2021 Toyota Highlander review

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.