2021 Toyota Highlander Trims Comparison
2021 Highlander trim level differences
The 2021 Toyota Highlander is a midsize three-row SUV with seating for eight passengers. Midgrade trims and above swap the second-row bench for captain's chairs, reducing capacity to seven passengers. All models are powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine (295 horsepower, 263 lb-ft of torque) that is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission that drives the front wheels. All-wheel-drive is available on all trims as an option. There's also a Highlander Hybrid variant that is reviewed separately.
Which 2021 Highlander trim does Edmunds recommend?
Most shoppers on a budget will be well served by the Highlander in LE trim, mainly for its addition of a power liftgate and a blind-spot monitor. For those in harsh weather regions, all-wheel drive is available throughout the lineup. If you have more room in your budget, the XLE model looks and feels quite a bit nicer thanks to its added convenience features and simulated leather upholstery.
Compare 2021 Highlander trims side-by-side
Comparing average pricing near
Waterville, ME
| Vehicle | Highlander L | Highlander LE | Highlander XLE | Highlander XSE | Highlander Limited | Highlander Platinum |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle | ||||||
| Hide similarities | ||||||
| Section Title | Features | Features | Features | Features | Features | Features |
| Bluetooth | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard |
| Navigation | Not Available | Not Available | optional | standard | standard | standard |
| Satellite radio | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard |
| Keyless Ignition | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard |
| Cruise control | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard |
| Adaptive cruise control | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard |
| Parking assistance | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | standard | standard |
| Upholstery | cloth | cloth | leatherette | leatherette | leather | leather |
| Heated seats | Not Available | Not Available | standard | standard | standard | standard |
| Cooled/Ventilated seats | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | standard | standard |
| Folding rear seats | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard |
| Sunroof | Not Available | Not Available | standard | standard | standard | standard |
| Section Title | Specifications | Specifications | Specifications | Specifications | Specifications | Specifications |
| Country of final assembly | United States | United States | United States | United States | United States | United States |
| Drivetrain | ||||||
| Engine power | 295 hp @ 6,600 rpm | 295 hp @ 6,600 rpm | 295 hp @ 6,600 rpm | 295 hp @ 6,600 rpm | 295 hp @ 6,600 rpm | 295 hp @ 6,600 rpm |
| Engine torque | 263 lb-ft @ 4,700 rpm | 263 lb-ft @ 4,700 rpm | 263 lb-ft @ 4,700 rpm | 263 lb-ft @ 4,700 rpm | 263 lb-ft @ 4,700 rpm | 263 lb-ft @ 4,700 rpm |
| Engine displacement | 3.5 l | 3.5 l | 3.5 l | 3.5 l | 3.5 l | 3.5 l |
| Engine configuration | v6 | v6 | v6 | v6 | v6 | v6 |
| Transmission | 8-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Tire size | 235/65R18 | 235/65R18 | 235/65R18 | 235/55R20 | 235/55R20 | 235/55R20 |
| Wheel size | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Wheel type | painted alloy wheels | painted alloy wheels | alloy wheels | alloy wheels | alloy wheels | alloy wheels |
| Run flat tires | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| Section Title | Fuel economy | Fuel economy | Fuel economy | Fuel economy | Fuel economy | Fuel economy |
| City/Hwy/Combined MPG | 21 / 29 / 24 MPG | 21 / 29 / 24 MPG | 21 / 29 / 24 MPG | 21 / 29 / 24 MPG | 21 / 29 / 24 MPG | 21 / 29 / 24 MPG |
| City/Hwy/Combined MPGe | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Fuel Capacity | 17.9 gal. | 17.9 gal. | 17.9 gal. | 17.9 gal. | 17.9 gal. | 17.9 gal. |
| Driving Range (city/hwy) | 376 / 519 miles | 376 / 519 miles | 376 / 519 miles | 376 / 519 miles | 376 / 519 miles | 376 / 519 miles |
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded | regular unleaded | regular unleaded | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Section Title | Dimensions | Dimensions | Dimensions | Dimensions | Dimensions | Dimensions |
| Turning circle | 37.4 ft. | 37.4 ft. | 37.4 ft. | 37.4 ft. | 37.4 ft. | 37.4 ft. |
| Curb weight | 4,145 lb. | 4,145 lb. | 4,195 lb. | 4,205 lb. | 4,260 lb. | 4,260 lb. |
| Ground Clearance | 8.0 in. | 8.0 in. | 8.0 in. | 8.0 in. | 8.0 in. | 8.0 in. |
| Overall Width with Mirrors | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Overall Width without Mirrors | 76.0 in. | 76.0 in. | 76.0 in. | 76.0 in. | 76.0 in. | 76.0 in. |
| Height | 68.1 in. | 68.1 in. | 68.1 in. | 68.1 in. | 68.1 in. | 68.1 in. |
| Length | 194.9 in. | 194.9 in. | 194.9 in. | 197.4 in. | 194.9 in. | 194.9 in. |
| Wheelbase | 112.2 in. | 112.2 in. | 112.2 in. | 112.2 in. | 112.2 in. | 112.2 in. |
| Seating Capacity | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Cargo Space | 16.0 cu. ft. | 16.0 cu. ft. | 16.0 cu. ft. | 16.0 cu. ft. | 16.0 cu. ft. | 16.0 cu. ft. |
| Cargo Space, Rear Seat Down or Removed | 48.4 cu. ft. | 48.4 cu. ft. | 48.4 cu. ft. | 48.4 cu. ft. | 48.4 cu. ft. | 48.4 cu. ft. |
| Front Head Room | 41.2 in. | 41.2 in. | 39.6 in. | 39.6 in. | 39.6 in. | 38.4 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 42.0 in. | 42.0 in. | 42.0 in. | 42.0 in. | 42.0 in. | 42.0 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 59.0 in. | 59.0 in. | 59.0 in. | 59.0 in. | 59.0 in. | 59.0 in. |
| Rear Head Room | 39.4 in. | 39.4 in. | 39.4 in. | 39.4 in. | 39.4 in. | 37.1 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 41.0 in. | 41.0 in. | 41.0 in. | 41.0 in. | 41.0 in. | 41.0 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 58.7 in. | 58.7 in. | 58.4 in. | 58.4 in. | 58.4 in. | 58.4 in. |
| Section Title | 5-Year Ownership Costs | 5-Year Ownership Costs | 5-Year Ownership Costs | 5-Year Ownership Costs | 5-Year Ownership Costs | 5-Year Ownership Costs |
| True Cost to Own® | $39,826 | $39,861 | $43,316 | $44,568 | $45,746 | $48,148 |
| Average Cost Per Mile | $0.53 | $0.53 | $0.58 | $0.59 | $0.61 | $0.64 |
| Depreciation | $11,090 | $10,832 | $13,099 | $13,795 | $14,678 | $16,298 |
| Financing | $4,756 | $4,933 | $5,542 | $5,926 | $6,077 | $6,552 |
| Taxes & Fees | $3,240 | $3,356 | $3,748 | $3,995 | $4,093 | $4,400 |
| Fuel | $10,386 | $10,386 | $10,386 | $10,386 | $10,386 | $10,386 |
| Insurance | $2,479 | $2,479 | $2,666 | $2,666 | $2,712 | $2,712 |
| Maintenance | $6,003 | $6,003 | $6,003 | $5,928 | $5,928 | $5,928 |
| Repairs | $1,872 | $1,872 | $1,872 | $1,872 | $1,872 | $1,872 |
| Section Title | Colors | Colors | Colors | Colors | Colors | Colors |
| Interior | Black, cloth Graphite, cloth | Black, cloth Graphite, cloth | Harvest Beige, leatherette Graphite, leatherette Black, leatherette | Cockpit Red, leather Black Mixed Media, leatherette | Graphite, leather Harvest Beige, leather Black, leather | Graphite, leather Glazed Caramel, leather Black, leather Harvest Beige, leather |
| Exterior | Celestial Silver Metallic Blizzard Pearl Magnetic Gray Metallic Opulent Amber Blueprint Midnight Black Metallic | Moondust Ruby Flare Pearl Celestial Silver Metallic Blizzard Pearl Magnetic Gray Metallic Opulent Amber Blueprint Midnight Black Metallic | Moondust Ruby Flare Pearl Celestial Silver Metallic Blizzard Pearl Magnetic Gray Metallic Opulent Amber Blueprint Midnight Black Metallic | Ruby Flare Pearl Celestial Silver Metallic Blizzard Pearl Magnetic Gray Metallic Blueprint Midnight Black Metallic | Moondust Ruby Flare Pearl Celestial Silver Metallic Blizzard Pearl Magnetic Gray Metallic Opulent Amber Blueprint Midnight Black Metallic | Moondust Ruby Flare Pearl Celestial Silver Metallic Blizzard Pearl Magnetic Gray Metallic Opulent Amber Blueprint Midnight Black Metallic |