vehicles
Toyota Highlander EV Timeline Unclear After Conflicting Delay Reports
Conflicting September 3 reports about the 2027 Toyota Highlander EV's Canadian launch timeline leave buyers uncertain, while the vehicle itself remains on track for late 2026 US sales according to earlier Toyota statements.
Conflicting reports about the Toyota Highlander EV's timeline emerged on September 3, 2026, leaving Canadian buyers uncertain about when the three-row electric SUV will arrive. One outlet reported that Toyota had pushed the launch again, suggesting it may not arrive for another year or longer, while another quoted Toyota denying that the vehicle had been delayed to 2027 or later.
What we know about the Highlander EV
According to electrive.com, Toyota unveiled the battery-electric Highlander for the North American market in February 2026. The seven-seater is manufactured at Toyota's plant in Kentucky and represents the first battery-electric Toyota produced in the United States. Production had already been postponed once, from 2025 to 2026, with sales originally expected to begin in late 2026.
The Highlander BEV offers two battery options: a 77 kWh pack designed for urban use with EPA-rated ranges of 287 miles (front-wheel drive) or 270 miles (all-wheel drive), and a larger 95.8 kWh all-wheel-drive variant rated at 320 miles. Both batteries support approximately 10-80 per cent charging in about 30 minutes at a 150 kW DC fast charger.
The conflicting reports
On September 3, Carscoops ran the headline "Toyota Denies Its Highlander EV Has Been Delayed Again To '2027 Or Later,'" while Motor Illustrated published "UPDATE: Toyota Pushes Highlander EV Launch Again, May Not Arrive for Another Year or Longer." The two reports point in opposite directions, and Toyota Canada has not issued a clarifying statement since.
For shoppers, the takeaway is that the Highlander EV's exact Canadian arrival date remains unconfirmed. If you are waiting for a three-row electric SUV from Toyota, the safest assumption is late 2026 or early 2027 — but check with your dealer for the latest build-schedule information rather than relying on media estimates.
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