed glass panoramic roof option in the Toyota lineup.

As part of the overhaul, the 2027 model year also incorporates the latest and greatest in Toyota’s infotainment. Thanks to the new Toyota Audio Multimedia system, users gain 5G connectivity, enhanced voice assistant capabilities and a built-in Drive Recorder.

Silver Toyota SUV with black roof and tinted windows parked on a tiled driveway near trees and large vases. — The Highlander looks more upscale than ever thanks to its sleek new design.

While there’s no denying that they make for welcome additions, a big part of the Highlander’s draw has always been its family-friendly safety, and 2027 delivers that in spades. Between pre-collision alerts, lane-departure assist, adaptive cruise control and proactive driving assist, among various other systems, it touts tons of features to keep you out of harm’s way.

Add to that a series of connected services for mapping to charging points, remote interfacing and more, and it’s clear that Toyota’s decision to electrify the Highlander has taken the SUV into the modern era.

Front view of a silver Toyota electric vehicle plugged into a wall charger outdoors. — The Highlander is the first North American Toyota EV to offer vehicle-to-load charging capabilities.

Availability and pricing

As mentioned above, the choice between XLE and Limited dictates available powertrain options. It also comes with upgrades like a head-up display, ventilated front seats, advanced parking assist and a panoramic view monitor.

At this stage, Toyota has yet to announce pricing. However, it has stated that more details will be available closer to when the new Highlander is expected to go on-sale later this year.

Silver electric SUV with black roof and wheels parked under a modern pergola with hanging lights.

2027 Toyota Highlander

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About the Author: Gray is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, motorcycles and anything else with wheels. When he’s not chasing the latest industry news, he’s probably wrenching on one of many projects. For better or worse, he believes classics make perfectly practical daily drivers.

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