The 2021 Toyota Highlander features a wide array of driver-assistance features. These give one more layer of safety to the driver. The 2021 Toyota Highlander's ride is non-incidental, and the acceleration is satisfactory. But the driving demeanor leaves much to be desired. This places it behind its main rivals in the segment.

 

Interior Build

The lower trims can comfortably seat eight passengers. This is due to the bench seats in the second and third rows. However, the higher trims seat seven due to the captain's chairs in the second row. The passenger space is somewhat more than rivals. But it is not the segment topper in this regard. The materials used inside the cabin have been upgraded from the last-gen Highlander. The top models give some great features and comfort, but they are less than those provided by top models of rivals. The cargo area at the rear can carry only four full-size suitcases. Its closest rival can carry six.

 

Utility 

The 2021 Toyota Highlander is costlier than its opponents in the same segment. But you will not get more features than rivals. The cabin material quality is also quite average when it comes to top-rated midsize SUVs. The brand's warranty coverage for this car is average. It gives three years of bumper-to-bumper coverage and five years for the powertrain. There is free scheduled maintenance for the first two years.

 

Technological Changes 

The brand has been behind other automakers in terms of technological features in their vehicles. But the 2021 Toyota Highlander tries to rectify this situation. It comes with an optional twelve-inch touch display, where eight-inch is considered to be the standard. The display responds to touches very well. The only drawback is that the surface of the display is very reflective and is challenging to use during the day. Five USB charging ports were also provided for the first and second rows of the 2021 Toyota Highlander. Among the advanced driver aids, the adaptive cruise control is very good. But the lane departure warning is a little too sensitive in the standard mode and nearly turns off in the low mode.

 

Driving Experience 

Many SUVs are slow to respond when drivers try to accelerate the car. But that is not the case with the 2021 Toyota Highlander. The car gives an almost immediate response. The vehicle reached 60 miles per hour in seven and a half seconds. This can be seen as a little better than average and quite close to its closest rival. But this car gives a quicker feel to the driver pushing the accelerator. The 2021 Toyota Highlander can also negotiate twisty roads without much trouble. As the car handles turn, the body roll is controlled. The torque-vectoring AWD system is also a great help. It applies engine power to the individual rear wheels. This increases the car's handling balance. It also gives more traction in wet weather.

 

The 2021 Toyota Highlander gives the feel of a larger SUV despite the technology. Many rivals provide a lighter feel when driving. Many of them can stop quickly when the brakes are applied. But the 2021 Toyota Highlander makes daily driving nearly effortless. This is the vital factor that tilts things in their favor.

 

Comfort Factor 

The 2021 Toyota Highlander's ride quality is very good. The passengers do not feel small and large blemishes on the road because of great suspension. Still, it does not feel disconnected or floaty when the speeds are pumped up. The front seats of the car are comfortable even on long drives. The captain's chairs on the second row also provide a similar degree of comfort. But the third-row seats are a drawback for the car. The padding is very thin with a very low seat cushion. Furthermore, the space is very narrow. Kids and young adults can only utilize the row. The road noise is less, and the wind noise is also nearly absent even on the highway.

 

Conclusion 

The 2021 Toyota Highlander has good fuel economy and provides excellent comfort to its passengers. It is pretty stable on a windy road. The acceleration responds well enough for drivers to enjoy city driving. The noise cancellation and seat comfort help it to be taken on long-distance drives too. A significant drawback is the third-row seat that is very narrow and falls behind its competitors.