Right now, the Kia EV9 wins by default. You can actually buy one. The 2027 Toyota Highlander EV isn’t on dealer lots yet, and won’t be until late 2026 at the earliest. If you’re cross-shopping the Highlander EV vs Kia EV9 today, here’s the honest answer: one of these is a real car. The other is still a pile of promises and spec sheets.
That doesn’t mean the Highlander should be ignored. Toyota is making its biggest bet yet with this model. The numbers on paper are genuinely competitive. But “on paper” and “in your driveway” are very different things. That’s especially true if you’re trying to replace a minivan or a gas-guzzling three-row SUV this year.
What exactly is the 2027 Toyota Highlander EV?
It’s Toyota’s first three-row electric SUV sold in the U.S. It completely replaces the gas and hybrid Highlander instead of adding to it. The new model rides on a stretched, EV-specific version of Toyota’s TNGA-K platform. It shares bones with the upcoming Lexus TZ and drops the old four-cylinder and hybrid setups entirely.
Toyota stretched the wheelbase by more than 8 inches over the outgoing gas model. That should translate into real legroom gains in all three rows. Two trims are planned at launch, XLE and Limited, each offered with a choice of battery pack.
- Base setup: 221-hp single motor, front-wheel drive, 77-kWh battery, roughly 270-287 miles of range depending on drivetrain
- Top setup: 338-hp dual-motor all-wheel drive, 95.8-kWh battery, up to roughly 320 miles of range
- Charging: standard NACS port for Tesla Supercharger access
- Assembly: built in Georgetown, Kentucky, with battery packs from North Carolina
Estimated pricing lands somewhere between $55,000 and $70,000. Toyota hasn’t locked in official numbers yet. That’s a wide range, and it’s hard to say exactly where the Highlander EV lands against rivals dollar-for-dollar until it firms up. If you’re shopping now and can’t wait for confirmed pricing, our post on Highlander inventory drying up ahead of the EV switch covers your options in the meantime.
What does the Kia EV9 actually cost and deliver today?
The 2026 Kia EV9 starts at $56,495 for the base Light RWD trim. The loaded GT-Line tops out around $73,495. Every version is sitting on dealer lots right now. Range runs from 230 miles on the cheapest trim up to 305 miles on the Light Long Range. All-wheel-drive versions land around 280-283 miles.
The EV9 lineup breaks down like this for 2026:
| Trim | MSRP | Range | Horsepower | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light RWD | $56,495 | 230 mi | 215 hp | RWD |
| Light Long Range RWD | $59,495 | 305 mi | 201 hp | RWD |
| Wind AWD | $65,495 | 283 mi | 379 hp | AWD |
| Land AWD | $70,495 | 283 mi | 379 hp | AWD |
| GT-Line AWD | $73,495 | 280 mi | 379 hp | AWD |
Kia builds the EV9 in West Point, Georgia. Every 2026 trim gets a NACS charge port, so Supercharger access isn’t a Toyota exclusive anymore. Kia has also leaned hard into incentives to move metal. Our breakdown of the EV9’s recent $10,000 cash-back offer is worth a look before you sign anything.
Highlander EV vs Kia EV9: how do the real numbers stack up?
On range, the two are close. The Highlander EV’s top claim of roughly 320 miles edges out the EV9’s best of 305 miles. But neither number is EPA-confirmed for the Toyota yet. On power, the EV9’s 379-hp AWD trims beat the Highlander’s 338-hp dual-motor setup. That means Kia’s SUV should feel quicker off the line.
Price is genuinely a coin flip until Toyota locks in real MSRPs. Estimates put the Highlander EV in the same $55,000-$70,000 neighborhood as the EV9. This comparison may ultimately hinge more on styling, interior tech, and dealer availability than on any single spec.
One thing worth checking before you buy either: both are assembled in the U.S. That matters for certain new federal financing perks. If you’re financing rather than buying outright, check whether either qualifies under the rules in our guide to which new cars qualify for the $10,000 car loan tax break.
Is buying a Kia EV9 right now actually a smart move?
Yes, if you need a three-row EV this year. You shouldn’t gamble on a car that hasn’t launched. The EV9 is proven and heavily discounted right now. It’s also available in a trim mix that covers everything from budget-conscious families to performance-minded buyers.
The EV9 isn’t perfect, though. It had a recall affecting over 21,000 units. The fix was straightforward, but it’s worth understanding before you commit. Our coverage of the Kia EV9 recall and whether parents should still buy walks through exactly what was affected and what Kia did about it.
Still weighing whether an EV of any kind fits your life, budget, and charging setup? Our full EV decision framework for 2026 is the better starting point than any single model comparison.
Should you wait for the Highlander EV instead?
Wait only if you’re not in a rush. You should also specifically want Toyota’s reliability reputation and dealer network behind you. Toyota’s EV service infrastructure and hybrid-era trust run deep. But that patience costs you a full model year of driving. It also locks you out of any current EV9 discounts.
Toyota’s own reputation is what’s really being tested here. This is the brand’s first three-row EV. It’s also the first Toyota EV built on U.S. soil. That’s a meaningful bet after slower-than-expected EV sales pushed the timeline around already.
If range anxiety, towing, or road-trip charging speed are dealbreakers, hold off. Wait until independent reviewers get real seat time and EPA numbers land. Early manufacturer claims almost always beat real-world results by a small but noticeable margin.
Which one should you actually buy?
Buy the Kia EV9 if you need a three-row EV in your driveway this year. It makes sense if you want current-year incentives and don’t mind a mainstream, not luxury-tier, interior. It’s proven and well-priced relative to its power and range. It’s not vaporware.
Wait for the Highlander EV only if brand loyalty or Toyota’s reliability reputation matter more to you than saving a year of ownership. The same goes if you value that over thousands in current discounts. Just go in knowing you’re betting on a first-year product with no track record yet.
FAQ
When exactly does the 2027 Toyota Highlander EV go on sale?
Toyota is targeting late 2026. Exact pricing and trim details won’t be finalized until closer to launch. Delays are common with first-generation EVs, so treat that date as a target rather than a guarantee.
Does the Kia EV9 still qualify for any federal EV incentives?
The federal EV tax credit that once applied to vehicles like the EV9 has since expired. Don’t count on that $7,500 factoring into your math anymore. Kia’s own manufacturer discounts and cash-back offers are now the more reliable way to save.
Is the Highlander EV bigger than the Kia EV9?
The Highlander EV gets a wheelbase stretch of more than 8 inches over the old gas model. That should give it a legroom edge. But official interior dimensions haven’t been published yet. The EV9 already offers a genuinely usable third row today, which counts for a lot if you need space right now.
Which one is cheaper to actually own over five years?
That depends heavily on your electricity rates, mileage, and how long you keep the vehicle. Our EV total cost of ownership breakdown is the better resource for running those numbers against a specific gas or hybrid alternative.