2027 Toyota SUV Update: Highlander Goes Electric and Land Cruiser Gets More Capable

Toyota’s 2027 SUV news brings two big stories for two very different kinds of shoppers. The next-generation Toyota Highlander is becoming an all-electric three-row SUV, while the 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser adds more trail-focused hardware and more premium second-row comfort.

For drivers around North Kingstown and South County, the updates show how wide Toyota’s SUV lineup is becoming. One announcement points toward quiet, electric family travel. The other doubles down on hybrid 4WD capability for drivers who want strength, confidence, and real adventure potential.

What Toyota Has Confirmed So Far

Toyota has confirmed the 2027 Highlander as an all-electric three-row SUV and Toyota’s first three-row battery-electric vehicle for the U.S. market. It will be offered in XLE and Limited grades, with available front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, a standard 14-inch touchscreen, Toyota Safety Sense 4.0, NACS charging compatibility, and a manufacturer-estimated range of up to 320 miles on select AWD models with the 95.8-kWh battery. Toyota says sales are expected to begin in late 2026 and continue into early 2027.¹

Toyota has also confirmed 2027 Land Cruiser updates that include an available High Mounted Air Intake, a new Inked exterior color, and available heated and ventilated second-row outboard seats. The Land Cruiser continues with the i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain, full-time four-wheel drive, standard center and rear locking differentials, 326 net combined horsepower, 465 lb-ft of torque, and a maximum towing capacity of 6,000 pounds. Toyota says the 2027 Land Cruiser is expected to arrive at dealerships in Spring 2026 with a starting MSRP of $57,880, excluding Toyota’s listed dealer processing and handling fee.²

The 2027 Toyota Highlander Is the Big Electric SUV News

The Highlander name is familiar to Toyota SUV shoppers, and that makes the 2027 announcement especially interesting. Instead of introducing a three-row EV under an unfamiliar name, Toyota is moving one of its best-known family SUV nameplates into the electric era.

The 2027 Highlander will offer seating for up to seven when equipped with the available bench seat. Toyota also says the third row folds flat to provide more than 45 cubic feet of rear storage, giving the Highlander EV the kind of flexibility families expect from a midsize three-row SUV.¹

That mix matters. Many EV shoppers want lower fuel use, a quieter drive, and modern tech, but they still need space for kids, grandparents, groceries, sports bags, and weekend gear. Around South County, that could mean a vehicle that feels just as useful for Route 1/Tower Hill Road errands as it does for a family run to Ryan Park or a longer weekend drive out of Rhode Island.

Key 2027 Highlander highlights include:

• All-electric powertrain
• Three-row seating for up to seven when properly equipped
• XLE and Limited grades
• Available FWD or AWD, depending on grade and configuration
• Manufacturer-estimated range of up to 320 miles on select AWD models
• Standard 14-inch touchscreen
• Toyota Safety Sense 4.0
• NACS charging port
• Vehicle-to-load capability with required bi-directional accessories
• Expected sales beginning in late 2026 and continuing into early 2027

Learn more about the Toyota Highlander.

Browse current New Toyota Highlander inventory

Why the Highlander EV Is Getting Attention

Automotive coverage has focused on three major Highlander themes: Toyota turning a familiar family SUV into a full EV, Toyota entering the three-row electric SUV space, and how the new Highlander may compare with other mainstream electric family SUVs.³

That conversation makes sense. Three-row EVs are still a developing part of the market, and many families are trying to understand how electric driving fits into real life. Range, charging access, interior space, weather, price, and day-to-day convenience all matter. The 2027 Highlander gives Toyota a familiar entry point for those conversations.

It also connects to Toyota’s longer electrified story. Toyota has built strong recognition around hybrid models for years, including Highlander Hybrid. The 2027 Highlander takes the nameplate in a new direction with full battery-electric power, while the broader Toyota SUV lineup continues to include hybrid, plug-in hybrid, gas, and 4WD options.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser Gets More Trail-Ready and More Comfortable

The Land Cruiser update has a different kind of appeal. This is not a total reinvention. It is a focused enhancement to an SUV already known for rugged hardware, upright style, and hybrid 4WD capability.

The available High Mounted Air Intake is the feature that will catch the eye of many off-road-minded shoppers. It gives the Land Cruiser an even more purposeful look and reinforces the SUV’s trail-ready personality. The new Inked exterior color adds a darker, more understated style option, while available heated and ventilated second-row outboard seats bring more comfort for passengers riding along on longer trips.²

The core capability remains the headline. The 2027 Land Cruiser uses the i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain and full-time four-wheel drive. It also includes standard center and rear locking differentials across both grades, giving drivers serious traction tools when conditions get rough.²

Key 2027 Land Cruiser highlights include:

• Available High Mounted Air Intake
• New Inked exterior color
• Available heated and ventilated second-row outboard seats
• i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain
• 326 net combined horsepower
• 465 lb-ft of torque
• Full-time four-wheel drive
• Standard center and rear locking differentials
• Maximum towing capacity of 6,000 pounds
• Expected Spring 2026 dealership arrival
• Starting MSRP announced at $57,880, excluding Toyota’s listed dealer processing and handling fee

For drivers who split their time between weekday routines and weekend plans, the Land Cruiser has a clear role. It has the presence and comfort for everyday driving around Boston Neck Road, but it is built with the hardware to feel more at home when the pavement ends, the weather turns, or the trip calls for gear near Narragansett Bay or Point Judith Pond.

Learn more about the Toyota Land Cruiser.

Check current New Toyota Land Cruiser inventory

Two Toyota SUV Updates for Two Different Shoppers

The 2027 Highlander and 2027 Land Cruiser show two sides of Toyota’s SUV strategy.

The Highlander is the family-size EV story. It is the one to watch for shoppers who want three rows, electric driving, advanced Toyota technology, and a familiar nameplate moving into a new era.

The Land Cruiser is the rugged hybrid 4WD story. It is the one to watch for shoppers who care about towing strength, off-road tools, winter confidence, and a cabin that can handle long drives without feeling bare-bones.

That variety is useful for local shoppers. A family comparing three-row EVs may want to keep the Highlander on the radar. A driver thinking about camping gear, winter roads, boat ramps, or seasonal trips toward Yawgoo Valley may see the Land Cruiser as the more natural fit.

What South County Toyota SUV Shoppers Should Watch Next

Toyota’s 2027 SUV news is exciting, but current shoppers still have plenty of options to compare today. The broader Toyota SUV lineup includes compact crossovers, family SUVs, electrified models, rugged 4WD choices, and larger utility vehicles.

Good next steps include:

• Compare current Toyota SUV inventory
• Explore Toyota electrified vehicles
• Review current Toyota Land Cruiser inventory
• Browse current Toyota Highlander inventory
• Value your trade
• Apply for financing

2027 Toyota SUV Update FAQs

Is the 2027 Toyota Highlander electric?

Yes. Toyota has announced the 2027 Highlander as an all-electric three-row SUV and Toyota’s first three-row battery-electric vehicle for the U.S. market.¹

When will the 2027 Toyota Highlander go on sale?

Toyota says 2027 Highlander sales are expected to begin in late 2026 and continue into early 2027. Pricing will be announced closer to the on-sale date.¹

How many people will the 2027 Toyota Highlander seat?

Toyota says the 2027 Highlander will offer three-row seating for up to seven when equipped with the available bench seat.¹

What is the estimated range of the 2027 Toyota Highlander?

Toyota says XLE AWD and Limited AWD models equipped with the 95.8-kWh battery have a 320-mile manufacturer-estimated total driving range rating. Actual range will vary based on weather, driving style, and other factors.¹

What’s new for the 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser?

Toyota says 2027 Land Cruiser updates include an available High Mounted Air Intake, a new Inked exterior color, and available heated and ventilated second-row outboard seats.²

Is the 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser still a hybrid?

Yes. Toyota says both 2027 Land Cruiser grades are equipped with the turbocharged i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain and full-time four-wheel drive.²

How much can the 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser tow?

Toyota lists the 2027 Land Cruiser with a maximum towing capacity of 6,000 pounds.²

Where can I compare Toyota SUVs near North Kingstown?

Nucar Toyota of North Kingstown can help shoppers compare current Toyota SUV inventory, review available electrified models, and follow upcoming Toyota SUV updates. Visit the dealership at 3671 Quaker Ln in North Kingstown or start with current Toyota SUV inventory.

Follow the Latest Toyota SUV Updates at Nucar Toyota of North Kingstown

Toyota’s 2027 SUV announcements give shoppers a lot to look forward to. The Highlander is bringing a trusted three-row name into the EV conversation, while the Land Cruiser continues to build on the rugged hybrid capability that makes it stand apart.

Nucar Toyota of North Kingstown is here to help South County drivers compare current Toyota SUVs, follow upcoming model updates, value a trade, and choose the next step with confidence. Start online or visit us in North Kingstown, because Everyone Loves A Nucar!