Is the Toyota Highlander Discontinued?
CarWhere Research · Checked against the sources below on
Replaced by a successor
Is the Toyota Highlander being discontinued?
The gas and hybrid Highlander is going away, but the name isn't. Toyota's next Highlander is an all-new, battery-electric-only three-row SUV built in Georgetown, Kentucky, which Toyota's release (updated September 25, 2026) now calls the 2028 Highlander, with AWD models expected in early 2027. Toyota's release lists no gas or hybrid version, and WardsAuto reported from an interview with Toyota's US division chief that Toyota is phasing out the gas and hybrid Highlander. The most recent gas/hybrid Highlander Toyota announced is the 2026 model.
Updated November 2026 · Sources: Toyota USA Newsroom: next-generation Highlander (updated Sep 25, 2026) · Toyota USA Newsroom: 2026 Highlander · WardsAuto
“Our goal with the new Highlander was to develop a BEV that fits customers' lives.”
Highlander status at a glance
| Status | Replaced by a successor |
|---|---|
| Last model year of the previous version | 2026 |
| End of production | Toyota has not published a final build date for the gas/hybrid Highlander; the battery-electric 2028 Highlander is expected to start in early 2027 |
| Reason (as stated) | Not stated. Toyota described the goal of the new model as developing "a BEV that fits customers' lives" but did not give a reason for dropping the gas and hybrid versions. |
| Replacement | The battery-electric 2028 Toyota Highlander (same name, fully electric) |
| Sources | Toyota USA Newsroom: next-generation Highlander (updated Sep 25, 2026) (Feb 10, 2026)Toyota USA Newsroom: 2026 Highlander (Sep 5, 2025)WardsAuto (Feb 11, 2026) |
What it means if you're buying a Highlander
- Used supply. CarWhere counted 22,253 used and certified Highlander listings at US dealers as of Nov 7, 2026, at a median asking price of $27,723 and median 86,109 miles. Used Highlander prices by year and trim · See used Highlanders for sale
- Depreciation. A 2025 Highlander lists at a median $43,481 (24.2% below the median asking price of a new 2026, $57,374), and a 2018 at $22,000 (61.7% below). Median asking prices by model year, Oct 25, 2026. Full Highlander depreciation curve
- Model years. Some Highlander years draw far more owner complaints and recalls than others. Highlander years to avoid (and the best years)
- Parts and service. A factory warranty runs for its stated term whether or not the model is still built, and safety recalls are fixed free (49 U.S.C. § 30120, with an exception for vehicles first sold more than 15 years before the recall notice). No federal rule sets how long parts must be made: model-specific body panels and trim usually get scarce first, while parts shared with models still in production stay available longer.
- Background. Toyota history and model timeline
Frequently asked questions
Is the Toyota Highlander being discontinued?
The gas and hybrid Highlander is going away, but the name isn't. Toyota's next Highlander is an all-new, battery-electric-only three-row SUV built in Georgetown, Kentucky, which Toyota's release (updated September 25, 2026) now calls the 2028 Highlander, with AWD models expected in early 2027. Toyota's release lists no gas or hybrid version, and WardsAuto reported from an interview with Toyota's US division chief that Toyota is phasing out the gas and hybrid Highlander. The most recent gas/hybrid Highlander Toyota announced is the 2026 model.
What is the last model year of the Toyota Highlander?
2026 is the final US model year before the change. End of production: Toyota has not published a final build date for the gas/hybrid Highlander; the battery-electric 2028 Highlander is expected to start in early 2027.
Why was the Toyota Highlander discontinued?
Toyota has not stated a reason. Toyota described the goal of the new model as developing "a BEV that fits customers' lives" but did not give a reason for dropping the gas and hybrid versions.
What replaced the Toyota Highlander?
The battery-electric 2028 Toyota Highlander (same name, fully electric).
Can you still get parts and service for a Toyota Highlander?
Yes. A factory warranty runs for its stated term whether or not the model is still built, and federal law requires automakers to fix safety-recall defects free of charge (with an exception for vehicles first sold more than 15 years before the recall notice). There is no general federal rule on how long parts must be made; model-specific body panels and trim are usually the first to get scarce.
How many used Highlanders are for sale?
CarWhere counted 22,253 used and certified Highlander listings at US dealers as of Nov 7, 2026, at a median asking price of $27,723. Check the years-to-avoid page before you pick a model year.
Other models people ask about
How we source this
- Status comes from Toyota's own release or statement where one was published; otherwise from a reputable outlet quoting Toyota directly. We don't report a discontinuation that the automaker hasn't confirmed, and we don't guess at reasons: if none was given, we say "Not stated."
- Checked against the linked sources on Nov 12, 2026. Plans change; we re-check quarterly and when an automaker announces a change.
- Used counts and medians are CarWhere's snapshot of active used and certified listings at US dealers (Nov 7, 2026), from licensed vehicle-data providers. They are asking prices, not transaction prices.