Used 2021 Toyota Highlander for Sale nearHamilton, ON

How much does the 2021 Toyota Highlander cost?

Prices have softened 9.73% compared to this time last year, making it a favourable time to shop this model year.

There are 269 listings available, which suggests you have a reasonable amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Toyota Highlander a good car?

Yes — the 4.86/5 user rating and 7.5/10 expert rating both point to a strong overall showing. The standout strength is Safety at 10/10.

Owners consistently praise its comfort, reliability, smooth ride, and high-quality interior. The Highlander also fits well if you want a mainstream three-row family SUV with broad appeal and a strong safety focus. With 28.3% of listings marked as good or great deals, there is still some 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 highlights reliability, comfort, and a smooth, trouble-free ownership experience. The expert review also points to smooth, predictable operation and a reputation for reliability, which reinforces the Highlander’s dependability story. Toyota’s added safety technology for this model year also supports confidence in long-term use.

For used buyers, the main ownership risk is less about outright durability and more about whether the vehicle’s fuel economy and feature configurability meet your expectations over time.

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

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The XSE adds a more aggressive front end, 20-inch alloy wheels with black accents, a unique front fascia, a lower spoiler, and some suspension tuning, while Limited brings a more upscale look and feel with chrome roof rails and accents. Base trims are more straightforward, so you should compare them carefully against the better-equipped grades if you want a more premium cabin.
• Powertrain: Every Highlander uses a 3.5-litre V6 with 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The XSE also gets a tighter suspension setup with higher-rated springs, retuned shock absorbers and power steering, plus a rear stabilizer bar.
• Safety package: Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and intersection support, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-tracing assist, and automatic high beams. Blind spot monitoring is also standard, while LED fog lights are available from the XLE grade up.
• Infotainment: Trim levels below Platinum use an 8-inch touchscreen, while Platinum gets a 12.3-inch unit. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard across the lineup, and Bluetooth is included as well. Navigation is only available from the Limited grade up.
• Fuel efficiency: The V6 Highlander is rated at 10.3 L/100 km combined, with 11.9 L/100 km city and 8.3 highway for front-wheel drive, or 11.8 city and 8.6 highway for all-wheel drive. In testing, a combined figure of 11.5 L/100 km was observed in a Highlander Limited AWD.

Which 2021 Toyota Highlander trim should I buy?

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

Here's the short version:

• L: This is the entry point if you want the lowest starting price, but you should expect the fewest features and the least upscale presentation. It suits you best if value and basic family transport matter more than convenience extras.
• LE: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds AWD and keeps the Highlander’s core strengths intact without pushing the price too far. If you want a sensible balance of equipment and cost, this is the one to focus on first.
• XLE: This trim is the step up if you want more comfort and convenience without jumping all the way to the more expensive upper grades. It makes sense if you want a more polished daily driver for family use.
• XSE: This is the choice if you want the sportier-looking Highlander, with the more aggressive styling and firmer suspension tuning. It is the right pick if appearance and a slightly sharper feel matter to you.
• Limited: This is the upscale sweet spot, with chrome accents, a more premium cabin, navigation, and a JBL audio system. It suits you if you want the Highlander to feel closer to a luxury SUV without going all the way to the top.
• Platinum: This is the most feature-rich version, with the 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. Choose it if you want the most advanced cabin presentation and are comfortable paying for it.

Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ is standard, and blind spot monitoring is also standard across the lineup.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop with some leverage if you stay patient.

• Deal availability: 28.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 269 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.73% compared with last year.

If you find a listing below $38,448 CAD, 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 $38,448 CAD sits slightly below last year's $42,590 CAD.

That price movement suggests the market has cooled, which can help you buy more confidently now, but it also means future sellers may face a softer resale environment than owners saw a year ago. If you buy at today’s average or below, you may have less downside risk than someone who paid closer to last year’s higher pricing. Strong demand for family SUVs and the Highlander’s reputation should still help support interest when it comes time to sell.

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+ from IIHS and five-star ratings from NHTSA.

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

Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and intersection support, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-tracing assist, and automatic high beams. Blind spot monitoring is also standard, and LED headlights are standard as well. LED fog lights are available from the XLE grade up.

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:

• 28.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.73% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.86/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Toyota adds additional safety-feature technology as standard equipment this year.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $34,887 CAD, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $38,448 CAD average.
• It was redesigned for 2020 and focuses on comfort, calm road manners, and a more premium feel.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $41,384 CAD, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $38,448 CAD average.
• It adds versatility, technology, and safety-focused family-hauling appeal.

The bottom line: The 2021 is the right pick if you want the Highlander’s safety-first formula with strong owner satisfaction and a softer market price than last year. If you are more price-sensitive, the 2020 is the value play; if you want to spend more for a slightly newer alternative, the 2022 is the natural next step.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 20, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.