2021 Toyota Highlander in Nigeria: Price, Review, Interior design

There’s a new 2021 Toyota Highlander three-row crossover out there. Perhaps you’ve seen it on the roads, intersections, driveways, parking lots, strip malls, actual malls, or anywhere else with a paved surface and people?

The family hauler may as well be standard issue in the suburbs and subdivisions around the country along with an Instant Pot and Nextdoor subscription card. Welcome to the neighborhood, here’s your Costco card.

Over the last two decades, Toyota has largely abandoned the idea of sporty performance and driving engagement. More recently, the automaker’s shown a growing interest in these principles by collaborating with Subaru and BMW on the 86 and Supra, respectively. There have also been sportier versions of the sedate Camry and Avalon sedans. The latest to get the treatment is the 2021 Toyota Highlander XSE, which debuted at the 2020 Chicago Auto Show. 

2021 Toyota Highlander performance and fuel economy

The 2021 Highlander comes standard with a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. That’s one of the greatest outputs in the segment, and considering the Highlander weighs less than many competitors, expect strong acceleration. An eight-speed automatic and front-wheel drive is standard. There are two all-wheel-drive systems available: a basic one that sends power to the rear wheels when extra traction is needed, and a more advanced system for the Limited and Platinum that can also differ the amount of power between the left and right rear wheels to further enhance traction (AKA torque vectoring). Fuel economy differs by trim level and drivetrain, but they’re all between 20-21 mpg city, 27-29 mpg highway, and 23-24 mpg combined. The fuel economy for the new XSE was not available at the time of this writing. The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder paired with electric motors that produce a net output of 243 hp.

What’s new for 2021?

The Toyota Highlander was completely redesigned last year, but 2021 sees the addition of the XSE trim level that combines the existing XLE’s upgraded appointments with unique chassis upgrades to achieve a more engaging driving experience. Those include a stiffer, sport-tuned suspension, a stiffer rear anti-roll bar, and reworked steering that should be more responsive. There’s also unique styling, including a reshaped grille that juts forward above an enlarged lower air dam that looks an awful lot like the one on the Sienna SE. There’s also a widened rear bumper, blacked-out exterior trim, carbon-fiber-look interior trim, and an exclusive upholstery consisting of black SofTex vinyl with cloth inserts that can be supplanted by optional red leather.

2021 Toyota Highlander Interior

Base L and mid-range LE models can seat eight passengers using bench seats in the second and third rows, but a seven-seat arrangement with second-row captain’s chairs is available on higher trims. A modern design puts convenience at the forefront, with all your controls within reach, Feel the sporty vibe of an available red and black leather-trimmed interior.

2021 Toyota Highlander Safety

Federal testers haven’t chimed in yet, but the 2021 Highlander has mostly good safety scores so far.

The IIHS said the Highlander earned top “Good” scores on all its crash tests, and rated the standard automatic emergency braking system as “Superior” at avoiding crashes with cars and pedestrians at 12 and 25 mph.

The performance of its headlights varies by trim, according to the IIHS. The LED headlights equipped on Platinum trims rated “Good” by the IIHS, the LEDs on Highlander Limited notched one rating lower at “Acceptable.” Every other trim receives headlights that rate as “Poor” by the IIHS—choose carefully.

2021 Toyota Highlander price

The List price (MSRP) for the new 2021 Toyota Highlander has officially announced by its maker Toyota,  The 2021 Toyota Highlander price increases for enhanced safety and more features, The 2021 model also gets the latest version of a Toyota Safety Sense suite of advanced safety features, which is standard equipment. The MSRP (manufacturer’s suggested retail price) will start from ₦16.7 million – ₦24 million, this price varies by trim and the features.

2021 Toyota Highlander Release Date

The 2021 Toyota Highlander XSE model was released in November 2020. The XSE model will be offered for both the gasoline-powered Highlander and the Highlander Hybrid.

The mid-range XLE is the pick of the litter. It has heated front seats, a wireless smartphone-charging pad, and a power sunroof, among other niceties. We’d also spring for the Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation package, which brings in-dash navigation and an upgraded stereo system. Remember Over the last two decades now the Toyota car has largely abandoned the idea of sporty performance and driving engagement. More recently, the automaker’s shown a growing interest in these principles by collaborating with Subaru and BMW on the 86 and Supra, respectively.