Used 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid cost?

Prices have softened 2.55% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 779 listings available, which gives you a meaningful amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid earns a 4.86/5 user rating and a 6.67/10 expert rating. The model scores 8/10 across Cost effectiveness, Technology, and Safety.

Owners consistently praise its excellent fuel efficiency, comfort, spacious interior, and advanced safety features. The practical three-row layout and smooth, quiet ride also come through as recurring strengths.

The trade-offs are clear: the third row is cramped for taller passengers, and the engine can sound loud when you accelerate. That makes it a strong fit if you want a family-focused SUV that prioritizes efficiency and everyday usability over excitement.

With 36.1% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid reliable?

Owners rate it 4.86/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction. Review feedback points to a reliable, trouble-free ownership experience, with buyers repeatedly highlighting comfort, efficiency, and confidence in the vehicle’s day-to-day dependability.

The hybrid powertrain is described as a sensible long-term choice for buyers who want to keep the SUV for years, and Toyota’s free scheduled maintenance plan for two years or 25,000 miles adds some ownership reassurance. Even so, used buyers should still watch for signs of wear in a family vehicle that may have seen heavy daily use.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 79.8% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because a clean listing percentage does not replace a proper records review. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on interior wear, third-row usability, and how the hybrid system behaves under acceleration. You should also pay close attention to infotainment condition and whether the vehicle’s safety equipment works as expected.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The hybrid is offered in LE, XLE, Limited, and Platinum specifications. The LE is the entry point, while Limited and Platinum bring more upscale equipment, and the base trim lacks some safety content that appears higher up the range.
• Powertrain: The hybrid uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric-motor setup and an E-CVT. It is rated at 36 mpg in combined driving, or 35 mpg with AWD, and the trade-off is that acceleration can sound strained under load.
• Safety package: Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ is standard and adds intersection support and emergency steering assistance. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are standard starting with LE, while front and rear parking sensors begin with Limited and the surround-view camera is standard on Platinum.
• Infotainment: Every 2021 Highlander includes Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa connectivity. The standard system uses an 8-inch display, while the 12.3-inch touchscreen, navigation, and JBL audio are part of the higher-end setup.
• Fuel efficiency: The hybrid is EPA-rated at 36 mpg combined, or 35 mpg with AWD. In testing, it averaged 31.7 mpg.

Which 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid trim should I buy?

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is offered in 4 trim levels: LE, XLE, Limited, Platinum.

Here's the short version:

• LE: This is the entry point, but it still gives you the hybrid’s core efficiency and standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ features. It makes sense if you want the lowest-cost way into the hybrid lineup and can live without the extra convenience and luxury equipment.
• XLE: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds more comfort and convenience without pushing you into the highest price tiers. If you want a well-rounded family SUV, this is the trim to focus on first.
• Limited: This trim is the better choice if you want a more upscale cabin and the top infotainment setup with the larger screen and JBL audio. It also unlocks more safety and parking tech.
• Platinum: This is the most fully equipped version, adding the most premium features, including the available head-up display and standard surround-view camera system. Choose it if you want the most content and are willing to pay for it.

Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ is standard across the lineup, but blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert start on LE, while parking sensors and the surround-view camera are reserved for higher trims.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?

This is a moderate market, so you can shop selectively without expecting deep discounts everywhere.

• Deal availability: 36.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 779 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.55% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 79.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $32,507, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid's resale value?

The current average of $33,475 sits slightly below last year's $34,350.

That softer pricing can help you buy more confidently now, but it also suggests the model has already absorbed some of its recent depreciation. For a future seller, that means resale value will depend heavily on condition, mileage, and how well the vehicle has been maintained.

Because the Highlander Hybrid is a practical family SUV with strong efficiency, it should continue to attract shoppers who value low running costs. Well-kept examples are likely to remain easier to move than neglected ones, especially if they have clean history reports and desirable equipment.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.86/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid safe?

The Highlander earns a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, but in frontal-impact crash tests, it earned four-star ratings for the driver and front passenger.

It earns an 8/10 safety score from our experts.

Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ is standard and includes intersection support, emergency steering assistance, adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, lane-departure warning, and lane-keep assist. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are not standard on the base trim, and you need to move up to LE to get them.

The main caveat is that the lane-centering system can feel overly sensitive, and the adaptive cruise control can be uneven in some situations. The available safety tech is strong overall, but you should still test it on your own drive to make sure it feels natural to you.

Should I buy a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 36.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 79.8% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.55% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.86/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It adds improved headlights and Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $31,477, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $33,475 average.
• It brings a major redesign and a more modern hybrid foundation.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $35,451, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $33,475 average.
• It emphasizes efficiency and value with broad appeal.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, efficiency, and family usefulness, the 2021 is the sensible target. If you are especially price-sensitive, the 2020 can save you money while still delivering the core hybrid formula. If you want to spend more for a newer-year alternative, the 2022 is worth comparing, but the 2021 remains the sweet spot for many used shoppers.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 13, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.