2021 Toyota Highlander: XU70 / fourth generation — US
Model-year identity and market scope
The fourth-generation Toyota Highlander was already on sale before the 2021 model year, but the 2021 US lineup is not merely a copied 2020 spec sheet. Toyota introduced an XSE grade with distinct suspension tuning and appearance, while making Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ standard. These additions alter trim desirability without changing the fundamental choice between a V6 Highlander and a Highlander Hybrid.
2021 powertrains and engineering
The conventional V6 is a 3.5-litre unit with 295 horsepower and 263 lb-ft driving through an eight-speed automatic. The petrol-electric version combines a 2.5-litre four-cylinder with electric propulsion for 243 horsepower in total; Toyota gave up to 36 combined EPA mpg for the eligible hybrid configuration. Some versions are front-wheel drive and others use AWD, but hybrid AWD does not have precisely the same mechanical arrangement as the V6 drivetrain. A claim that every Highlander can tow 5,000 pounds would also be wrong: ratings depend on powertrain and towing equipment.
Verified period variants
- 3.5 V6 including XSE (US): 3.5 L gasoline V6; 295 SAE hp / 263 lb-ft; 8-speed automatic; FWD or AWD grade dependent. V6 XSE and other MY2021 V6; towing equipment dependent
- Highlander Hybrid (US): 2.5 L four-cylinder petrol-electric; 243 hp combined; hybrid eCVT; FWD or electronic AWD. Up to 36 combined EPA mpg on relevant FWD configuration; test: EPA US grade dependent
Equipment, competitors and practical differences
The XSE sits between more comfort-focused grades and makes sense to buyers who prefer sportier suspension setup and visual differentiation. It is not a different-generation SUV. Three rows suit school runs and occasional extra passengers; however, the backmost seat and luggage area must be judged together, not on seating count alone. An AWD badge does not establish off-road capability comparable with a body-on-frame Land Cruiser.
Who should buy it, and who might prefer an alternative?
Families comparing it with the Honda Pilot should drive both while assessing third-row entry and seat comfort. The Highlander Hybrid is worth considering for stop-start use when local fuel costs matter, but it is not a plug-in EV and should never be assigned a charge time or battery-only certified range. Its efficiency figures are American EPA figures, not WLTP ratings for overseas Toyota-badged cousins.
What a 2026 used buyer should verify
Check documentation for the exact seven- or eight-seat specification, AWD type, towing package and driver-assist sensors. Inspect third-row mechanisms, power tailgate and wear from child-seat use. Hybrid shoppers should seek powertrain diagnostic records, while V6 buyers should examine maintenance and cooling condition; neither engine choice justifies blanket reliability or safety-score promises.