Used 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid for Sale near Iowa

How much does the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid cost?

Prices have softened 3.39% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 796 listings available, which gives you a meaningful amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid a good car?

Yes — with a 4.86/5 user rating and an expert rating of 6.67/10, it lands as a strong family-focused choice. The model scores 8/10 across Cost effectiveness, Technology, and Safety.

Owners repeatedly praise its excellent fuel efficiency, comfort, spacious interior, and advanced safety features. The review feedback also points to a smooth and quiet ride, which fits the Highlander Hybrid’s role as a practical three-row SUV for families.

The trade-offs are clear: the third row can feel cramped for taller passengers, and some drivers notice more engine noise when accelerating. The expert review also calls out uninspired styling and outdated technology, so you should expect utility over excitement.

If you want a versatile hybrid SUV that prioritizes space, efficiency, and safety, this year’s Highlander Hybrid fits that brief well. With 31.9% of listings marked as good or great deals, the market gives you 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 emphasizes that it feels dependable in daily use, with a smooth, quiet ride and the kind of comfort and efficiency that make it easy to live with over time.

The expert review reinforces that sense of durability by describing the hybrid as a practical, family-oriented SUV that delivers strong fuel economy and a calm driving experience around town and on the freeway. Toyota’s free scheduled maintenance plan for two years or 25,000 miles also helps reduce early ownership friction.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about outright failure and more about whether the vehicle’s condition matches its mileage and family-use history.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 79.6% — 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 interior wear, third-row condition, and signs of heavy family use. If you plan to carry passengers often, make sure the cabin layout and seat condition match your needs.

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 electric motors, front-wheel drive as standard, and optional all-wheel drive. It is tuned for efficiency first, with EPA-rated combined fuel economy of 36 mpg, or 35 mpg with AWD.
• Safety package: Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ 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.
• Infotainment: Every 2021 Highlander includes Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa connectivity. The standard system uses an 8-inch display, while the top setup brings a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless-style connected services trials, and available premium audio 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, and the expert review notes that the efficiency gains come with a noticeable trade-off in driving enjoyment.

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 efficiency and the standard safety and infotainment basics. It makes sense if you want the lowest-cost path into the model and can live without the extra convenience and safety content on higher trims.
• XLE: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds more comfort and family-friendly equipment without pushing you all the way to luxury pricing. If you want a balanced mix of features and value, this is the trim to focus on first.
• Limited: This trim is the sweet spot if you want a more upscale cabin and the stronger tech presentation, including the larger touchscreen setup. It also unlocks more of the safety and convenience content that makes the Highlander Hybrid feel more complete.
• Platinum: Choose this if you want the most fully equipped version, including the available head-up display and standard surround-view camera system. It is the right pick if you want the most premium Highlander Hybrid experience 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 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’s market, so you can shop with some leverage if you are patient.

• Deal availability: 31.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 796 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.39% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 79.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $32,518, 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 $33,392 sits slightly below last year's $34,564.

That softer pricing suggests the model has already moved through some of its depreciation pressure, which can help future sellers if demand stays steady. Because the Highlander Hybrid has strong owner satisfaction and a clear family-use identity, it should remain appealing to shoppers who want efficiency and practicality in a three-row SUV.

For you, that means resale should be helped by the model’s reputation for comfort, fuel savings, and safety. Well-kept examples with clean history and desirable trims should hold buyer interest better than neglected ones.

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 earns a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS, and it earns five-star ratings overall from NHTSA, with 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 and emergency steering assistance for 2021. Standard features also include adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, lane-departure warning, and lane-keep assist.

There are a few trim-level gaps to keep in mind. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are not standard on the base trim, front and rear parking sensors start 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:

• 31.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 79.6% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.39% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.86/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It adds the sporty XSE trim, improved headlights on lower trims, and upgraded Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $31,494, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $33,392 average.
• It is the most fuel-efficient Highlander Hybrid yet and brings a major makeover.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $35,614, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $33,392 average.
• It emphasizes excellent fuel economy and accessible pricing.

The bottom line: You should start with the 2021 if you want the best mix of current pricing, strong safety content, and broad family appeal. If your priority is saving money above all else, the 2020 is the better value play; if you want to compare against a slightly newer model, the 2022 is worth a look but costs more.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 29, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.