2021 Toyota Highlander vs. 2021 Lexus RX 350
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the 2021 Toyota Highlander and 2021 Lexus RX 350 contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the 2021 Toyota Highlander and the 2021 Lexus RX 350.
In comparing the 2021 Toyota Highlander's and the 2021 Lexus RX 350's specifications and ratings, the 2021 Toyota Highlander has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for used cars, reliability, resale value, interior volume and overall quality score. The 2021 Toyota Highlander and 2021 Lexus RX 350 have the same fuel efficiency base engine power. Based on this comparison of the 2021 Toyota Highlander's and the 2021 Lexus RX 350's specifications and ratings, the 2021 Toyota Highlander is a better car than the 2021 Lexus RX 350.
Pricing: A used 2021 Toyota Highlander ranges from $28,476 to $41,439 while a used 2021 Lexus RX 350 is priced between $34,887 to $45,974.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the 2021 Toyota Highlander loses 39.2 percent of its value and the 2021 Lexus RX 350 loses 42.5 percent of its value. This means the 2021 Toyota Highlander retains 3.3 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the 2021 Lexus RX 350.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Toyota Highlander is 8.7 out of 10 while the Lexus RX 350's quality rating is 8.4 out of 10. This results in the Toyota Highlander being ranked 9 out of 39 Best SUVs with 3 Rows and the Lexus RX 350 being ranked 2 out of 20 Best Luxury Midsize SUVs.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Toyota Highlander is 8.9 out of 10. For the Lexus RX 350 the reliability rating is 8.9 out of 10. This gives the Toyota Highlander a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Lexus RX 350.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the base engine of both the 2021 Toyota Highlander and the 2021 Lexus RX 350 makes 295 horsepower. Both the Highlander and the RX 350 are rated to deliver an average of 23 miles per gallon, with highway ranges of 501 and 518 miles respectively. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are crossover/midsize SUVs, the 2021 Toyota Highlander has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, rear head room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room. The 2021 Lexus RX 350 has the advantage in the area of front leg room. The 2021 Toyota Highlander and 2021 Lexus RX 350 are comparable in regards to cargo space.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the 2021 Toyota Highlander has higher safety ratings than the 2021 Lexus RX 350, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4.42 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$35,085
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize SUVs)
$32,108
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
$27,000 - $37,580
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$45,220
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
$64,309
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
$42,500 - $108,600
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$34,853
Price Range:
$28,476 - $41,439
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize SUVs)
$32,068
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
$24,840 - $46,487
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
1,332
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
54,777
# Good or Great Deals:
465
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$40,334
Price Range:
$34,887 - $45,974
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
$52,943
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
$35,666 - $80,883
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
483
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
42,230
# Good or Great Deals:
171
Toyota Highlander Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.7 / 10
Reliability:
8.9 / 10
Retained Value:
8.1 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
Lexus RX 350 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.4 / 10
Reliability:
8.9 / 10
Retained Value:
7.9 / 10
Safety:
8.4 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2021 Toyota Highlander
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
9.2
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize SUVs)
7.5
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
5.6 - 10.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
67.9%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2021 Lexus RX 350
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
9.8
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
7.1
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
4.9 - 10.1
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
49.6%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.7
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
6.3
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
1.1 - 32.1
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.6
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
3.4
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
1 - 38.6
Toyota Highlander Rankings
Ranking
3 out of / 32Ranking
3 out of / 16Ranking
3 out of / 10Ranking
5 out of / 67Ranking
5 out of / 18Ranking
5 out of / 17Ranking
6 out of / 39Ranking
6 out of / 21Ranking
7 out of / 39Ranking
7 out of / 32Ranking
7 out of / 32Ranking
9 out of / 67Ranking
9 out of / 67Ranking
9 out of / 39Ranking
10 out of / 67Ranking
10 out of / 39Ranking
10 out of / 32Ranking
10 out of / 32Ranking
10 out of / 32Ranking
11 out of / 67Ranking
11 out of / 39Ranking
11 out of / 32Ranking
12 out of / 67Ranking
12 out of / 67Ranking
13 out of / 32Ranking
13 out of / 32Ranking
15 out of / 39Ranking
15 out of / 32Ranking
16 out of / 39Ranking
16 out of / 39Ranking
16 out of / 39Ranking
16 out of / 34Ranking
17 out of / 30Ranking
18 out of / 32Ranking
18 out of / 28Ranking
19 out of / 32Ranking
21 out of / 39Ranking
26 out of / 67Ranking
26 out of / 39Ranking
27 out of / 67Ranking
27 out of / 32Ranking
28 out of / 39Ranking
30 out of / 67Ranking
30 out of / 67Ranking
31 out of / 67Ranking
31 out of / 39Ranking
38 out of / 67Ranking
52 out of / 59Lexus RX 350 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 20Ranking
1 out of / 19Ranking
1 out of / 1Ranking
2 out of / 68Ranking
2 out of / 20Ranking
3 out of / 20Ranking
3 out of / 10Ranking
5 out of / 68Ranking
6 out of / 6Ranking
7 out of / 68Ranking
10 out of / 20Ranking
10 out of / 20Ranking
12 out of / 20Ranking
14 out of / 20Ranking
16 out of / 20Ranking
17 out of / 20Ranking
20 out of / 20Ranking
21 out of / 59Ranking
26 out of / 68Ranking
32 out of / 68Ranking
37 out of / 68Ranking
37 out of / 68Ranking
40 out of / 68Ranking
42 out of / 68Ranking
62 out of / 68Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
2021 Toyota Highlander Trim Levels
L, LE, Limited, Platinum, XLE, XSE
2021 Lexus RX 350 Trim Levels
Base, F SPORT, F SPORT Handling
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
2 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
6 years / 70000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
4.42 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
295 hp @ 6600 rpm
Torque:
263 foot-lbs @ 4700 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.071 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
295 hp @ 6300 rpm
Torque:
267 foot-lbs @ 4700 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.070 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
20 / 28 / 23
Range (city/hwy):
358 / 501 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
20 / 27 / 23
Range (city/hwy):
384 / 518 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Captain's seat:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Quad Seats:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
Standard
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
41.2 inches
Front Leg Room:
42 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
59 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
41 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
58.7 inches
Cargo Space:
16 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
84.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
157.3 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
44.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.8 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
57.6 inches
Cargo Space:
16 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
32.6 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
114.1 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4145 lbs
Width:
76 inches
Height:
68.1 inches
Length:
194.9 inches
Wheelbase:
112.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
8 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4222 lbs
Width:
74.6 inches
Height:
67.7 inches
Length:
192.5 inches
Wheelbase:
109.8 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.2 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P235/65R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/65R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Midnight Black Metallic
Blue
Blueprint
Brown
Opulent Amber
Gray
Magnetic Gray Metallic
Silver
Celestial Silver Metallic
White
Blizzard Pearl
Beige
Not available
Green
Not available
Red
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Caviar / Obsidian
Blue
Nightfall Mica
Brown
Not available
Gray
Nebula Gray Pearl
Silver
Atomic Silver
White
Eminent White Pearl
Beige
Moonbeam Beige Metallic
Green
Nori Green Pearl
Red
Matador Red Mica
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Gray
Graphite
Beige
Not available
Brown
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black w/Gray Sapele Wood and Aluminum Trim / Black w/Matte Walnut Trim / Black w/Striated Black Trim
Gray
Birch w/Gray Sapele Wood and Aluminum Trim / Birch w/Matte Walnut Trim / Birch w/Striated Black Trim
Beige
Parchment w/Gray Sapele Wood and Aluminum Trim / Parchment w/Matte Bamboo Trim / Parchment w/Striated Black Trim
Brown
Glazed Caramel w/Gray Sapele Wood and Aluminum Trim / Glazed Caramel w/Matte Walnut Trim
