2026 Toyota Kluger EV on the way

The all-new fifth-generation 2026 Toyota Kluger is readying for launch later this year ahead of sales starting in early 2026 and the headline news is the large three-row family SUV will be offered with pure-electric power for the first time.

According to Automotive News, the next Toyota Kluger, or Highlander as it’s known in North America, is set to land seven years after the current version (pictured). However, it’s still not known what platform will underpin the new EV, with some predicting it will be based on the same TNGA-K architecture as the latest Lexus ES.

Some had tipped that the Toyota would introduce its latest plug-in hybrid tech on the Kluger, but the US newswire says a decision has been taken to skip the tech and only offer the EV version alongside the variants powered by petrol-electric hybrid powertrains.

In the US, the Kluger EV will arrive just as sales of the six-year-old Toyota SUV have nosedived by 50 per cent to 30,056 units for the first seven months of 2025.

Part of the reason for the slump is thought to be the arrival of the larger stretched Grand Highlander, that is Toyota’s answer to the Hyundai Palisade, which has seen sales climb to 65,419 (+19.7 per cent) in the same period.

Despite being initially considered by Toyota Australia, the Japanese brand’s local outfit soon ruled out the extra large Kluger, highlighting it already offers the large Fortuner, Prado and LandCruiser 300.

Following on from the Kluger EV, Toyota is said to be planning a larger full-size battery-powered SUV that could carry the Grand Highlander nameplate, although that car isn’t expected to land until much later in 2028.

Finally, Toyota North America has also been hotly tipped to have rubber-stamped the arrival of a new sedan that will arrive just before the flagship SUV in 2027.

Sadly, details remain thin on the ground, but the new four-door is thought to be Camry-sized and will be positioned as a more affordable alternative to large battery-powered sedans like the Tesla Model S.

Possibly borrowing styling from the Toyota bZ7 it sells in China, it makes sense the new sedan will share its e-TNGA platform with the latest inbound Toyota C-HR+ small SUV.

As far as timings go for the all-new 2026 Toyota Kluger, it’s thought the Japanese giant could unveil the new family-friendly SUV this November at the LA motor show, with an Australian launch likely to take place in the second half of 2026.

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