Toyota will pull the wraps off its new three-row SUV on February 10, 2026, and all evidence points to the long-rumored battery-electric family hauler that we expect will sport the Highlander nameplate.
While we’ve already talked about how taking the Highlander down the path of all-electric is a good long-term bet, 2026 isn’t the hottest year to launch a three-row EV or any EV for that matter, in the U.S.
The two newest and most recognizable mainstream three-row electric SUVs in the U.S. are still finding their way. The Kia EV9 posted 674 sales in January 2026, down from 1,232 units in January 2025. Full-year EV9 sales dropped from 22,017 units in 2024 to 15,051 units in 2025.
Hyundai’s first sales bulletin for the year confirms that the Ioniq 9 is facing an uphill climb in the U.S., with 580 sales in January 2026 and 5,189 units for all of 2025.
Three-row electric SUVs are being challenged by factors like the expiration of federal EV tax credits, growing consumer preference for hybrids, and generally high MSRPs.
From everything we gather, Toyota wants the all-electric Highlander to appeal to U.S. shoppers who focus on space, practicality, and cabin usability, not just powertrain numbers. While we’ll get the full specs next week, an output of around 350 hp and 280-300 miles of EPA-est range feels non-negotiable.
Toyota’s largest EV stateside will feature a horizontal center display and digital instrument cluster that’s inspired by the 2026 RAV4. We can also spot a center console with physical controls that include a volume knob and dedicated climate interfaces.
Second-row climate controls, roof-mounted AC vents, ambient lighting, and a large panoramic glass roof have also been confirmed in the latest teaser.
Behind the scenes, Toyota has been doing the groundwork for U.S. EV production for years. In an April 7, 2023 management policy announcement, Toyota said it would start local production of a three-row SUV in the U.S. and that the vehicle would use batteries produced in North Carolina. Toyota’s battery plant in Liberty, North Carolina began shipping batteries in June 2025.
We were able to count a dozen features from Toyota’s latest teaser. Suffice it to say that buyers won’t be complaining about space or features in the bZ Highlander. Image: Toyota
Toyota will assemble its new three-row battery-electric SUVs at its Kentucky facility as it revises production allocation between Kentucky and Indiana. While it will be localized heavily like its Korean rivals, it’s critical that Toyota nails the fundamentals like pricing, incentives, financing options, and marketing efforts to move the needle on this product.
Toyota is no stranger to the three-row market in the U.S. The launch of the Grand Highlander in 2023 has proven to be somewhat of a master stroke, with sales of 136,801 cars last year, growing 90% YoY. Its minivan, the Sienna, was the wildcard entry among the biggest year-over-year gainers, with 101,486 units, up 35% from 2024.
Toyota’s other 2026 EV entries, the bZ Woodland (above) and the C-HR BEV (below), are just different ‘top hats’ on the same platform.
With the launch of the bZ Highlander, Toyota would have a complete EV lineup in the USD 35,000-55,000 range, including the bZ, C-HR BEV, and bZ Woodland. Now it comes down to what these models can do for Toyota’s bottom line at a time when the EV market is fighting the tide.
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 17 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading global CEOs and vehicle developers.
