How much does the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid cost?

Prices have softened 2.74% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 812 listings available, which suggests you should have some room to compare prices and equipment.

If you find a listing below $32,540.12, 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 — with a 4.86/5 user rating and a 6.67/10 expert rating, this model year lands as a strong fit for shoppers who value practicality over excitement. 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 a family-friendly feature set.

The trade-offs are clear: the third row can feel cramped for taller passengers, and the engine can get louder than expected when you accelerate hard. That lines up with the broader use case here — a three-row SUV built for efficiency, cargo space, and everyday family duty rather than driving fun.

With 35.5% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have a decent chance of finding a competitive price if you shop carefully.

Is the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid reliable?

Owners rate it 4.86/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction. The owner summary also points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience, with praise for comfort and efficiency that tends to matter over the long haul.

The expert review reinforces that this is a vehicle built for steady family use, with a hybrid setup that prioritizes efficiency and everyday practicality. Toyota also includes free scheduled maintenance for two years or 25,000 miles, which helps reduce early ownership friction.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about basic dependability and more about living with the hybrid’s compromises if you expect strong performance or a quiet, refined powertrain under load.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 80.8% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because accident-free status does not replace a proper inspection. Pay close attention to the third row, infotainment usability, and any signs that the vehicle has been used heavily as a family hauler. A pre-purchase inspection should focus on condition, wear, and whether the equipment level matches what you expect for the price.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: Base versions miss some convenience and safety equipment, including blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, which start on the LE trim. Higher trims add more comfort and camera features, so you should compare equipment carefully.
• Powertrain: The hybrid uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder setup with 36 mpg combined, or 35 mpg with AWD. It delivers solid efficiency, but the drivetrain can sound strained under hard acceleration.
• Safety package: Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ adds 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 standard on the base trim.
• Infotainment: Standard equipment includes an 8-inch display, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. A 12.3-inch screen, wireless-style connected upgrades, and a premium JBL audio system are available on higher trims.
• Fuel efficiency: The hybrid is EPA-rated at 36 mpg combined, or 35 mpg with AWD. In testing, it averaged 31.7 mpg, which still reflects strong efficiency for a three-row SUV.

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:

• Base trim: The LE gives you the hybrid’s core efficiency and standard safety tech, but you miss blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
• Sweet-spot trim: The XLE is the best balance if you want more comfort and convenience without jumping to the highest prices.
• Premium/top trim: The Platinum adds the most upscale equipment, including the available head-up display and standard surround-view camera system.
• Off-road trim: None of the trims here are aimed at off-road use, so you should focus on comfort, safety, and value instead.

Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ is standard across the lineup, but the LE is the trim where you most clearly feel the feature gap.

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

This is a moderate buyer’s market, so you can shop selectively without expecting a deep bargain on every listing.

• Deal availability: 35.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 812 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.74% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 80.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $32,540.12, 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 $34,218 sits slightly below last year's $35,181.

That kind of softening suggests the market has become a little more favorable for buyers, but it also means future sellers may need to price competitively. If you buy well now, you may have a better chance of limiting depreciation pressure later.

The model’s strong efficiency and family-friendly appeal should help keep demand steady among shoppers who want a practical three-row SUV. 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 standard and includes 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 standard on the base trim, so you should confirm those features if they matter to you.

The main caveat is that the published IIHS result predates the 2021 headlight update, so the newer lighting may help, but the final score was not confirmed in the review.

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:

• 35.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 80.8% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.74% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.86/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It adds improved headlights on lower trims and Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ updates.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $31,946, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $34,218 average.
• It introduced the redesigned fourth-generation Highlander Hybrid with a new engine and two electric motors.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $36,083, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $34,218 average.
• It keeps the efficiency-first formula while emphasizing accessible pricing and practicality.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, safety, and efficiency, the 2021 is the sensible pick. If you are especially price-sensitive, the 2020 can save you money while still delivering the core hybrid appeal. If you want to spend more for a newer example, the 2022 remains a practical alternative, but the 2021 sits in the sweet spot for many used buyers.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.