Toyota Highlander earns top award from IIHS

January 10, 2017

ARLINGTON, Va. - The 2017 Toyota Highlander earns the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's top award thanks to good crash protection across the board, a superior rated front crash prevention system and acceptable rated headlights.

Unlike most TOP SAFETY PICK+ winners, which only meet the front crash prevention and headlight criteria when they are equipped with optional features, the Highlander qualifies for the award with standard equipment.

The midsize SUV's new standard front crash prevention system is an improvement over the optional system on the 2016 model which earned an advanced rating.

• In IIHS track tests of the 2017 system, the vehicle avoided a collision in the 12 mph test.
  
  
• In the 25 mph test, it avoided a collision in 4 out of 5 runs and slowed 21 mph the fifth time.
  
  
• The system also includes a forward collision warning component that meets National Highway Traffic Safety Administration criteria.
  

To qualify for 2017 TOP SAFETY PICK+, a vehicle must earn good ratings in the five IIHS crashworthiness tests - small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraints = as well as an advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention and an acceptable or good headlight rating.

The photos shown here may be of a different model, model year or body type from the one selected. The ratings of one vehicle often apply to other models if they are built on the same platform. In addition, a test of a vehicle from one model year may apply to earlier or later model years if the vehicle hasn't been significantly redesigned.

	Small overlap front - Action shot taken during the small overlap frontal crash test.
	Small overlap front - The dummy's position in relation to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained reasonably well.
	Small overlap front - The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury.
	Small overlap front - Despite considerable intrusion of the lower portion of the door hinge pillar, risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.