2021 Toyota Highlander vs 2020 Toyota Highlander – 5 key differences
The Toyota Highlander has been one of the most popular crossover SUVs since it was launched. It has been particularly in demand as a family car, and the mid-range SUV underwent a major overhaul in 2020. With new upgrades added to the 2021 Toyota Highlander, here are some of the major differences between the two models.
Price hike
The base MSRP of the 2020 Highlander is $34,600. On average, customers have been paying $33,264 for this SUV across dealers and sellers.
New trim grade
The Toyota Highlander brought a major wave in the automotive industry with the 2020 model. While other automakers would shy away from making major changes following a big overhaul, Toyota went on to make upgrades to the Highlander in the following year, that is, 2021. The 2020 model has five trims: L, LE, XLE, Limited, and Platinum. The 2021 Toyota highlander comes with one more trim level, XSE. Aiming for a more athletic driving experience, the XSE trim slots between the Limited and XLE versions.
Brand new features
For those choosing to buy the latest trim of 2021 Toyota Highlander, there are several new features to look forward to. The XSE model of the SUV comes with added features like a sport-tuned suspension, ambient interior lighting, and dynamic navigation.
More space
The 2021 Toyota Highlander is a tad bit more spacious. The overall length of the 2020 models is 194.9 inches, whereas the 2021 version has a length of 197.4 inches. It gives more room for leg space and cargo space. The cargo space increased from 13.8 to 16 cubic feet in the 2021 models, and the second-row legroom improved from 38.4 inches to 41.0 inches. That said, the front legroom was reduced from 44.2 inches to 40.4 inches in the 2021 model.
Upgraded safety system
The 2020 Toyota Highlander comes with Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.0. The 2021 Toyota Highlander got an upgrade on the safety system and is equipped with the next-gen Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5+. It includes a wide range of safety features like a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert, steering assist, and lane tracing assist.
