Used 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid for Sale nearModesto, CA

How much does the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid cost?

Prices have softened 3.52% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 791 listings available, which gives you a useful amount of inventory to compare before you buy.

Is the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid a good car?

Yes — you’re looking at a 4.86/5 user-rated SUV with an expert rating of 6.67/10. The model scores 8/10 across Cost effectiveness, Technology, and Safety.

Owners consistently praise the fuel efficiency, comfort, and spacious interior, and they also highlight the advanced safety features and smooth, quiet ride. That lines up well with its family-focused mission as a practical three-row crossover that can carry people and cargo without giving up hybrid efficiency.

The trade-offs are clear: the third row can feel cramped, the engine can get noisy under acceleration, and the driving experience is not especially engaging. For you, that means the Highlander Hybrid makes the most sense if you value everyday usefulness, efficiency, and comfort more than sporty road manners.

With 34.6% of listings marked as good or great deals, the market still offers 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.

User feedback points to a reliable, dependable, and trouble-free ownership experience, especially when you factor in the strong satisfaction around comfort, efficiency, and safety. The expert evaluation also emphasizes that the hybrid setup is built for practical daily use and long-term family duty, with the kind of efficiency that makes it easier to live with over time.

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 less about durability and more about whether the vehicle’s condition and maintenance history match its reputation.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 78.9% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a vehicle history report on any candidate, even if the listing looks clean. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you plan to use the third row often or want to confirm that the hybrid system and cabin electronics are in good shape. Focus on interior condition, road noise, and how well the vehicle has been maintained, since those details matter a lot in a family SUV.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The hybrid is offered in LE, XLE, Limited, and Platinum trims. The LE is the entry point, while Limited and Platinum add more upscale equipment; base-trim shoppers should pay close attention to feature gaps, especially if you want a more premium cabin or convenience upgrades.
• Powertrain: The hybrid uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric-motor hybrid system and front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available. It is tuned for efficiency rather than excitement, and the drivetrain can sound strained when you ask for hard acceleration.
• Safety package: Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ is standard and includes forward-collision warning with intersection support, emergency steering assistance, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and lane-keep assist. 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 2021 Highlander includes Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa connectivity. The standard system uses an 8-inch display, while the upgraded setup brings a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless-style connected services trials, and a JBL audio system.
• Fuel efficiency: The hybrid is EPA-rated at 36 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 35 mpg combined with all-wheel drive. In testing, it averaged 31.7 mpg, and the hybrid powertrain can save owners more than $480 annually under the assumptions used in the expert evaluation.

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, so it makes sense if you want the lowest-cost way into the hybrid lineup and are comfortable with fewer luxury touches. It still gets the core hybrid efficiency and standard safety tech, but you should check whether the missing convenience and comfort features matter to you.
• XLE: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds a more complete everyday feature set without pushing you all the way to the top of the range. If you want a balanced mix of equipment, comfort, and price, this is the trim to focus on first.
• Limited: This trim is the sweet spot if you want a more upscale feel, since it brings more premium equipment and unlocks additional tech and safety conveniences. It suits you best if you plan to keep the SUV for family duty and want a richer cabin experience.
• Platinum: This is the most fully equipped version, with the most advanced convenience and safety content in the lineup. Choose it if you want the most feature-rich Highlander Hybrid and are willing to pay for it.

Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are standard starting with LE, 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 looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 34.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 791 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.52% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 78.9% 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 $33,514 sits slightly below last year's $34,736.

That softer pricing suggests the model has already absorbed some depreciation, which can help future sellers if the market stabilizes. If you buy at the right price and keep the vehicle in strong condition, you may be better positioned than someone who paid closer to the peak. The hybrid’s broad family appeal and efficiency-focused reputation should help support demand, especially 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 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid earns a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, but it also earns 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. It also includes 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, so you need to move up to LE for those features.

The safety picture is strong overall, but the frontal-impact sub-ratings are worth noting if you want the full context behind the five-star headline result.

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 78.9% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.52% 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 $32,019, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $33,514 average.
• It launched the redesigned hybrid with a new engine and two electric motors.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $35,789, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $33,514 average.
• It emphasizes efficiency and value with accessible pricing.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of current pricing, strong owner satisfaction, and a well-rounded feature set, the 2021 is the one to target. If your priority is saving money upfront, the 2020 is the better value play; if you want to compare against a slightly newer model, the 2022 is worth a look only if its higher price is justified by the specific listing you find.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 15, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.