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2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid LE FWD

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid LE FWD is a 243-hp 2.5-liter SUV with an ecvt and front-wheel drive. It starts at $38,735 MSRP and is rated at 36 mpg combined.

It makes 243 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 36 mpg city and 35 mpg highway (36 mpg combined).

The Highlander Hybrid measures 194.9 inches long on a 112.2-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 4,330 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSUV
PowertrainHybrid
Price
MSRP$38,735
MSRP with Destination$39,910
Destination Charge$1,175
Engine
Engine Type2.5-Liter DOHC 16-Valve 4-Cylinder Hybrid (Atkinson Cycle)
Displacement2.5 L
Horsepower243 hp
Torque175 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm (engine) rpm
ValvetrainDOHC 16-Valve with Dual VVT-iE (Atkinson Cycle)
Bore and Stroke87.5 x 103.4
Compression Ratio14.0:1
Injection TypeD-4S Direct & Port Injection
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFWD
Transmission
TransmissioneCVT (Electronically Controlled Continuously Variable) with sequential shift mode
Fuel Economy
City36 MPG
Highway35 MPG
Combined36 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular 87-octane or higher
Suspension
Front SuspensionIndependent MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar
Rear SuspensionMulti-link with stabilizer bar
Brakes
Front Brake DiscVentilated disc, 13.3 in.
Rear Brake DiscSolid disc, 13.3 in.; Electronically Controlled Braking (ECB) with integrated regenerative braking
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front18 in. painted alloy
Wheels Rear18 in. painted alloy
Tires FrontP235/65R18
Tires RearP235/65R18
Dimensions & Weight
Length194.9 in
Width76 in
Height68.1 in
Wheelbase112.2 in
Front Track65.3 in
Rear Track65.4 in
Ground Clearance8 in
Approach Angle18.1°
Departure Angle22.7°
Cargo Volume16 ft³
Curb Weight4,330 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front39.9 in
Headroom Rear39.4 in
Legroom Front40.4 in
Legroom Rear41 in
Shoulder Room Front59 in
Shoulder Room Rear58.7 in
Hip Room Front57.2 in
Hip Room Rear57 in

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall ★★★★★
Frontal crash ★★★★★
Side crash ★★★★★
Rollover ★★★★★ (16.4 % risk)
Tested variant: 2021 Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID SUV FWD
Other tested variants (1)
  • 2021 Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID SUV AWD: 5 ★ overall

Recalls

4 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2021 Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Mar 5, 2026 · 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.

Consequence: A seat back that fails to lock may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

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 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26TB06 and 26TA06.

NHTSA campaign 26V128000

Dec 20, 2023 · 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 the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.

Consequence: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.

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. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.

NHTSA campaign 23V865000

Oct 26, 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.

Consequence: A detached front bumper cover can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

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 number for this recall is 23TB12/23TA12.

NHTSA campaign 23V720000

Apr 13, 2022 · ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC):CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE

Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022 Lexus LX 600, Lexus NX 350h, Lexus NX 450h+, Toytoa RAV4 Hybrid, 2021-2022 Lexus LS 500h, Toyota Mirai, RAV4 PRIME, Sienna, Venza, and 2020-2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The Skid Control ECU software may not turn on the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system when the vehicle is restarted after the driver has disabled the VSC system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."

Consequence: Driving with a deactivated stability control system increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the Skid Control ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 22TA03. Lexus' number for this recall is 22LA01.

NHTSA campaign 22V239000

15 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2021 Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID

Owner Complaints

15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID. See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Air Bags8
Structure4
Electrical System1
Fuel/Propulsion System1
Hybrid Propulsion System1
Hydraulic1
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Feb 26, 2026 · Electrical System
“The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the instrument panel lights were flashing. The vehicle then independently turned off and restarted…”
Oct 29, 2025 · Structure
“The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that the hatchback failed to open completely. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the dealer recommended that the hatchback…”
Jun 24, 2025 · Air Bags
“The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The…”
Jun 23, 2025 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
“The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at slower speeds, the braking system experienced intermittent brake failures, causing the brakes to erroneously…”
Jan 13, 2025 · Air Bags
“The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2021 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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