The 2021 Toyota Highlander lasts around 300,000 miles with relatively minor brake wear and paint fade issues reported. At $32,550 to $50,250, it’s expensive, but worth the money for a very dependable midsize SUV.
Is the 2021 Toyota Highlander a Good Used SUV?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – 2021 is an excellent year for the Highlander since it offers outstanding reliability paired with a nice cabin. Owner reviews praise the advanced safety features, roomy seats, along with the smooth suspension.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Interior materials are reasonably nice, the seats are comfortable on longer trips, cargo space is also great behind the second row.
- Reliability 10/10 – There are no mechanical problems reported on the 2021 Models from 2009–2023 are all extremely reliable options.
- Performance 7/10 – Performance is okay from the standard V6 engine, although it’s more focused on reliability rather than power.
- Safety 9/10 – The 2021 Highlander is very safe, earning a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests. It comes standard with adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist. Optional upgrades include adaptive headlights along with a head-up display.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – Fuel economy is okay at up to 23 MPG, giving 411 miles of range out of the 17.9 gallon tank. Gas costs are average, at $253 per month.
- Value 8/10 – The 2021 Highlander is more expensive than some other midsize SUVs, although lower depreciation rates and affordable ownership costs make it a great value.
Positive Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Toyota Highlander?
- Consumer Reports says the Highlander is a very smart choice for families looking for a do-it-all vehicle, with high owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds rates the Highlander at 3.6/5, enjoying the very quiet cabin, but doesn’t like the limited cargo space behind the third row.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the Highlander a 4.2/5, praising the standard advanced safety features, but owners don’t like the tight third row.
What Common Problems Does the 2021 Toyota Highlander Have?
Common problems found on the 2021 Toyota Highlander include premature brake wear, paint fading on the roof, along with some transmission issues while changing gears. Overall, the problems are relatively minor compared to some other midsize SUVs on the market, leading to low repair bills.
Premature brake wear is the most widespread complaint on the 2021 Toyota Highlander, showing up at around 10,000 miles. The only way to solve the problem is by replacing the brake pads, which costs around $250, there are some longer lasting brake pads available as well which cost over $300.
Paint fading on the roof is another issue found on the 2021 Highlander in the first 25,000 miles. Leaving a vehicle in direct sunlight will cause the paint to fade, especially on large flat surfaces like the roof. Some people can fix the fading issues by polishing and then protecting the roof with a ceramic coating, while others have repainted the roof for around $1,000.
Transmission issues while changing gears, primarily flaring, which is where the engine revs mid-shift, is another complaint. There is a software update available for the transmission which fixes the issue. Most dealerships will install this update for free, while some will charge around $50.
There are no recalls on the 2021 Toyota Highlander, which means that Toyota has not found any serious mechanical issues or safety problems.
How Long Will the 2021 Toyota Highlander Last?
A well-maintained 2021 Toyota Highlander can last over 300,000 miles, which is longer than some other midsize SUVs like the Honda Pilot. Regular annual maintenance costs are cheaper than many competitors, according to data provided by Repair Pal, at $439 per year.
As a used 2021 Toyota Highlander reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history, owners should be prepared to replace the brake light switch for $125, fuel filter costing $375, along with the wheel hubs which cost $435.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is excellent, offering a standard 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Optional upgrades include a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen along with a JBL stereo system.
Standard safety technology is fantastic and includes:
- Forward collision warning
- Automatic emergency braking
- Lane departure warning
- Automatic high-beam headlights
- Traffic sign recognition
- Rear-seat reminder
- Pedestrian detection
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane keep assist
- Rearview camera
- Lane trace assist
Optional advanced driver assistance features include:
- Blind spot monitoring
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Adaptive headlights
- Rearview mirror camera
- Surround-view parking camera system
- Rear cross traffic alert
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers
- Head-up display
Is the 2021 Toyota Highlander a Good Value?
Yes, the 2021 Toyota Highlander is a good value since it offers plenty of passenger room while being very reliable. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $32,550 to $50,250, making it more than a Jeep Cherokee or Ford Edge. When new, the price range was $35,085 to $49,190. Depreciation is better than other SUVs, only losing around 4% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Toyota Highlander?
There are six main models of the 2021 Toyota Highlander offered, from the base L model all the way through to the more luxurious Platinum. The Highlander comes standard with front-wheel drive, while all-wheel drive is available as an optional upgrade.
L is the entry-level model with:
- Alloy Wheels
- Cloth Upholstery
- LED Headlights
- Remote Keyless Entry and Ignition
- Power-Adjustable Driver’s Seat
- Tri-Zone Automatic Climate Control
- Second And Third-Row 60/40-Split Folding Seats
- 8-Inch Touchscreen
- Onboard Wi-Fi Hotspot
- Toyota Safety Sense
- Six-Speaker Audio System
LE is a step up, adding:
- Fog Lights
- Height-Adjustable Power Liftgate
- Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
XLE is next in the lineup with:
- Roof Rails
- Sunroof
- Wireless Charging Pad
- Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror
- SofTex Simulated Leather Upholstery
- Heated Front Seats
- Second-Row Captain’s Chairs
- Larger Driver Information Display
XSE has upgrades including:
- Sport-Tuned Suspension
- Interior Ambient Lighting
- Unique Sport Exterior Trim
Limited is more luxurious with:
- Hands-Free Liftgate
- Leather Upholstery
- Ventilated Front Seats
- Heated Steering Wheel
- Household Power Outlet
- Intercom System
- 11-Speaker JBL Stereo System
Platinum is the flagship model which has:
- Panoramic Sunroof
- Premium Leather Seating
- Heated Rear Seats
- 3-Inch Touchscreen
What Engines Come In the Toyota Highlander?
The engine found in the 2021 Highlander is a 3.5-liter V6 that generates 295 horsepower. This engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The combined fuel economy for the V6 engine is rated at 23 miles per gallon (MPG) for front-wheel-drive models and 22 MPG for all-wheel-drive models. As for its 0-60 mph acceleration, the 2021 Toyota Highlander with the V6 engine can reach the mark in around 6.7 seconds.
What Colors Does the Toyota Highlander Come In?
How Comfortable Is the Toyota Highlander?
The 2021 Toyota Highlander is known for its comfortable and spacious cabin, offering an enjoyable ride for passengers and drivers alike. The interior is designed with high-quality materials, providing a premium feel and a quiet atmosphere. Seating in the Highlander can accommodate up to eight people, with a standard second-row bench seat or optional captain’s chairs, which reduce the seating capacity to seven. Passengers in the first and second rows enjoy ample legroom and headroom, providing a comfortable ride even during long drives.
The Highlander comes with various features that enhance overall comfort, such as a power-adjustable driver’s seat, tri-zone automatic climate control, and available options like heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and second-row sunshades. The suspension system is well-tuned to provide a smooth and composed ride, effectively absorbing road imperfections.
How Much Storage Space Does the Toyota Highlander Have?
The 2021 Toyota Highlander offers a versatile and spacious interior designed to accommodate both passengers and cargo. With three rows of seats, it has a total cargo capacity of 84.3 cubic feet when both the second and third rows are folded down. With just the third row folded, the storage space is reduced to 48.4 cubic feet, while keeping all seats up leaves you with 16 cubic feet of cargo room behind the third row.
To give you an idea of the items that can fit in the 2021 Toyota Highlander, when fully maximized with 84.3 cubic feet of space, you can easily fit larger items such as bicycles, camping gear, or even a small kayak. With 48.4 cubic feet of space, it can accommodate multiple suitcases, a stroller, or a week’s worth of groceries. When utilizing the 16 cubic feet of space behind the third row, you can still store smaller items like backpacks, shopping bags, or a cooler for a day trip.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The fourth generation of the Toyota Highlander was introduced for the 2020 model year.
2015: No changes from earlier years.
2016: Towing package offered on V6 models.
2017: Toyota Safety Sense standard on all models, more powerful upgraded V6 engine, new front grille and LED headlights.
2018: No major updates from earlier years.
2019: Minor exterior styling changes.
2020: Fully redesigned for the fourth generation with new styling, engines, and more upgraded technology.
2021: New XSE model introduced with sportier suspension.
How Does the Toyota Highlander Compare to the Competition?
The 2021 Toyota Highlander is a very nice midsize SUV, offering plenty of passenger room, high reliability ratings, along with the latest safety technology.
The Honda Pilot is another midsize SUV which is available for around $2,000 less. Passenger room in the third row is better in the Honda Pilot, while the Toyota Highlander comes standard with more safety technology. We recommend the Toyota Highlander, although both are very good midsize SUVs.
The Hyundai Palisade is a competitor, which is available for about $3,000 less. Interior materials are more luxurious in the Hyundai Palisade, while the Toyota Highlander has a better predicted long-term reliability score. We recommend the Toyota Highlander since it will be cheaper to own as it ages, but both are nice choices.
