by Aiden Eksteen
As one of the first and only 8-seater hybrid SUVs in the USA, the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid sits at the top of its own classification, and has for over the last decade. There are more and more alternatives coming to the market, however, and even the Ford Explorer, the regular Highlander SUV's main competitor, is now offered in hybrid form, too. Ford may offer the more fun and engaging vehicle, but the 2021 Highlander Hybrid offers plenty of appeal in its pragmatism and economy. It's a good-looking, commodious, practical, and efficient vehicle, so it's certainly got a lot going for it. Powering the midsize SUV is a 243-horsepower inline-4 engine and electric motor powertrain, which propels the cruiser from 0 to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds and avails it with a 34 mpg combined mileage estimate. The Toyota Highlander will always sell by virtue of its undeniable value and established fan base, but with more 5-door alternatives entering the market, will the fourth-generation Highlander Hybrid need something more to remain relevant over the next decade?
Both the LE and XLE trims now come with LED headlamps as standard this year. In addition, Toyota's Safety Sense 2.5+ is standard across the range. This new safety suite consists of a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, left turn intersection support, lane departure alert with steering assist, risk-avoidance steering, lane tracing assist, full-speed radar-guided cruise control, road sign assist, curve speed management, and cyclist detection.
See trim levels and configurations:
| Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Price (MSRP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid LE |
2.5L Inline-4 Hybrid
|
Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT)
|
Front-Wheel Drive
All-Wheel Drive
|
$38,735 |
| Hybrid XLE |
2.5L Inline-4 Hybrid
|
Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT)
|
Front-Wheel Drive
All-Wheel Drive
|
$41,535 |
| Hybrid Limited |
2.5L Inline-4 Hybrid
|
Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT)
|
Front-Wheel Drive
All-Wheel Drive
|
$45,490 |
| Hybrid Platinum |
2.5L Inline-4 Hybrid
|
Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT)
|
Front-Wheel Drive
All-Wheel Drive
|
$48,690 |
Beneath the hood of the Highlander Hybrid SUV is a 243-hp 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gas engine that's been hybridized with a single electric motor. Power is modulated via a continuously variable automatic transmission and can be ceded through to either a front- or all-wheel drivetrain, depending on which you choose. With this powertrain, the Highlander Hybrid feels judiciously powered, particularly with driving around town, thanks to the engine's low-down torque delivery.
There are a lot of reasons to own the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, from its commanding, contemporary design to its frugal performance and commodious interior. It's to no extent a fun car to drive, but it is fairly comfortable on the road and all about the thrifty fuel economy returns. The first- and second-row seats are really spacious and comfortable, but the third-row seats will only be good for children. Nevertheless, there are plenty of creature comforts and conveniences that come standard in the cruiser, including a comprehensive selection of advanced driver assists and safety features. While there is no review of the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, the gas-fed variant scored a perfect five-star safety rating from the NHTSA, as well as a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS.
There are SUVs that are more pleasant to drive than the Highlander Hybrid SUV and ones that are more spacious and practical, but the Highlander remains a very high-value proposition that offers level-headed performance, a modern and commodious cabin, and a good consignment of features for the price.
At $38,735, the price of the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid SUV is high, but with how frugal it is, you'll certainly feel like you've made a savvy investment once you release how little you're spending on fuel. The entry-spec LE model comes with a good infotainment system, nice features, and Toyota's full Safety Sense 2.5+ driver-assistance suite all as standard. If you can afford it, however, the Limited is a good model to go for with its desirable luxuries, including heated and ventilated front seats, perforated leather seating upholstery, and an 11-speaker JBL sound system.
The most popular competitors of 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid:
Acura
Alfa Romeo
Aston Martin
Audi
Bentley
BMW
Bollinger
BrightDrop
Bugatti
Buick
Cadillac
Caterham
Chevrolet
Chrysler
Dodge
Ferrari
Fiat
Fisker
Ford
Genesis
GMC
Gordon Murray Automotive
Hennessey
Honda
Hyundai
Infiniti
Jaguar
Jeep
Karma
Kia
Koenigsegg
Lamborghini
Land Rover
Lexus
Lincoln
Lordstown
Lotus
Lucid Motors
Maserati
Mazda
McLaren
Mercedes-Benz
Mini
Mitsubishi
Nissan
Pagani
Polestar
Porsche
Ram
Rimac
Rivian
Rolls-Royce
Spyker
Subaru
Tesla
Toyota
VinFast
Volkswagen
Volvo