The automotive world is witnessing a transformation as electric powertrains redefine premium family transportation. The 2027 Toyota Highlander arrives as Toyota's first three-row battery-electric vehicle in North America, delivering spacious accommodations for up to seven passengers alongside an elevated interior experience that challenges traditional luxury benchmarks.
With thoughtful material selections throughout the cabin, customizable ambient lighting, and advanced connectivity systems, this all-electric SUV demonstrates that sustainable mobility need not compromise refinement. Beyond its environmental credentials, the Highlander offers practical versatility with 1,290 litres of cargo capacity when the third row is folded flat, plus available Vehicle-to-Load technology that transforms the SUV into a mobile power source.
From the well-appointed XLE grade through the feature-rich Limited trim, each configuration balances sophisticated design elements with the connectivity and safety systems families across New Brunswick expect from a modern three-row vehicle.
Premium Materials That Elevate Every Journey
The 2027 Highlander's interior reflects a deliberate focus on comfort and quality. Soft-touch materials on the dashboard and door panels create a cohesive, upscale environment across all three rows. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel come standard on every grade, ensuring comfort during New Brunswick's colder months.
The XLE Premium and Limited grades introduce additional refinements:
- Ventilated front seats and heated second-row seats (Limited)
- Unique textured patterns and materials distinguishing the Limited cabin
- Rear sunshades for enhanced privacy
- Side-view mirrors with memory and reverse tilt function
Customizable Ambiance and Thoughtful Design
Interior lighting plays a substantial role in the Highlander's elevated feel. The standard 64-colour customizable ambient lighting system allows occupants to adjust the cabin's atmosphere to match their mood or time of day. This feature works in concert with the available fixed panoramic moonroof on XLE Premium and Limited grades, which floods the interior with natural light while maintaining a sleek exterior profile.
The cabin's spaciousness accommodates families comfortably, with seating configurations designed for flexibility. XLE FWD and XLE Premium grades offer six-passenger capacity with second-row captain chairs featuring one-touch fold functionality, while XLE AWD models provide seven-passenger seating with a second-row bench seat.
The captain chairs create a more lounge-like atmosphere with easier third-row access, while the bench seat maximizes passenger count for larger families.
Advanced Technology Integration
The 2027 Highlander features Toyota Multimedia displayed on a large touchscreen, complemented by a digital gauge cluster that provides clear, customizable information. The native turn-by-turn navigation now displays full-screen on the digital gauge cluster, improving visibility and reducing distraction.
A built-in Drive Recorder utilizes the vehicle's exterior cameras to capture 20-second clips of both manual and triggered events, providing added security and documentation capability. The Limited grade adds a Head Up Display that projects essential driving information onto the windshield, allowing drivers to monitor speed, navigation, and safety alerts without diverting their eyes from the road.
Available Connected Services trials include Drive Connect with Intelligent Assistant, Cloud Navigation and Destination Assist, Safety Connect, and Service Connect - though some features require 5G network connectivity. Premium audio quality receives special attention on XLE Premium and Limited grades, which feature an upgraded sound system that delivers high-fidelity audio throughout the cabin.
All-Electric Capability With Real-World Range
The Highlander's all-electric powertrain delivers up to 338 combined system horsepower and 323 lb-ft of torque in AWD configurations, providing confident acceleration and highway merging capability. Front-wheel drive XLE models produce 221 net combined system horsepower and 198 lb-ft of torque, offering efficiency-focused performance for daily driving.
Battery options vary by grade and drivetrain:
- XLE FWD: 77.0-kWh battery with 458-km manufacturer-estimated range
- XLE AWD: 77.0-kWh battery (431-km range) or 95.8-kWh battery (511-km range)
- XLE Premium AWD: 95.8-kWh battery with 473-km manufacturer-estimated range
- Limited AWD: 95.8-kWh battery with 473-km manufacturer-estimated range
The North American Charging System (NACS) port provides compatibility with thousands of Level 3 DC fast charging stations, while the standard 11-kW onboard AC charger and included 120V/240V dual-voltage charging cable offer flexible home charging solutions.
Versatility Beyond Transportation
Vehicle-to-Load technology transforms the Highlander into more than a family vehicle. With the purchase of bi-directional accessories, the SUV can power external devices or serve as a backup power source during emergencies - a particularly valuable feature for New Brunswick families facing winter storms or power outages.
This capability extends the vehicle's utility beyond transportation, positioning it as an integral part of household energy management. Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control systems on AWD models enhance capability on challenging surfaces, while paddle shifters with regenerative braking provide driver interaction and energy recovery.
Safety Systems and Driver Assistance
The latest Toyota Safety Sense comes standard, incorporating advanced active safety technologies. The system includes features designed to prevent or mitigate collisions, though specific capabilities require driver attention and do not replace safe driving practices.
Standard equipment includes:
- Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
- Tire Pressure Monitor System with direct pressure read-out and individual tire location alert
- Hill Start Assist Control
The Limited grade adds Advanced Park, Traffic Jam Assist (requires an active Drive Connect trial or paid subscription), Panoramic View Monitor, Lane Change Assist, and Front Cross Traffic Alert. These systems work together to reduce driver workload in challenging situations, though they function under certain conditions and require active driver supervision.
Key Takeaways
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Feature Category
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Highlights
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Interior Materials
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Soft-touch dash and door materials, 64-colour ambient lighting, heated front seats and steering wheel
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Premium Features
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Fixed panoramic moonroof (XLE Premium/Limited), ventilated front seats (Limited), heated second-row seats (Limited)
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Technology
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Toyota Multimedia with large touchscreen, digital gauge cluster, Head Up Display (Limited)
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Electric Range
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Up to 511-km with 95.8-kWh battery (XLE AWD), NACS port for DC fast charging
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Capability
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Up to 338 combined system horsepower, Vehicle-to-Load technology, Multi-Terrain Select (AWD)
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Prepare for the 2027 Highlander at Saint John Toyota
The 2027 Toyota Highlander transforms expectations for all-electric family transportation, pairing premium materials with practical versatility and advanced technology. From the standard heated seating and customizable lighting to the available panoramic moonroof and ventilated seats, each grade offers a carefully considered balance of comfort and capability.
Contact our team at Saint John Toyota for arrival updates and to learn how the Highlander's elevated interior and all-electric efficiency can enhance your family's journeys across New Brunswick.
