Is This The Best Highlander? | 2021 Toyota Highlander XSE 

Sorry for the typo, torque is clearly 263 lb-ft...

We looked at all the 3 row mid size SUVs. This one won us over. The second place was the Kia Telluride. The styling, fit and finish, and handling of the highlander XSE was fantastic and then we turned up the JBL premium audio system and that was the icing on the cake! Incredible vehicle.

My wife and I have a 2020 Highlander Hybrid AWD model LE. We purchased it in June 2020 and we have nearly 16,000 miles on it. The MPG was well worth the extra money over a non hybrid. We tow our 3,000 lb travel trailer with it with no problems, and average about 18 MPG when towing. When not towing we average 37 MPG in winter and 40+ mpg in summer. Plenty of room, the only option I would like to see is a plug in version, like the RAV 4 Prime.

It's been a long time coming, but I see we're almost at 400k Alex!

Great video, as always.

Excellent video as usual! What about the Subaru Ascent as a comparison?

I just got a XSE 4/26 with cockpit red seats with a black exterior! I love it... but the gas.... whew!!

Finally the Highlander actually looks good! 🙌

Out of all the Highlander variations, the XSE is my favorite! I’m debating between the Toyota Highlander XSE and the Honda Passport Touring. Thank you for another fantastic review! ☮️🖖🏽

With this much budget and if my requirement is for a 3rd row seating, I will blindly go for Palisade / Telluride twins.

Well done video. Thank you.

congrats on 400K !!! )) I love your videos!

We loved our Highlander but the third row wasn't very usable when we needed more seating. We went with the 2021 VW Atlas SEL. Adults can sit back there.

It must be ? This is the first Highlander that appealed to me

Hi Alex, Can you do a comparison of the new Hyundai Tucson Hybrid against Rav4 Hybrid and Rav4 Prime, also compare the features of each trim level and tell what is the best value.

Front end looks a lot better. Did not appreciate the logo ads? Haven't seen those before. Looking for any place to put an advertisement.

The Red interior and those rims that right off the Camry XSE are just 😍😍😍😍😍 Now all it needs is a touring model that gives the XSE looks and suspension, 8 seats, red interior, platinum trim features, and possibly an adaptive suspension like the Avalon touring.

I wonder how this compares to the sienna hybrid XSE?

Its the best looking sports SUV out there right now in the market and I own this Beast the Exterior is just MWAH LOVE IT?!

Great review! Alex, does the hybrid platinum have any torque vectoring AWD function like this one?

Hi Alex, such detailed precise presentation plus comparisons( saves me the trouble) When I make it to Toyota dealership I pray the end of this month I am looking at trading in my 2019 lease Toyota Highlander SE sport 20,000 miles( i have 3 months left) i will have a 2021 limited edition fully loaded Highlander. I We'll miss the pop-up rear window It would be great that the Highanddrrs upper levels have folding side view mirrors

All the XSE on my dealer’s lot had the JBL audio.

The XSE grill looks aggressive and angry. I love it!

The highlander hybrid reportedly runs out of steam as it approaches higher RPM like when you’re accelerating on an on ramp. May be the CVT? The 8” screen is lame and outdated. But the XSE is the coolest version with its unique front and rear styling. The MDX S Type is heavy and pricey and has that off putting touch pad that operates the screen. Great review

Alex - can you get the Highlander Hybrid Platinum with the sporty XSE grill?

I find it amazing that a 'technologically-progressive' manufacturer such as Toyota has a high(ish) end 2022 vehicle, in their line up, that still uses incandescent bulbs, if only when reversing and turning.

We purchased the XSE specifically because of the points you made. We wanted a “sportier looking and handling” midsize crossover without a massive price jump like on the Ford Explorer Sport. I STRONGLY DISAGREE with anyone looking at this car and wanting “more power”. That’s not what they intended.

Great Review Professor Alex. I wish Toyota would do an XSE Hybrid version

Paddle shifters, an xse badge on the steering wheel are missing imo for a sports version of the highlander, i rather upgrade to limited or platinum, but still one of the best in class, great review Alex!

Extra initial cost vs mpg savings debate. As a low mileage driver, I wouldn’t get back the added cost. But - getting my Venza hybrid has enhanced my life. We have doubled our daily use by going for groceries every other day, as opposed to twice a week. That gives us fresher foods and more overall enjoyment. You can argue, we can still go as often and use the savings to pay for the extra gas. The mind just doesn’t work that way.

The wing around the Toyota logo on the front fascia of the non-XSE Highlander looks like a mustache.

I'm pretty sure the 3.5 liter V6 has more than 186 ft-lb of torque as indicated in this video... 263 ft-lb to be exact.

Make the XSE a hybrid, add paddle shifters and give me the option to have the big display along with memory seats and I would buy it!

Long time reliability highlander ❤❤

Bring back the car seat tests for family CUVs and SUVs

Kia Sorento 2.5T could also be a good option if you want something not as big with similar space and good performance.

Hi Alex, was price hunting Highlander Hybrid vs v6, the problem is that although the MSRP price difference is only $1,400, the price you'll actually be paying is much more. First, Toyota is only offering cash rebate of $1,500 for the V6 not for hybrids, Second, the inventory as of late April for hybrids is very low, like 10% of the V6s, so when negotiating w/ dealers I was getting easily $2,000 more dealer discounts on the V6 vs. the hybrids. Thus, the real price difference for V6 vs. Hybrids were more like $1,400 (MSRP delta) + $1,500 (cash rebate only for v6) + $2,000 (dealer discount delta) = ~$5,000 cheaper to buy the v6 highlander!!! Fuel savings is not going to make up for that difference easily,,, sad given that the environmental concerns are real..

Best highlander grille on this model.

14:57 Alex showing his true colors

Why are you not including the Subaru Ascent in the comparisons? It's one that would interest me, possibly, and would've been nice to see the specs, side-by-side.

Are full LED lights really difficult to design or something? Incandescent turn signals and reverse lights look cheap.

Alex I have been experiencing wind noise in my 2021 Highlander xse model and I have reached out to the dealership and Toyota but they said this is standard in all 2021 Highlander. How could be standard? Anyone having the same issue?

FYI, 2:40 it's 263 lbs/ft. Not 186 lbs/ft. Good review nevertheless.

So, Alex when are you going to get the new Tesla Y

So, GM does not want to call the AWD system on Highlander a Torque Vectoring system?

Reliable, comfortable and well equipped. Yes

This or Kia Sorento AWD more sportier/engaiging?

Does xse have a remote start and side mirrors defrosters?

Why don't you ever show more equitably portioned leg room?

Love Highlander....want Highlander PRIME!

Just wish you could get a panoramic sunroof on the XSE

Hmmm I have ‘18 highlander awd and I get 30mpg on highway. Mixed driving 26mpg Wonder if they adjusted this to sell the hybrid

Seems like the Telluride and this are the top two.

Still the Acura MDX is the benchmark for 3 row sportiness and handling.

latch only on the middle row??

I know that by strict manufacturer's categorization people should not be cross shopping between the two, but I would, so - what are the _practical_ advantages of Highlander (not necessarily XSE, but in general) over the Sienna?

"I am a little bit cheap, I'd buy Hybrid" - but Alex you pay 1400$ or more for the hybrid option, and If you do not drive every day like some of us, that's a lot of gas money that you need to get back first to even become even with regular IC engine. And then if insurance charges more for hybrid - that will happen even later. :(

Alex. Question. When the chip shortage ends, and cars can be finished sold, it seems there will be a ton of prior year leftovers, heavily discounted. That would late 2021 to early 2022 should see massive incentives. Is my thinking correct?

2:17 Which version of Toyota Safety Sense? 2.5, 2.5+ or maybe 2.0?

I wish the rav for was a smaller version of this

Alex, You are not being 'cheap', the Highlander Hybrid is easily the best choice.

Would you prefer : Highlander XSE or Outback XT (Onyx) ?

I tried the hybrid and it was nice but I really didn't see how it was better than a minivan.

I thought it had more torque. More like 263 lb-ft?

I wish the new Venza had been a 2 row version of this. Oh well...!

Why do people want a larger touch screen. I have the XSE and my eyes are outside, where they should be.

Sounds like a XSE Hybrid is the move, the model Toyota doesn't make with a hybrid motor

You do not list the Chevy Traverse in your list of three row SUV's.

Still no Traverse review?

The front reminds me of a Shar Pei dog.

I just bought a ‘21 Highlander Platinum. I was considering a Telluride, because of all the hype. Trust me, I was on the the Telluride train. I test drove a 1 year old used Telluride because that is all they had to test drive on the lot. It did not age well. Maybe the previous owner beat it, but It concerned me. I am completely willing to say it was not a fair comparison, but it concerned me enough to spend even more on the Highlander.

Why does the XSE Highlander look more like a minivan up front than the non-XSE Highlander? I’m not sure of that was Toyota’s intentions lol.

More features missing from the XSE than just the 12.3 touchscreen that aren't even available in optional packages: No ventilated seats No digital rear view mirror No heated second row No heated steering wheel No Heads Up Display No Birds Eye View camera No panoramic sunroof No rear 120v outlet No cargo area tonneau cover No Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking Inexcusable for an SUV in this price range when these features and more are standard in a Hyundai Palisade. Unfortunately the Palisade doesn't have the level of quality and resale value the Highlander does and currently has a class action lawsuit due to cracking windshields, along with many other problems owners are experiencing.

I am amazed that Toyota finally decided to make interesting looking cars. They used to look like the generic ones from Grandtheft auto

I just cant get pass the cvt in the hybrid version. I hated my 2013 Accord with the cvt

Not even a mention of the all-new Nissan Pathfinder. Hmmmm.

Yes i like the XSE version! But sad to say it aint the king of fam haulers anymore, Tellu Palisade and VW takes it

Hi Alex, while I like your review, I just cannot agree with any like of this front grill🤣

6:20 wrong XSE is not available in 8 seat version.

1x(9/27/22)……1…..2:00…..done thank you excellent

You look a little cold today alex, you kept sticking your hands in your pockets.. not gonna lie I was distracted af idk why lol

No heated steering wheel 😔

I thought the new highlander was only offered in a 4 cylinder Hybrid or was I wrong

Toyota should put this whole drivetrain in the Camry/ES

The front looks like a jacked up subcompact car.

Sorento > highlander. Even if the highlander wasn't over priced (it is) I'd take the sorento.

I actually like the Platinum fascia better haha

we decided on the pilot, especially cuz we had an accord to trade in, plus honda reliability. randomly looked up some consumer ratings for pilot, only to find it's good, but not great. #1 on the reliability, highlander. checked it out. base price was higher, but spec'd the way i wanted, highlander was cheaper. went looking for limited or platinum. dealer said they had none, but i have this other, he pulled up with the ruby flare pearl xse, gf looked at me with a goofy smile. always liked mazda cuz of it's front end, this one looks even better. overall better lines than pilot. drives nice. thought i would miss the nav and 12.3 screen and other higher end features, but i don't, except one. wireless car play android auto, which i never even cared about as a feature to begin with. it's actually really awesome, but not being wireless really sucks.

This how imo these cars rank in this segment: 1. Hyundai Palisade 2. Kia Telluride 3. Toyota Highlander 4. Ford Explorer 5. Nissan Pathfinder (2022) 6. Mazda CX-9 7. Honda Pilot 8. VW Atlas 9. Subaru Ascent

Strange...no mention of the Korean Twins...?

So let me get this straight. Toyota determines the passenger accommodation the Highlander by counting the number of seat belts rather than the actual room provided for human beings. I wonder why they stopped at claiming the Highlander seats up to 8 passengers. Why not put five seat belts in the middle row and a third seat belt in the first row over the center console? Toyota could claim the Highlander seats 11. They could even put a seat belt in the rear cargo area and claim it seats an even dozen! Third row seating in any midsize SUV is not particularly generous but the rear seat in the Highlander is especially cramped even though the Highlander isn't particularly small overall. It varies from 195" to 197" depending on trim. In the slightly longer version it's about the same length as a Telluride and the shorter version is a full half a foot longer than the KIA Sorento, the smallest of the SUVs typically classified as "midsize." Yet the overall legroom in the Highlander trails the Telluride by about nine inches and the Sorento by almost four inches. Furthermore, KIA is honest enough to characterize its third row as "plus two" seating even though it provides about 2" more default legroom than Toyota claims is adequate for 3 passengers in the back row. The Highlander has some appealing features. But unless Toyota is referring to seating for the Munchkins from The Wizard of Oz, the claim that it accommodates up to eight or even seven passengers on more than a trip around the block is ridiculous.

Park this on city streets; replace smashed grill monthly.

How about the Honda Pilot for a 3 row crossover? Alex

Hey 👋

Heated front seats but no heated steering wheel. Wtf?!

At this point, everything looks like the RAV4

Can you believe they discontinued the Crown and named this CROWN SUV in homeland! Ya just keep buying suvs when u don't need one , it ur money afterall 🤬

Why would anyone waste their time with this when they could buy a sienna for the same price that's infinitely more practical. Unless we are talking about a Durango or Explorer, sport and 3 row crossover do not belong in the same sentence as these are just minivans with less interior space.

Arabic translation please

I despise captain chairs in the second row Waste of space in vehicles that are meant for space