Toyota Highlander: Which Should You Buy, 2021 or 2022?

Most significant changes: Highlander Hybrid gets new Bronze Edition with its own wheels and interior accents (in a bronze color, of course); new exterior paint color; eight-way power passenger seat with height adjustment for XLE and higher trims

Pricing:  The well-equipped base gas-only model, called the L, starts at $36,420 (all prices include $1,215 destination), up $160 for 2022. The lowest-price Highlander Hybrid is the LE trim that starts at $40,070, also up $160. Most other models have a $360 price increase.

On sale: Now, with Bronze Edition coming in late 2021

Which should you buy, 2021 or 2022? These are only token price increases, so go for a 2022 model.

The Toyota Highlander, a mid-size three-row SUV, carries over with minimal changes for 2022. It was fully redesigned for the 2020 model year, and 2021 brought a sportier XSE trim level with notably more aggressive looks and some mechanical tweaks. For 2022, however, there are very few changes.

Related: 2021 Toyota Highlander: Is the XSE Trim Level Worth It?

The most visible is a new Bronze Edition trim level available for the Highlander’s hybrid version; it slots mid-pack among Highlander Hybrid trims. Less obvious is a new pearl paint color to replace the old pearl hue. Even less obvious — at least if you only drive the car — is an eight-way power adjustment for the front passenger seat on higher trim levels. It finally includes a height adjustment, something offered by several Highlander rivals. Up-and-down adjustment had previously been MIA in the Highlander for folks riding shotgun, drawing our complaint in years past.

Beyond these, the Highlander continues to offer eight seats, or seven with captain’s chairs, depending on trim level. All trim levels offer front- or all-wheel drive, and most offer a gas-only V-6 or high-mileage hybrid powertrain — with a modest $1,450 premium to opt for a hybrid equivalent trim. The latest-gen Highlander is notable for high-quality interior materials, up-to-date media tech, generous standard safety features, and two years or 25,000 miles of free scheduled maintenance. But the fourth-generation Highlander also is relatively compact among three-row SUVs, with less people and cargo space than many of its roomier rivals. 

Cast in Bronze

The eye-catcher for the Highlander Hybrid Bronze Edition trim level is a set of 18-inch alloy wheels painted bright bronze. No judgment; some folks will find them attractive. Others might see echoes of the tacky gold trim that Toyota and others offered in the 1990s. The new edition comes only in black, pearl white or a trim-exclusive gray called Cement. The bronze theme continues inside, with bronze stitching for the vinyl-and-cloth seats, dashboard and door trim. The floormats get a bronze logo, and the lighted door sills are bronze. The Bronze Edition also gets a complement of standard features that include a video rearview mirror, a power liftgate and 1,500-watt power outlets.

Powertrains

Gas-only Highlanders are powered by a 295-horsepower, V-6 engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The V-6 models are rated to tow 5,000 pounds and include trailer sway control. EPA-rated combined gas mileage is solid at 24 mpg, while the Highlander Hybrid gets 36 mpg; in either case, adding AWD drops 1 mpg from the combined EPA rating. The hybrid uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder and electric motors for a combined output of 243 hp, with a continuously-variable-style automatic; it’s rated to tow 3,500 pounds. The hybrid system is offered on all trim levels except the base L and sporty XSE.

Both powertrains offer FWD or AWD, the latter employing one of three systems. Lower gas-only trim levels get a basic system that can send up to 50% of torque to the rear wheels as needed. Higher gas-only trims get torque-vectoring AWD that can also shift power between the left and right wheels to improve handling. Finally, the hybrid AWD system adds a separate electric motor to provide rear-wheel power as needed for traction or handling.  

Safety Tech Is Standard

All Highlanders come standard with the latest Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 Plus bundle of safety and driver-assist tech. Features include automatic emergency braking that can detect pedestrians and cyclists in various lighting conditions, as well as oncoming vehicles if you turn left across traffic. Other standard features include adaptive cruise control, hands-on lane centering and automatic high beams.

A blind spot warning system and rear-cross traffic alert are standard on all but the L trim. Top trims add rear automatic emergency braking. Other available tech includes a video rearview mirror and 360-degree camera system.

More From Cars.com:

• 2020 Toyota Highlander Review: More in Some Ways, Not in Others
• 2020 Toyota Highlander: 5 Pros and 4 Cons
• 2020 Hyundai Palisade Vs. 2020 Toyota Highlander: Family SUVs Duke It Out
• 2020 Toyota Highlander: Well-Equipped But Whoa-Nelly Priced
• Which 3-Row SUVs Offer Captain’s Chairs?
• How Do Car Seats Fit in a 2020 Toyota Highlander?

2022 Highlander Pricing

Below are the 2022 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid trim levels, with prices listed for front-drive versions. Note that the included destination charge, $1,215, is up $40 for all vehicles built after Aug. 1, 2021, regardless of model year; the price comparisons below versus the 2021 Highlander reflect the adjusted destination price for both model years. Opting for AWD adds $1,600 for the L, LE, XLE and Bronze Edition trims, and $1,950 for the XSE, Limited and Platinum. 

• L: $36,420 (up $160)
• LE: $38,620 (up $160)
• XLE: $41,620 (up $360) 
• XSE: $43,215 (up $360)
• Limited: $45,575 (up $360)
• Platinum: $48,775 (up $360)
• Hybrid LE: $40,070 (up $160)
• Hybrid XLE: $43,070 (up $360)
• Hybrid Bronze Edition $45,095 (new for 2022)
• Hybrid Limited: $47,025 (up $360)
• Hybrid Platinum: $50,225 (up $360)

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