How much does the 2021 Toyota Highlander cost?

Prices have softened 6.09% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 3,232 listings available, which gives you a healthy amount of inventory to compare.

If you find a listing below $29,156.59, 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 4.86/5 user rating points to strong owner satisfaction, and the expert rating is 7.5/10.

The standout strength is Safety at 10/10.

Owners consistently praise the Highlander for its comfort, reliability, spaciousness, and features. The smooth ride and high-quality interior also come up often, which fits its family-focused mission. On the other hand, some drivers mention fuel economy and limited configurability as drawbacks, and the expert review notes that the base engine can feel underwhelming and the technology can seem outdated.

That mix makes the Highlander a strong fit if you want a comfortable, reliable three-row SUV for everyday family use rather than something sporty. Good and great deals account for 33.6% of listings, so there are still some attractive opportunities in the market.

Is the 2021 Toyota Highlander reliable?

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

The owner feedback repeatedly points to reliability, comfort, and a trouble-free ownership experience, with many drivers saying they feel confident in the Highlander’s long-term dependability. The expert review also frames the powertrain as a known commodity and emphasizes smooth, predictable operation, which supports the case for steady day-to-day use. Toyota also includes the first scheduled maintenance visit at no extra charge.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about outright durability and more about finding a well-kept example with the right maintenance history.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 77.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the report carefully, because a clean listing percentage does not replace a proper history review. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re considering a higher-mileage example or a vehicle with incomplete service records. Focus on overall condition, interior wear, and whether the features you care about work as expected.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Highlander lineup includes a clear spread from more basic versions to upscale trims, and the base setup misses some of the richer cabin touches and visual polish found higher up. The Limited trim sits just below Platinum and brings a more upscale look and feel.
• Powertrain: Every Highlander uses a 3.5-liter V6 with 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic and available front-wheel or all-wheel drive. 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. These features are standard across the lineup.
• Infotainment: Lower trims use an 8-inch touchscreen, while the 12.3-inch screen is available on Limited and standard on Platinum. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard, but the navigation system can be inconsistent with points of interest.
• Fuel efficiency: The V6 returns 21 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined with front-wheel drive, or 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined 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 the base Highlander.

Here's the short version:

• Base trim: This is the entry point, but it lacks the more upscale presentation and larger-screen tech found higher in the lineup.
• Sweet-spot trim: XLE is the best value if you want a stronger feature mix without jumping into the pricier upper trims.
• Premium/top trim: Platinum is the most luxurious choice, with the standard 12.3-inch touchscreen and the most upscale overall presentation.
• Off-road trim: None of the trims here are aimed at off-road use.

Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ is standard, so you get the core driver-assistance suite even on the lower trims.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, with enough inventory to shop carefully and enough deal activity to find value.

• Deal availability: 33.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,232 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.09% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 77.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $29,156.59, 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 $30,064 sits slightly below last year's $32,013.

That price movement suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy at a more favorable entry point today. If you plan to sell later, the current softness may limit short-term appreciation, but it also means your purchase price is less inflated than it was a year ago. Strong demand for family-friendly, well-rated SUVs should still help support values over time.

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 five-star ratings from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from IIHS.

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

Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ is standard and 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 standard safety package across the lineup.

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:

• 33.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 77.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.09% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.86/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Toyota adds Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ as standard equipment this year.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $27,982, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $30,064 average.
• It emphasizes a quiet cabin and soft ride.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $33,016, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $30,064 average.
• It adds more versatility and a broader family-focused package.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, safety, and owner satisfaction, the 2021 is the strongest all-around pick. If your priority is spending less, the 2020 is the value play; if you want to spend more for a newer-feeling package, the 2022 is the next step up.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 14, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.