The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is the second model year of the fourth-generation hybrid. Toyota did not redesign the Highlander for 2021; the fourth-generation model arrived for 2020, and the 2021 update was limited to new equipment. This article covers the hybrid’s interior, its seating and cargo layout, and the specific changes Toyota made for the 2021 model year.
What Changed for 2021
The main change to the Highlander range for 2021 was the arrival of the sporty XSE grade, which was offered only with the 3.5-liter V6 and therefore did not apply to the hybrid. Toyota also made Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ standard across the range and switched the L, LE and XLE headlamps to a projector design. The hybrid’s interior and seating layout carried over unchanged from 2020, as did its cargo measurements.
Seating and Space
The 2021 Highlander Hybrid offered seating for seven or eight. The LE came standard with a second-row bench for eight passengers, while the XLE and Limited came with captain’s chairs for seven and offered the bench as an option; the Platinum came with captain’s chairs only. Large rear doors and a second row that slides and folds helped access the third row, and three-zone automatic climate control kept air moving to the rear seats.
Cargo Space
Because the hybrid battery is mounted under the second-row seats, the hybrid never gave up cargo or passenger room to its battery. Toyota quoted 16.0 cubic feet of space behind the third row, 48.4 cubic feet behind the second row with the third row folded, and 84.3 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. The load floor was shaped with side pockets to make the most of the available width.
Materials and Comfort
The cabin was trimmed to suit each grade. The LE used woven cloth seats in Graphite or Black, the XLE moved to SofTex synthetic leather in Harvest Beige, Graphite or Black, and the Limited used perforated leather in the same colors. The Platinum added embossed, perforated leather and a color called Glazed Caramel. Toyota said its engineers concentrated on reducing noise in the frequency ranges that interfere with conversation, and the Limited and Platinum grades added acoustic glass on the front side windows to isolate the cabin further.
Colors and Configurations
Exterior paint choices included Blizzard Pearl, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Celestial Silver Metallic, Midnight Black Metallic, Ruby Flare Pearl, Opulent Amber and Blueprint, some of which carried an extra cost. Inside, the Highlander offered cloth, SofTex or leather depending on grade, with second-row captain’s chairs on higher trims and a bench available on the XLE and Limited. The Platinum could be specified with captain’s chairs only. Toyota did not change the Highlander’s interior color palette for 2021, so the same combinations carried over from the 2020 model.
Technology and Infotainment
The 2021 Highlander Hybrid came standard with an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system supporting Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Amazon Alexa, plus SiriusXM radio and a Wi-Fi trial. Wireless Qi phone charging was available, and the center console provided five USB charging ports. The Platinum grade upgraded to a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and an 11-speaker, 1,200-watt JBL audio system was available on higher grades. A 10-inch color head-up display and a 360-degree camera were also offered on top trims, along with dynamic navigation on a trial subscription.
Connected services came with trial subscriptions, including Safety Connect, Service Connect, Remote Connect and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The XLE and above added wireless phone charging, while the Platinum’s 12.3-inch screen controlled navigation, audio and climate settings. A 10-inch color head-up display and a 360-degree Bird’s Eye View camera were offered on the top grades, and the hybrid’s energy monitor displayed power flow on the touchscreen.
Safety Features Inside
Beyond the safety systems, the Highlander Hybrid’s cabin included standard Toyota Safety Connect with a trial subscription and a rear-seat reminder. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was standard from the LE grade and up, and rear cross-traffic braking with clearance sonar was available on the Limited and standard higher up. Eight airbags, including side curtain airbags for all three rows, were fitted.
Noise and Ride Comfort
Ride comfort and quietness were priorities for the fourth-generation Highlander. The TNGA-K platform increased structural rigidity, and Toyota added sound-absorbing and soundproofing material throughout the body, concentrating on the frequencies that most affect conversation. The Limited and Platinum grades used acoustic glass on the front side windows. Because the hybrid can run on electric power at low speeds, it was often quieter than the V6 in city driving, where the engine shuts off to save fuel.
Dimensions
According to Cars.com, the Highlander Hybrid measured 194.9 inches long, 76.0 inches wide and 68.1 inches tall, with a 112.2-inch wheelbase and 8.0 inches of ground clearance. Those figures matched the V6 model, so the hybrid interior offered the same headroom, legroom and cargo dimensions as the gas version.
Summary
For 2021, the Highlander Hybrid’s interior story was continuity rather than change: the same seven- or eight-seat layout, the same 84.3 cubic feet of maximum cargo space, and a hybrid battery packaged so it takes up no passenger or cargo room. The genuine 2021 changes, the XSE grade and Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, sat outside the hybrid. Buyers can compare the 2021 Toyota Highlander range and the 2020 Toyota Avalon on Toyota’s review pages.
