Toyota's forbidden Kluger replacement: 2027 Toyota Highlander revealed overseas, but it won't rival the Hyundai Ioniq 9, Kia EV9 and Volvo EX90 in Australia for now

The next-generation Toyota Highlander — known as Kluger here — three-row SUV has been revealed in the United States as an electric-only model.

A spokesperson for Toyota Australia said there are no current plans to add the Highlander to the range Down Under. 

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The new model will ditch hybrid power, so its unsure if Australia's US-sourced Klugers will continue.

An electric Kluger would offer Toyota a three-row SUV EV rival to the likes of the Hyundai Ioniq 9, Kia EV9 and Volvo EX90 in Australia. 

The top-spec all-wheel drive model has two electric motors, producing 252kW and 438Nm.

There are two battery choices on the Highlander, which are a 77kWh with 462km of driving range and a 96kWh battery with a range of 515km. 

It is also available in a single motor, front-wheel drive layout.

The 2027 Highlander is built on the TNGA-K platform, rather than Toyota's electric car platform that has spawned other models such as the bZ4X.

The incoming RAV4 plug-in hybrid launching in Australia this year is also built on the TNGA-K platform, which opens the door to a future EV version.

It has similar design elements to the new-generation RAV4 and Prado SUVs, with a boxy look and sharp creases in the bodywork, riding on 19-inch wheels. 

Overall, the car is bigger than its predecessor, but it sits slightly lower than the outgoing Highlander/Kluger. 

On the inside, it comes as standard with a 14.0-inch central touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital driver display.

The seats are covered in a synthetic leather, with the front seats heated as well as the steering wheel. 

The car is expected to officially launch in the US towards the end of 2026 and the start of 2027.