The fifth-generation Highlander (known locally as Kluger) has broken cover in North America today, sporting a familiar Toyota namesake with not-so-familiar electric powertrains.
Scheduled to be assembled and sold in the US from 2027, the Highlander EV (referred to hereafter as the Kluger) will launch in two trim grades: a front- or all-wheel driven base model XLE and a range-topping all-wheel-drive (AWD) Limited.
The electric Kluger XLE will feature a 77.0kWh high-voltage battery, or optional 95.8kWh battery exclusive to AWD guise. Kluger Limited variants will only be available in 95.8kWh/AWD configuration.
All-wheel-drive Kluger EV variants produce 252kW/438Nm, while front-drivers produce 165kW/269Nm. AWD models additionally gain a multi-terrain drive-mode selector and hill descent control, while front-drivers miss out.
EV range is earmarked at 462km for FWD/77.0kWh models, 435km for AWD/77.0kWh models, and 515km for AWD/95.8kWh models. DC Charging is claimed to take 30 minutes from 10-80 percent. No range-dependent testing standard has been supplied alongside Toyota’s figures.
There is currently no word of the Kluger EV debuting locally. In Australia, the flagship fourth-generation Kluger is nearing five years old, with no replacement — EV or otherwise — in the public eye.
Chasing Cars has approached Toyota Australia for comment, and will update this story when more information is available.
For now, the US-market exclusive Kluger EV measures 5050mm long (up 84mm over previous generation), 1989mm wide (up 59mm), and 1709mm tall (down 46mm), meaning the Kluger EV’s external dimensions are similar to our local market Kia EV9.
Wheelbase increases by 201mm, now measuring 3051mm overall, thanks to a bespoke, lengthened TNGA-K platform — a capable architecture shared by the likes of Camry and RAV4.
Note Toyota’s sole EV offering in Australia — the bZ4X — uses a more EV-oriented e-TNGA platform.
Toyota’s use of the TNGA-K platform only furthers speculation that hybrid and plug-in hybrid fifth-generation Kluger variants could debut — the platform already supports HEV and PHEV drivetrains in the half-size smaller next-gen RAV4, slated to arrive locally in March.
Pictured: Upcoming local-market 2026 Toyota RAV4
Toyota has provided no comment on this prospect, but has debuted a multi-powertrain Lexus ES300 and next-generation Corolla. Both models share TNGA platform underpinnings.
Pricing for the Toyota Kluger EV has not yet been determined, but is expected locally to fall in the realm of $100,000 before on-road costs. It will predominantly rival the $97,000 Kia EV9, $124,990 Volvo EX90, and $119,750 Hyundai Ioniq 9.
2027 Toyota Kluger Electric styling and equipment
Styling for the Kluger EV is akin to the newly released Toyota Hilux, soon-to-launch RAV4, and mainstay Camry. The design features slim, body-width strip LED lighting on the front and rear of the vehicle, sharp, boxy body lines, and aerodynamic touches like flush door handles and slippery front end.
Aerodynamic wheels and pronounced air-cooling vents round out a futuristic-style body.
Inside, the Highlander will offer a choice of six or seven seats, spread across three rows. The centrepiece of the dashboard is a 14-inch central touchscreen, placed next to a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
Ambient lighting is strewn throughout the cabin, as are USB-C chargers for all rows, while both grades additionally gain a roof-length panoramic sunroof.
Standard equipment on the Kluger EV XLE includes:
- Full-width LED DRL
- Front acoustic glass
- 19-inch aero-wheels
- Semi-flush electronic door handles
- 14-inch touchscreen
- Six-speaker audio system
- 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster
- 64-color customizable ambient lighting
- SofTex-trimmed seating
- Heated front seats and steering wheel
- 11-kW onboard AC charger
Stepping into the Kluger EV Limited grants:
- Side view mirrors with memory and reverse tilt function
- Heads-up display
- Ventilated front seats
- Heated second row seats
- Rear sunshades
- Additional driver assistance including Advanced Park, Traffic Jam Assist, Panoramic View Monitor, Lane Change Assist, and Front Cross Traffic Alert
Stand-out optional extras across both trim grades include:
- Bench seating (XLE AWD only)
- Panoramic roof (All grades)
- JBL 12-speaker sound-system with subwoofer and amplifier (XLE AWD and Limited)
- Two-tone paint (Limited)
- 22-inch wheels (Limited)
All information stated above regarding a fifth-generation Kluger EV applies exclusively in reference to the US-market Highlander EV.
