2027 Toyota Highlander EV: Features, Interior and What’s Changed
The 2027 Toyota Highlander is an all-new battery-electric three-row SUV. The biggest interior change is a 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen, paired with a separate 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. Wireless smartphone integration is standard, and the SUV seats up to seven. Toyota has confirmed two grades, XLE and Limited, with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive depending on configuration.
This is a bigger change than a typical redesign. The outgoing Highlander offered gas and hybrid power. The 2027 model drops both and moves to EV hardware only.
Inside, the story is more screen space, better connectivity, and a more polished cabin. Toyota lists soft-touch materials on the dash and doors, standard SofTex-trimmed seating, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Want a closer look at how those changes translate in person? Give (949) 779-5480 a call.
How much cargo space and seating room does the 2027 Toyota Highlander offer?
The 2027 Highlander seats up to seven. Second-row captain’s chairs are standard on both grades, which puts capacity at six. A three-across second-row bench is available on the XLE, and that raises the total to seven. Toyota has not published third-row dimensions yet.
The seating layout matters most to shoppers juggling car seats, backpacks, sports gear, and grocery runs. Aliso Viejo families who split time between the Town Center, local parks, and weekend trail heads will care most about second-row flexibility and third-row access. The EV packaging keeps the practical shape buyers expect from the nameplate. It also makes the cabin quieter than a conventional gas SUV.
Want to judge cabin space in person while you wait? The current Highlander Hybrid and Grand Highlander lineups are the closest three-row Toyotas on the ground today.
What powertrain options, battery specs, and tech displays come on the 2027 Highlander?
Toyota offers the 2027 Highlander in two grades, XLE and Limited. There are two battery packs, not one. Every XLE FWD model uses a 77.0-kWh battery. XLE AWD buyers choose between the 77.0-kWh pack and an extended-range 95.8-kWh pack. The Limited comes only with all-wheel drive and the 95.8-kWh battery.
Range moves with that choice. The configuration you pick is the spec to watch if you are comparing daily range and charging habits.
Battery and range by configuration
| Configuration | Battery | Drivetrain | Manufacturer-Estimated Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| XLE | 77.0 kWh (standard) | Front-wheel drive | 287 miles |
| XLE | 77.0 kWh | All-wheel drive | 270 miles |
| XLE | 95.8 kWh (extended range) | All-wheel drive | 320 miles |
| Limited | 95.8 kWh (standard) | All-wheel drive (standard) | 320 miles |
Battery and range figures above are published by Toyota’s newsroom.
All driving range figures are manufacturer estimates and are not EPA-rated. Actual range will vary depending on driving conditions, how you drive and maintain your vehicle, charging habits, battery age and condition, temperature, load, and other factors.
Specifications, grades, features, and availability for the 2027 Highlander are based on manufacturer information released prior to production and are subject to change. Final production specifications, equipment, and pricing will be confirmed by the manufacturer closer to the on-sale date.
Two screens, not one
14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia Touchscreen
The center display runs Toyota Audio Multimedia with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
12.3-inch Digital Gauge Cluster
A separate display behind the wheel. This is where charge status, remaining range, and navigation live at a glance.
These are two different displays. It is an easy spec to get wrong when you are cross-shopping. For a family vehicle, the right screen setup cuts distraction and keeps the driver’s eyes on traffic.
Mission Viejo drivers who mix residential streets, shopping trips, and highway runs will focus on range and charging routine. Mild local weather keeps EV range loss more manageable than it would be in a harsher climate. If charging routine is the part you are still working out, our 2026 bZ range and charging guide covers it on a Toyota EV you can drive today.
How does the 2027 Toyota Highlander compare to the Grand Highlander?
The 2027 Highlander is shorter than the Grand Highlander overall. It is not the small option, though. It is exactly as wide, and its wheelbase is four inches longer. Against the outgoing gas Highlander, it gained nearly four inches of length and 2.3 inches of width.
2027 Highlander vs Grand Highlander
| Specification | 2027 Toyota Highlander | Toyota Grand Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Overall length | 198.8 in | 201.4 in |
| Width | 78.3 in | 78.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 120.1 in | 116.1 in |
| Cargo behind third row | 15.9 cu ft | 20.6 cu ft |
| Cargo with seats folded | 45.6 cu ft (third row folded) | 57.9 cu ft (behind second row) |
Read the last two rows carefully, because they measure different things. The Highlander figure is cargo with the third row folded. The Grand Highlander figure is volume behind a raised second row. The behind-the-third-row row is the true like-for-like comparison, and the Grand Highlander wins it.
So the Grand Highlander is still the roomier Toyota for maximum cargo. Our 2026 Grand Highlander trims and pricing breakdown covers that lineup in detail.
The new Highlander is not trying to be the biggest SUV in its class. It aims to be the more streamlined family hauler. That means three rows, EV range, and a smaller footprint than the Grand Highlander. For Ladera Ranch households balancing school drop-offs, community events, and weekend errands, that size is easier to park and easier to maneuver.
Choosing between the two comes down to priorities. One question is cabin space and maximum cargo volume. The other is whether you want Toyota’s electric direction, which shifts ownership from fueling to charging. Our RAV4 Hybrid vs Highlander Hybrid comparison works through a similar trade-off.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2027 Toyota Highlander
Is the 2027 Highlander a gas SUV or a hybrid?
The 2027 Highlander is neither of those. Toyota has revealed it as a battery-electric three-row SUV. That marks a major change from the outgoing gas and hybrid Highlander models.
Which grades are confirmed so far?
Toyota has confirmed two grades for the U.S. market: XLE and Limited. The XLE is available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, and the Limited comes exclusively with all-wheel drive.
How far can the AWD version drive on a full charge?
It depends on which battery the AWD model carries. Toyota lists a manufacturer-estimated 320 miles for AWD models with the 95.8-kWh battery, and 270 miles for AWD models with the 77.0-kWh battery. Final range will still depend on grade, driving style, weather, and load.
Will it have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
Yes. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility are part of the 2027 Highlander’s standard tech setup, running on the 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen.
How many people does the 2027 Highlander seat?
Up to seven. Second-row captain’s chairs are standard on both grades for six-passenger seating, and an available second-row bench on the XLE brings the total to seven.
When can I buy a 2027 Toyota Highlander, and has it been delayed?
Yes, it has been delayed. Toyota planned a late-2026 launch, then confirmed in July 2026 that it was pushing the timeline back to make further adjustments before production. Toyota has not announced a new on-sale date and says it will update timing once production start is confirmed. Reporting since the delay points to 2027 at the earliest.
How to stay ahead of the 2027 Toyota Highlander launch
Capistrano Valley Toyota is the place to start if you want to track the 2027 Highlander. You can compare it against current Toyota three-row options and be ready when launch details firm up. The smart next step is to stay connected and review what is available now.
Our electrified Toyota lineup is where the current EV and hybrid options live. For Aliso Viejo shoppers balancing work schedules, family routines, and school activities, a head start usually saves time later.
Call (949) 779-5480 for a direct update on what we know so far. You can also stop by our San Juan Capistrano showroom for a face-to-face conversation. The 2027 Highlander is still a future model year, but the right time to prepare is before the first wave of questions turns into a rush.
Disclaimers
Specifications, grades, features, and availability for the 2027 Highlander are based on manufacturer information released prior to production and are subject to change. Final production specifications, equipment, and pricing will be confirmed by the manufacturer closer to the on-sale date.
All driving range figures are manufacturer estimates and are not EPA-rated. Actual range will vary depending on driving conditions, how you drive and maintain your vehicle, charging habits, battery age and condition, temperature, load, and other factors.