This week and last week, Toyota dropped two teasers that may hint at a new model. We’ll officially see the new model make its world debut on February 10, and we think we know exactly what it is. No, it’s not a pickup truck slotting below the Tacoma. This, folks, is a large battery-electric SUV. The Toyota EV teaser from this week totally gave that away because it showed off captain’s chairs and the shadow of a third row. Thanks to that, there’s no doubt about it anymore.
Initially, some thought this Toyota EV was a truck. The first teaser, a bottom-up shot, showed the full-width taillights and D-pillars. However, the angle can throw viewers off because it makes the car look more like a truck rather than an SUV. Thankfully, this week’s image dispelled all that, confirming that this vehicle is not a truck. Sorry folks, but it may be a while before Toyota releases a compact truck, but one can dream, right?
Anyway, we suspect this may be the production of the bZ three-row SUV that Toyota teased some years ago. Taking a closer look at the interior, it features a similar layout to the new RAV4, just with the larger 14-inch touchscreen. We also see air vents on the headliner and a massive fixed glass roof, both of which are nice touches. Additionally, interior ambient lighting and a six-seat configuration hint at a more premium positioning for this model.
Based on what we’ve gathered from these teasers, this is the 2027 Highlander EV. It’s the fourth Toyota EV in the lineup, following the bZ, bZ Woodland, and C-HR. Expect it to share most of its underpinnings with those vehicles as well. That includes everything from the architecture to the electric motors. However, expect a larger battery on the Highlander.
Source: Toyota
