Top Safety Pick +Top Safety Pick criteria

2017 Toyota Avalon

large car / 4-door sedan

Award applies only to vehicles with specific headlights; applies only to vehicles built after March 2017

2017 Toyota Avalon 4-door sedan
2016 Toyota Avalon shown

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Small overlap front: driver-side
Moderate overlap front: original test
Side: original test
Roof strength
Head restraints & seats

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Headlights (varies by trim/option)
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Standard system
Superior

Seat belts & child restraints

LATCH ease of use

Other available safety features

  • Optional blind spot detection
  • Standard lane departure warning & prevention

Key

  • G
    Good
  • A
    Acceptable
  • M
    Marginal
  • P
    Poor
  • Superior
  • Advanced
  • Basic

Some ratings use a scale of Poor to Good. Others range from Basic to Superior.

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2015-18 models

Tested vehicle: 2015 Toyota Avalon XLE 4-door

The Toyota Avalon was redesigned for the 2013 model year. Beginning with 2015 models, the front structure was modified to improve occupant protection in small overlap frontal crashes.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
The dummy’s head contacted the frontal airbag but nearly slid off the left side, leaving the head vulnerable to contact with forward side structure. Additionally, the seat belt allowed excessive forward excursion of the dummy’s head and torso. The side curtain airbag deployed but does not have sufficient forward coverage to protect the head from contact with forward side structure and outside objects. The side torso airbag deployed.

Action shot taken during the small overlap frontal crash test.

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 very well.

The dummy’s head contacted the frontal airbag but then nearly slid off the left side. The side curtain airbag did not extend far enough forward toward the A-pillar to protect the head from possible contact with forward side structure.

The driver's space was maintained well, and risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CEN1446
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 4
Footrest (cm) 4
Left toepan (cm) 3
Brake pedal (cm) 4
Parking brake (cm) 8
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 2
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column 0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 2
Upper dash (cm) 3
Lower instrument panel (cm) 3

Driver injury measures

Test ID CEN1446
Head
HIC-15 137
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.6
Extension bending moment (Nm) 20
Maximum Nij 0.31
Chest maximum compression (mm) 20
Femur (kN)
Left 1.0
Right 1.6
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 1
Right 2
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.64
Right 0.70
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 3.0
Right 3.7
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 57
Right 50

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2013-18 models

Tested vehicle: 2013 Toyota Avalon XLE 4-door

The Toyota Avalon was redesigned for the 2013 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Toyota.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTF1215
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 6
Left (cm) 8
Center (cm) 5
Right (cm) 5
Brake pedal (cm) 6
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 1
Right (cm) 2
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) 0
Rearward (cm) -3
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 2

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTF1215
Head
HIC-15 179
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.5
Extension bending moment (Nm) 16
Maximum Nij 0.25
Chest maximum compression (mm) 30
Legs
Femur force - left (kN) 1.7
Femur force - right (kN) 1.9
Knee displacement - left (mm) 1
Knee displacement - right (mm) 2
Maximum tibia index - left 0.54
Maximum tibia index - right 0.46
Tibia axial force - left (kN) 2.1
Tibia axial force - right (kN) 2.5
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 38
Right 63

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2013-18 models

Tested vehicle: 2013 Toyota Avalon XLS 4-door with standard front and rear head curtain airbags and standard front and rear seat-mounted torso airbags

The Toyota Avalon was redesigned for the 2013 model year. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Toyota.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Rear passenger head protection
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTS1218
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -14.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTS1218
Head HIC-15 324
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.8
Compression (kN) 0.1
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 36
Lateral force (kN) 1.2
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 16
Average deflection (mm) 13
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 3.93
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.18
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 1.8
Acetabulum force (kN) 1.8
Combined force (kN) 3.6
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.5
L-M moment (Nm) 51
A-P moment (Nm) 25

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTS1218
Head HIC-15 37
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.0
Compression (kN) 0.0
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 10
Lateral force (kN) 1.0
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 23
Average deflection (mm) 19
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 2.96
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.27
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 0.5
Acetabulum force (kN) 0.8
Combined force (kN) 1.1
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 1.0
L-M moment (Nm) 120
A-P moment (Nm) 30

About the original side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2013-18 models

Tested vehicle: 2013 Toyota Avalon XLE 4-door

Overall evaluation
Curb weight3,426 lbs
Peak force17,900 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio5.22

About the roof strength test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Power leather seats

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry
Technical measurements for this test
Seat type Power leather seats
Geometry
Backset (mm) 28
Distance below top of head (mm) 22
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g) 12.4
Head contact time (ms) 62
Force rating 1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N) 0
Max neck tension (N) 423

About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Headlights

Ratings are given for 6 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

  • Limited trim; built after March 2017
  • Hybrid Limited trim; built after March 2017
Low-beam headlight typeHID projector
High-beam headlight typeHalogen reflector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was good on both right curves and inadequate on both left curves.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual right curve, fair on the sharp right curve and inadequate on both left curves.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and all 4 curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • Limited trim
  • Hybrid Limited trim
Low-beam headlight type HID projector
High-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2017-18 models built after March 2017
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 83.7 m None
Straightaway left edge 40.6 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 65.6 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 39.7 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 58.5 m None
150m radius left curve, right edge 40.5 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 153.1 m
Straightaway left edge 135.4 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 75.4 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 63.7 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 60.4 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 47.6 m

Trim level(s)

  • Touring trim; built after March 2017
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
High-beam headlight typeLED reflector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was fair on both right curves and inadequate on both left curves.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was fair on the gradual right curve and inadequate on the sharp right and both left curves.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and all 4 curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • Touring trim
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2017-18 models built after March 2017
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 85.4 m None
Straightaway left edge 47.2 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 61.3 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 43.4 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 52.2 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 42.1 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 141.8 m
Straightaway left edge 114.2 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 69.6 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 57.9 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 54.3 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 46.4 m

Trim level(s)

  • XLE trim; built after March 2017
  • XLE Plus trim; built after March 2017
  • XLE Premium trim; built after March 2017
  • Hybrid XLE Plus trim; built after March 2017
  • Hybrid XLE Premium trim; built after March 2017
Low-beam headlight typeHalogen projector
High-beam headlight typeHalogen reflector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and all 4 curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • XLE trim
  • XLE Plus trim
  • XLE Premium trim
  • Hybrid XLE Plus trim
  • Hybrid XLE Premium trim
Low-beam headlight type Halogen projector
High-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2017-18 models built after March 2017
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 81.6 m None
Straightaway left edge 37.6 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 49.4 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 38.4 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 43.8 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 36.4 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 160.1 m
Straightaway left edge 142.9 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 63.1 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 62.7 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 50.7 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 48.2 m

Trim level(s)

  • Touring trim; built before April 2017
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
High-beam headlight typeLED reflector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was fair on both right curves and inadequate on both left curves.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was inadequate on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was fair on the gradual right curve and inadequate on the sharp right and both left curves.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and all 4 curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • Touring trim
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2017 models built before April 2017
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 79.1 m None
Straightaway left edge 43.5 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 58.1 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 42.4 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 49.9 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 40.9 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 125.5 m
Straightaway left edge 94.2 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 65.5 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 56.0 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 50.8 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 45.7 m

Trim level(s)

  • XLE trim; built before April 2017
  • XLE Plus trim; built before April 2017
  • XLE Premium trim; built before April 2017
  • Hybrid XLE Plus trim; built before April 2017
  • Hybrid XLE Premium trim; built before April 2017
Low-beam headlight typeHalogen projector
High-beam headlight typeHalogen reflector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was inadequate on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and all 4 curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • XLE trim
  • XLE Plus trim
  • XLE Premium trim
  • Hybrid XLE Plus trim
  • Hybrid XLE Premium trim
Low-beam headlight type Halogen projector
High-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2017 models built before April 2017
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 65.2 m None
Straightaway left edge 33.0 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 45.7 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 35.3 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 42.8 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 33.9 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 146.7 m
Straightaway left edge 133.1 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 62.9 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 59.1 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 49.7 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 47.0 m

Trim level(s)

  • Limited trim; built before April 2017
  • Hybrid Limited trim; built before April 2017
Low-beam headlight typeHID projector
High-beam headlight typeHalogen reflector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit Excessive glare

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the left side of the road and fair on the right side. On curves, visibility was fair on the sharp left and both right curves and inadequate on the gradual left curve.

The low beams created excessive glare.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was fair on the gradual right and both left curves and inadequate on the sharp right curve.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and all 4 curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • Limited trim
  • Hybrid Limited trim
Low-beam headlight type HID projector
High-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2016-17 models built before April 2017
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 88.2 m 143.8%
Straightaway left edge 57.4 m 143.8%
250m radius right curve, right edge 63.1 m 93.5%
250m radius left curve, left edge 51.1 m 38.1%
150m radius right curve, right edge 51.1 m 184.4%
150m radius left curve, left edge 46.2 m 23.1%
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 148.3 m
Straightaway left edge 132.1 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 71.0 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 69.6 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 54.1 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 55.1 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

System details

  • Standard Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2017-18 models

Superior
Superior
  • This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

About the original front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2016-18 models

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimLimited
Seat type leather

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor only.

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimLimited
Seat type leather
1 2 3
GGood
AAcceptable
MMarginal
PPoor
Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol
Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol
Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol
Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
No hardware available

Details by seating position

1
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
2
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
none available
3
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
Technical measurements for this test

Seat position 21

3

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 26
Clearance angle (degrees) 70
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 21
Clearance angle (degrees) 84
Tether anchor
Location Rear deck
Confusing hardware present No
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 No
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 22

2

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location Rear deck
Confusing hardware present No
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 No
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 23

1

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 20
Clearance angle (degrees) 80
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 32
Clearance angle (degrees) 62
Tether anchor
Location Rear deck
Confusing hardware present No
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 No
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation