Overview
A best-seller in Toyota’s lineup, the Highlander is also one of the longest-running three-row SUVs. Presently in its fourth generation, this SUV was re-engineered for the 2020 model year.
It is a beautiful mid-sized 3-row SUV with a sporty design and offers enough extra traction, pointing to stability and road grasp even over long distances.
Several grades of the Toyota Highlander include L, LE, XLE, XSE, Limited, and Platinum. There’s an additional Highlander Hybrid version that’s evaluated separately.
Features and Specifications
This massive SUV has three rows of seats, and the ones at the farthest back are sized for kids or young adults. Car lovers can choose between the V-6 engine or opt for the fuel-sipping hybrid option. Both of these powertrains are available on all-wheel drives.
The six trims on this beautiful SUV comes with LED headlamps, wireless smartphone chargers, and spacious legroom. Most trims have a preferred 8-inch infotainment device besides the Highlander Limited and Platinum with a 12.3-inch display.
The 2021 Toyota Highlander is a perfectly stable high-capacity vehicle that can handle sharp corners well. Body roll is essentially not noticeable. By sending engine power to the back wheels, the optional torque-vectoring AWD increases the balance when drifting over smooth road surfaces.
It also features numerous state-of-the-art driver aids in the Safety Sense 2.0 bundle. All but the base trims have blind-spot monitoring and the exceptional cruise management works remarkably well.
Toyota considered drivers who travel with kids by providing an easily accessible LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system for the Highlander. The anchors are only found in the second row. Parents enjoy the available LATCH system for child safety seats.
The first two rows of the three-row seat SUV are comfortable. These first and seconds seats are well reinforced and stuffed to hold up over long journeys. The XLE model is available with a heated front seat, perfect for warding off the chill during the colder winter days.
The Highlanders’ skinny roof pillars push up against the front seats to provide easy panoramic sightlines.
The Highlander can tow up to 5,000 pounds when accurately decked. That is, unfortunately, average for the class.
Entertainment Specifications
All the 2021 Toyota Highlander trims offer unique entertainment systems. They all feature an 11-speaker JBL audio sound system.
Among the functions that Toyota offers for all fashions encompass SiriusXM satellite tv for pc radio, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration.
This modern SUV comes with extra features, including remote connect free for one year and service connect for 10 years free. The Limited trim also comes with Destination Assist for one year free and an impressive voice recognition system for three years free.
The Highlander’s display is highly reactive and intuitive, which allows drivers to customize the infotainment features. All trims feature an 8-inch touchscreen, except for the Platinum trim that has a 12.3-inch touchscreen display.
All trims of this SUV feature a rear-view camera that allows the driver to see all around the vehicle’s exterior. It also has a 360-degree surround-view camera system that is optional gives a bird’s-eye view.
Mechanical Specifications
Equipped with a 3.5-L engine, this huge SUV has a quick thrust of power, enabling it to accelerate easily. The Highlander ties with the swift Kia Telluride when it comes to ease of acceleration. It takes about 7.5 seconds to get from 0 to 60 mph on the highway.
The 2021 highlander engine offers a decent fuel saving. When outfitted with front-wheel drive, the Highlander V-6 engine offers an amazing 29 mpg on the highway. The all-wheel-drive slices that by 2 mpg. The Hybrid models have higher ratings, with front-wheel-drive alternatives gaining 35 mpg on the highway and 36 mpg in the city.
This is one relaxing ride with its well-muted cabin. It is muted from road and wind noise, even when on top speed on the highway. The engine stays slightly audible till you rev it. It is also equipped with a powerful suspension that can sustain all types of road imperfections smoothly.
Top Reasons to buy the 2021 Toyota Highlander
The 2021 Toyota Highlander is among the most fuel-efficient family SUVs on the road, especially the Hybrid model, which carries higher ratings. However, the XSE powertrain gives the Highlander an advantage over the standard family-style SUV.
The Highlander is a safe choice of a family SUV as it presents a steady driving experience on and off the highways and off-road. The Highlanders’ functional features and a strong exterior make the 2021 Toyota Highlander a smart, roomy, and safe ride for the entire family.
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