2021 Toyota Highlander review

2021 Toyota Highlander Review:

The Toyota Highlander is a three-row SUV that offers a slightly larger alternative to the ever-popular Toyota RAV4. The Highlander got a new trim for 2021, the sporty XSE that offers a sport-tuned suspension. That's not what most shoppers are looking for from a three-row SUV, and the Highlander already handles nicely for a big SUV. 

The Highlander comes standard with a V6 and is available with an efficient hybrid engine, too. Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ are standard features and you get desirable driver aids like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance as standard features. Keep in mind that the third row is cramped for adults and really cuts into storage space, so it's best used in a pinch and not as an everyday solution. 

• Technology

• Comfort

• Cargo and storage

• Ease of use

• Driving

What tech does the 2021 Toyota Highlander have?

Connectivity

Every Highlander comes standard with wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, and there are five USB ports (three in the front, two in the second row, but none in the back row) to charge your devices. You can also connect to the Highlander's stereo with Bluetooth®. The lower two trims (XSE, XLE) come with a so-so six-speaker audio system, while the top trim (Platinum) gets an 11-speaker JBL® system. 

Infotainment

An eight-inch touchscreen is standard on the Highlander, but a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen is an available feature throughout the lineup. The bigger touchscreen comes standard on top-of-the-line Highlanders, and Edmunds' editors found it easy to use in testing. The only downside is a glare that can be irritating when the screen is in direct sunlight. The screen is responsive without any noticeable lag, but voice controls don't work great. You're probably better off sticking to the voice assistant on your smartphone. 

Driver-Assist Tech

Every Highlander comes standard with adaptive cruise control (which keeps you a set distance behind the car ahead of you), frontal collision warning with automatic braking (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios), blind-spot warning, and a lane-keeping system that keeps you from drifting into other lanes. Edmunds' testing found these systems work well and make driving more convenient. A backup camera is standard, and top-tier Highlanders get an overhead camera view that makes getting into tight parking spots a lot easier.

How comfortable is the 2021 Toyota Highlander? 

Front Seating

Edmunds' testing found the front seats of the Highlander comfortable, even on long drives. Finding a comfortable position isn't a problem up front thanks to the power-adjustable driver's seat. All but the base LE trim get a power-adjustable passenger seat and heated front seats. Cooled seats come on the Platinum- and Limited-trimmed Highlanders. 

Rear Seating

The second-row captain's chairs, standard on all but the base LE trim, also received high praise from Edmunds' editors. A second-row bench is a no-cost option on the second-tier XLE trim but is not available on any of the higher trims. A heated second row comes on the top-trim Platinum. The third row is cramped and is not a place adults will want to try to get into or spend much time.  

Ride Quality and Interior Noise

Edmunds' editors found the Highlander's ride quality excellent in both high- and low-speed driving, with the SUV's suspension doing an admirable job soaking up bumps in the road. Most wind noise won't be a problem on the Highlander, allowing you to have a typical-volume conversation when on the highway.

Does the 2021 Toyota Highlander have good storage?

Cargo 

The Highlander has 16 cubic feet of storage behind the third row; for reference, a standard brown grocery bag is about a cubic foot. That's less than the Kia Telluride, which boasts 21 cubic feet behind its third row. Things get better once you fold the third row, though, opening the Highlander to an above-average 48.4 cubic feet. 

Storage

Toyota did a nice job with small-item storage. Cupholders can hold most standard cups and water bottles, and there are storage pockets throughout the vehicle that are great for small items. Up front, Toyota put in a couple of small storage shelves that can be useful for cellphones and glasses. 

How easy is the 2021 Toyota Highlander to use?

Entry, Exit, and Car Seats

First, the good: Adults won't have a problem getting in and out of the front two rows of the Highlander. The step-in height also makes it manageable for older kids. Installing a car seat in the second row is easy with the captain's chairs because they can slide forward, backward, and side to side. The third row remains the Highlander's weakness. It's hard for adults to get back there, and younger kids will also struggle to scramble into the back seat. 

Interior Layout and Visibility

Visibility is very good in the Highlander, and there aren't any significant blind spots to report. The controls on and around the touchscreen are easy to use and clearly labeled. Edmunds' editors were pleased with the quality of the backup camera and overhead-view camera you get on higher-trim Highlanders. Things work like you'd expect them to, making it an easy car to hop in and learn.

What’s the 2021 Toyota Highlander like to drive?

Driving

The Highlander is powered by the same V6 engine that featured in the previous generation SUV. The good news is that while the Highlander might not be fun to drive in the traditional sense, it really doesn't have any significant downsides. It accelerates, brakes, and handles well for a vehicle of its size. 

Towing

Highlanders with the standard gas engine can tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, which is about average compared to the competition. Getting the hybrid drops that towing capacity down to 3,500 pounds.

Fuel Economy/Electric Efficiency

The standard Highlander gets between 24 mpg and 25 mpg in combined driving, according to the EPA. The hybrid improves upon that significantly, bumping the combined mpg up to between 35 mpg and 36 mpg. That's a big improvement and compares well to competitors like the Kia Sorento Hybrid.

EPA Fuel Economy Estimates