Toyota Highlander Excel HEV CVT (2021)
Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 836 MOT tests in 2024.
Annual Cost
£2,413
£201/month
MOT Pass Rate
95%
Excellent
Road Tax
£200
Standard rate/year
Est. Insurance
Grp 25-38
2497cc Hybrid
Great Choice
95% pass rate, £2,413/year to run. 13 points above average.
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Annual Running Costs
~30 mpg (petrol-engine estimate; hybrids usually use less)
Standard rate (from April 2017)
Low estimate due to excellent reliability
Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included. Cars registered from April 2017 pay the £200 standard rate, plus £440 a year for five years (from the second year) if they cost over £40,000 new (over £50,000 for electric cars).
Reliability Verdict
Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 13 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Toyota brand average of 84%.
95% of MOT tests on Toyota Highlander Excel HEV CVTs from 2021 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 3 years old. That's based on 836 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 31,424 miles.
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How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
31,424
Average miles
22,200
Expected for age
The average 2021 Toyota Highlander Excel HEV CVT had 31,424 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is above the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.
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About the 2021 Toyota Highlander Excel HEV CVT
The 2021 Toyota Highlander Excel HEV CVT is a large car. Our records list a 2497cc hybrid engine, though engines vary between versions. 836 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. It ranks in the top 25% of all 2021 models for MOT pass rate.
With an average of 31,424 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Toyota Highlander Excel HEV CVT owners cover more miles than the average driver.
2021 Toyota Highlander Excel HEV CVT Fuel Costs
The 2497cc hybrid engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Our estimate uses around 30 mpg, the figure for a petrol engine of this size, which works out to roughly £1,958 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year). As a hybrid it should use less than that, and real-world fuel costs depend a lot on how much electric-only driving you do.
What does it cost to own a 2021 Toyota Highlander Excel HEV CVT?
Total estimated annual running cost is £2,413 (£201/month), broken down as £1,958 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 95% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.
Buying a Used 2021 Toyota Highlander Excel HEV CVT
At 5 years old, the Toyota Highlander Excel HEV CVT offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost.
Common Issues to Watch For
These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.
Hybrid Battery Health
Medium riskAfter 5 years, hybrid battery capacity may have reduced. A full replacement costs £2,000-£4,000, though reconditioning is cheaper at £500-£1,500.
Inverter and Power Electronics
Low riskThe inverter converts DC to AC for the electric motor. Failures are expensive (£1,500+) but relatively rare. Listen for unusual buzzing sounds.
Regenerative Braking
Medium riskBrake discs can corrode from reduced use (the electric motor handles most braking). Surface rust is normal but deep pitting needs attention.
Service History
Low riskAlways request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.
Running Costs Compared
How the 2021 Toyota Highlander Excel HEV CVT stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.
| Car | Pass Rate | Fuel/yr | Tax/yr | Est. Ins. Group | Total/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Highlander Excel HEV CVT(2021) | 95% | £1,958 | £200 | Grp 25-38 | £2,413 |
| Land Rover Range Rover Sport(2019) | 94% | £1,631 | £200 | Grp 18-32 | £2,086-£327 |
| Toyota RAV4(2020) | 95% | £1,958 | £200 | Grp 25-38 | £2,413same |
| Land Rover Range Rover(2019) | 94% | £1,631 | £200 | Grp 18-32 | £2,086-£327 |
| BMW 330E M Sport Auto(2021) | 88% | £1,631 | £200 | Grp 18-32 | £2,236-£177 |
Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.
Questions about the 2021 Toyota Highlander Excel HEV CVT
Is the 2021 Toyota Highlander Excel HEV CVT reliable?
Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 95% of MOT tests on 2021 Toyota Highlander Excel HEV CVTs ended in a pass, from 836 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 13 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.
How much does a 2021 Toyota Highlander Excel HEV CVT cost to run?
Our estimate is £2,413 a year (£201 a month): £1,958 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.
What is the MOT pass rate for a 2021 Toyota Highlander Excel HEV CVT?
95% of 836 MOT tests on the 2021 Toyota Highlander Excel HEV CVT ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 811th of 3,336 models first registered in 2021 (top 25%).
What is the average mileage for a 2021 Toyota Highlander Excel HEV CVT?
The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2021 Toyota Highlander Excel HEV CVT is 31,424 miles, which is above the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.
Related Toyota Models
Explore other Toyota cars or similar models in the same category.
Toyota Yaris
2013 · 1330cc Petrol
Toyota Aygo
2015 · 998cc Petrol
Toyota Prius
2019 · 1797cc Hybrid
Land Rover Range Rover Sport
2019 · 1997cc Hybrid
Toyota RAV4
2020 · 2500cc Hybrid
Land Rover Range Rover
2019 · 1997cc Hybrid
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