Used 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid cost?

Prices have softened 3.37% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 817 listings available, which gives you a meaningful amount of inventory to compare before you buy.

If you find a listing below $32,541.36, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid a good car?

Yes — the 4.86/5 user 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 its excellent fuel efficiency, comfort, spacious interior, and advanced safety features. The review summary also points to a smooth, quiet ride and family-friendly practicality, which fits a three-row SUV aimed at everyday use.

The trade-offs are clear: the third row is cramped for taller passengers, and the technology is described as outdated. The expert review also notes uninspired styling and a driving experience that prioritizes efficiency over enjoyment.

For you, that means this is a smart fit if you want a practical family hauler with strong running-cost appeal rather than a sporty or luxury-leaning SUV. With 29.0% of listings marked as good or great deals, there’s enough market flexibility 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 emphasizes a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience, with repeated praise for comfort, efficiency, and the kind of family-friendly usability that tends to matter over time. The expert review also reinforces that this is a vehicle built around practical, long-term use rather than novelty.

Toyota’s free scheduled maintenance plan for two years or 25,000 miles adds a helpful ownership perk, especially if you plan to keep the SUV for a while. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about outright durability and more about whether the hybrid’s efficiency-focused setup and cabin compromises will suit your needs over time.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 79.9% — 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 the hybrid system, braking feel, cabin condition, and any signs of heavy family use. Pay close attention to the third row and infotainment usability, since those are the areas most likely to affect day-to-day satisfaction.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The hybrid is offered in LE, XLE, Limited, and Platinum specifications, and the base-level feature set is thinner than the higher trims. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are not standard on the lowest trim, so you should check whether the equipment level matches your needs.
• Powertrain: The hybrid uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with electric motors, front-wheel drive as the default, and optional all-wheel drive. It is tuned for efficiency first, with strong fuel economy but limited driving enjoyment.
• Safety package: Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ adds intersection support and emergency steering assistance, along with adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and lane-centering assistance. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert move up from the base trim, while parking sensors and a surround-view camera are reserved for higher trims.
• Infotainment: Standard equipment includes Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa connectivity, plus an 8-inch display. A 12.3-inch touchscreen, navigation, and an 11-speaker JBL audio system are available on higher trims.
• Fuel efficiency: The hybrid is EPA-rated at 36 mpg in combined driving, 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 is also the trim where you need to watch for feature gaps. If you want the lowest purchase price and can live without some convenience and safety extras, it gets you into the hybrid lineup without overpaying for equipment you may not use.
• XLE: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it adds a more complete everyday feature set without pushing you into the highest price brackets. It is the trim to target if you want a balanced mix of comfort, usability, and value.
• Limited: This trim is the sweet spot if you want the more upscale cabin feel and the larger available infotainment setup. It also brings more of the convenience and safety equipment that makes the Highlander Hybrid easier to live with.
• Platinum: This is the most fully equipped choice, with the most premium feature content and the strongest convenience package. Buy this one if you want the most upscale version and are willing to pay for it.

Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ is standard, but blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are not included on the base trim.

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

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

• Deal availability: 29.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 817 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.37% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 79.9% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $32,541.36, 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 $34,010 sits slightly below last year's $35,198.

That softer pricing suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy with less risk of overpaying. If you plan to sell later, the current trend means your upside may be more limited than in a rising market, so condition and mileage will matter even more. Strong maintenance history and clean accident records should help you protect value better than average.

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 earned a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS for the 2020 calendar year, and NHTSA gave it a five-star overall rating. In frontal-impact crash tests, it earned four-star ratings for the driver and front passenger.

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

Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ is the standard driver-assistance suite, and it includes intersection support, emergency steering assistance, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and lane-centering assistance. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are not standard on the base trim, and parking sensors plus the surround-view camera are reserved for higher trims.

The main caveat is that the IIHS result for the 2021 model was still pending in the review, even though the new headlights were expected to improve the score. The frontal crash-test detail also shows that the SUV did not earn perfect marks across every NHTSA sub-test.

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:

• 29.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 79.9% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.37% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.86/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It adds improved headlights and Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ updates over the prior year.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $32,033, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $34,010 average.
• It launched the fourth-generation redesign and established the hybrid’s efficiency-first identity.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $36,202, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $34,010 average.
• It keeps the same practical, efficiency-focused formula with strong value appeal.

The bottom line: You should focus on the 2021 if you want the updated safety and lighting improvements without paying the 2022’s higher average price. If you are especially price-sensitive, the 2020 can save you money up front, but the 2021 is the better balanced buy when you want the newer feature set and still want to keep costs in check.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.