How much does the 2021 Toyota Highlander cost?

Prices have softened 6.39% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 3,235 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of options to compare.

If you find a listing below $29,183.14, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 Toyota Highlander a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Toyota Highlander earns a 4.86/5 user rating and a 7.5/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Safety at 10/10.

Owners consistently praise its comfort, reliability, spaciousness, and safety features. The user feedback also points to a smooth ride and a high-quality interior, which fits the Highlander’s family-focused mission.

The main trade-offs are its fuel economy, limited configurability of some settings, and an infotainment setup that can feel less flexible than you might want. That said, the Highlander’s three-row layout and comfort-first approach make sense if you want a practical family SUV rather than something sporty.

The model’s appeal is strongest if you want a comfortable, safety-minded three-row SUV for daily family use. With 33.4% of listings marked as good or great deals, you still have room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Toyota Highlander reliable?

Owners rate it 4.86/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

Drivers repeatedly describe it as reliable, and the feedback also emphasizes comfort, smooth operation, and a trouble-free ownership experience. The expert review reinforces that message by calling the 3.5-liter V6 a known commodity and noting that the powertrain is fine for everyday use.

Toyota also frames the Highlander around smooth, predictable operation, which supports the idea that it’s built for dependable daily driving rather than drama. If you’re buying used, the main long-term ownership risk is less about outright mechanical excitement and more about making sure the vehicle was maintained well and still feels as solid as it should.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 77.9% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because accident-free listings are common but not guaranteed. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection if you’re considering a higher-mileage example or one with a lot of family-use wear. Focus on cabin condition, seat wear, and how well the tech and driver-assistance features still function.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The XSE adds a more aggressive appearance package and suspension tuning, while Limited and Platinum lean more upscale. Base and lower trims miss the larger-screen setup found higher in the lineup.
• Powertrain: Every Highlander uses a 3.5-liter V6 with 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic. It’s smooth and predictable, but not especially quick.
• Safety package: Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and intersection support, road-sign assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-tracing assist, and automatic high beams. The suite is standard across the lineup.
• Infotainment: Lower trims use an 8-inch touchscreen, while Limited offers a 12.3-inch screen as an option and Platinum makes it standard. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard, but navigation can be frustrating for some point-of-interest searches.
• Fuel efficiency: The V6 returns 21 mpg city, 29 highway, 24 combined with front-wheel drive, or 20/27/23 with all-wheel drive.

Which 2021 Toyota Highlander trim should I buy?

The 2021 Toyota Highlander is offered in 6 trim levels: LE, XLE, XSE, Limited, Platinum, and Limited AWD.

Here's the short version:

• Base trim: The LE gives you the essentials, but you miss the more upscale feel and larger-screen tech found higher up the range.
• Sweet-spot trim: The XLE is the best value pick if you want a stronger feature mix without jumping into the pricier upper trims.
• Premium/top trim: The Platinum is the most luxurious choice, with the 12.3-inch touchscreen standard and the most upscale overall presentation.
• Off-road trim: None of the trims are aimed at off-road use, so you should shop based on comfort, tech, and value instead.

Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ is standard, so even lower trims get a strong safety foundation.

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

This is a moderate buyer’s market, so you can shop selectively without expecting deep distress pricing.

• Deal availability: 33.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,235 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.39% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 77.9% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $29,183.14, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Toyota Highlander's resale value?

The current average of $30,339 sits slightly below last year's $32,411.

That price movement suggests the market has cooled a bit, which can help you as a buyer today but may temper resale gains if you sell soon. If you buy at the right price, you reduce the risk of taking a bigger depreciation hit later. The Highlander’s strong reputation and broad appeal should still help it hold demand better than many rivals.

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 safe?

The 2021 Toyota Highlander earns a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS and five-star ratings from NHTSA.

It earns a 10/10 safety score from our experts.

Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ is standard, and it includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and intersection support, road-sign assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-tracing assist, and automatic high beams. That gives you a broad set of standard driver-assistance features across the lineup.

The safety story is especially strong here, and there isn’t a major caveat in the test-drive data to offset that result.

Should I buy a 2021 Toyota Highlander 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:

• 33.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 77.9% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.39% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.86/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It adds Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ as standard safety technology.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $28,019, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $30,339 average.
• It emphasizes a quiet, soft ride and a premium-feeling cabin.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $33,336, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $30,339 average.
• It adds more family-focused versatility and standard safety coverage.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of safety, comfort, and current-market pricing, the 2021 is the smart default. If your priority is saving money, the 2020 is the better value play; if you want to spend more for a newer-feeling alternative, the 2022 is worth a look.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from July 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.