Toyota revealed its Highlander BEV in February, marking a key step in its US electrification strategy. Shortly after, the company announced an additional $800 million investment to upgrade its Kentucky manufacturing facility, signaling preparations for a second domestically produced electric vehicle.
The Highlander BEV will become Toyota’s first all-electric vehicle manufactured in the United States, with production set to begin later this year. While Toyota has not disclosed details about the second model, industry reports have pointed toward a parallel development involving Lexus.
A Lexus TX Expected To Shift Toward Full Electrification
Lexus is preparing to unveil the next-generation TX, with expectations that it will emerge as a three-row electric SUV. According to Electrek, this model would serve as a more premium version of the Highlander BEV, although the automaker has not officially confirmed its electric powertrain.
A prior report by Nikkei indicated that Toyota planned to build two new electric SUVs in Kentucky, replacing the outgoing Lexus ES. This aligns with trademark filings submitted in 2023 to the European Union Intellectual Property Office for the names “Lexus TZ 450e” and “Lexus TZ 550e,” suggesting that electric variants are under development.
Shared Platform and Technical Foundations
The Highlander BEV is built on a modified version of Toyota’s TNGA-K platform, designed to improve interior space and efficiency. It will be offered with two battery configurations: 77 kWh and 95.8 kWh, delivering estimated ranges of up to 287 miles and 320 miles respectively.
The model will be available in both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions. The front-wheel-drive variant produces 221 horsepower and 198 lb-ft of torque, while the all-wheel-drive version reaches 338 horsepower and 323 lb-ft of torque.
In terms of dimensions, the vehicle measures 198.8 inches in length, 78.3 inches in width, and 67.3 inches in height, with a wheelbase of 120.1 inches. It is slightly smaller than the current gasoline-powered 2026 Lexus TX.
Pricing, Launch Timeline, and Competitive Landscape
Toyota plans to launch the Highlander BEV later this year, with a starting price expected around $50,000. The Lexus variant could follow by the end of 2026 or early 2027, with an estimated starting price near $60,000.
If confirmed, the electric Lexus three-row SUV would enter a segment that already includes models such as the Hyundai IONIQ 9, Lucid Gravity, Rivian R1S, Kia EV9, Volvo EX90, and Cadillac Vistiq. The expansion of this category reflects a broader industry shift toward larger electric family vehicles, with increasing competition across both mainstream and luxury brands.
