That sucks! After all that build-up, Toyota says Australia is off limits for the new battery electric Kluger seven-seat SUV
The seven-seat battery-electric Toyota Highlander EV has been launched in the US, but the all-electric successor to the Kluger sold locally will remain forbidden fruit for Australian buyers.
Created to rival the Kia EV9, Hyundai IONIQ 9 and Volvo EX90, the new Highlander EV effectively replaces the current turbo-petrol and hybrid Highlander line-up in North America — the latter sold in Australia as the Kluger.
According to reports, Australia’s hybrid Kluger will remain in the local range and continue to be sourced from the US factory, even though the petrol-powered Highlander variants will be phased out in North America by the end of this year.
READ MORE: 2026 Toyota bZ4X 2WD Review: A $10,000 price cut and a huge boost in range transform the bZ4X from pretender to contender
READ MORE: Toyota chases 7400% sales lift for EVs and PHEVs in Australia!
READ MORE: 2026 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Review: This car could be Australia’s best seller in 2026. It’s a bit of a struggle to understand why…
No reason has been given for why the Highlander EV isn’t being offered to Australian consumers, but Toyota Australia has said it is focusing resources on the rollout of the three-row bZ4X Touring, the inbound HiLux EV and the launch of the plug-in hybrid RAV4 mid-size SUV.
Built on an updated version of the current Highlander’s TNGA-K architecture — rather than Toyota’s dedicated e-TNGA EV platform — it’s thought that hybrid or plug-in hybrid versions of the new three-row SUV could follow later, potentially opening the door for an Australian introduction.
From launch later this year, Toyota USA has confirmed two Highlander EV variants: a single-motor front-wheel-drive version producing 165kW and 268Nm, and a dual-motor all-wheel-drive version delivering 241kW and 437Nm.
Towing capacity is rated at up to 1600kg.
Escaping local tariffs, both the 77kWh and 95.8kWh battery packs will be built in the US. The smaller battery delivers a claimed US EPA driving range of 462km, while the larger pack increases that figure to 515km.
However, the new Highlander EV is understood to use 400-volt electrics, limiting peak DC charging speeds. Toyota claims a 10 to 80 per cent recharge time of around 30 minutes for either battery — competitive, but not class-leading.
In the metal, the sharply styled SUV — which borrows Toyota’s latest “hammerhead” design language seen on the new C-HR — measures 5050mm long, 1710mm tall and 1990mm wide, with a 3050mm wheelbase.
That makes it longer (+84mm) and wider (+60mm), but lower (-45mm), than the current Kluger, while the extra 200mm between the axles should translate to improved cabin space.
Inside, the Highlander EV features a large 14-inch infotainment screen running Toyota’s latest Arene operating system, paired with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, head-up display and integrated dashcam.
There’s also a fixed panoramic roof, heated and ventilated front and second-row seats, 64-colour ambient lighting and dual wireless smartphone chargers.
Designers have managed to incorporate 18 cupholders throughout the cabin, along with an 11-speaker JBL sound system.
New technology includes Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 semi-autonomous driver-assistance systems.
Pricing for the all-new Toyota Highlander EV will be announced closer to its arrival in US showrooms in the second half of this year.
Following its debut, a Subaru-badged version is also expected, though that model is likewise highly unlikely to be offered in Australia.
