Toyota delays U.S. production of electric Highlander to Q1 2027, to launch as 2028 model

Toyota has decided to delay the U.S. launch of the all-electric Highlander EV by several months. The vehicle is now expected to enter production as early as the first quarter of 2027 and will be introduced as a "2028 model year" vehicle. Toyota did not provide a specific reason for the delay. Under the original plan, Toyota intended to introduce the all-electric Highlander after phasing out the current gasoline-powered version. As of September 10, U.S. Toyota dealers held enough inventory of the gasoline-powered Highlander to cover approximately 20 days of sales. Toyota stated that suppliers are currently “proceeding with production according to the established schedule.” According to the current plan, once launched, the all-electric Highlander will become Toyota’s fourth all-electric vehicle in the U.S. market, joining the bZ, C-HR, and bZ Woodland in its U.S. EV lineup. The vehicle will be available in both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations, with a choice of two battery packs: 77 kWh or 95.8 kWh. The 77 kWh version offers an estimated maximum range of about 287 miles (approximately 462 kilometers), while the front-wheel-drive variant with the 95.8 kWh pack delivers an estimated maximum range of about 320 miles (approximately 515 kilometers).