Toyota denies it’s delaying the Highlander EV SUV again [Update]

Toyota's electric Highlander, a three-row SUV, is facing conflicting reports about its launch timing. A Nikkei report claimed Toyota was pushing the launch back further, to "2027 or later," with production at its Kentucky plant also delayed by several months. But Toyota's US spokesperson has pushed back on that report, saying the launch timeline still stands at 2027, as the company announced back in July.

If you've been waiting on this vehicle, there's no new information to act on yet. The gas and hybrid versions of the current Highlander remain in production and should stay available at dealerships well into 2027, so buyers who need a three-row Toyota SUV sooner have that option in the meantime.

When the electric Highlander does arrive, it's expected in two trims, XLE and Limited, with front- or all-wheel drive. Battery options are 77 kWh (up to 287 miles of range) or 95.8 kWh (up to 320 miles). Toyota's Subaru counterpart, a three-row electric SUV called the Getaway, shares the same underlying platform and will be built at the same Kentucky facility, and it has also seen delays.

Bottom line for homeowners weighing an EV purchase: the timeline for this particular model remains uncertain, whatever Toyota's official statement says. Anyone considering an electric SUV in this size class may want to keep an eye on updates before making purchase plans around this model.