Toyota · model year 2021
2021 Toyota Highlander
Specifications and certified data for the 2021 model year. All Toyota Highlander model years →

2021 UK builds, engines & trims
| Build | Engine | Fuel | Gearbox | Power hp | CO₂ g/km | MPG | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excel 2.5 Hybrid AWD-i | 2,487 cc | Hybrid | Automatic | 180 | 163 | 39.2 | Dossier |
UK Vehicle Certification Agency fuel & emissions data and ACS catalogue records, Open Government Licence v3.0, VCA ↗.
2021 US EPA fuel-economy records
| Year | Engine | Drive | Transmission | Fuel | MPG (US) comb. | CO₂ g/mi | EV range mi | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | Regular | 36 | 245 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2021 | 2.5 L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | Regular | 35 | 254 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2021 | 2.5 L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | Regular | 35 | 251 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2021 | 3.5 L 6-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | Regular | 23 | 389 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2021 | 3.5 L 6-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | Regular | 24 | 372 | — | EPA ↗ |
| 2021 | 3.5 L 6-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | Regular | 23 | 387 | — | EPA ↗ |
US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle), fueleconomy.gov ↗, US government public domain.
US NHTSA safety ratings
| Vehicle | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID SUV AWD | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★☆ (4/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★☆ (4/5) | NHTSA ↗ |
| 2021 Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID SUV FWD | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★☆ (4/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★☆ (4/5) | NHTSA ↗ |
| 2021 Toyota HIGHLANDER SUV AWD | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★☆ (4/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★☆ (4/5) | NHTSA ↗ |
| 2021 Toyota HIGHLANDER SUV FWD | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★☆ (4/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★☆ (4/5) | NHTSA ↗ |
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (US government, public domain). US-market versions; not the same tests as Euro NCAP.
US safety recalls
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26V128000 2026-03-05 · model years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The second-row seat backs may fail to lock into position during seat back adjustment.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the return springs in the seat back recliner assemblies, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 9, 2026. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Toyota’s customer service at…
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24V452000 2024-06-18 · model years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
TIRES
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Highlander vehicles. The 20-inch accessory tires with an insufficient load rating for the vehicle's Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) were installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety…
Remedy: SET will inspect and replace the tires and information placard, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 16, 2024. Owners may contact SET's customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's…
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23V865000 2023-12-20 · model years 2020, 2021
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024.…
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23V720000 2023-10-26 · model years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Highlander & Highlander Hybrid vehicles. During normal vehicle operation, minor impact to the front lower bumper cover may result in the cover coming loose or detaching.
Remedy: Dealers will repair or replace the upper and lower front bumper covers as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed April 22, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's…
NHTSA recalls database (US government, public domain). Recalls apply to US-market vehicles; check the manufacturer for your country.
Generation in 2021
Sources
- UK VCA fuel & emissions data — https://carfueldata.vehicle-certification-agency.gov.uk/Open Government Licence v3.0
- US EPA / DOE FuelEconomy.gov — https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/ws/index.shtmlUS Government public domain
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API — https://api.nhtsa.gov/SafetyRatingsUS Government public domain
- NHTSA recalls database — https://www.nhtsa.gov/recallsUS Government public domain
- Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.
