Toyota Highlander BEV Launch Delayed to 2027 or Later

Toyota Delays Highlander BEV Launch Again

On September 3, Nikkei reported that Toyota Motor Corporation is pushing back the launch of the Highlander BEV three-row electric SUV until “2027 or later,” marking another delay after the company announced an earlier postponement in July. The flagship electric SUV was initially scheduled to enter production during the second half of 2026 at Toyota’s TMMK Georgetown Plant in Kentucky. The latest change extends the development and production timeline for the battery-electric Highlander and means the model will not arrive according to its original end-of-2026 launch plan.

Quality Validation Extends Production Timeline

A representative for Toyota’s North American division said the additional time is being used for final checks and quality validation before full-scale production begins. The representative did not attribute the postponement to slowing demand in the U.S. electric-vehicle market. Production of the flagship electric SUV is expected to be delayed by several months at the Georgetown facility, while the gas and hybrid Highlander versions are expected to remain available at dealerships well into 2027. The latest delay therefore applies specifically to the battery-electric variant rather than the broader Highlander lineup.

Highlander BEV Had Already Faced an Earlier Delay

The Highlander BEV was originally scheduled to launch by the end of 2026 and would have become the fourth vehicle in Toyota’s electric-vehicle lineup. In July, Toyota Motor Corporation announced that the launch would be delayed by at least eight weeks, moving the expected timing to early 2027. At that time, the company said the postponement was intended to allow for “additional adjustments.” The latest decision now moves the expected launch further into 2027 or later, highlighting the additional validation work being undertaken before the vehicle enters full-scale production.

Subaru Electric SUV Also Faces Potential Delay

The latest Highlander BEV postponement is also expected to affect Subaru Corporation’s three-row electric SUV, the Subaru Getaway. The two vehicles are based on the same TNGA-K EV platform and are scheduled to be produced alongside each other at the Georgetown Plant. As a result, a delay to Highlander BEV production could push back the production and launch timing of the Subaru model as well. The development links the two programs operationally because both rely on the same production facility and underlying electric-vehicle platform.

Impact on Toyota’s U.S. Electric Vehicle Expansion

The Highlander BEV delay leaves United States consumers waiting longer for Toyota’s planned three-row battery-electric SUV, while the company continues to offer gas and hybrid Highlander models. The postponement does not represent a cancellation of the electric model; instead, Toyota is using additional time for final checks and quality validation before full-scale manufacturing. With the Georgetown Plant remaining central to production of both the Highlander BEV and Subaru’s related electric SUV, the revised schedule could influence the timing of multiple three-row EV products planned for the U.S. market.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the Toyota Highlander BEV launch?
The Toyota Highlander BEV is now expected to launch in 2027 or later after Toyota postponed production and release plans for additional final checks and quality validation. The electric SUV was originally planned for launch by the end of 2026, before an eight-week delay was announced in July. The latest postponement extends the timeline further, while gas and hybrid Highlander models are expected to remain available at dealerships well into 2027. The Subaru Getaway, which shares the same platform and production location, is also expected to be affected by the revised schedule.