Used 2021 Toyota Highlander for Sale nearPeterborough, ON

How much does the 2021 Toyota Highlander cost?

Prices have softened 9.02% compared to this time last year, making it a favourable time to shop this model year.

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

Is the 2021 Toyota Highlander a good car?

Yes — it earns a 4.9/5 user rating and a 7.5/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Safety at 10/10.

Owners consistently praise its comfort, reliability, smooth ride, high-quality interior, spaciousness, and safety features. That lines up well with the Highlander’s role as a mainstream three-row family SUV, especially if you want a familiar, easy-to-trust vehicle with broad appeal. With 31.6% of listings marked as good or great deals, there’s also a decent amount of market value to be found if you shop carefully.

Is the 2021 Toyota Highlander reliable?

Owners rate it 4.9/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

User feedback repeatedly points to reliability, comfort, and a dependable ownership experience, with many drivers describing the Highlander as a vehicle they feel good about living with over time. The expert assessment also frames the powertrain as smooth and predictable, which supports the impression of a trouble-free family SUV. Toyota’s standard safety technology and the model’s strong reputation further reinforce its long-term appeal for used buyers.

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

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The lineup starts with an entry trim that keeps the basics covered, while higher trims add more upscale materials, a larger screen, navigation, and premium audio. The Limited trim stands out for its more luxurious feel, while the XSE adds a sportier appearance and suspension tuning.
• Powertrain: Every Highlander uses a 3.5-litre V6 with 295 horsepower and an eight-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive depending on trim. It is tuned for smooth, predictable operation rather than excitement.
• 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: Lower trims use an 8-inch touchscreen, while Platinum models get a 12.3-inch unit. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard across the lineup, and navigation is only equipped from the Limited grade.
• Fuel efficiency: The V6 model 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.

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 Highlander’s core family-SUV strengths at the lowest price, but it keeps the equipment list more basic than the higher trims.
• LE: This is the best-value choice for many shoppers because it adds all-wheel drive and keeps the Highlander’s practical strengths intact without pushing the price too far.
• XLE: Choose this if you want a more upscale feel, since it adds more comfort and convenience equipment while staying below the premium trims.
• XSE: This is the pick if you want the sportier-looking Highlander, with a more aggressive front end, 20-inch alloy wheels, and suspension tuning that adds a bit more edge.
• Limited: This is the trim to target if you want the most luxurious cabin experience, with upscale interior details, navigation, and a JBL audio system.
• Platinum: This is the top choice if you want the biggest infotainment screen and the most fully equipped Highlander experience.

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

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you should have room to compare listings and wait for the right one.

• Deal availability: 31.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 269 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.02% compared with last year.

If you find a listing below $38,456 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 $38,562 CAD sits slightly below last year's $42,383 CAD.

That softer pricing trend suggests the Highlander is currently more accessible to used buyers than it was a year ago. For a future seller, that means resale value may face some pressure if market conditions stay similar. Even so, the model’s strong reputation, family-friendly appeal, and broad demand should help it remain attractive to shoppers looking for a dependable three-row SUV.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.9/5, 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, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-tracing assist, and automatic high beams. Blind spot monitoring is also standard. That broad standard safety suite is a major part of the Highlander’s appeal, especially for family buyers.

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:

• 31.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.02% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.9/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Toyota added more standard safety technology this year.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $35,025 CAD, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $38,562 CAD average.
• It focuses on comfort, a soft ride, and a calm, premium-feeling cabin.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $41,118 CAD, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $38,562 CAD average.
• It adds more versatility and keeps the easy-to-use tech and standard safety appeal.

The bottom line: If you want the strongest mix of value, safety, and familiarity, the 2021 is the smart middle ground. If price is your top priority, the 2020 is worth a look; if you want a newer-feeling alternative and can spend more, the 2022 is the next step up.

How does the 2021 Toyota Highlander compare to the 2021 Honda Pilot?

Our experts score the 2021 Toyota Highlander 7.5/10 and the 2021 Honda Pilot 7.2/10. The Highlander edges ahead on expert score and safety, while the Pilot offers a lower average used price and a lower starting MSRP. Both are three-row family SUVs with similar city fuel figures, but the Highlander brings stronger standard safety technology and a slightly more upscale feel in higher trims.

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 3, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.