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Toyota can’t be faulted for playing it safe when introducing the all-new 2020 Highlander Hybrid last year. Previous generations of the vehicle have ruled the roost sales-wise in the three-row crossover segment, so Toyota was wise not to mess with that success, even if the latest design is a little boxy and boring compared with the recently redesigned 2020 Ford Explorer Hybrid. Even so, the Highlander Hybrid raises the bar in the segment with its luxury-like interior, a new hybrid powertrain that provides more MPGs without sacrificing performance, and a larger in-dash touch screen for easier infotainment access. Updates for the 2021 model add innovative driver assists across all trim levels, and revamped headlight enhancements for the L, LE, and XLE trims, helping it earn our Editors’ Choice award for the segment.
Highlander Hybrid Pricing and Design
The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is available in four trims levels—LE, XLE, Limited, and Platinum. All come with a new 2.5-liter, 186-horsepower, 4-cylinder engine and twin electric motor generators for front-wheel drive models, and a third for all-wheel drive models, with power routed to the driven wheels via a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
The LE starts at $38,510 for the FWD version and $40,110 for AWD. It comes with such standard exterior features as 18-inch painted alloy wheels, LED projector headlights, LED daytime running lights, high-output LED fog lights, LED taillights, a grille shutter, a backup camera with a wash function, intermittent windshield wipers, keyless entry, and manually folding, heated power outside mirrors. Standard interior features include power windows and doors, fabric-trimmed front- and second-row seats, an eight-way power driver seat, a four-way manual front passenger seat, three-zone automatic climate control, a leather-trimmed shift knob, push-button start, and a tilt/telescopic leather steering wheel.
The LE’s standard tech features include a 4.2-inch color LCD instrument cluster, a backup camera with projected-path guidelines, four USB ports, a six-speaker sound system with HD Radio, an 8-inch in-dash touch screen, voice recognition, Bluetooth for hands-free phone and music streaming, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa capability, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Toyota Connected Services including Safety Connect, Service Connect, Remote Connect, and Wi-Fi Connect for varying trial periods.
The upgraded Toyota Safety Sense suite of driver assists, now called TSS 2.5+, is standard on all 2021 Highlander Hybrids and includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with lane keeping assist, auto high beams, road sign detection, adaptive cruise control, and hill start assist. The 2021 model also adds what Toyota calls intersection support that can detect an oncoming vehicle or pedestrian when performing a left turn, and provides audio and visual alerts and automatic braking in certain conditions. It also provides emergency steering assist to even out emergency steering maneuvers while avoiding a pedestrian.
The XLE starts at $41,310 for FWD and $42,910 for AWD and adds standard exterior features including 18-inch machined-finish alloy wheels, power-folding outside mirrors with turn signal and blind spot indicators, a height-adjustable power liftgate with remote operation via the key fob, a windshield wiper de-icer, and roof rails. Standard interior features include a power moonroof with sunshade, wireless smartphone charging, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink, second-row sunshades, a 7-inch color LCD instrument cluster, SofTex-trimmed seats, a 10-way power driver seat, a four-way power front passenger seat, and heated front seats.
The FWD Limited trim starts at $45,265 and the AWD at $47,215 and adds 20-inch alloy wheels, a trail mode, outside mirrors with Highlander logo puddle lights and a reverse tilt-down feature, a backup camera with dynamic grid lines, leather-trimmed seats, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, front and rear parking sensors with automated braking, ambient interior lighting, faux-wood interior trim, and Driver Easy Speak that uses a microphone in the front to send the driver’s voice to rear speakers.
We tested the AWD model ($47,215) that adds a 12.3-inch touch screen with a surround-view camera with perimeter scan and curb view and is a $1,050 option. Our tester also came with a $318 all-weather cargo liner, a $549 Protection Package option that includes door edge guards and body side moldings, and $350 for cargo crossbars. With a delivery processing and handling fee of $1,175, the total sticker price came to $50,557.
The flagship Platinum trim starts at $48,465 for FWD, and $50,200 for the AWD version we tested. It’s decked out with 20-inch alloy wheels, rain-sensing wipers, adaptive headlights, a panoramic moonroof, a rearview mirror camera, heated second row seats, a 10-inch color heads-up display, and a surround-view camera with perimeter scan, curb view, and 360-degree overhead view at low speed and in reverse. It also comes with a new 12.3-inch infotainment touch screen, Dynamic Navigation with Dynamic POI Search and Dynamic Voice Recognition, and a premium JBL 11-speaker sound system with a subwoofer.
Toyota’s timid approach to the new Highlander’s exterior styling is a textbook example of an if-it-ain’t-broke-don’t-fix-it strategy. But as unimpressive as the outside is, the interior’s outstanding design, comfort, and materials give it a luxury vehicle feel.
The intersecting shapes that comprise the dash are a bold flourish. And the 2021 Highlander can seat seven with middle row captain’s chairs, as in our test vehicle, that can be swapped for a bench seat to accommodate eight, although the third row is too small for most adults.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The Highlander’s new 12.3-inch infotainment touch display in top trims sets a new standard in the segment. The screen’s user interface is easy to operate and maintains the outgoing infotainment system’s ability to reconfigure the main menu in how the icons are displayed and the overall layout.
Connectivity is straightforward now that Toyota has finally added Android Auto and Apply CarPlay; Amazon Alexa compatibility is new. Toyota lagged other automakers in terms of telematics by only offering basic features such as automatic collision notification and stolen-vehicle location. But its latest Connected Services add features such as remote access to the vehicle via a smartphone app and in-cabin Wi-Fi.
Driver assist technology on the Highlander is standard across the line and, with the new Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ adding its innovative intersection and pedestrian-detection support, it’s even more comprehensive than before. The range of driver assist adjustments via the LCD instrument panel is equally wide-ranging, although using the steering buttons for these tweaks is kludgy. The bird’s-eye view camera on the Platinum provides a unique live, rotating 360-degree view, while the entire rearview mirror also turns into a backup display for better visibility.
2021 Highlander Hybrid Performance
The switch last year from a V6 to a four-cylinder engine remains unchanged in 2021. While this hybrid system generates about 60 fewer horsepower than the older 2019 Highlander Hybrid, fuel economy improves by seven to eight miles per gallon in mixed driving.
AWD in the upper trims has a torque-vectoring rear differential that can allocate rotating force to either rear wheel or disconnect the rear driveshaft for more fuel-efficient driving. AWD versions have a terrain-select system to tune the drivetrain for mud/sand, rock/dirt, and snowy surfaces.
The Highlander Hybrid Platinum is a quiet and confident highway cruiser. It keeps its composure while driving hilly, curvy roads and provides added low-end torque for climbing. The CVT is quick to respond and keeps the gas engine from complaining when pushed hard.
The Best Three-Row Crossover
The Toyota Highlander has commanded a solid sales lead in the three-row crossover category since its debut two decades ago. The hybrid version competes in an exclusive segment with only one real rival, the Ford Explorer Hybrid. While the Explorer Hybrid has sportier looks and performance, the 2021 Highlander Hybrid’s staid exterior gives way to an impressive interior and lots of excellent tech features. Its new cutting-edge driver assists help the 2021 model stand out even more, making it our pick among the two—and our Editors’ Choice winner.
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