Used 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid cost?

Prices have softened 3.93% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 815 listings available, which suggests you have a workable amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid a good car?

Yes — it earns a 4.9/5 user rating and a 6.7/10 expert rating. 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 Highlander Hybrid also fits well if you want a practical three-row family SUV with strong everyday usability and a quiet, smooth ride.

The trade-offs are that the third row can feel cramped for taller passengers, and the engine can sound louder than expected when you accelerate hard. It is best suited to you if practicality, efficiency, and family-friendly space matter more than driving excitement or flashy design.

36.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid reliable?

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

Owners describe it as dependable, comfortable, and well suited to long-term family use, with praise for its smooth ride and advanced safety features. The expert review also points to strong cost-effectiveness over time, including a hybrid setup that can save money for buyers planning to keep the SUV for years.

Toyota’s free scheduled maintenance plan for two years or 25,000 miles adds a helpful ownership perk. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that a neglected example could erase some of the hybrid’s ownership advantages, so condition and service history matter.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 76% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the vehicle history report carefully, because accident-free status does not replace a proper inspection. Pay close attention to the condition of the third row, the infotainment system, and any signs that the hybrid powertrain has been poorly maintained. A thorough test drive should also confirm that the ride, brakes, and driver-assistance systems behave as expected.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The hybrid is offered in LE, XLE, Limited, and Platinum specifications, and the base-level equipment gaps matter because more advanced safety and convenience features arrive as you move up.
• Powertrain: It uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid setup with 243 hp, front-wheel drive as the default, and optional all-wheel drive; the focus is efficiency rather than quick acceleration.
• Safety package: Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ adds intersection support and emergency steering assistance, while blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert start on the LE trim; front and rear parking sensors begin with Limited, and the surround-view camera is standard on Platinum.
• Infotainment: Standard equipment includes an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio trial access, WiFi Connect trial access, and Safety Connect trial access; a 12.3-inch screen is available on Limited and standard on Platinum.
• Fuel efficiency: It is EPA-rated at 36 mpg in combined driving, or 35 mpg with AWD, and the review notes that it can save owners more than $480 annually after the hybrid premium is recouped.

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 efficiency and the core family-friendly package. It makes the most sense if you want the lowest-cost way into the model and can live without the extra convenience and safety upgrades found higher up.
• XLE: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds more comfort and equipment without jumping all the way to the pricier luxury-oriented versions. If you want a balanced mix of features and price, this is the trim to focus on.
• Limited: This trim brings a more upscale feel, including the larger 12.3-inch touchscreen and access to more advanced equipment. It suits you if you want a better-equipped cabin and are willing to pay for it.
• Platinum: This is the most fully equipped version, with the largest infotainment setup, standard surround-view camera system, and available head-up display. Choose it if you want the most technology and convenience the hybrid offers.

Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are standard starting with the LE trim, while front and rear parking sensors begin with Limited and the surround-view camera is standard on Platinum.

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

This is a moderate, selective-buyer market, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 36.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 815 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.93% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 76.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $32,511, 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 $32,886 sits slightly below last year's $34,231.

That softer pricing suggests the model has already absorbed some depreciation, which can help future sellers if they buy at the right price. Because the market has moved down from last year, a well-kept example bought near the lower end of the range may hold up better than one purchased at the top of the market.

Strong owner satisfaction also helps support demand when it is time to sell. 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 Hybrid safe?

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid earned a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS for the 2020 calendar year, and NHTSA gave it five-star overall ratings, though it earned four-star ratings for the driver and front passenger in frontal-impact crash tests.

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

Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ is the standard driver-assistance suite, and it adds intersection support to forward-collision warning plus emergency steering assistance. The system also includes adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and lane-centering assistance.

There are a few trim-level gaps to keep in mind. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert start on the LE trim, front and rear parking sensors begin with Limited, and the surround-view camera system is standard only on Platinum.

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:

• 36.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 76% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.93% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.9/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 adds improved headlights and upgraded Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $31,504, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $32,886 average.
• It launched the fourth-generation redesign with a strong efficiency focus.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $35,361, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $32,886 average.
• It emphasizes excellent fuel economy and accessible pricing.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, efficiency, and available inventory, the 2021 is the smart default. If you are especially price-sensitive, the 2020 can save you money, while the 2022 makes sense only if you find a cleaner or better-equipped example worth the premium.

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

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid:

• Pros: Spacious, Excellent value for money, Fuel-efficient.
• Cons: Uninspired styling, Cramped third row, 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 Hybrid 6.7/10 and the 2021 Honda Pilot 7.2/10. The Highlander Hybrid is the better pick if you care most about fuel efficiency and value, while the Pilot has the edge if you want easier-to-use technology and a more stylish design. Both are spacious, but the Highlander Hybrid’s cramped third row and outdated tech are worth weighing against its efficiency advantage.

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.