Toyota Highlander three-row electric SUV previewed, but no Kluger EV for Australia

Toyota has previewed the first electric Kluger – badged Highlander in the United States – as a rival to the Kia EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq 9 three-row SUVs, ahead of its upcoming unveiling.

Confirmation of the electric Highlander came via a third teaser released by Toyota North America, which showed a redesigned tailgate of the SUV in an 11-second clip.

The teaser revealed the electric powertrain by showing a BEV (battery-electric vehicle) badge below the Highlander lettering, along with a full-width tail-light design first seen in an earlier teaser image.

The clip was accompanied by the caption: “Meet the all-new 2027 Highlander. Featuring sleek, modern lines, an electric powertrain, and a spacious three-row cabin with comfort for the whole crew.”

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Along with a rear-end teaser, Toyota has also previously released an image of the new Kluger EV’s interior.

Toyota Australia currently sources the Highlander from the US, rebadging it here as the Kluger. However, the new Highlander EV won’t be making the trip Down Under as a Kluger EV.

“Toyota Australia continuously explores opportunities to evolve our vehicle lineup. However, we have no current plans to introduce the Highlander BEV to the Australian market,” said a Toyota Australia spokesperson.

“We currently offer an extensive electrified range consisting of hybrid electric vehicles and battery electric vehicles including the recently updated bZ4X.”

An electric Kluger was first announced by Toyota North America in 2024, however cooling demand for electric vehicles (EVs) in the US saw its introduction pushed back to the first half of 2026.

The current Kluger is sold in Australia exclusively with hybrid power, with Toyota switching most of its local car and crossover SUV lineup – including the RAV4 – to hybrid-only offerings in mid-2024.

Now in its fourth generation, the existing Kluger has been in production since 2019 and, based on Toyota’s typical six-year product lifecycle, is due for replacement in the near future.

The new Kluger EV is expected to be sold alongside next-generation petrol and hybrid versions of the model, which are currently produced at Toyota’s Indiana plant for most global markets outside China.

The Highlander slots in under the even larger Grand Highlander crossover SUV in Toyota’s US lineup.

Toyota has a relatively small EV lineup in Australia, which currently includes the RAV4-sized bZ4X SUV and, later this year, the bZ4X Touring.

Toyota Australia has also confirmed an electric version of the C-HR for local showrooms in mid-2027, while planning to introduce an electric HiLux in 2026 and a hydrogen fuel-cell version in 2028.

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