Powertrain and Range Specs: Dual-Motor AWD, Battery Sizes, and Estimated Miles
Toyota's official pressroom now designates its next-generation, all-electric three-row SUV the 2028 Highlander, even though Toyota originally introduced this same vehicle as the 2027 Highlander and much of the early coverage still uses that name. Confirmed details include XLE and Limited grades, front- or all-wheel drive, seating for up to seven, and two battery options: a 77.0-kWh pack rated at a manufacturer-estimated 287 miles of range on XLE FWD (270 miles on AWD), and a larger 95.8-kWh pack rated at 315 miles on either drivetrain. Toyota of Bristol is tracking this launch closely since it replaces the gas and hybrid Highlander with an all-electric powertrain for the first time.
If you currently drive a gas or hybrid Highlander, or you are cross-shopping a three-row electric SUV for family duty around the Tri-Cities, we want you working from the most current confirmed information rather than the original 2027 branding still circulating online. This guide walks through the confirmed grades, horsepower, range, and charging details, compares the electric Highlander with the gas and hybrid model we sell today, and lays out what Toyota still has not confirmed, including pricing and the exact on-sale date for our Bristol location.
Definition:
The next-generation Toyota Highlander is an all-electric three-row SUV that Toyota's current official materials designate the 2028 model year, though it was originally introduced as the 2027 Highlander. It replaces the gas and hybrid Highlander lineup with a battery-electric powertrain available in XLE and Limited grades. For drivers in the Bristol, TN and Tri-Cities area, it is designed to provide three-row seating and long manufacturer-estimated range for family and commuter driving.
Table of Contents
- What's Confirmed on the All-Electric Highlander So Far
- Is the All-Electric Highlander Right for Your Tri-Cities Family?
- Local Authority: Highlander Ownership Around Bristol and the Tri-Cities
- Charging / Electrification Practicality: Planning a Tri-Cities Charging Routine
- Family & Lifestyle Fit: Seating and Safety for Tri-Cities Families
- Key Takeaways
- Frequently Asked Questions About the All-Electric Toyota Highlander
What's Confirmed on the All-Electric Highlander So Far
Key Takeaway: Toyota has confirmed the next-generation Highlander will be a battery-electric three-row SUV in XLE and Limited grades with up to 338 horsepower and up to 315 miles of manufacturer-estimated range, though the official model-year designation has shifted from 2027 to 2028 and pricing has not yet been announced.
Grades, Power, and Manufacturer-Estimated Range
Toyota has confirmed the electric Highlander comes in XLE and Limited grades. The XLE offers a choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive, while the Limited is confirmed as all-wheel drive only, positioning it as the more feature-rich, single-configuration option rather than a broader lineup of trims. The front-wheel-drive XLE produces 221 horsepower and 198 lb-ft of torque, while all-wheel-drive models produce a combined 338 horsepower with 198 lb-ft at the front axle and 125 lb-ft at the rear, a dual-motor setup that splits power between both axles rather than relying on a single motor. Toyota has confirmed two battery sizes across the lineup, and Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 is standard on every grade, which matters for families comparing this SUV against the driver-assistance features on today's gas and hybrid Highlander.
| Spec | XLE | Limited |
|---|---|---|
| Drivetrain | FWD or AWD | AWD only (confirmed) |
| Horsepower (AWD) | 338 hp combined | 338 hp combined |
| Horsepower (FWD, XLE only) | 221 hp | Not offered |
| Battery options | 77.0 kWh or 95.8 kWh | 95.8 kWh confirmed for early availability |
| Mfr.-estimated range | 287 mi (77 kWh FWD) / 270 mi (77 kWh AWD) / 315 mi (95.8 kWh, either drivetrain) | 315 mi (95.8 kWh) |
| Seating | Up to 7; captain's chairs standard, bench seat available (AWD only) | Up to 7; captain's chairs standard |
| Starting price | Not yet announced | Not yet announced |
Table 1. Confirmed 2028 (formerly 2027) Highlander grade specifications.
Toyota has confirmed the top all-wheel-drive powertrain produces 338 horsepower, while the front-wheel-drive XLE produces 221 horsepower, and the larger 95.8-kWh battery delivers a manufacturer-estimated 315 miles of range regardless of drivetrain. The smaller 77.0-kWh battery is rated at 287 miles on front-wheel-drive XLE models and 270 miles on all-wheel-drive models, giving Bristol-area shoppers two clearly defined range tiers to compare once local pricing is announced.
- XLE FWD: 221 hp, 198 lb-ft of torque
- XLE/Limited AWD: 338 hp combined, 198 lb-ft front / 125 lb-ft rear
- 77.0-kWh battery: 287 mi (FWD) / 270 mi (AWD) manufacturer-estimated range
- 95.8-kWh battery: 315 mi manufacturer-estimated range on either drivetrain
- Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 standard across the lineup
Charging, Technology, and Seating
Toyota has confirmed the electric Highlander uses a NACS charging port and supports DC fast charging from roughly 10 to 80 percent in about 30 minutes. NACS is the same connector standard Tesla's Supercharger network uses, which means the confirmed charging hardware is designed to work with a wide, already-established network of fast chargers rather than a smaller proprietary system. Inside, every grade gets a 14-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, and Toyota has confirmed bi-directional Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) technology, which lets the SUV power external devices or equipment, similar to how a portable generator would, whether that is camping gear at South Holston Lake or tools and equipment at a job site.
Seating is confirmed at up to seven passengers, with captain's chairs standard in the second row on both grades and a seven-passenger bench seat available only on XLE AWD models. Toyota has also confirmed an available panoramic roof described as the largest in the Toyota lineup, which is a meaningful change from the current Highlander's cabin feel if you are used to a more traditional roofline. Grade-specific interior trim and color options have not yet been fully detailed, so we recommend confirming exact interior packages with our team once Toyota finalizes them.
Timeline, Delay Context, and What's Not Yet Confirmed
The launch of this all-electric Highlander has already shifted once. Toyota originally targeted an end-of-2026 arrival, but the company has since said additional adjustments are being made to the vehicle before launch, without detailing exactly what those adjustments involve. Current guidance points to XLE AWD and Limited models with the 95.8-kWh battery arriving first in early 2027, with XLE FWD models following around mid-2027, all sold under the 2028 model-year designation.
Broader market conditions appear to factor into the timing as well. The current gas and hybrid Highlander have continued to sell well, and overall demand for new electric vehicles has cooled somewhat industry-wide following changes to federal EV tax credits, while hybrid powertrains have gained ground with buyers who want efficiency without a change in refueling habits. None of that changes the confirmed specifications above, but it helps explain why Toyota may be taking additional time before the electric Highlander reaches dealers.
Pricing, the exact on-sale date, and Bristol-area allocation have not yet been confirmed. We recommend treating any 2027-branded reference you see elsewhere as describing the same vehicle Toyota now designates the 2028 Highlander, and we will confirm exact arrival timing for our Bristol location as soon as Toyota releases it rather than guessing at a date.
Is the All-Electric Highlander Right for Your Tri-Cities Family?
Key Takeaway: For Tri-Cities families who need a three-row Highlander today, the current gas or hybrid model remains the confirmed, available choice, while the incoming all-electric Highlander is the stronger fit for drivers ready to wait for Toyota to confirm pricing and Bristol-area availability.
Electric Highlander vs. Today's Gas and Hybrid Highlander
The 2026 Highlander gas model uses a 2.4L turbocharged four-cylinder engine rated at 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, with a manufacturer-estimated 24 mpg combined rating, and Toyota has made all-wheel drive standard across gas grades for 2026. The Highlander Hybrid remains available with meaningfully better combined fuel economy than the gas model, though we recommend confirming the current model year's exact EPA rating with our team since Toyota updates these figures periodically. Both the gas and hybrid Highlander seat 7 or 8 passengers depending on configuration, and both are backed by published, current pricing, which is the biggest practical difference between them and the electric model right now. Ownership also looks different day to day: a gas or hybrid Highlander uses the fueling and maintenance routine you already know, while the electric Highlander shifts most fueling to home charging and introduces a battery-electric drivetrain with fewer routine fluid services, though Toyota has not yet published a maintenance schedule specific to the electric model.
| Category | Gas Highlander (2026) | Hybrid Highlander (2026) | All-Electric Highlander (2028 MY) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 2.4L turbo I4, 265 hp / 310 lb-ft | Hybrid powertrain (current-year specs available at our dealership) | Battery-electric, up to 338 hp (AWD) or 221 hp (FWD) |
| Drivetrain | Standard AWD | AWD available | FWD or AWD |
| Mfr.-estimated economy or range | 24 mpg combined | Higher combined mpg than gas (ask our team for the current rating) | Up to 315 mi range (95.8-kWh battery) |
| Seating | 7 or 8 passengers | 7 or 8 passengers | Up to 7 passengers |
| Refueling / recharging | Gas station fill-up | Gas station fill-up | NACS DC fast charging, about 10 to 80 percent in 30 minutes |
| Pricing | Published, current | Published, current | Not yet announced |
| Availability at Toyota of Bristol | Check our current inventory | Check our current inventory | Not yet arrived; confirmed timeline points to 2027 |
Table 2. Comparing the confirmed all-electric Highlander with today's gas and hybrid Highlander.
For Tri-Cities families who need a three-row Highlander today, the current gas or hybrid model remains the only confirmed, available option with published pricing and standard all-wheel drive. The incoming all-electric Highlander is the stronger fit for drivers who want up to 315 miles of manufacturer-estimated range and are willing to wait for Toyota to confirm pricing and Bristol-area availability, which current guidance points to sometime in 2027.
Charging and Range Realities for Tri-Cities Driving
For families cross-shopping the electric Highlander against the gas or hybrid model we sell today, the decision often comes down to whether you can charge at home. A Level 2 home charger overnight comfortably covers the confirmed 270 to 315 mile range tiers for typical Tri-Cities commuting and school runs, while longer trips toward Knoxville or Charlotte would rely on the confirmed NACS DC fast-charging network along interstate corridors. Families who tow trailers to South Holston Lake regularly, or who cannot install home charging, may find the gas or hybrid Highlander a better fit until public charging along our regional routes matures further.
- Daily Tri-Cities commuting and school runs: comfortably covered by either confirmed range tier with overnight home charging
- Longer trips toward Knoxville or Charlotte: plan around confirmed NACS DC fast-charging stops
- Towing or frequent long-distance travel: the current gas or hybrid Highlander remains the more proven choice today
- No home charging access: worth discussing with our team before committing to the electric model
Ask Us About Today's Highlander or the Incoming Electric Model
Our sales team can show you the gas and hybrid Highlander models available on our lot today while we wait for Toyota to confirm electric Highlander pricing and Bristol-area arrival timing. We understand the model-year naming change from 2027 to 2028, plus the reported delay, has created some confusion online, and we would rather give you a straight answer than let you rely on outdated branding you may have seen elsewhere. If a three-row electric SUV is genuinely what you are after, we can also add you to our list to be notified the moment Toyota confirms pricing and an on-sale date for our Bristol location. To check our current new Toyota selection or request a quote on a gas or hybrid Highlander today, visit toyotaofbristol.com/searchnew.aspx or toyotaofbristol.com/quote.aspx, or call us at 423-764-3155. We also offer the Bristol Advantage Plan on qualifying new Toyota purchases, and our team can confirm current benefits when you are ready to buy. Stop by our showroom at 3045 W State Street in Bristol, and let us keep you updated as Toyota releases official electric Highlander pricing and availability.
Local Authority: Highlander Ownership Around Bristol and the Tri-Cities
Key Takeaway: We serve Highlander shoppers across Bristol, Kingsport, Johnson City, and Abingdon, and our team can help you weigh today's gas or hybrid Highlander against the incoming all-electric model based on your actual commute and charging access.
Local Driving Conditions and Charging Infrastructure
Charging infrastructure along mountain corridors is a real consideration for Tri-Cities drivers weighing the electric Highlander. Interstate 81 between Bristol and Kingsport and Interstate 26 toward Johnson City both carry public DC fast-charging stations today, but rural stretches toward Abingdon, Virginia and the surrounding mountain communities have fewer options than drivers find in larger metro areas. For most daily driving between Bristol, Kingsport, and Johnson City, the confirmed 270 to 315 mile range tiers comfortably exceed a typical round-trip commute, which means home charging covers the majority of use cases even before public charging expands further.
Elevation changes matter for range as well, not just charging access. Climbing sustained grades on I-81 or the mountain roads around Bays Mountain uses more energy than flat highway driving, the same way it increases fuel consumption in a gas Highlander, so a Tri-Cities commute with real elevation change may see somewhat lower real-world range than the flat-road manufacturer estimate. Winter temperatures compound that effect, since cold weather reduces any EV's real-world range compared to its manufacturer-estimated figure, which is worth planning around for longer winter trips toward Knoxville or the mountains.
We are centrally located at 3045 W State Street in Bristol, and our Saturday service hours make it practical for commuters from any of these communities to keep a Highlander, gas, hybrid, or eventually electric, running well through every season. We are not simply a dealership near you; we are a Tri-Cities automotive partner that follows the same terrain and weather patterns our customers deal with every day.
Plan Your Financing or Trade-In With Our Team
Whether you are commuting from Kingsport, driving in from Johnson City, or crossing over from Abingdon, Virginia, our finance team can help you plan ahead for either a Highlander available today or the incoming electric model once Toyota confirms pricing. We have been proudly serving the Tri-Cities region from our West State Street location in Bristol, and our Tri-Us You'll Like Us reputation is built on giving straightforward answers about new technology rather than sales pressure. If you would like to explore financing on a current Highlander or estimate what an electric model purchase might look like, visit toyotaofbristol.com/finance.aspx or call us at 423-764-3155 to speak with our finance staff directly. We can also appraise your current vehicle for trade-in credit toward a Highlander on our lot today. Our team has earned recognition as a Toyota President's Award winner, and we bring that same standard of service to every Highlander shopper in Bristol, Kingsport, Johnson City, and Abingdon.
Charging / Electrification Practicality: Planning a Tri-Cities Charging Routine
Key Takeaway: Charging along the I-81 and I-26 corridors already supports a Tri-Cities commute within the electric Highlander's confirmed range, and planning your charging routine around home charging plus interstate DC fast-charging stops is the most practical approach once the vehicle arrives.
The electric Highlander's confirmed NACS charging port and roughly 10-to-80-percent DC fast charge time of about 30 minutes lines up well with a typical rest stop on I-81 or I-26, which means a longer trip from Bristol toward Knoxville or beyond would likely require one fast-charging stop rather than several. For day-to-day use, a home Level 2 charger overnight fully replenishes either confirmed battery option, so most Tri-Cities owners would rarely need public charging except on longer trips. Because NACS is the same connector Tesla's Supercharger network uses, Bristol-area owners would have access to an already-extensive fast-charging network along most major highway corridors, not a smaller or newer network still being built out.
We recommend mapping your typical weekly driving pattern, daily commute distance, weekend trips to South Holston Lake or Bristol Motor Speedway, and any regular longer drives, against the confirmed 270 to 315 mile range tiers before deciding between battery sizes once pricing is announced. Households with two vehicles often find it easiest to pair a longer-range EV with a gas or hybrid vehicle for the rare long trip, rather than sizing the battery for the least common drive of the year.
- Home Level 2 charging overnight: covers typical daily Tri-Cities commuting on either confirmed battery option
- I-81 and I-26 DC fast-charging stops: confirmed 10-to-80-percent charge time of about 30 minutes
- Longer trips toward Knoxville or Charlotte: plan on at least one fast-charging stop
- Rural stretches toward Abingdon and surrounding mountain communities: fewer charging options than metro areas today
Family & Lifestyle Fit: Seating and Safety for Tri-Cities Families
Key Takeaway: The electric Highlander's standard captain's chairs and available seven-passenger bench seat give Tri-Cities families flexibility for carpools and youth sports trips, though Toyota has not yet detailed grade-specific cargo figures for the electric model.
Families who currently shuttle kids to practices and games around Bristol, Kingsport, and Johnson City will find the electric Highlander's seating layout familiar: captain's chairs are standard in the second row on both grades, while the seven-passenger bench seat is available only on XLE AWD for families who regularly need the extra seat for carpools. Toyota has confirmed Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 as standard equipment across the lineup, which is a meaningful consideration for parents cross-shopping a three-row family vehicle, since it means every grade carries the same baseline of standard driver-assistance features rather than reserving them for higher trims. The confirmed 14-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster also give families a larger, more current infotainment setup than earlier Highlander generations, which matters for road trips with kids in the back. Toyota has not yet published detailed cargo volume figures for the electric Highlander, so we recommend confirming exact cargo dimensions with our team once that information is released, particularly if you regularly haul sports equipment or luggage for extended family trips.
- Captain's chairs standard in the second row on both XLE and Limited
- Seven-passenger bench seat available on XLE AWD only, for families who need the extra seat occasionally
- Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 standard across the lineup
- Cargo volume figures not yet published by Toyota
Key Takeaways
- Toyota's current official materials designate its next-generation all-electric three-row SUV the 2028 Highlander, though it was originally introduced as the 2027 Highlander.
- Confirmed grades are XLE (FWD or AWD) and Limited (AWD only), with up to 338 horsepower and up to 315 miles of manufacturer-estimated range on the larger 95.8-kWh battery.
- Toyota has delayed the original end-of-2026 target; current guidance points to XLE AWD and Limited arriving in early 2027, with XLE FWD following around mid-2027.
- Pricing and Bristol-area availability have not yet been announced.
- The current gas Highlander is confirmed at 265 hp and a manufacturer-estimated 24 mpg combined, with standard all-wheel drive for 2026.
- Our team can be reached at 423-764-3155 to check current gas and hybrid Highlander availability while we wait for electric Highlander details.
Frequently Asked Questions About the All-Electric Toyota Highlander
Is this the 2027 Highlander or the 2028 Highlander?
Toyota originally introduced this all-electric three-row SUV as the 2027 Highlander, and much of the early coverage still uses that name. Toyota's current official pressroom materials now designate it the 2028 model year, with the first units expected to reach dealers in early-to-mid 2027 as 2028 model-year vehicles. We are using Toyota's current designation in our own research so Bristol-area shoppers are working from accurate information rather than outdated branding.
How much range does the electric Highlander get?
Toyota has confirmed two battery options. The 77.0-kWh battery is rated at a manufacturer-estimated 287 miles on front-wheel-drive XLE models and 270 miles on all-wheel-drive models. The larger 95.8-kWh battery is rated at 315 miles regardless of drivetrain. These are manufacturer estimates rather than final EPA-rated figures, and Toyota has not yet confirmed which battery pairs with which specific configuration at every trim level. Real-world range will vary with weather, elevation change, and driving style, the same way fuel economy varies on a gas vehicle. Our team can update you as Toyota releases additional detail closer to launch.
Can I buy the electric Highlander at Toyota of Bristol right now?
Not yet. Toyota has delayed the original end-of-2026 target, and current guidance points to XLE AWD and Limited models arriving in early 2027, with XLE FWD following around mid-2027. We cannot guarantee an exact arrival date, pricing, or confirm Bristol-area allocation until Toyota releases that information directly to us. In the meantime, our team can show you the gas and hybrid Highlander models available on our lot today and add you to our list for updates as soon as Toyota confirms more.
Will the gas and hybrid Highlander still be available?
Toyota has not announced plans to discontinue the current gas or hybrid Highlander alongside the electric model's launch, and both remain part of Toyota's current published lineup with standard all-wheel drive on gas grades for 2026. We recommend checking our current new Toyota selection for the latest confirmed gas and hybrid Highlander availability at our Bristol location, especially if a three-row Highlander is something your family needs sooner rather than later.
We know a model-year change from 2027 to 2028, plus a delayed launch, makes it harder to plan a Highlander purchase around the incoming all-electric model, and we would rather walk you through exactly what is and is not confirmed than let you plan around outdated branding. What we can confirm today is XLE and Limited grades, up to 338 horsepower, up to 315 miles of manufacturer-estimated range, and NACS DC fast charging, alongside a current gas Highlander rated at 265 horsepower and a manufacturer-estimated 24 mpg combined with standard all-wheel drive. We also offer the Bristol Advantage Plan on qualifying new Toyota purchases, and our team can confirm current eligibility and benefits when you are ready to buy a Highlander today. Stop by our showroom at 3045 W State Street in Bristol, call us at 423-764-3155, or check our current new Toyota selection online, and let us help you decide whether a Highlander today or the incoming electric model fits your Bristol, Kingsport, or Johnson City family's needs better.