Used 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid cost?

Prices have softened 4.05% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 803 listings available, which gives you a decent amount of inventory to compare before you buy.

Is the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid a good car?

Yes — 4.86/5 owners’ rating points to strong owner satisfaction, and the expert rating is 6.67/10. The model scores 8/10 across Cost effectiveness, Technology, and Safety.

Owners consistently praise the excellent fuel efficiency, comfort, and spacious interior, and they also like the advanced safety features and smooth, quiet ride. For family buyers who want a practical three-row hybrid with strong everyday usability, that combination is a major draw.

The trade-offs are clear: the third row can feel cramped, the styling is uninspired, and the technology is described as outdated. That means you should expect a vehicle that prioritizes usefulness and efficiency over excitement or visual flair.

The Highlander Hybrid fits best if you want a family-focused SUV with space, efficiency, and safety at the center of the ownership experience. With 34.6% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid reliable?

Owners rate it 4.86/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction. The owner feedback also points to a reliable, comfortable, and trouble-free ownership experience, with buyers especially valuing the smooth ride, fuel efficiency, and practical interior.

The expert review reinforces that this is a vehicle you can count on for everyday family duty, especially because it delivers strong efficiency and a calm highway demeanor. It also notes Toyota’s free scheduled maintenance plan for two years or 25,000 miles, which adds a helpful ownership perk.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about outright durability and more about living with the hybrid’s compromises, especially if you expect lively performance or a roomy third row.

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 run a history report on any candidate, even if the listing looks clean. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on interior condition, infotainment operation, and how the hybrid powertrain feels under acceleration. If you plan to use the third row often, make sure it works for your passengers before you commit.

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; the base trim also misses blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, which become standard on the LE.
• Powertrain: The hybrid uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric-motor setup and an E-CVT. It is tuned for efficiency rather than excitement, and the drivetrain can sound strained when you accelerate hard or climb hills.
• 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 a surround-view camera is standard on Platinum.
• Infotainment: Every model includes Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The standard screen is 8 inches, while the top system uses a 12.3-inch touchscreen; wireless phone integration and over-the-air updates are not mentioned.
• 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 strengths: strong efficiency, standard infotainment connectivity, and Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+. It makes sense if you want the lowest-cost path into the hybrid lineup and can live without the extra convenience and safety features found higher up.
• XLE: This is the best-value choice for many shoppers because it adds more comfort and convenience without jumping all the way to the luxury-oriented trims. If you want a more complete family SUV without overspending, this is the trim to focus on.
• Limited: This is the sweet spot if you want a more upscale cabin and more available tech. It also unlocks features like front and rear parking sensors, and it can be equipped with the top infotainment system and surround-view camera.
• Platinum: This is the most fully equipped version, with the most premium feature set and standard surround-view camera. Choose it if you want the most content and are willing to pay for it.

Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ is standard, but blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert start on the LE trim, while parking sensors and the surround-view camera move up the lineup.

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

This looks like a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop with some leverage if you stay patient.

• Deal availability: 34.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 803 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.05% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 79.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $32,516, 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 $33,519 sits slightly below last year's $34,934.

That decline suggests the market has eased a bit, which can help you buy more confidently now. For a future seller, it also means you should expect resale value to depend heavily on condition, mileage, and how well the vehicle has been maintained.

Because the Highlander Hybrid has strong owner satisfaction and broad family appeal, well-kept examples should continue to attract buyers. 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 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid earned a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS, and it received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA; 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 it includes forward-collision warning with 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 part of the base Highlander L, but they are standard on the LE trim, while front and rear parking sensors begin with Limited and the surround-view camera is standard on Platinum.

One caveat is that the lane-centering system can feel overly sensitive, and the adaptive cruise control may brake unevenly at times. Even so, the overall safety package is strong and well suited to family use.

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:

• 34.6% 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 4.05% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.86/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 adds the sporty XSE trim, improved headlights, and upgraded Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $32,000, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $33,519 average.
• It launched the redesigned hybrid with a new engine and two electric motors.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $35,951, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $33,519 average.
• It emphasizes efficiency and value with accessible pricing.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, safety updates, and market availability, the 2021 is the primary year to target. If you are especially price-sensitive, the 2020 can save you money, while the 2022 is worth considering only if you find a cleaner or better-equipped example that justifies the higher asking price.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 11, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.