Used 2021 Toyota Highlander for Sale near Thornhill, ON

How much does the 2021 Toyota Highlander cost?

Prices have softened 9.99% 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 some room to compare prices and equipment.

Is the 2021 Toyota Highlander a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Toyota Highlander earns a 4.86/5 user rating and a 7.5/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Safety at 10/10.

Owners consistently praise its comfort, reliability, features, smooth ride, and high-quality interior. That lines up well with its role as a familiar three-row family vehicle, especially if you want broad appeal and a well-known nameplate. The overview also points to strong mainstream family use, with added standard safety making it especially attractive for shoppers who want a practical SUV with wide acceptance.

With 30.9% of listings marked as good or great deals, there is still enough market activity to find a competitive example.

Is the 2021 Toyota Highlander reliable?

Owners rate it 4.86/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

Drivers repeatedly describe it as reliable, and the expert review also points to a reputation for reliability alongside smooth, predictable operation. That combination matters if you want a used three-row SUV you can count on for daily family duty. Toyota’s first scheduled maintenance visit is on the house, which helps soften early ownership costs.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about outright dependability and more about whether the vehicle’s comfort-focused setup and fuel economy match your needs 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 a bit of suspension tuning. The Limited trim sits just below Platinum and brings a more upscale look and feel, including chrome roof rails and accents, plus a notably refined interior. If you want the best-value blend of comfort and equipment, the Limited is the trim to focus on.
• 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. It is available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, and the XSE gets firmer suspension tuning for a slightly more engaging feel.
• 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: Trims 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 limited to the Limited grade and up.
• Fuel efficiency: The V6 Highlander is rated at 10.3 L/100 km combined. Front-wheel drive models are rated at 11.9 L/100 km city and 8.3 highway, while all-wheel drive models are rated at 11.8 city and 8.6 highway.

Which 2021 Toyota Highlander trim should I buy?

The 2021 Toyota Highlander is offered in 5 trim levels: L, LE, XLE, XSE, Limited.

Here's the short version:

• L: This is the entry point, and it keeps the Highlander’s core family-SUV appeal at the lowest starting price. It makes sense if you want the nameplate and standard safety without stretching for extras.
• LE: This trim adds all-wheel drive and is the first step up if you want more all-weather confidence without jumping too far in price.
• XLE: This is the better-equipped family choice if you want more comfort and convenience without moving into luxury pricing.
• XSE: Choose this if you want the sportier look and slightly firmer suspension tuning, but it is more about style and feel than true performance.
• Limited: This is the best-value trim for shoppers who want the upscale interior, chrome accents, navigation, and the more premium overall experience.

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 carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 30.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 269 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.99% compared with last year.

If you find a listing below $38,458 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 $38,485 CAD sits slightly below last year's $42,756 CAD.

That price movement suggests the market has cooled enough to give buyers more leverage today, but it also means future sellers may face a softer resale environment than owners saw a year ago. If you buy now, you are entering at a lower average price point than last year’s market peak, which can help reduce depreciation pressure in the near term. Strong demand for practical three-row SUVs should still support interest, but the current trend favours buyers more than sellers.

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+ 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.

That standard safety coverage is a major strength for this model year, especially if you are shopping for a family SUV and want a broad set of driver-assistance features without moving up the trim ladder.

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:

• 30.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.99% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.86/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Toyota added more standard safety-feature technology this year.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $34,961 CAD, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $38,485 CAD average.
• It prioritises comfort, a soft ride, and a calm, Lexus-like feel.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $41,625 CAD, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $38,485 CAD average.
• It adds family-friendly versatility, easy-to-use tech, and a stout V6.

The bottom line: The 2021 is the right pick if you want the strongest mix of safety, comfort, and market value in this generation. If your priority is saving money, the 2020 is the better budget path; if you want to spend more for a newer alternative, the 2022 is the natural step up.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 29, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.