Used 2021 Toyota Highlander for Sale near North Carolina

How much does the 2021 Toyota Highlander cost?

Prices have softened 5.91% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 3,405 listings available, which suggests you have a healthy amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Toyota Highlander a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Toyota Highlander earns a 4.86/5 user rating and a 7.5/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Safety at 10/10.

Owners consistently praise its comfort, reliability, and features, and they also call out the smooth ride and spacious cabin. That lines up with the Highlander’s family-first mission, especially if you want a three-row SUV that is easy to live with and puts comfort ahead of excitement.

The trade-offs are clear: the styling is uninspired, the base engine is underwhelming, and the technology feels outdated. In practical terms, that means you should buy it for everyday family duty, not for driving thrills.

Good and great deals account for 37.6% of listings, so there is still room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Toyota Highlander reliable?

Owners rate it 4.86/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

User feedback repeatedly points to reliability, comfort, and a trouble-free ownership experience, with many drivers saying they feel confident counting on it day to day. The expert review also emphasizes smooth, predictable operation and a reputation for reliability, which reinforces the Highlander’s dependability story.

Toyota’s maintenance perk language is not included in the source data, but the ownership profile still reads as reassuring for used buyers. Your main long-term risk is that a neglected example could amplify the model’s already modest fuel-economy and tech shortcomings.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 76.9% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on any candidate, even if it looks clean on the listing page. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that checks the cabin electronics, driver-assistance functions, and overall interior condition, since the Highlander’s value is tied heavily to comfort and features. Focus on how well the vehicle has been maintained, because a clean, well-kept example is more likely to deliver the smooth, family-friendly experience you want.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The lineup ranges from the LE through the Platinum, and the XSE adds a more aggressive look plus suspension tuning and an appearance package. The Limited sits just below the Platinum and brings a more upscale cabin feel, while the Platinum is the top-tier trim with the largest touchscreen standard.
• Powertrain: Every Highlander uses a 3.5-liter V6 with 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic and either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The setup is smooth and predictable rather than quick, and the XSE adds firmer suspension tuning for shoppers who want a little more road feel.
• Safety package: Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ is standard and includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and intersection support, road-sign assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-tracing assist, and automatic high beams. There are no trim-level gaps called out in the source data.
• Infotainment: Lower trims use an 8-inch touchscreen, while the 12.3-inch screen is optional on Limited and standard on Platinum. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard across the lineup, and the larger screen is described as bright, crisp, and fast.
• Fuel efficiency: The V6 returns 21 mpg city, 29 highway, 24 combined with front-wheel drive, or 20/27/23 with all-wheel drive.

Which 2021 Toyota Highlander trim should I buy?

The 2021 Toyota Highlander is offered in 6 trim levels: LE, XLE, XSE, Limited, Platinum, and the base trim.

Here's the short version:

• base trim: This is the entry point if you want the lowest starting price, but you give up the more upscale cabin feel and larger-screen tech found higher up the range.
• LE: This is the value-minded choice if you want the Highlander experience without stretching too far up the price ladder.
• XLE: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds more comfort and convenience without jumping all the way to luxury pricing.
• XSE: Choose this if you want the sportier look and the firmer suspension tuning, but it is more about style and feel than true performance.
• Limited: This is the sweet spot if you want the upscale interior treatment and the available 12.3-inch touchscreen.
• Platinum: Pick this if you want the most fully equipped Highlander, including the big screen as standard.

Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ is standard across the lineup.

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

This is a moderate buyer’s market, so you can shop selectively without expecting deep distress pricing.

• Deal availability: 37.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,405 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.91% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 76.9% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $29,153, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Toyota Highlander's resale value?

The current average of $29,674 sits slightly below last year's $31,537.

That price movement 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 rather than on broad market appreciation. Well-kept examples with desirable features should hold up better than neglected ones, especially because family buyers tend to reward clean, comfortable SUVs.

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 safe?

The 2021 Toyota Highlander earns five-star ratings from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS.

It earns a 10/10 safety score from our experts.

Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ is standard, and it includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and intersection support, road-sign assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-tracing assist, and automatic high beams. That gives you a broad standard safety suite across the lineup.

The main takeaway is that safety is one of the Highlander’s strongest reasons to buy, especially if you want a family SUV with a long list of standard driver-assistance features.

Should I buy a 2021 Toyota Highlander 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:

• 37.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 76.9% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.91% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.86/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Toyota adds more standard safety-feature technology this year.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $27,507, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $29,674 average.
• It emphasizes comfort, quietness, and a premium-feeling ride.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $32,142, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $29,674 average.
• It leans into family versatility with easy-to-use tech and standard safety features.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, safety, and family-friendly comfort, the 2021 is the strongest all-around pick. If your budget is tighter, the 2020 is the better value play; if you want to spend more for a newer-feeling alternative, the 2022 is worth a look.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 6, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.