Toyota delays Highlander BEV production as the 3-row electric SUV is put on the back burner

Toyota is delaying production of its first three-row electric SUV, the 2027 Highlander BEV. A company spokesperson said the delay is for "additional adjustments" before launch, though no new production date has been announced. In the meantime, Toyota will keep building the current gas and hybrid Highlander through December, and those versions are expected to stay available at dealerships well into 2027. The delay applies only to the electric version.

This is a car-buying story, not a home-upgrade one, but it may matter if you were considering an electric three-row SUV. The Highlander EV was expected to offer two battery options, 77 kWh or 95.8 kWh, with driving range up to 287 or 320 miles depending on the trim and drivetrain (front-wheel or all-wheel drive). Pricing was expected to start around $50,000, which would have undercut rivals like the Tesla Model Y L ($61,990), Kia EV9 ($54,900), and Hyundai IONIQ 9 ($58,955).

Toyota's related three-row electric models, the Lexus TZ and Subaru Getaway, share the same platform, so it is possible they could face similar delays, though that has not been confirmed. If you are shopping for an electric SUV with third-row seating this year, your current options remain the Model Y L, EV9, and IONIQ 9, since the Highlander EV's timeline is now uncertain.