Used 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid for Sale nearModesto, CA

How much does the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid cost?

Prices have softened 3.33% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 816 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of options 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, spacious interior, and advanced safety features. They also highlight the smooth, quiet ride and the comfort it offers for family use. The main trade-offs are the cramped third row and the engine noise that can become more noticeable under acceleration.

That lines up with the Highlander Hybrid’s family-first mission: you’re getting a practical three-row SUV that prioritizes efficiency and everyday usability over excitement. With 36.8% of listings marked as good or great deals, the market still offers some attractive opportunities.

Is the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid reliable?

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

The owner feedback points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience, with repeated praise for comfort, efficiency, and features you can count on over time. The expert review also emphasizes that the hybrid setup is built for long-term practicality, and it notes Toyota’s free scheduled maintenance plan for two years or 25,000 miles.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is less about outright durability and more about living with the hybrid’s noisy, strained powertrain when you ask for hard acceleration.

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

At 74.4% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the listing price looks unusually attractive. Focus on body condition, signs of prior repair, and whether the cabin and technology features still work as expected. Because this model is often bought for family duty, it’s also worth checking for wear that comes from heavy daily use.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The hybrid is offered in LE, XLE, Limited, and Platinum specifications. The lower trims get improved headlights, while the Limited and Platinum bring a more upscale cabin presentation and additional equipment. The base-level feature set is more modest, so you should compare equipment carefully if you want the best value.
• Powertrain: The hybrid uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 243 hp, and front-wheel drive is the default. AWD is optional rather than standard, and the setup is tuned for efficiency more than driving enjoyment.
• Safety package: Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ is standard, and it adds intersection support and emergency steering assistance. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert move up from the base Highlander L to the LE trim, while front and rear parking sensors start with Limited 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 Limited and Platinum can get a 12.3-inch touchscreen; wireless phone integration is not mentioned.
• 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, and the 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 to the hybrid lineup, and it makes the most sense if you want the Highlander Hybrid’s core efficiency and family-friendly space at the lowest price. It also gets the upgraded safety equipment that includes blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, which makes it the best-value trim for many shoppers.
• XLE: This trim is the step up if you want a more comfortable and better-equipped cabin without jumping all the way to the luxury-leaning upper trims. It’s a good middle ground if you want more features but still care about value.
• Limited: This is the trim to target if you want the richer equipment mix, including front and rear parking sensors and the available surround-view camera system. It’s the best fit if you want a more premium feel and more convenience tech.
• Platinum: This is the most fully equipped version, with the largest infotainment screen, standard surround-view camera system, and available head-up display. Choose it if you want the most advanced feature set 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, and parking sensors begin with Limited.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, with enough inventory to shop carefully and enough deal activity to make timing matter.

• Deal availability: 36.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 816 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.33% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 74.4% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $32,510, 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 $32,979 sits slightly below last year's $34,115.

That softer pricing suggests the model has become a little more accessible for used buyers, which can help keep demand steady if you decide to sell later. Because the Highlander Hybrid is positioned around efficiency, space, and safety, it should continue to appeal to family shoppers looking for a practical three-row SUV. The current price trend also gives future sellers a useful benchmark: if you buy well now, you may have a better chance of preserving value relative to a higher entry point.

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 earns a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, though it received 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 standard, and it includes forward-collision warning with 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 Highlander L, and they move up to the LE trim. Front and rear parking sensors begin with Limited trim, while the surround-view camera system is optional on Limited and standard 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.
• At 74.4% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.33% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.9/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 adds a sporty XSE trim, improved headlights, and upgraded Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $31,278, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $32,979 average.
• It launched the fourth-generation redesign with a new engine and two electric motors.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $35,157, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $32,979 average.
• It emphasizes excellent fuel economy and accessible pricing.

The bottom line: The 2021 is the right pick if you want the updated safety and feature set at a slightly softer price than the next model year. If you’re especially price-sensitive, the 2020 can save you money while still delivering the core hybrid formula.

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 choice if you want fuel efficiency and value, while the Pilot leans more toward easier technology and a more stylish design. Both are spacious family SUVs, but the Highlander Hybrid’s cramped third row and outdated tech are worth weighing against its stronger efficiency.

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 10, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.