Used 2021 Toyota Highlander for Sale nearFayetteville, NC

How much does the 2021 Toyota Highlander cost?

Prices have softened 5.21% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 3,464 listings available, which suggests you should have a reasonable amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Toyota Highlander a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Toyota Highlander earns a 4.9/5 user rating and a 7.5/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Safety at 10/10.

User feedback consistently points to comfort, reliability, and features, with many owners also praising the smooth ride, high-quality interior, spaciousness, and safety features. On the expert side, the Highlander fits well if you want a family-focused three-row SUV that emphasizes comfort and practicality over flash.

The trade-offs are clear: the styling is uninspired, the base engine is underwhelming, and the technology feels outdated. Even so, the Highlander’s mainstream, family-hauling mission makes those compromises easier to accept if your priorities are space, comfort, and safety.

Good and great deals account for 38.0% of listings, so there’s still a meaningful share of the market worth considering.

Is the 2021 Toyota Highlander reliable?

Owners rate it 4.9/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

User feedback highlights reliability, comfort, and a high-quality interior, and it also points to the Highlander as a vehicle owners feel good about keeping for the long haul. The expert review reinforces that with language about smooth, predictable operation and a reputation for reliability.

Toyota also backs the Highlander with a strong safety package, which can help reduce ownership stress over time. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about durability and more about whether the vehicle’s comfort-first setup and older-feeling tech still match your needs.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 76.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on any candidate, even if it looks clean on the listing page. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that checks the cabin electronics, driver-assistance functions, and overall interior condition, since the Highlander’s value is tied heavily to comfort and safety equipment. Focus on whether the vehicle’s features work as intended and whether the cabin shows the kind of wear you’d expect from a family hauler.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The lineup ranges from LE through Platinum, with XSE adding a more aggressive front end, suspension tuning, and an appearance package. Base trims use an 8-inch touchscreen, while the Limited can be optioned with a 12.3-inch screen and the Platinum gets it standard.
• Powertrain: Every Highlander uses a 3.5-liter V6 with 295 horsepower and an eight-speed automatic, with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The setup is smooth and predictable, but it is not built for quick launches or sporty driving.
• Safety package: Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and intersection support, plus 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 get an 8-inch touchscreen, while the Limited can be optioned with a 12.3-inch unit and the Platinum includes it. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard, and the larger screen is bright and crisp.
• Fuel efficiency: The V6 is rated at 21 mpg city, 29 highway, and 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:

• LE: This is the entry point, but it still gives you the Highlander’s core strengths: a comfortable ride, spacious cabin, and standard safety tech. It makes sense if you want the lowest-cost path into the lineup and care more about the basics than luxury touches.
• XLE: This trim adds more equipment and is the better value for many shoppers because it moves you beyond the bare essentials without jumping into the pricier appearance-focused or luxury-oriented trims.
• XSE: Choose this if you want the sportier look and the firmer suspension tuning. It adds visual attitude and a slightly more engaging feel, but it is still not a true performance model.
• Limited: This is the sweet spot if you want the Highlander to feel upscale. The interior materials and available 12.3-inch touchscreen make it the most compelling choice for shoppers who want comfort and a more premium cabin.
• Platinum: Pick this if you want the most fully equipped Highlander. It gets the 12.3-inch touchscreen standard and sits at the top of the range.
• Limited AWD: This is the right call if you want the Limited’s upscale feel with all-wheel drive for added traction.

Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ is standard across the lineup, so you do not need to move up a trim just to get the core safety suite.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 38.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,464 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.21% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 76.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $29,142, 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 $29,317 sits slightly below last year's $30,929.

That decline suggests the market has eased a bit, which can help you as a buyer today but may also temper future resale gains if you plan to sell soon. If prices continue to soften, sellers may need to be more competitive to stand out. On the other hand, the Highlander’s strong reputation and family-friendly appeal should help support demand better than many rivals.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.9/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Toyota Highlander safe?

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

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 driver-assistance features without needing to climb far up the trim ladder.

The main safety takeaway is that the Highlander is built to be a strong family choice, with advanced standard equipment and top-tier crash-test recognition.

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:

• 38.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 76.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.21% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.9/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 adds standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ with intersection support.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $27,242, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $29,317 average.
• It prioritizes comfort with a soft ride and a quiet, relaxed cabin.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $31,952, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $29,317 average.
• It keeps the family-focused formula while emphasizing versatility and easy-to-use technology.

The bottom line: Buy the 2021 if you want the best balance of price, safety, and family-friendly comfort. If you’re more price-sensitive, the 2020 is the value play; if you want to spend more for a newer-feeling alternative, the 2022 is the next step up.

How does the 2021 Toyota Highlander compare to the 2021 Honda Pilot?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 Toyota Highlander:

• Pros: Great ride quality, Comfortable, Spacious.
• Cons: Uninspired styling, Underwhelming base engine, Outdated technology.

2021 Honda Pilot:

• Pros: Spacious, Easy-to-use technology, Stylish design.
• Cons: Fairly pedestrian performance, Irritating transmission.

Our experts score the 2021 Toyota Highlander 7.5/10 and the 2021 Honda Pilot 7.2/10. The Highlander has the edge in expert scoring, while the Pilot counters with a lower average used price and a more affordable starting MSRP. If you care most about ride quality and a more polished comfort-first feel, the Highlander is the stronger pick. If you want easier-to-use tech and a lower entry price, the Pilot is worth a look.

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 3, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.