U.S. vehicle reference
2021 Toyota Highlander MPG, Fuel Cost and Recalls
2021 Toyota Highlander MPG and annual fuel cost by engine, with EPA ratings and NHTSA recall records below.
At a glance
2021 Toyota Highlander reference
Use the summary to orient yourself, then open the exact engine, drivetrain and source record below.
2021 Toyota Highlander MPG by engine and drivetrain
EPA combined ratings run from 23 to 36 mpg across 6 configurations. Match the engine, transmission and drivetrain in the table before comparing fuel costs.
| Engine / transmission | City | Highway | Combined | Annual fuel | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cylinderAutomatic (S8) · Front-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 20 mpg | 28 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,650 | 389 g/mi |
| 3.5L 6-cylinderAutomatic (S8) · Front-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 21 mpg | 29 mpg | 24 mpg | $2,550 | 372 g/mi |
| 2.5L 4-cylinderAutomatic (AV-S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 36 mpg | 35 mpg | 36 mpg | $1,700 | 245 g/mi |
| 3.5L 6-cylinderAutomatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 20 mpg | 27 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,650 | 387 g/mi |
| 2.5L 4-cylinderAutomatic (AV-S6) · All-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 35 mpg | 35 mpg | 35 mpg | $1,750 | 254 g/mi |
| 2.5L 4-cylinderAutomatic (AV-S6) · All-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 35 mpg | 34 mpg | 35 mpg | $1,750 | 251 g/mi |
Annual fuel figures are the EPA snapshot at the source date. The calculator below uses the separately dated fuel-price record and your inputs, so the estimates may differ.
2021 Toyota Highlander annual fuel cost calculator
Start with the combined MPG for 3.5L 6-cylinder, Automatic (S8), Front-Wheel Drive. Replace it with your measured gas mileage and local pump price for a personal budget.
Formula annual miles ÷ MPG × gasoline price
Fuel cost per mile equals gasoline price divided by MPG. Multiply by your annual mileage for a yearly fuel budget. Add maintenance to estimate cost per mile.
2021 Toyota Highlander recall campaigns
NHTSA returned 4 model-level campaign records as of 2026-09-04. A campaign record does not establish whether your vehicle is affected or whether a repair is outstanding. Check your VIN through NHTSA.
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS · 23V720000
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Highlander & Highlander Hybrid vehicles. During normal vehicle operation, minor impact to the front lower bumper cover may result in the cover coming loose or detaching.
Remedy: Dealers will repair or replace the upper and lower front bumper covers as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed April 22, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB12/23TA12.
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION · 23V865000
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.
TIRES · 24V452000
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Highlander vehicles. The 20-inch accessory tires with an insufficient load rating for the vehicle's Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) were installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Remedy: SET will inspect and replace the tires and information placard, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 16, 2024. Owners may contact SET's customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET24A.
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY:RECLINER · 26V128000
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The second-row seat backs may fail to lock into position during seat back adjustment.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the return springs in the seat back recliner assemblies, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed April 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated August 27, 2026. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Toyota’s customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26TB06 and 26TA06.
2021 Toyota Highlander NHTSA safety ratings
| Vehicle | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Toyota HIGHLANDER SUV AWD | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| 2021 Toyota HIGHLANDER SUV FWD | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the 2021 Toyota Highlander gas mileage?
EPA combined ratings run from 23 to 36 mpg across 6 configurations. Match the engine, transmission and drivetrain in the table before comparing fuel costs.
Are these real-world MPG figures for the Highlander?
These are EPA ratings, not owner-reported mileage. Use your measured MPG in the calculator to estimate your own fuel budget. The configuration table keeps city, highway and combined ratings separate.
Does the 2021 Toyota Highlander have recalls?
NHTSA returned 4 model-level campaign records as of 2026-09-04. A campaign record does not establish whether your vehicle is affected or whether a repair is outstanding. Check your VIN through NHTSA.
Does annual fuel cost include servicing or insurance?
No. The EPA cost and the calculator cover fuel only. Use the cost-per-mile calculator to add a maintenance allowance. Insurance, depreciation, finance costs and registration are separate ownership expenses.
Compare similar vehicles
Sources and record dates
U.S. EPA FuelEconomy.gov vehicle dataset Accessed 2026-09-05U.S. EIA public gasoline price table Accessed 2026-09-05NHTSA Recalls API Accessed 2026-09-04NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API Accessed 2026-09-05Last updated