--- title: "The Toyota Highlander EV Debuts Feb. 10: TDS" date: "2026-02-03" modified: "2026-02-03" authors: - name: "Joel Feder" job_title: "Director of Content and Product" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/joel-feder" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/the-toyota-highlander-ev-debuts-feb-10-tds" categories: - "News" - "The Downshift" --- # The Toyota Highlander EV Debuts Feb. 10: TDS ![Toyota Highlander EV teaser]() Good morning and welcome to *The Downshift*, or *TDS* for short. Quick, dense, and value packed, *TDS* is the one-stop-shop for all the automotive news bubbling around the globe in one spot. Stories are summarized in a single sentence accompanied by a link for those seeking more information. 🚨 The latest iteration of *The Drive*'s new homepage redesign, let's call it Mk II, is now live. We've taken your feedback, listened, and made some tweaks bringing even more content up above the fold for less scrolling, added missing details to the hero story including publish date, increased the white space for even more breathing room, and synced up some font sizes for an easier reading experience. Please, keep your feedback coming to feedback@thedrive.com. We absolutely are listening and reading every single email. The first cup of coffee is gone, it's rather warm outside in Minneapolis, Minnesota (above zero!), and it's Tuesday. Let's get into it. 🚘 What I’m driving: The 2026 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport has left and been replaced by a 2026 Mazda CX-70. Initial impressions of the CX-70? It's a CX-90 with the third row stripped out and the same premium interior . πŸ”‹ [Toyota teased]() "big energy" and "bigger versatility" in the form of a new three-row crossover SUV debuting February 10; all signs indicate [this is the electric Highlander]() that will be built in Kentucky. β‘Š The [C8 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport might have been spotted]() while filming a commercial; the car appears to be painted the model's trademark blue color while sporting red slashes on the rear fenders, which would make sense since the engine is now going to be mid-ship. πŸšͺ China [banned concealed door handles on EVs]() and as of January 1, 2027 will require vehicles to have a mechanical release both inside and out. πŸ‘¨β€βš–οΈ As Scout continues its direct-sales push while inching towards production the pushback from dealers is mounting with [numerous lawsuits](), some of which the company has already won. πŸ’Έ [California proposed a $200 million electric vehicle incentive program]() that's limited to first-time buyers and requires automaker's to match funds; the proposed program would include price caps that Congress implemented on the federal incentives, which President Trump's administration killed, back in 2022. 😱 Shocking no one, Audi's realized [renaming the A4 to A5 was a "mistake"]() and the decision might be walked back. πŸ”‹ Tesla [introduced a more affordable all-wheel drive iteration of the Model Y]() while subsequently dropping the "Standard" trim for the crossover EV, essentially rebranding the latter. β‘‘ Audi reportedly will [revive the A2 nameplate]() for a segment-bending electric hatchback using the Volkswagen ID 3's underpinnings. πŸš• [Waymo raised $16 billion]() in its latest investment round giving the company a $126 billion valuation with plans to expand to over 20 additional cities in 2026 including Tokyo and London. *Got a news tip or feedback? Drop us a line at tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Overseeing what you see, read, touch, hear, and interact with from the vast lakes of Minnesota, Joel Feder shapes how The Drive looks and operates as the head of content and product initiatives. On a daily basis, Joel leads the newsroom and editorial staff playing point on both short-term coverage and long-term strategic plans. His mission is to help ensure The Drive shapes the future of automotive media by helping the team execute original reporting, breaking news, and exclusive opportunities. Regarded as an industry insider and recognized by colleagues, fellow journalists, and manufacturers as a point-person and leader in the industry, Joel owns and runs the largest automotive professionals group on Facebook in an effort to serve and help others. Joel serves as a juror for the World Car Awards. In addition, he is the board chair and chair of the governance and nominating committee for Move Forward MN, a local non-profit that helps at-risk youth with barrier-free mental health and housing services. While you’re reading this he’s either on his computer or iPhone chasing the latest news or drafting a story. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]() [Bluesky]() [Email]()