The entire weight of development in the automotive industry has shifted toward the emerging extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) technology and platforms that will underpin the next generation of vehicles. These utilize a gas engine to act as a generator instead of driving the wheels. This is the most efficient use of a combustion engine, while the electric motors on the axle don’t need a massive battery to power them, weigh them down, and cause range anxiety. Now, Toyota is jumping on board the EREV train, with next-gen Toyota Highlander SUVs and Toyota Sienna minivans getting the new tech, likely retrofitted to an old platform.
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- Base Trim Engine
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2.4L I4 Turbo
- Base Trim Transmission
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8-speed automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Front-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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265 HP @6000 RPM
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- Base Trim Engine
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Dynamic Force Hybrid
- Base Trim Transmission
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CVT
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Front-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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245 HP @6000 RPM
- Base Trim Torque
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176 lb.-ft. @ 4400 RPM
- Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
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36/36/36 MPG
The Chinese Are Helping Toyota
The news of a future EREV Highlander and Sienna comes from Toyota’s current Chinese partnerships, and so far, the EREV development is only confirmed for models coming to that market. Announced at the 2025 GAC Toyota Technology Day, the focus was on models for the Chinese market, but the details were particularly interesting, as slides shown at the event showcased models with familiar looks to the ones here in the US.
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The way in which these models will be engineered also piqued attention, as there could be potential crossover into the American market.
An Updated Or All-New EREV Platform
The fourth-gen Highlander and fourth-gen Sienna both currently ride on variations of the Japanese automaker’s TNGA-K platform, which is expected to get a light update to adopt an EREV powertrain setup. No details of the new Chinese market platform have been announced yet, but this is a different tactic than the one we typically see, where a Chinese platform is used with the badge from a brand like Toyota or Honda applied for prestige. In theory, if the existing TNGA-K platform can be tweaked to accommodate an EREV powertrain, USDM Highlander and Sienna models could adopt the same at some stage.
It’s also possible there’s a new platform for the US market that hasn’t yet been announced. So far, for the US, Toyota has confirmed a three-row electric SUV is in development and will be built in the US. CarBuzz sources previously indicated the strong likelihood that this model would bear the Highlander name, and recent comments from the automaker indicated it was done with the clunky bZ nomenclature and wanted to focus on the names people know and love.
“Over time, what you will see us doing is transitioning away from the bZ naming convention and starting to use more traditional names from our lineup,.”
– Cooper Ericksen, Senior Vice President, product BEV mobility planning strategy, Toyota Motor North America
A new Highlander is reportedly planned for the US market by 2026, with an updated Toyota Grand Highlander model (not sold in China) coming in 2027. Now, the new Sienna is rumored for 2027 as well, though the fifth-gen has so far only been confirmed for China. Considering the sales growth of minivans in the US, we predict some version of the next-gen Sienna will eventually come stateside.
More Toyota Hybrids Coming
Toyota is also reportedly working on a sixth-generation hybrid system. The Toyota fifth-gen series hybrid system underpins models like the Camry, Prius, Corolla, 4Runner, and Tundra. The next-gen system will likely improve efficiency, lighten the motors, enhance power output, and continue as a series-parallel hybrid setup instead of a plug-in one.
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Toyota declined to comment on future products for the US market. As for other companies developing EREV tech, they include Ram, Hyundai and Genesis, the Volkswagen Group, BMW, and more. But given tightening emissions legislation combined with a general anti-EV sentiment, we wouldn’t be surprised to see more adopt the technology in the near future.
H/T: CarScoops
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