Toyota to launch Highlander BEV in North America

MANILA: Toyota Motor Corporation will roll out an all-electric version of the Highlander nameplate in North America.

Per the Japanese carmaker, the launch of the electric three-row sport utility vehicle (SUV) is part of its multi-pathway approach toward achieving a carbon-neutral society. Sales of the Toyota Highlander BEV (battery-electric vehicle) are expected to commence late in the year. 

Here are some notable features:

Striking style

The Toyota Highlander BEV is unmistakably a modern electric vehicle with striking styling cues, with clean lines, broad fenders, and a good helping of straight lines and aggressive angles all around.

Eye-catching are its full-length LED daytime running lights and headlamps that resemble those fitted on the Philippine-market Toyota Camry and bZ4X. Its chin is equipped with a skid plate-like appointment, which is also telling of its potential for going off the beaten track.

Its side profile, on the other hand, is fitted with claddings on the sills. In contrast, the wheel arches look clean as they are without protective coverings. Notable too are its flush door handles, blacked-out pillars, and stylish wheels.

At the back is a decent-sized glass topped by a discreet roof-mounted spoiler. At the center is a horizontal light bar with the tailgate’s bottom boasting a robust-looking bumper. A garnish at the bottom mimics the skid plate-like feature at the fore.

In the United States (US), the Toyota Highlander BEV is available in the following colors:

• Spellbound
• Wind Chill Pearl
• Heavy Metal
• Everest
• Reservoir Blue
• Midnight Black Metallic

“Our design mission was to create a new Highlander that pursued the robust proportions of an SUV while also capturing the sophisticated, high-tech aspects of all-electric performance,” Chief Designer Masayuki Yamada was quoted as saying.

“To accomplish that goal, we designed a model that balanced aerodynamics, interior space, and capability so it is equally suited for elegant urban or outdoor enthusiast lifestyles,” he added.

Other stories: Toyota’s Pixis Van BEV is what young entrepreneurs could enjoy 40k EVs registered in PH during Jan.-Sept. 2025 timeline BMW recalls select X3 units worldwide over multiple issues, more than 105K units affected

High-tech interior

The cabin of the Toyota Highlander BEV was built to be spacious and provide occupants an open feeling, refined comfort, and tech-forward design.

Its cockpit is driver-focused and centers around an LED digital gauge cluster with customizable settings, temperature controls with adjustability via hard buttons, and a large, slim bezel touchscreen. Further, it gets an available head-up display and standard ambient lighting. 

Other features include a wireless charger, USB type-C charging ports, and independent air conditioning controls for those sitting at the rear. Speaking of, rear window shades are also available for a more private sense of space.

Seats are made out of durable materials and new-look SofTex-trimmed upholstery. 

“This new Highlander is designed to be a stylish, high-tech leader in the midsize SUV segment,” Toyota Motor North America Group Vice President and General Manager David Christ commented.

“Its sleek new look, spacious interior, and cutting‑edge technology make it a great addition to Toyota’s growing lineup of BEVs,” he noted.

All-electric powertrain

Power for the Toyota Highlander BEV comes from an electric motor — or motors — with a battery that ranges from 77 to 95.8 kilowatt-hours, depending on the variant.

The base model uses a front-wheel drive layout, while the remaining all-wheel drive models can send power to all four wheels for added capability. 

Total horsepower ranges from 221 to 338 horses, while overall torque is rated from 268 to 437 Newton-meters of pulling power.

Made in the USA

The upcoming Toyota Highlander BEV will not only be the marque’s first three-row BEV for the United States (US) market, but will also be the first BEV wearing the Toyota badge to be assembled in America.

It will be built at the brand’s manufacturing facility in Georgetown, Kentucky. Its batteries will be sourced in the US from Toyota’s battery assembly plant in Liberty, North Carolina, and a supplier partner. 

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