2026 Toyota Highlander XSE: Bristol Buyers Guide
Quick Answer: The 2026 Highlander XSE
The XSE is the sporty Highlander, starting at $48,340 MSRP before the delivery, processing and handling fee. It is available only with the 265-horsepower turbocharged 2.4-liter engine (there is no XSE Hybrid) and comes with Dynamic Torque Vectoring all-wheel drive, 20-inch black alloy wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, a black mesh grille, a twin-tip exhaust and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. The EPA rates it at 21 mpg city, 28 highway and 24 combined, and it tows up to 5,000 pounds. Toyota of Bristol carries the Highlander at 1069 Farmington Avenue.
What the XSE actually changes
Three-row family SUVs are not usually described as sporty, so it is fair to ask what the XSE is doing. The answer is mostly in the stance. Toyota fits it with 20-inch black alloy wheels, a black mesh grille, black roof rails and lower spoilers at the front and rear, and a twin-tip exhaust finishes the back end. Inside, the 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster replaces the standard instrument panel, so the driver sees a much larger display than XLE owners do.
The suspension is tuned firmer. Toyota gives the XSE sport-tuned shock absorbers, higher-rate springs and a rear stabilizer bar, and pairs them with Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD, which can send up to half of the engine's power to the rear axle and then shift it side to side. The practical effect is a Highlander that stays flatter in corners and feels more settled on a curvy stretch like Route 72 or the back roads toward Burlington, with a bit more road texture coming through on rough pavement.
The no-hybrid rule
This is the single biggest thing to know about the XSE: it only comes with the gas turbo. If a 35 mpg hybrid is your priority, your choices are the XLE, Limited and Platinum. If you want the black wheels and the sport suspension, the 2.4-liter turbo (24 mpg combined, regular fuel, 5,000-pound towing) is the engine you get. On the plus side, that towing number matches the best in the lineup, so the XSE is a reasonable pick for someone with a small trailer who also likes a more athletic look.
XSE next to the XLE and the Limited
The XSE costs $2,070 more than the gas XLE, and what you are paying for is wheels, suspension, styling and the digital gauge cluster. The Limited, at $50,725, spends its extra money elsewhere, on a 12.3-inch touchscreen with JBL audio and ventilated leather seats. You can also add the large touchscreen to an XSE as an option, which helps if the display is the only thing you envy about the Limited. One more detail worth knowing: the XSE rolls on a bigger wheel than the XLE, so the ride is firmer over the frost heaves that show up each March, and some families prefer the XLE's softer 18-inch setup for that reason.
Who the XSE is for
This is the Highlander for drivers who already know they like the way a vehicle looks and handles and are not interested in a hybrid. A Google reviewer, Din K., described a visit to Toyota of Bristol by saying that Dominic "took great care of us without any pushy sales tactics," and Dominic is listed among the dealership's product specialists. If you want to try the XSE against its siblings, ask for the XLE and the Limited on the same drive.
Prefer the softer ride and a lower price? The Highlander XLE guide has the details. For leather and a premium sound system, see the Highlander Limited guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the 2026 Highlander XSE cost?
The XSE starts at $48,340 MSRP, before the delivery, processing and handling fee, taxes, title and registration. Toyota of Bristol sets the final selling price, and the pricing and leasing guide explains how Connecticut's tax rates apply, which is especially useful because this trim sits close to the $50,000 line where the rate changes.
Is there a hybrid version of the Highlander XSE?
No. The XSE is offered only with the 2.4-liter turbocharged gas engine, and the hybrid is available on the XLE, Limited and Platinum trims.
What is Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD?
It is an all-wheel-drive system that, according to Toyota, can send up to 50 percent of the engine's power to the rear and then distribute more of it to the wheel with the most grip to improve responsiveness and stability. The gas XSE, Limited and Platinum use it, and the XSE also has Multi-Terrain Select with a Snow mode.
What wheels does the Highlander XSE have?
The XSE comes with 20-inch black alloy wheels, which is a larger size than the 18-inch wheels on the XLE.
Does the XSE ride rougher than other Highlander trims?
Slightly, yes. The sport-tuned suspension and larger wheels give the XSE a firmer, more controlled feel than the XLE, which most drivers notice most on broken pavement, so a test drive on a rough road is the best way to decide.
The bottom line
The XSE is for the buyer who wants a Highlander with more attitude and does not need a hybrid. See current Highlander inventory or call Toyota of Bristol at 860-584-7333 to check availability.
MSRP figures exclude the delivery, processing and handling fee shown on the window sticker, taxes, title, registration and dealer-installed options; the dealer sets the actual selling price. Fuel-economy figures are EPA estimates and real-world results vary. Equipment, pricing and availability can change with configuration and production timing; confirm current details with Toyota of Bristol. Customer quotes are excerpts from public Google reviews of Toyota of Bristol.
