Discover how the Toyota Highlander EV’s innovative power‑free hidden door handle ensures easy entry even without battery power. Learn more now!
Today’s electric SUVs often showcase sleek, electronic door handles that pop out with a touch of a button. While eye‑catching, they can become a safety concern if the vehicle loses power, leaving occupants stranded.
Why a non‑electric handle matters
Many modern EVs rely on an electronic latch that only works when the high‑voltage battery has sufficient charge. If the battery is depleted, the door may remain locked, turning a design feature into a puzzle. Toyota’s newest Highlander EV sidesteps that risk with a hidden, power‑free handle that operates entirely without electricity.
How the hidden handle works
Integrated seamlessly into the vehicle’s body, the handle is a flat recess that looks like a simple surface trim. Inside the recess sits a tiny latch about the size of a thumbnail. When pulled, this latch releases the door lock, allowing the door to be opened manually.
For added security, a removable insert covers the lock hole. In the event of a total power loss, the driver simply inserts the key, pulls the latch, and the door opens – no battery required.
Two‑step operation
- One pull: disengages the electronic lock, preparing the door for opening.
- Two pulls: the door opens fully, just like a conventional manual handle.
This mechanism mirrors the manual‑override system found on recent Lexus models, where a button can release an electronic latch or the driver can manually pull a concealed latch.
About the 2027 Toyota Highlander EV
Unveiled on February 10, the Highlander EV is a brand‑new electric SUV that shares only its name with the gasoline‑powered Highlander. Toyota chose to keep the familiar badge rather than adopt its newer “bZ” naming convention used for other EVs.
The Highlander EV will be the first Toyota battery‑electric vehicle built in the United States, with production slated to begin in the second half of 2026 at Toyota’s Georgetown, Kentucky plant (the current home of the Camry sedan). Battery packs will be supplied by a state‑of‑the‑art $13.9 billion battery factory that opened in Liberty, North Carolina, at the end of 2025.
Powertrain and range options
- XLE Front‑Wheel Drive: 77.0 kWh battery, approx. 400 km (250 mi) EPA‑rated range.
- XLE All‑Wheel Drive: Same 77.0 kWh pack, approx. 422 km (262 mi) range.
- Optional larger battery: 95.8 kWh pack delivering up to 492 km (306 mi) of range.
By combining a reliable manual‑override door system with flexible battery choices, Toyota aims to make the Highlander EV a practical, user‑friendly option for families and commuters alike.
Conclusion
The power‑free hidden door handle is a small but significant step toward making electric vehicles more dependable in real‑world scenarios. As the Highlander EV prepares for its U.S. launch, this thoughtful detail underscores Toyota’s commitment to safety, usability, and innovation.