If you’ve been driving past your local Toyota store hoping to snag a Highlander off the lot, you may already know the bad news. There’s barely anything left to buy. Toyota Highlander inventory has cratered to some of the lowest levels of any vehicle in America, and the automaker’s plan to replace it with an electric version just got delayed with no new launch date announced.
That leaves shoppers stuck in an awkward spot. Do you grab whatever gas or hybrid Highlander you can find right now? Or do you hold out for a three-row EV that may not show up until sometime in 2027?
How bad is Toyota Highlander inventory right now?
It’s about as tight as it gets in the new-car market. As of earlier this year, the Highlander was sitting at roughly an 11-day supply. The national average is closer to 70 days for most vehicles on sale today.
That’s not a fluke. Toyota’s entire lineup has been running at a fraction of normal stock levels. Dealers say the Highlander and RAV4 have been especially hard to keep on lots. Toyota itself has now confirmed that Highlander inventory will stay limited “for at least a few months” while the company shifts production plans around the delayed EV.
Why is Toyota delaying the Highlander EV?
Toyota hasn’t given a detailed public explanation. But the timing lines up with the automaker’s cautious approach after its rocky first EV launch. Toyota is reportedly making late adjustments to the vehicle before it reaches showrooms. Industry watchers suspect the company wants to avoid a repeat of the bZ4X’s early recall drama.
The all-electric Highlander was originally supposed to arrive by the end of 2026 as a 2027 model. It rides on a stretched platform with an 8.1-inch longer wheelbase than the outgoing SUV. It’s expected to offer up to 338 horsepower and as much as 320 miles of range. Two trims, XLE and Limited, will compete directly against the Hyundai Ioniq 9 and Kia EV9, both of which start below $60,000. Now, that timeline has slipped, and Toyota hasn’t committed to a new one. Even the Subaru Getaway, a mechanically related three-row EV built alongside the Highlander in Kentucky, has been pushed back to at least the first quarter of 2027.
What’s Toyota doing instead in the meantime?
Toyota is keeping the current gas and hybrid Highlander in production through the end of the year. That’s the only reason there’s any Highlander left to buy at all. Demand for the hybrid version in particular has stayed strong. So Toyota appears content to keep collecting revenue on it while the EV gets sorted out.
Should you buy a Highlander now or wait for the EV?
If you need a three-row SUV in the next few months, buy the current Highlander now. Don’t wait on a launch date Toyota hasn’t even announced yet. The EV could easily slip well into 2027. There’s no guarantee pricing or availability will be favorable when it finally lands.
That said, don’t expect a deal. With inventory this tight, dealers have little reason to negotiate. Markups are common on well-equipped hybrid trims. Here’s how the current lineup stacks up against what’s coming:
| Vehicle | Powertrain | Starting Price (approx.) | Range/Notes | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Toyota Highlander | Gas or Hybrid | ~$47,000+ | N/A | Extremely limited, ~11-day supply |
| 2027 Toyota Highlander EV | All-electric, up to 338 hp | TBD, likely near rivals | Up to 320 miles | Delayed, no confirmed date |
| Toyota Grand Highlander | Gas, Hybrid, or PHEV | ~$40,000-$55,000 | N/A | Also tight, but higher priority for Toyota |
| Kia EV9 | All-electric | Starts below $60,000 | Three-row EV | Widely available |
| Hyundai Ioniq 9 | All-electric | Starts below $60,000 | Three-row EV | Widely available |
What if you specifically want a three-row Toyota?
Consider the Grand Highlander instead. It’s built at the same Indiana plant. It offers more interior space than the standard Highlander. Toyota appears to be prioritizing its production while the smaller Highlander winds down toward its EV future. Grand Highlander sales have already surged as buyers get pushed that direction.
Is it worth cross-shopping other three-row EVs while you wait?
Yes, especially if you’re EV-curious anyway. The Kia EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq 9 are already on sale. Both undercut the Highlander EV’s likely price range. And neither one requires you to guess when it’ll actually show up at a dealership. If you’re weighing an electric three-row SUV against sticking with something familiar, our EV decision framework walks through the tradeoffs in more detail.
Just go in with eyes open on reliability history. Toyota’s own EV push hasn’t been perfectly smooth. Rivals have had their own recall headaches worth researching before you sign anything. And if hybrids still feel like the safer bet right now, you’re not alone. Hybrid sales have been outpacing EVs across the industry this year.
FAQ
When will the Toyota Highlander EV actually go on sale?
Toyota hasn’t announced a new date after delaying the original late-2026 target. Some reporting suggests it could land in early 2027, but nothing is confirmed.
Will the gas Highlander disappear completely?
Toyota has confirmed the current gas and hybrid Highlander will stay in production through the end of the year. So it isn’t gone yet, but supply will likely stay thin.
Is the Highlander Hybrid still worth buying used instead of new?
It can be. New inventory is so scarce that used and even certified pre-owned hybrids are commanding strong resale prices right now, sometimes close to new-vehicle pricing.
What’s the difference between the Highlander EV and the Grand Highlander?
The Grand Highlander is the larger, gas-hybrid three-row SUV that will keep running on traditional powertrains. The standard Highlander name is being reserved for Toyota’s new all-electric three-row model.