Used 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid for Sale nearPhiladelphia, PA

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 771 listings available, which gives you a solid 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. That lines up well with its family-friendly, three-row mission and its appeal if you want practical space without giving up efficiency. The main trade-offs are its uninspired styling, cramped third row, and outdated technology. Even so, the market still shows 35.9% good or great deals, which suggests there are worthwhile listings if you shop carefully.

Is the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid reliable?

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

Owner feedback points to a reliable, trouble-free ownership experience, with praise for comfort, efficiency, and features you can count on over time. The hybrid setup is also framed as a practical long-term choice, especially if you plan to keep the SUV for years. Toyota’s free scheduled maintenance plan for two years or 25,000 miles adds a useful ownership perk. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is making sure the drivetrain and cabin condition still match the model’s strong reputation.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 78.2% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on every candidate and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re considering a higher-mileage example. Focus on cabin condition, third-row usability, and whether the hybrid system feels smooth under acceleration. It’s also worth checking that the tech and safety equipment work as expected, since those are major parts of the ownership experience.

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 some features that appear higher up the range.
• Powertrain: The hybrid uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric-motor hybrid setup, and AWD is optional rather than standard.
• Safety package: Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ adds intersection support and emergency steering assistance. 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 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.

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, and it gives you the hybrid efficiency and core safety tech at the lowest price. It makes the most sense if you want the Highlander Hybrid’s main strengths without paying for extras you may not need.
• XLE: This is the best-value trim if you want a more balanced mix of comfort and equipment. It builds on the LE with a more appealing ownership experience while staying below the luxury-leaning upper trims.
• Limited: This is the trim to target if you want the richer cabin and the upgraded infotainment setup. It also unlocks more of the safety and convenience content that makes the Highlander feel more premium.
• Platinum: This is the most fully equipped version, with the top infotainment system, available head-up display, and standard surround-view camera. It suits you best if you want the most features and are willing to pay for them.

Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ is standard, but blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert start on LE, 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 market for selective buyers, so you can shop with some leverage if you compare listings carefully.

• Deal availability: 35.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 771 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.93% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 78.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $32,517, 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 $32,939 sits slightly below last year's $34,286.

That softer pricing suggests the market has cooled a bit, which can help you buy more confidently now. For a future seller, it also means you should expect resale value to depend heavily on condition, mileage, and equipment. Well-kept examples with strong history reports should stand out more clearly in a market where prices have already eased. 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 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 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. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are not standard on the base trim; you need to move up to LE for those features. The review also notes that the lane-centering system can feel overly sensitive and that adaptive cruise control may brake unevenly at times.

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:

• 35.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 78.2% — 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 on lower trims and an upgraded Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ package.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $31,114, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $32,939 average.
• It brings a major redesign and a more modern foundation.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $35,450, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $32,939 average.
• It emphasizes efficiency and value with accessible pricing.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, inventory, and updated safety content, the 2021 is the smart default. If your budget is tighter, the 2020 can save you money while still delivering the core hybrid appeal.

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 tech and a more stylish look. Both are spacious, but the Highlander Hybrid’s third row and outdated tech are bigger compromises. The Pilot’s stronger overall score reflects a more polished everyday experience, even though its performance and transmission are less appealing.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 27, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.