The latest generation of Toyota’s Highlander midsize SUV came to market for 2020 with high praise. The recent crusade of Toyota’s design and driving dynamics are exciting to journalists and customers alike with the majority of their latest. For 2021, the Highlander receives a new trim level called the XSE. In Toyota’s product language, the goal of an XSE trim is to be the sportier and more aggressively styled version.
Across the fleet of vehicles that Toyota offers the XSE trim, there wasn’t enough driving substance to fully justify that claim. Customers purchased the XSE for the looks and interior trimmings, and not much more.
In the case of the Highlander XSE, however, this may be the best product to represent Toyota’s efforts in defining what an XSE trim level is supposed to.
Some Basic Info with the Highlander
The latest generation of Toyota’s Highlander midsize SUV came to market for 2020 with high praise. The recent crusade of Toyota’s design and driving dynamics are exciting to journalists and customers alike with the majority of their latest. For 2021, the Highlander receives a new trim level called the XSE. In Toyota’s product language, the goal of an XSE trim is to be the sportier and more aggressively styled version. Across the fleet of vehicles that Toyota offers the XSE trim, there wasn’t enough driving substance to fully justify that claim. Customers purchased the XSE for the looks and interior trimmings, and not much more. In the case of the Highlander XSE, however, this may be the best product to represent Toyota’s efforts in defining what as XSE is supposed to.
The latest generation of Toyota’s Highlander midsize SUV came to market for 2020 with high praise. The recent crusade of Toyota’s design and driving dynamics are exciting to journalists and customers alike with the majority of their latest. For 2021, the Highlander receives a new trim level called the XSE. In Toyota’s product language, the goal of an XSE trim is to be the sportier and more aggressively styled version. Across the fleet of vehicles that Toyota offers the XSE trim, there wasn’t enough driving substance to fully justify that claim. Customers purchased the XSE for the looks and interior trimmings, and not much more. In the case of the Highlander XSE, however, this may be the best product to represent Toyota’s efforts in defining what as XSE is supposed to.
The XSE is Easy to Spot
From the outside, it’s easy to distinguish the XSE of its siblings. The XSE lacks to the silver propeller blade piece around the front badge with a new blacked-out mesh grill and totally redesigned bumper. 20’’ rims fit the attitude with the rest of styling and the back end of the Highlander features smoky taillights and a new dual-outlet exhaust. With the interior, changes are less noticeable but still present. The main give-away is the large faux carbon fibre that wraps around the touchscreen and climate control, then stretches to the edge of the cabin right in front of the passenger. This is the first application of intimation carbon fibre that doesn’t appear to be terribly fake and maybe even tastefully applied. Another tell-tale sign of the XSE’s interior, this model is strictly a 7 seater model. The second row features captains chairs and a storage space with cupholders integrated to the floor between those seats. However, the Highlander XSE is, first of all, a Highlander. A three-row, 7-or-8 seater midsize SUV that should prioritize passenger comfort, everyday usability and storage space above all else. The XSE adds on top of the XLE trim with the aforementioned exterior and interior changes, the XSE includes a 7'' display between the tach and speedo. In its standard form, the Highlander is a truly excellent choice in this ultra-competitive segment. It’s a comfortable, connected drive with lots of safety technology as standard with many more desirable options to select.
XSE V6 Engine is Unmodified
Testing out the hybrid variant last year, it was not only one of the standout vehicles in the segment, but one of best new products of 2020. The hybrid was so good that, in our opinion, it was enough to sway buyers away from the traditional gas-only variant as the hybrid offered very little compromise for minimal additional cost. The new XSE strictly locks you in with the 3.5L naturally aspirated V6 (11.8/8.6/10.3 L/100km in city/highway/combined). This power plant produces an under-stressed 295 horsepower and 263lb/ft of torque and spends power through an 8-speed automatic to all the wheels. This is more no powerful or responsive over the non-XSE trims of the V6. Obviously, this isn’t where Toyota focused their time and energy, instead those resources went into the recalibration of the suspension system.
High Praise But Not for the Right Reasons
The XSE drives like a hot hatch. The driver can determine which wheel adjusted the ride with each road imperfection. The steering is tight without being heavy, and the 20’’ rims don’t cause the ride to crash or shudder. As previously mentioned, the engines power figures aren't overwhelming but the 8-speed is calibrated perfectly allowing quick overtakes when the driver demands it and sublime refinement when it needs operating in the background. Saying all that, this is what you want out of a family SUV? The Highlander XSE drives as if it doesn’t want the newly formed family man to forget how great driving can be. This form factor of SUV is meant to carry people and things on a very regular basis, so how will they feel about the involving ride? Will kids be sick from the ride constantly readjusting over a broken up piece of road? Will there be consequences as there’s one less seat to transport the family? These are the questions the Highlander XSE needs you to answer.
The Important Questions
Depending on what a customer is seeking with their next family SUV, the Highlander XSE could be compelling or compromised. The Highlander XSE really is the best representation of Toyota’s efforts to date to make an engaging vehicle to drive in their current lineup of vehicles. Weirdly though, it’s a vehicle in a segment where these characteristics are far from the top priority. No one wants their midsize SUV to be a sloppy drive, but how many want this form factor to be fun to drive? The Highlander XSE may be seen as a slightly unwelcome member in this segment, which is a shame, it really is Toyota best handling and best-looking vehicle in their showrooms that isn’t a sports car.
This vehicle was lent out by Toyota Canada's press fleet for testing.