Toyota has unveiled a preview of its upcoming all-electric Highlander – known as the Kluger in Australia – positioning it as a direct competitor to electric three-row SUVs like the Kia EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq 9. However, despite the global push for electrification, Australian consumers won’t see this EV version of the popular Kluger in local showrooms.
Electric Powertrain Confirmed
Recent teasers from Toyota North America showcase the redesigned rear of the 2027 Highlander EV. The most significant detail is the clear “BEV” badge, confirming its fully electric powertrain, alongside a modern, full-width tail-light design. Toyota highlights the vehicle’s spacious three-row cabin and sleek aesthetics in promotional material.
Australian Market Excluded
Despite sourcing the current Highlander from the US and rebranding it as the Kluger, Toyota Australia has explicitly stated it has “no current plans” to introduce the electric version Down Under. The company instead points to its existing hybrid and battery-electric offerings, including the bZ4X, as its primary focus for the Australian market.
Delayed Launch & Shifting Demand
Originally announced in 2024, the Highlander EV’s launch was pushed back to the first half of 2026 due to cooling demand for EVs in the US. This delay reflects broader market uncertainties, where EV sales growth is slowing in some regions despite long-term industry trends favoring electrification.
Production & Future Plans
The new Highlander EV will coexist with traditional petrol and hybrid versions of the model, produced at Toyota’s Indiana plant for most global markets outside China. With the current fourth-generation Kluger nearing the end of its typical six-year product cycle, the EV version represents a significant shift in Toyota’s lineup.
Toyota’s Broader EV Strategy
Toyota Australia has a limited EV presence, currently offering only the bZ4X SUV. However, the company is expanding its electrified portfolio with plans to introduce an electric C-HR in 2027, an electric HiLux in 2026, and even a hydrogen fuel-cell HiLux by 2028. The exclusion of the Highlander EV from the Australian market suggests a deliberate strategy focused on hybrid technology alongside select BEV models.
This decision underscores the complex interplay between global EV development and localized market conditions, where consumer demand, infrastructure readiness, and regulatory factors influence product availability.
