The fate of the Toyota Highlander EV is once again hanging in the balance. The Japanese automaker's electric SUV was originally slated to enter production this fall, but things haven't gone as smoothly as expected. Back in July, Toyota announced a delay of at least eight weeks for 'final adjustments.' Now, fresh reports from Nikkei Asia suggest the start of assembly has been pushed back by several more months, possibly even a year.
That means the Highlander EV, which will be built at the Georgetown, Kentucky plant, may not hit the production line until at least January 2027. Toyota has reportedly informed its suppliers of the new timeline. This delay is certainly a blow for fans eagerly awaiting the arrival of this three-row electric SUV.
A spokesperson for Toyota's North American division explained that the extra time is needed for final checks and quality validation before mass production begins. Interestingly, Toyota insists the delay has nothing to do with EV demand in the U.S. They claim their EV sales are still growing, even though overall U.S. EV sales dipped 21 percent year-over-year in the second quarter.
Meanwhile, Toyota's own EV deliveries more than tripled during the same period. This highlights a different market dynamic for Toyota, which may have its own strategy in navigating the global EV slowdown. The Subaru Getaway, which shares a platform with the Highlander EV, will also be produced on the same Georgetown line, reinforcing the synergy between the two manufacturers.
This repeated delay raises big questions: Is Toyota being overly cautious, or are there hidden technical issues? What's clear is that competition in the electric SUV segment is intensifying, and every month of delay could cause Toyota to lose momentum. Observers note that delaying for quality is a wise move, but the risk of losing market share remains.
With production pushed back, the Highlander EV's market launch is now expected in 2027 or later. This tests the patience of consumers who have already reserved or awaited its arrival. For Toyota, this is a long game to ensure its first entry in this segment is truly mature and able to compete with established rivals.
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