A Bit More Brutal: 2021 Toyota Highlander XSE Arrives in Chicago
With the next-generation 2020 Toyota Highlander now riding atop a new platform, the manufacturer has decided to grow its sport-adjacent XSE trim level by throwing it into mix for the 2021 model year. The model took a bow at the Chicago Auto Show on Wednesday.
Settling between the XLE and Limited trims, XSE uses the same 3.5-liter V6 (295 horsepower, 263 lb-ft of torque) that’s now found in all non-hybrid Highlanders. The performance boost come by way of suspension upgrades and a few tweaks to the electrically assisted power steering unit. Everything else is cosmetic, but Toyota believes it will all come together to create a sportier driving experience.
The automaker says it’s giving the model the “XSE treatment,” adding it’s aimed at “people who need SUV practicality but really miss driving sport sedans.” While we’re not sure how much overlap exists between Highlander shoppers and sports-sedan enthusiasts, semi-sporting packages and trim lines are standard practice these days. They must hold some level of appeal, or manufacturers wouldn’t insist on dangling them in front of us.
Power on the Highlander XSE is still sent through an eight-speed automatic transmission to the front wheels, but all-wheel drive remains an option. Toyota says the AWD system can send up to 50 percent of its output to the rear wheels and vector torque through the rear axle, delivering desirable handling characteristics and stability when the terrain gets lousy. Configurable drive modes will further help customers dial in the settings; however, the manufacturer has yet to elaborate further.
Suspension changes include re-tuned shocks, higher spring rates, and a new rear stabilizer bar.
While the Highlander looks like Toyota’s design team retains an unhealthy obsession with the defunct Matrix, XSE is a bit more aggressive looking than the rest. It’s not the boldest design we’ve seen from the brand of late — and it’s far less brutish than the old Highlander — but it is more curvaceous and interesting than the comparatively diminutive Matrix.
XSE further distinguishes itself from the rest of the lineup by way of a restyled front end with much larger openings (many of which are cosmetic). It also brings smokey headlamps with black accenting, black mirrors, some black cladding around the wheel wells, unique rocker panels, and a set of 20-inch machine-faced alloy wheels (again, with black accents).
Cloth seats are standard, though XSE allows you to empty your bank account with two-tone red and black leather upholstery with a red stitching. You can also splurge on an audio upgrade, resulting in the instillation of an 11-speaker JBL sound system. You should also be able to upgrade the infotainment system to 12.3 inches, as the default 8-inch touchscreen (which comes with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Alexa capabilities) appears to be standard.
Toyota expects about 12 percent of Highlander buyers to select the XSE. Pricing will be announced closer to launch. Based on its positioning, XSE should start somewhere around $42,000. Sales are anticipated to begin this fall.
[Images: Toyota]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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The front lower end is taken from the Avalon sedan. It looks ridiculous! Toyota and Lexus just keep doing these extremely ugly front ends and for some reason, people buy the cars but say it is ugly!
Yes, this has bizarre front end styling. I haven't see a Star Wars movie since the original came out but I see some Darth Vader in there. But... why complain? This is a Toyota. We won't have to endure the front all that much. We'll all be staring at the arse end as it lumbers along in the passing lane 10 mph below the limit. With a signal light on... for hours on end. I swear that if/when Toyota makes autonomous vehicles they'll just aim for the left lane and stay there.