Used 2021 Toyota Highlander for Sale nearWaterloo, ON

How much does the 2021 Toyota Highlander cost?

Prices have softened 9.69% 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 2021 Toyota Highlander 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, and high-quality interior, while the spacious cabin and safety features also come up often. For you, that makes it a strong fit if you want a mainstream three-row family SUV with broad appeal and a reassuring ownership experience. The market also shows 30.1% of listings as good or great deals, which adds some shopping flexibility.

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, and owners also describe it as dependable and trouble-free over time. The expert assessment reinforces that with language about smooth, predictable operation and a reputation for reliability. Toyota’s added safety-feature technology and the Highlander’s established reputation support the sense that this is a vehicle you can count on for family duty. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that some examples may have seen heavy family use, so condition and maintenance history matter.

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, suspension tuning, and an appearance package, while the Limited trim brings a more upscale interior with chrome roof rails and accents. The base setup is more straightforward, so you should compare feature content carefully if you want the best mix of comfort and value.
• 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. The ride 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, plus adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-tracing assist, automatic high beams, and blind spot monitoring. LED headlights are standard, while LED fog lights are available from the XLE grade up.
• Infotainment: Lower trims 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 standard as well.
• Fuel efficiency: The V6 powertrain is rated at 10.3 L/100 km combined, with 11.9 L/100 km city and 8.3 L/100 km highway for front-wheel drive, or 11.8 L/100 km city and 8.6 L/100 km 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 lowest starting price, but you should expect the fewest features and the least upscale feel. It makes sense if your priority is simply getting into a Highlander at the lowest cost.
• LE: This is the best-value choice for many shoppers because it adds all-wheel drive and keeps the Highlander’s core family-friendly strengths intact. If you want a sensible balance of equipment and price, this is the trim 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 pricier upper trims. It suits you if you want a more polished daily driver with broader appeal.
• XSE: This is the style-and-sportier-looking option, with a restyled front end, suspension tuning, and an appearance package. Choose it if you want the Highlander to look and feel a bit more expressive, but not if you expect true performance character.
• Limited: This is the upscale sweet spot, with a more premium interior, chrome accents, and the strongest luxury impression in the lineup. It’s the trim to target if comfort and cabin quality matter most.
• Platinum: This is the top trim, and it brings the 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. Pick it if you want the most feature-rich Highlander and are comfortable paying for it.

Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ is standard, 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 have some room to shop carefully rather than rush.

• Deal availability: 30.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 269 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.69% 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 $38,502 CAD sits slightly below last year's $42,635 CAD. That tells you the market has softened, which can help you as a buyer now but may temper what a future seller can expect in the near term. If prices stay near this level, resale values should remain competitive, but not especially strong relative to last year’s peak. 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 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 come standard as well. That gives you a broad standard safety package across the lineup.

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:

• 30.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.69% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.9/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Toyota adds standard safety-feature technology this year.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $35,193 CAD, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $38,502 CAD average.
• It prioritises comfort and a calm, refined ride.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $41,298 CAD, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $38,502 CAD average.
• It adds more family-focused versatility and technology.

The bottom line: If you want the strongest mix of safety, satisfaction, and current-market value, the 2021 is the best all-around pick. If price is your top priority, the 2020 is the better budget path.

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 undercuts it on average used price. The Highlander also has the stronger owner satisfaction signal, which may matter if you want a more reassuring long-term choice. If you value a slightly more polished safety and ownership story, the Highlander is the better bet; if you want to spend less, the Pilot is worth a look.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 27, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.