What changes were made to the 2021 Wildlander?
4 Answers
2021 GAC Toyota Wildlander has been launched. As a facelift model, it mainly features adjustments and improvements in interior and configurations. Among them, the 2.0L Luxury Edition, Luxury AWD Edition, 2.5L Hybrid Luxury Edition, and Hybrid Luxury AWD Edition all saw a price increase of 1,000 yuan, while prices for other variants remain unchanged. In terms of features, new additions include leather steering wheel, leather gear shift knob, soft interior panel trim, and chrome air vent accents. The front fascia and side profile maintain the design language of the previous generation, retaining high recognizability. The Wildlander can be considered a successful China-specific model, maintaining strong sales performance since its launch over a year ago.
Last year, I bought a 2021 Highlander and noticed several design optimizations that make the overall appearance more youthful and dynamic. For example, the front fascia features a new honeycomb grille paired with sharp LED headlights, creating more three-dimensional lines compared to the boxier look of the older model. The color options have also been updated with several new metallic paint choices that look even more eye-catching in sunlight. The wheels have been upgraded to sporty 19-inch rims with a new design, significantly enhancing the visual appeal when driving. Additionally, the bumper design is now sleeker and more streamlined, with fewer decorative elements, giving it a more refined look. These changes have made the car stand out more on the road, and my friends all agree that its aesthetics have improved dramatically. As a car enthusiast, these subtle updates really appeal to me, and it feels like Toyota put a lot of effort into catering to younger audiences this time.
I usually drive the Wildlander for commuting and taking the kids around. The 2021 model has some solid upgrades in the interior. The most noticeable change is the new 10.1-inch touchscreen on the dashboard—much cleaner interface, faster touch response, and even smoother CarPlay connectivity. The seats are now upholstered in softer leather with better support, making long drives less tiring, and it’s harder for the kids to dirty them while playing in the back. There are also a few extra storage compartments for phones and keys, making them easier to access, plus additional USB ports so no one has to fight over charging cables. Noise insulation has improved noticeably, reducing wind noise on the highway and making conversations clearer for the family. The optimized AC system heats and cools faster, and combined with the built-in air purifier, the cabin feels much fresher. These thoughtful upgrades make daily driving more convenient and effortless.
From a technical perspective, the 2021 Wildlander has undergone significant upgrades in safety features. Equipped with Toyota's latest Safety Sense system TSS 2.0, its automatic braking is more responsive, and the lane departure warning reacts much faster. The cruise control automatically adjusts speed, making long-distance driving much easier. The infotainment system's connectivity has been enhanced, supporting OTA updates with real-time navigation data refreshes and lower error rates. The body structure has been fine-tuned, improving passive safety test scores. Newly added blind-spot monitoring and rear traffic alert systems make reversing and parking much safer. The optimized battery management system slightly increases the range of hybrid models, and the instrument panel displays more comprehensive information.
