2021 Toyota Highlander

Overview

Three-row SUVs are the modern-day equivalent of the old-school family station wagon, and the 2021 Toyota Highlander dutifully gets the job done—and then some. Buyers can choose from the standard V-6 engine or go with the fuel-sipping hybrid option (reviewed separately); both powertrains are available with all-wheel drive. Inside, there are three rows of seats—although the rearmost perches are sized for kids or young adults. The nicely-equipped cabin is packed with infotainment features and thoughtful storage cubbies. Toyota also equips every Highlander with an extensive suite of standard driver-assistance features to provide an additional layer of safety. The Highlander's ride is placid and its acceleration performance is adequate, but an apathetic driving demeanor places it just behind top contenders—such as the Kia Telluride and the Hyundai Palisade—in the mid-size SUV class.

Where This Vehicle Ranks

#8 in Best Mid-Size SUVs for 2021

1

Kia Telluride

STARTING AT: $33,415

SHOP Telluride

2

Hyundai Palisade

STARTING AT: $33,860

SHOP Palisade

3

Ford Bronco

STARTING AT: $29,995

SHOP Bronco

4

Mazda CX-9

STARTING AT: $35,385

SHOP CX-9

5

Kia Sorento

STARTING AT: $30,565

SHOP Sorento

8

Toyota Highlander

STARTING AT: $36,300

SHOP Highlander

Compare the 2021 Toyota Highlander with the top vehicles in this segment with our new compare tool.

Compare the top cars

What's New for 2021?

The sporty-looking XSE trim level joins the Highlander lineup for 2021. It punches up the looks with more aggressive exterior styling, unique 20-inch wheels, black exterior accents, and a sportier calibration for the suspension. Elsewhere, LED projection headlamps are now a standard feature and all models receive additional driver-assistance features, including semi-automated emergency steering technology that's designed to help a driver avoid collisions.

What's Your Car Worth?

Car and Driver calculates your car's value in three free and easy steps - using the same Black Book® data dealers use to appraise vehicles.

Get your trade-in value

Pricing and Which One to Buy

In our view, the mid-range XLE is the pick of the litter. It has heated front seats, a wireless smartphone-charging pad, and a power sunroof, among other niceties. We'd also spring for the Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation package, which brings in-dash navigation and an upgraded stereo system. All-wheel drive will add $1600 to the bottom line. And opting for the hybrid powertrain over the standard V-6 will cost an extra $1400.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The Highlander comes with a 295-hp 3.5-liter V-6, which pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission and either front- or all-wheel drive. During a brief test drive, we found the V-6 could tackle short on-ramps without straining; at our test track, our all-wheel drive test vehicle made it to 60 mph in reasonably-quick 6.7 seconds. Handling is unexciting but stable, and the ride is perfectly suitable for family-chauffeur duty. More driving enjoyment can be found in the Mazda CX-9.

View Photos

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The EPA estimates that the Highlander V-6 will deliver up to 29 mpg on the highway when equipped with front-wheel drive; all-wheel drive cuts that by 2 mpg. We've tested the standard Highlander on our 200-mile highway fuel-economy route, where it delivered the 28 mpg.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Base L and mid-range LE models can seat eight passengers using bench seats in the second and third rows, but a seven-seat arrangement with second-row captain's chairs is available on higher trims. Passenger space is more generous here than in the CX-9, but not as spacious as in the Chevrolet Traverse, especially in the third row. Materials throughout the cabin are much improved over those in the last-generation Highlander. Upscale Limited and Platinum models provide the most creature comforts but compared with the features proffered by the Palisade or Telluride, they fall short. The cargo area behind the third row fit a mere four carry-on suitcases; the Traverse fit six.

View Photos

Infotainment and Connectivity

An 8.0-inch infotainment system comes standard on most trims, but the Highlander Limited and Platinum get a 12.3-inch display. An 11-speaker JBL audio system is available. Toyota provides SiriusXM satellite radio, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration for all models.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Overall Safety Rating (NHTSA)

View Crash Test Results

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has given the Highlander a five-star safety rating; the Highlander was also named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). As is the Toyota way, the 2021 Highlander offers a standard suite of driver-assistance features. The package includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and automatic high-beam headlamps. Key safety features include:

• Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
• Standard blind-spot monitoring with rear-cross-traffic alert
• Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Toyota's warranty coverage adheres to the norm of the segment; however, buyers get two years of complimentary scheduled maintenance, which is a nice perk that most rivals don't offer.

• Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
• Complimentary maintenance is covered for two years or 25,000 miles

Specifications

Specifications

2020 Toyota Highlander AWD

VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 7-passenger, 4-door wagon

PRICE AS TESTED
$51,112 (base price: $49,920)

ENGINE TYPE
DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement
211 in³, 3456 cm³
Power
295 hp @ 6600 rpm
Torque
263 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm

TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic

CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): struts/multilink
Brakes (F/R): 13.3-in vented disc/13.3-in disc
Tires: Goodyear Eagle Touring, 235/55R-20 102V M+S

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 112.2 in
Length: 194.9 in
Width: 76.0 in
Height: 68.1 in
Passenger volume: 132 ft³
Cargo volume: 16 ft³
Curb weight: 4504 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS
Rollout, 1 ft: 0.3 sec
60 mph: 6.7 sec
100 mph: 18.2 sec
110 mph: 23.3 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 7.2 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 3.5 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 5.3 sec
¼-mile: 15.3 sec @ 93 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 114 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 167 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.85 g

C/D FUEL ECONOMY
75-mph highway driving: 28 mpg
Highway range: 500 miles

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 23/20/27 mpg 

C/D TESTING EXPLAINED

More Features and Specs