Toyota has postponed the launch of the Highlander BEV, its first three-row electric SUV, to 2027 or later, in a new delay extending beyond the timeline expected just a few months ago. The vehicle, designated as a 2027 model, had been scheduled to begin its rollout before the end of 2026.
According to a report published by Nikkei, production will also be delayed by several months at Toyota’s plant in Georgetown, Kentucky, in the United States. The company had planned to begin manufacturing during the second half of 2026, but that schedule is no longer in place according to the latest available information.
A New Date Toyota Has Not Confirmed
Toyota indicated in July that the delay would allow for “additional adjustments,” and a company spokesperson told Cars.com that the postponement would be at least eight weeks, potentially pushing the launch into early 2027. However, the newer Nikkei report uses broader wording—“2027 or later”—without specifying a month or final date.
The delay applies only to the electric version. The current Highlander, available with a gasoline engine or hybrid powertrain, is expected to remain at dealerships well into 2027. Toyota has not yet announced a new date for starting Highlander BEV production or for its arrival in markets.
What Would the Highlander BEV Have Offered?
When launched, the vehicle is planned to be available in Limited and XLE trims, with front- or all-wheel-drive options. Toyota will offer two batteries with capacities of 77 and 95.8 kilowatt-hours; the stated range reaches 287 miles with the smaller battery and 320 miles with the larger battery when front-wheel drive is selected.
Interior equipment includes the Toyota Audio Multimedia system with wireless support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a 12.3-inch instrument display and a 14-inch central infotainment screen.
Why Does This Delay Matter?
The Highlander BEV would have added a fourth electric model to Toyota’s U.S. lineup, which currently includes the bZ, C-HR, and bZ Woodland according to the source material. The Subaru Getaway, a three-row electric SUV built on the same TNGA-K EV platform, has also been delayed and was supposed to be produced alongside the electric Highlander at the Kentucky plant.
The most important editorial interpretation is that the delay does not merely change the vehicle’s announced specifications; it also postpones Toyota’s entry into the large three-row electric-vehicle segment. Electrek believes this could give competitors such as Hyundai and Kia an opportunity to attract potential buyers, particularly given the indication that Toyota bZ sales in the United States rose 90% in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier, making it the fourth-best-selling electric vehicle there according to the material.
However, this final point is an editorial assessment by Electrek, not an announcement from Toyota. The company has also not disclosed a specific technical reason for the delay beyond referring to “additional adjustments,” so the available information cannot establish whether the postponement is related to manufacturing, software, or certification testing. The actual launch date and specifications of the final version will still require official confirmation.