10 Biggest News Stories of the Week: Toyota Highlander Pulls Plug on Ford Escape, Mustang Mach-E
When the all-new Toyota Highlander’s fully electric version arrives for the 2027 model year, it won’t carry an electric-vehicley name like “Highlander EV,” “Highlander bZ4X” or “Highlander With EQ Technology.” That’s because this electrified variant of Toyota’s mid-size, three-row SUV will be its only variant: No gas. No hybrid. No plug-in hybrid. The new Highlander forgoes gasoline for an all-electric power plant, steering into a head-on heat with the Hyundai Ioniq 9 and Kia EV9 as we report in one of Cars.com’s most popular news articles of the past week.
Related: 10 Biggest News Stories of the Month: Subaru Outback Leaves Volvo XC40 in the Wilderness
The electric-only Highlander will arrive in two available trim levels, XLE and Limited. The former will offer front- and all-wheel drive and two battery choices while the Limited will get AWD and only the bigger of the two batteries. Horsepower and torque will range from 221-338 hp and 198-323 pounds-feet, respectively, while driving range on a full charge will range from an estimated 270-320 miles. A standard Tesla Supercharger-compatible charge port enables a refill time of as little as half an hour. Length, width and wheelbase increases should mean a roomier cabin and competitive cubic feet in the cargo area.
For everything we know about the 2027 Toyota Highlander — including our pricing projections when the electric SUV goes on sale late in 2026 — follow the link below to the No. 2 news story on this week’s countdown of most read articles.
Elsewhere on the countdown, you’ll find info on electrified vehicles you won’t have to wait till the end of the year to buy, and at a cut rate to boot if you act fast. In the fifth-place position this week is our roundup of the best manufacturer-offered deals on hybrids and EVs out there at the moment — and with the average price of a new EV at a staggering $64,000 and no federal incentive to be had any longer, shoppers can use the help. If you can find an electrified model-year 2025 Ford Escape, the automaker is offering $3,000 in consumer rebates and $5,000 in bonus cash on the Escape Hybrid, and $8,000 in bonus cash on the Escape Plug-in Hybrid through March 31. Ford is also offering $2,000 in bonus cash, $4,000 in consumer rebates, $6,250 in lease cash or 0% financing for up to 72 months on model-year 2025 and 2026 Mustang Mach-E electric SUVs through the end of March. On a 2025 Honda Accord hybrid, enjoy $1,000 in lease cash, $1,500 in purchase and lease loyalty or 2.9% financing for up to 60 months. Meanwhile, on a 2025 Honda Prologue electric SUV, you can get $14,000 in dealer cash, $8,250 in lease cash, $4,000 in purchase loyalty cash or 0% financing for up to 60 months. Both Honda incentives are available through March 2.
For full details on these electrifying offers — including additional models available with 0% financing — follow the link below to the No. 5 news story of the week.
Beyond all that, we’ve got headlines on the Audi A6, Nissan Armada, Nissan Leaf, Cadillac Escalade IQ, Kia EV9, Ram 1500, Toyota Grand Highlander and much more — so don’t stop reading till the digits double. Here are the top 10 news stories Cars.com readers couldn’t get enough of in the past week:
1. The All-New 2026 Audi A6 Is Faster, Techier and Colder Than Ever: Review
2. 2027 Toyota Highlander: Toyota Reinvents Its Three-Row SUV as All-Electric Vehicle
3. These SUVs Are All-New or Redesigned for 2026
5. These Are the Best Hybrid and EV Deals Available Now
8. Best Electric Vehicle of 2026
10. This or That: 2026 Toyota Highlander Vs. 2026 Grand Highlander
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