If you’re looking for a stylish midsize three-row SUV, the 2021 Toyota Highlander should be at the top of your list. Offered in L, LE, XLE, XSE, Limited, and Platinum trim levels, the Highlander presents an upscale, spacious, and versatile interior with state-of-the-art technology.
Versatile Passenger And Cargo Capacity
Image via Toyota Pressroom
The 2021 Toyota Highlander, as can be seen at Panama City Toyota, seats up to eight people when equipped with the second-row bench seat, or seven with the available second-row captain’s chairs. The Highlander’s refined V-6 engine and compliant suspension ensure a smooth, comfortable, and quiet ride, making even the longest journeys a pleasure.
With a full passenger load you get 16 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats to stow all your gear. Folding the third row flat gives you 48.4 cubic feet of storage. When you’ve got more gear than people, you can fold the second-row seats flat for a massive 84.3-cubic-foot cargo area. Six cargo tie-down hooks ensure that your load stays in place. Limited and Platinum models feature a hands-free power tailgate for convenient access to your cargo when you’ve got your hands full. If you need to haul even bigger loads, the Highlander can tow a trailer of up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.
Ensuring there’s a place for everything, the Highlander has clever storage solutions, including a soft-touch in-dash split-level shelf, a 15-liter soft-touch roll-top center console with a removable utility tray, and an overhead console with sunglasses storage. To keep beverages safely stowed, you have eight cup holders and four bottle holders located throughout the cabin.
Modern Sophisticated Cabin
Inside the L trim, you’ll find premium fabric upholstery with an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, a four-way manually adjustable passenger seat, a 60/40 split, sliding, and reclining second-row bench, and a 60/40-split reclining third row. The three-zone automatic climate control features a separate second-row control panel and second-and third-row vents to ensure a comfortable temperature for passengers in all three rows.
Interior features include a tilting and telescoping steering column, a conversation mirror, two 12-volt power outlets, auto up and down power windows with jam protection, and power door locks with a shift-linked automatic lock and unlock safety feature. A 4.2-inch color multi-information display in the instrument cluster provides details such as fuel economy, average speed, cruising range, a cruise control guide, and telephone information. The steering wheel has illuminated controls for the multi-information display, audio, Bluetooth hands-free phone, voice command, dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure alert, and lane steering assist.
LE models add a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, while the XLE offers a touch of extra luxury with chrome door handles, simulated leather upholstery, a 10-way power driver’s seat, a four-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, and second-row fold-down captain’s chairs with foldable inboard armrests. You also get a 7-inch multi-information display, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, second-row sunshades, and a center console with Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charging.
The all-new sporty XSE trim features an exclusive two-tone interior and subtle ambient lighting. This model also offers the option of a red and black leather-trimmed interior and red accent stitching across the instrument panel. Stepping up to the Limited trim gets you luxurious leather front and second-row seats, driver’s seat memory, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, ornamental dash trim, faux wood door trim, and stylish metal front doorsill scuff plates.
For charging and powering up your gadgets, you have a center console-mounted 120-volt power outlet, while for added security, a cargo area tonneau cover hides your gear from prying eyes. The top-of-the-range Platinum trim adds upscale features such as heated second-row seats.
Connectivity And Entertainment Technology
Image via Toyota Pressroom
For keeping you and your passengers connected and entertained on the road, the Highlander features the latest audio and multimedia technology. The infotainment system includes Amazon Alexa compatibility, Bluetooth wireless technology for audio streaming and hands-free phone capability, and five USB ports. Control of the system is via the 8-inch touch screen which also shows images from the integrated backup camera with projected path.
The standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility seamlessly connects your smartphone to the multimedia system so you can make calls, send and receive messages, get directions, and listen to your music. With Wi-Fi Connect enabled, your Highlander becomes a Wi-Fi hot spot with 4G connectivity. Up to five devices can be connected to enable you to access your favorite apps. With the six-speaker sound system, you get SiriusXM satellite radio that offers a wide range of entertainment with over 200 channels to choose from.
Limited models add an integrated dynamic navigation system, an integrated rearview camera with dynamic grid lines, and a premium 1200-watt JBL audio system with Clari-Fi. With its 11 speakers and surround sound, you’ll experience phenomenal concert hall-quality sound. You also get Driver Easy Speak which uses a microphone in the overhead console to amplify the driver’s voice and broadcast it through the rear speakers.
The Platinum trim offers a digital rearview mirror and a 10-inch head-up display that includes a speedometer, road sign assist, navigation, and on the hybrid model, the hybrid system indicator. It also has a 12.3-inch touch screen and a bird’s eye view camera with dynamic grid lines that includes a perimeter scan, a curb view, and a 360-degree overhead view in low-speed drive and reverse.
Driver Assistance Technology
The Highlander comes standard with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ suite of driver assistance technologies to help keep your family safe. It includes full-speed range adaptive cruise control, lane tracing assist, lane departure alert with steering assist, a pre-collision system with low-light pedestrian detection, road sign assist, and automatic high beams.
The Star Safety System features enhanced vehicle stability control, traction control, an anti-lock braking system, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and smart stop technology. Safety Connect is also standard and offers automatic collision notification, emergency assistance, enhanced roadside assistance, and a stolen vehicle locator.
For a closer look at all of the striking features of the 2021 Highlander, contact Panama City Toyota today to arrange a test drive.
