How much does the 2021 Toyota Highlander cost?

Prices have softened 6.36% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 3,177 listings available, which gives you a decent amount of inventory to compare.

If you find a listing below $29,184.96, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 Toyota Highlander a good car?

Yes — 4.86/5 is a strong user rating for this model year, and the expert score is 7.5/10.

The standout strength is Safety at 10/10.

Owners consistently praise the Highlander for its comfort, reliability, spaciousness, smooth ride, and high-quality interior. The review feedback also points to strong safety features and a family-friendly overall experience.

The main trade-offs are an underwhelming base engine and technology that can feel dated, with some owners also noting limited configurability in certain settings.

That lines up with the Highlander’s role as a three-row SUV for families who want comfort and practicality more than excitement. Good and great deals account for 33.1% of listings, so you still have 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 vehicle that owners feel good about keeping over time. The expert review also emphasizes smooth, predictable operation and a reputation for reliability, which reinforces the Highlander’s dependability story.

Toyota’s safety suite and the model’s family-focused design add to the sense that this is a vehicle built for steady daily use. If you’re buying used, the main long-term ownership risk is less about outright durability and more about whether the specific example has been maintained well and still feels fresh inside.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 76.6% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because accident-free listings are common but not guaranteed. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on interior wear, electronics, and how the vehicle drives at low and highway speeds. Given the family-hauler mission, pay close attention to seating condition, cargo-area use, and whether the cabin still feels tight and well-kept.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base setup uses an 8-inch touchscreen, while the Limited can be optioned with a 12.3-inch screen and the Platinum gets that larger display standard. The XSE adds a more aggressive appearance package and suspension tuning, but it is not a true performance model.
• 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 front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. It is smooth and predictable, but not especially quick.
• Safety package: Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and intersection support, plus road-sign assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-tracing assist, and automatic high beams. The suite is standard across the lineup.
• Infotainment: Lower trims use an 8-inch touchscreen. A 12.3-inch screen is available on Limited and standard on Platinum. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard, but navigation can be frustrating when searching for points of interest.
• Fuel efficiency: The V6 returns 21 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined with front-wheel drive, or 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined with all-wheel drive. In testing, the AWD model returned 20.5 mpg combined.

Which 2021 Toyota Highlander trim should I buy?

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

Here's the short version:

• Base trim: LE gets you into the Highlander lineup, but you give up the larger screen and the more upscale feel found higher up the range.
• Sweet-spot trim: XLE is the best value for many shoppers because it adds meaningful comfort and convenience without pushing pricing as high as the upper trims.
• Premium/top trim: Platinum is the most luxurious choice, with the 12.3-inch touchscreen standard and the most upscale overall presentation.
• Off-road trim: None of the trims here are aimed at off-road use, so you can focus on comfort, tech, and value instead.

Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ is standard, so you do not need to move up the lineup to get the core driver-assistance package.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop carefully without expecting a deep bargain on every listing.

• Deal availability: 33.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,177 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.36% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 76.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $29,184.96, 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 $30,210 sits slightly below last year's $32,263.

That softer pricing can help you buy more carefully now, but it also means future sellers may need to stay competitive when it is time to list. If you buy well and keep the vehicle in strong condition, you may be better positioned to preserve value than someone who pays near the top of the range today.

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 a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS and five-star ratings from NHTSA.

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 set of driver-assistance features without needing to move up to a higher trim for the core package.

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:

• 33.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 76.6% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.36% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.86/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It adds Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ as standard equipment.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $27,878, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $30,210 average.
• It emphasizes a tranquil ride and a cosseting interior.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $33,248, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $30,210 average.
• It adds more family-focused versatility and standard safety coverage.

The bottom line: The 2021 is the right pick if you want a well-rounded Highlander with strong safety, solid owner satisfaction, and a softer price than last year. If you are especially price-sensitive, the 2020 is worth a look; if you want to spend more for a newer-feeling package, the 2022 is the next step up.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from July 31, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.