2021 Toyota Highlander review
Toyota Highlander highlights
Customer rating
Pros
- All Highlanders come with active driver aids
- Smooth, powerful standard V6 with eight-speed automatic
Cons
- Hybrid model's four-cylinder sounds unrefined under hard acceleration
- Third row is not quite as roomy as in some rivals
Mileage (EPA estimate)
20 city, 27 highway, 23 combined
Pricing for current inventory
(no current inventory)
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A helpful and spacious SUV
When it comes to SUV shopping, what matters most, style or functionality? With the 2021 Highlander, it's nice to know you get both. An imposing front fascia, eight inches of ground clearance, and a broad footprint ensure the Highlander has an enviable highway presence. There are two powertrain options to choose from that will appeal to both fuel-sipping enthusiasts and those wanting the thrills that come with maximum torque. Multiple trim levels allow you to choose the features that are important to you and your crew. For long-haul family trips, daily commutes, and everything in between, the Highlander impresses at every turn. While we currently do not have many 2021 Toyota Highlanders on our lots, we look forward to selling more in the future. If you love the 2021 model, you should also consider prior/other model years of the Toyota Highlander with similar features.
All Toyota Highlander years
What is new for the 2021 Toyota Highlander?
- The Highlander is available in a new trim called the XSE.
- Highlander trims have been upgraded with Remote Start and Rear Seat Heaters as standard equipment this year.
- The L trim now comes with Satellite Radio Ready and Android Auto as standard equipment.
- The Platinum trim now comes with Leatherette Seats as standard equipment.
- The Limited trim now comes with Android Auto as standard equipment.
2021 Toyota Highlander trims
L:
Features tri-zone automatic climate control, LED headlights, remote keyless entry and ignition, eight-inch touchscreen, six-speaker audio system, 60/40-split folding rear seating, power-adjustable driver seat, Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ integration, frontal collision mitigation, rearview camera, traffic sign reader, and more.
LE:
Adds leather-wrapped steering wheel, fog lights, a height-adjustable power liftgate, blind-spot monitor, and more.
XLE:
Adds wireless charging pad, roof rails, heated front seats, SofTex® simulated leather upholstery, moonroof, second-row sunshades, and more. Unlocks optional second-row captain’s chairs.
XSE:
Adds sport styling accents, ambient interior lighting, sport-tuned driver suspension, navigation, and more. Unlocks option Cockpit Red upholstery.
Limited:
Adds leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, front seat memory functionality, front and rear parking sensors, hands-free liftgate, cabin intercom system, 11-speaker JBL® premium audio system, and more.
Platinum:
Adds automatic wipers, panoramic moonroof, heated second-row seats, surround-view camera system, 12.3-inch touchscreen, head-up display, adaptive headlights, and more.
LE Hybrid:
Features LED headlights, power liftgate, three-zone climate control, continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), eight-inch touchscreen, five USB ports, smartphone compatibility, keyless entry and ignition, adaptive cruise control, and more.
XLE Hybrid:
Adds heated front seats, moonroof, auto-dimming rearview mirror, SofTex simulated leather upholstery, second-row window sunshades, and more.
Limited Hybrid:
Adds hands-free liftgate, leather upholstery, front and rear parking sensors, navigation system, ventilated front seats, 11-speaker audio system, and more.
Platinum Hybrid:
Panoramic moonroof, adaptive headlights, heated second-row seats, automatic wipers, head-up display, 12.3-inch touchscreen, 360-degree camera system, and more.
Toyota Highlander photos
5 reasons to buy the 2021 Toyota Highlander
1. The Sport-Tuned XSE trim
Brand new for the Highlander in 2021 is the XSE trim, a sporty-looking addition to the gasoline-powered line-up. Featuring sports-style interior and exterior accents, and some sport-tuned mechanical upgrades, this is a fun way to fulfill your family commitments. Technical upgrades include sport-tuned shock absorbers and a firmer rear stabilizer bar. The headline feature, after that sporty road handling—The XSE's two-tone red and black leather upholstery.
2. Flexible seating
The Highlander is first and foremost a great family mover, with second- and third-row seating perfect for a growing family or a large group of friends. The second-row bench seat can accommodate up to three child seats, while your older children will appreciate the feeling of their own zone in row three. A conversation mirror above the front row is standard, while the Limited and Platinum trims have the Driver Easy Speak feature, an overhead microphone that can broadcast your voice to passengers via the rear speakers.
3. Great storage options
From luggage and sports equipment to your morning coffee, or small-item storage, the Highlander has been thoughtfully equipped when it comes to carrying your kit. There are 12 drink holders through the cabins, a deep front-row center bin, pockets and cubbies for your tech, and two discreet shelves in the front dash, ideal for tickets and parking passes. The second- and third-row bench seats both have a 60/40-split fold, which ensures your configuration can be for passengers, cargo, or a bit of both, with up to 84.3 cu-ft of cargo storage space available behind the front row.
4. Features that protect
The generous amount of standard equipment on the 2021 Highlander is impressive, and that includes an extensive suite of driver assistance features. Mountain state road trippers will appreciate the hill start and downhill-assist driver aids, while the Highlanders' pre-collision system with pedestrian detection gives you peace of mind. Rear privacy glass keeps your valuables out of sight, while the front and rear side windows are made with High Solar Energy-Absorbing (HSEA) glass.
5. A hybrid powertrain option
The Highlander Hybrid can take you further between fill-ups, which is an attractive proposition when you're driving every day. Available in four trim options, the Highlander Hybrid is powered by a 2.5L four-cylinder gas engine with two electric motors and an onboard battery. And it's this potent combination that can deliver impressive numbers for city and highway driving—an EPA-estimated 36 mpg combined for the FWD models.
Similar vehicles
If you're interested in the 2021 Toyota Highlander, you should also check out these similar vehicles from Previous generation years.
The 2017–2019 Hyundai Santa Fe seats up to seven and is an eye-catching choice with a potent engine and plenty of family-friendly features. The 2017–2019 three-row Santa Fe (renamed the Santa Fe XL in 2019) is powered by a 290-hp, 3.3L V6 engine and standard front-wheel drive (all-wheel drive is available). If the extra row isn't a priority, from 2020 the Santa Fe reverts to a two-row, five-seat model only.
All 2017–2018 Hyundai Santa Fe SE and 2019 Santa Fe XL SE feature:
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Seven-inch touchscreen
Rearview camera
The 2017–2021 Ford Explorer is a three-row crossover SUV with plenty of features to recommend it; brawny good looks, multiple trim levels, seating for up to seven, and some power-packed engine options. The 2017–2019 base trim models are powered by a 290-hp 3.5L V6 engine. Following a new-generation refresh, the 2020–2021 base trim Explorer gains a turbocharged 300-hp 2.3L four-cylinder engine. Plush seating, padded armrests, and a hushed cabin atmosphere make sure this SUV is a pleasure to while away the miles in.
The 2017–2021 Ford Explorer base trim features:
10 cup holders
Rearview camera
Cloth upholstery
If you're shopping for a three-row SUV with cavernous space and seating for up to eight, then the 2018–2021 Chevrolet Traverse is a worthy contender. Powering the 2018–2021 Traverse is a 310-hp 3.6L V6 engine, with stop-start technology and a nine-speed automatic transmission. If you fancy something fun, however, the 2018–2019 Traverse RS trim has another option—a turbocharged 257-hp 2.0L four-cylinder engine.
The Traverse's large rear doors and Smart Slide® second-row seating ensures easy access to both rear rows, while your taller teens and young adults will find the third-row's 33.5-inches of legroom agreeably generous.
The 2018–2021 Chevrolet Traverse base trim L features as standard:
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility
Teen Driver technology
Cloth upholstery
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Ratings & reliability
RepairPal gave the Toyota Highlander an overall reliability rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Excellent. This rating ranks Toyota Highlander 6th out of 32 among Midsize SUVs.
View RepairPal's full rating of the Toyota HighlanderToyota Highlander features and specs
XLE 2WD 4D Sport Utility
Standard Features
- ABS Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
- AM/FM Stereo
- Android Auto
- Apple CarPlay
- Automated Cruise Control
- Automatic Transmission
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Bluetooth Technology
- Fold-Away Third Row
- Front Seat Heaters
- Lane Departure Warning
- Leatherette Seats
- Overhead Airbags
- Power Hatch/Deck Lid
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Seat(s)
- Power Windows
- Rear Air Conditioning
- Rear Defroster
- Rear Sunshade
- Rear View Camera
- Satellite Radio Ready
- Side Airbags
- Smart Key
- Sunroof(s)
- Third Row Seat
- Traction Control
- Full Roof Rack
- Leatherette Seats
- Navigation System
- Quad Seats
- Running Boards
- Tow Hitch
Drive Wheels
Front Wheel Drive (2WD)
Engine size
3.5L
Horsepower
295
Torque (ft-lbs)
263
Engine type
Gas
Fuel capacity
17.9
Wheelbase
112.2"
Overall length
194.9"
Width
76"
Height
68.1"
Leg room
F 42"/M 41"/R 27.7"
Head room
F 38.4"/M 39.4"/R 36.1"
Front tires
P235/65VR18
Rear tires
P235/65VR18
Seating capacity
7
Max towing capacity
500/5000 lbs.
Transmission
Automatic
2021 Toyota Highlander FAQ
The major difference between the 2020 and 2021 models is actually an addition. For 2021, Toyota introduced the XSE trim. The XSE Highlander has a sporty look, trim exclusive interior colorways, a sport-tuned suspension, and more.
While this SUV has a generous number of standard features across the trims, choose the range-topping Platinum for pure luxury. The Platinum trim's standard features include leather upholstery, an 11-speaker JBL premium stereo, a 12.3-inch touch screen, a panoramic moonroof, and a surround-view parking camera system.
There are some subtle styling differences and specific additional features that differentiate the two. The XLE has SofTex simulated leather upholstery, while the XLE has leather upholstery. Both have the power liftgate, while the Limited model adds hands-free functionality to its liftgate operation.
More about the 2021 Toyota Highlander
Color options
Exterior colors:
Blueprint
Celestial Silver Metallic
Magnetic Gray
Metallic Blizzard Pearl
Midnight Black Metallic
Moon Dust
Opulent Amber
Ruby Flare Pearl
Interior colors:
Black
Cockpit Red (XSE trim only)
Glazed Caramel (Platinum trim only)
Graphite
Harvest Beige (from XLE trim)
Interior Details
The 2021 Highlander seats up to eight passengers. A three-seat, 60/40-split second-row bench is standard, while the optional second-row captain's chairs reduce row capacity to two, and overall capacity to seven. The second-row seats flip forward and slide easily for third-row access. Legroom is generous and suited to multi-generational family life; front-row seats have 42.0-inches, the second-row 41.0-inches, and 27.7-inches for the third row. The base trims have cloth upholstery, but you can move up the trim levels for SofTex upholstery (a synthetic leather-look material) or premium leather.
Cargo space can be adapted to your needs. Behind the 60/40-split third row there is 16 cu-ft of available room. Once the third row is folded down, cargo space increases to 48.4 cu-ft behind the second row, and up to a maximum of 84.3 behind the front row.
Child Seat Details
The 2021 Highlander is definitely a family-friendly option. There are two complete sets of LATCH connectors (two lower anchors and an upper tether) in the second-row outboard seats (bench and captain's chair variants) and an upper tether only for the second-row bench middle seat and the third-row middle seat.
Larger families will appreciate the second-row bench seat. It can fit up to three child seats across (seat model and type dependent) and has the space to accommodate front- and rear-facing, infant, and booster seats, with minimal to no impact on the legroom of front-row passengers, even the six-foot-plus ones.
Performance
The 2021 Highlander gas-only model is powered by a 3.5L V6 engine, equipped with an eight-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission and stop/start engine technology. Its performance is robust, delivering 295 horsepower, 263 lb-ft of torque, and an EPA-estimated 24 mpg combined for the FWD, 3.5L model.
Both powertrains pair to front-wheel drive as standard, with the option of all-wheel drive available across all trims.
The Hybrid model runs on a 2.5L four-cylinder gas engine, paired with two electric motors and an onboard battery, working together for a combined 243 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque. The Hybrid achieves some attractive mpg figures too. The standard model (FWD, 2.5L engine, two electric motors) achieves an EPA-estimated 36 mpg combined.
When properly equipped, the Toyota Highlander can haul up to an estimated 5,000 lbs, while the hybrid power models can tow up to an estimated 3,500 lbs.
Year comparisons
2008–2013 Toyota Highlander (Second Generation)
For the final years of its second generation, the Toyota Highlander has minimal changes. Third-row seating became standard in 2011 and, in 2013, a new trim, Plus, joined the line-up.
2014–2019 Toyota Highlander (Third Generation)
The 2014 Highlander marks the start of the third generation with a ground-up redesign, adding Bluetooth® functionality as standard, more cargo space behind the third row, and increasing seating capacity to a maximum of eight. With no major changes in 2015 and 2016, the 2017 gas-only models would newly benefit from a more powerful V6 engine and more standard driver assistance features. There were no major changes in 2018 and 2019.
2020–2022 Toyota Highlander (Fourth Generation)
For 2020, Toyota introduces the re-imagined fourth-generation Highlander. Highlights include a larger interior and more standard tech, including Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality. The 2021 Highlander gained a new trim, the sport-styled XSE. No major changes are made for 2022.
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