Top Safety Pick

2024 Toyota Highlander

midsize SUV / 4-door SUV

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Evaluation criteria	Rating
Small overlap front
Moderate overlap front: original test
Moderate overlap front: updated test
Side: updated test

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Headlights (varies by trim/option)
Front crash prevention: pedestrian
Standard system

Seat belts & child restraints

Evaluation criteria	Rating
LATCH ease of use

Other available safety features

Standard blind spot detection
Standard lane departure warning & prevention
Optional rear automatic braking

Key

Good
Acceptable
Marginal
Poor

Small overlap front

The small overlap front evaluation consists of a driver-side and a passenger-side component. If the results of the two evaluations differ, then the combined small overlap rating is equal to the lower rating.

Driver-side

Rating applies to 2020-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2020 Toyota Highlander LE 4-door 4wd

The Toyota Highlander was redesigned for the 2020 model year. Driver-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on two tests of a Highlander conducted by Toyota. Ratings are based on both tests.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall driver-side evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTN2003	VTN1915
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	2	6
Footrest (cm)	4	4
Left toepan (cm)	4	4
Brake pedal (cm)	7	3
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	1	0
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column	3	2
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	2	5
Upper dash (cm)	5	7
Lower instrument panel (cm)	4	6

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTN2003	VTN1915
Head
HIC-15	155	102
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.4	1.3
Extension bending moment (Nm)	8	13
Maximum Nij	0.24	0.24
Chest maximum compression (mm)	18	19
Femur (kN)
Left	3.0	3.5
Right	1.0	1.3
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	5	5
Right	4	3
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0	0
Right	0	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.65	0.52
Right	0.54	0.40
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	1.5	1.1
Right	2.1	1.1
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	93	39
Right	63	34

Passenger-side

Rating applies to 2020-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2020 Toyota Highlander LE 4-door 4wd

The Toyota Highlander was redesigned for the 2020 model year. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2020 Toyota Highlander conducted by Toyota.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall passenger-side evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP1933
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	11
Footrest (cm)	9
Right toepan (cm)	6
Center toepan (cm)	5
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	3
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm)	6
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	7
Upper dash (cm)	9
Right lower dash (cm)	7

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP1933
Head
HIC-15	153
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.2
Extension bending moment (Nm)	12
Maximum Nij	0.22
Chest maximum compression (mm)	20
Femur (kN)
Left	1.1
Right	4.9
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	4
Right	8
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	3
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.42
Right	0.47
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	0.2
Right	0.4
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	61
Right	68

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP1933
Head
HIC-15	117
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm)	4
Maximum Nij	0.17
Chest maximum compression (mm)	23
Femur (kN)
Left	0.7
Right	0.6
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	3
Right	2
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.21
Right	0.27
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	0.9
Right	0.7
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	27
Right	41

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2020-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2020 Toyota Highlander LE 4-door 4wd

The Toyota Highlander was redesigned for the 2020 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Toyota.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
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

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF1925
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	4
Left (cm)	5
Center (cm)	5
Right (cm)	6
Brake pedal (cm)	3
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	0
Right (cm)	1
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	3
Rearward (cm)	1
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	0

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF1925
Head
HIC-15	184
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.8
Extension bending moment (Nm)	20
Maximum Nij	0.22
Chest maximum compression (mm)	25
Legs
Femur force - left (kN)	0.9
Femur force - right (kN)	0.7
Knee displacement - left (mm)	1
Knee displacement - right (mm)	1
Maximum tibia index - left	0.27
Maximum tibia index - right	0.28
Tibia axial force - left (kN)	1.4
Tibia axial force - right (kN)	1.8
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	43
Right	51

About the original moderate overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: updated test

Rating applies to 2022-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Toyota Highlander XSE 4-door 4wd

The Toyota Highlander was redesigned for the 2020 model year.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Thigh/hip
Leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Thigh
Rear passenger restraints and dummy kinematics

View of the vehicle after the crash showing the airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

The rear passenger dummy's head remained a safe distance from the front seatback.

Rear passenger dummy injury values indicate a moderate risk of injury to the head or neck. During the crash, the shoulder belt remained in an ideal position on the dummy’s chest.

The rear passenger dummy's lap belt moved from the ideal position on the pelvis onto the abdomen, increasing the risk of abdominal injuries.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEF2203
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	6
Left (cm)	8
Center (cm)	10
Right (cm)	7
Brake pedal (cm)	3
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	2
Right (cm)	3
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	4
Rearward (cm)	1
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	0

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEF2203
Head
HIC-15	139
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.0
Extension bending moment (Nm)	10
Maximum Nij	0.20
Chest maximum compression (mm)	28
Femur (kN)
Left	1.2
Right	1.4
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	5
Right	3
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.39
Right	0.53
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	1.3
Right	1.8
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	52
Right	62

Test ID	CEF2203
Head
HIC-15 for head contact during forward excursion	no contact
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	2.3
Compression (kN)	0.2
Maximum Nij for head contact during forward excursion	no contact
Chest
Chest index	30
Shoulder belt tension (kN)	5.7
Thigh (kN)
Left femur compression	0.2
Right femur compression	0.2

About the moderate overlap front test

February 2024 adjustment to rating criteria

Side: updated test

Rating applies to 2020-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Toyota Highlander XSE 4-door 4wd

The Toyota Highlander was redesigned for the 2020 model year.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Rear passenger head protection

View of the vehicle just after the crash test.

View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side airbags.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CES2206
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)	-20.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CES2206
Head
HIC-15	71
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.7
Compression (kN)	0.5
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	13
Lateral force (kN)	1.0
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	32
Average deflection (mm)	21
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	2.55
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.44
Pelvis
Combined force (kN)	5.9

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CES2206
Head
HIC-15	132
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.3
Compression (kN)	0.5
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	27
Lateral force (kN)	1.6
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	28
Average deflection (mm)	22
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	2.50
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.35
Pelvis
Combined force (kN)	0.9

About the side crash test

Headlights

Ratings are given for 2 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

Platinum trim
Hybrid Platinum trim

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	Yes
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low 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 both right curves and fair on both left curves.

The low beams created some glare.

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

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

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	Platinum trim Hybrid Platinum trim
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	Yes
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2020-25 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	105.9 m	None
Straightaway left edge	50.8 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	94.1 m	40.4%
250m radius left curve, left edge	57.0 m	21.6%
150m radius right curve, right edge	72.6 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	49.0 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	153.1 m
Straightaway left edge	149.1 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	94.4 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	89.7 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	70.9 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	68.3 m

Trim level(s)

L trim
LE trim
Hybrid LE trim
XLE trim
Hybrid XLE trim
XSE trim
Limited trim
Hybrid Limited trim

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

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

The low beams created some glare.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good 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, on both left curves and on both right curves.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	L trim LE trim Hybrid LE trim XLE trim Hybrid XLE trim XSE trim Limited trim Hybrid Limited trim
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2020-25 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	122.2 m	None
Straightaway left edge	57.1 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	65.3 m	3.3%
250m radius left curve, left edge	55.6 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	51.4 m	11.7%
150m radius left curve, left edge	46.9 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	153.7 m
Straightaway left edge	146.6 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	65.8 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	63.3 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	51.7 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	49.0 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: pedestrian

Rating applies to 2024-25 models

System details

standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0/2.5+: Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection

of the following trim lines: L trim, LE trim, Hybrid LE trim, XLE trim, Hybrid XLE trim, XSE trim, Limited trim, Hybrid Limited trim

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Includes high-beam assist credit

Crossing child — day

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 22 mph.

Crossing adult — night

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult — night

In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 25 mph when using its high beams and a warning was issued 2 seconds before impact. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 25 mph and a warning was issued 2 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2020-25 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	XLE
Seat type	leatherette

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.

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor and the ability to borrow lower anchors from the other seating positions.

Note: When anchors are borrowed, they aren't available to use in their designated positions.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	XLE
Seat type	leatherette

Rating icon	Rating
G	Good
A	Acceptable
M	Marginal
P	Poor
	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

Position	Rating
1
1	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	not too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors
2
2	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	Can be borrowed from 1 and 3
3
3	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	not too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors
5
5	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	none available

Technical measurements for this test

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	0-2
Force (lbs)	6
Clearance angle (degrees)	92
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	0-2
Force (lbs)	7
Clearance angle (degrees)	88
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Lower anchor A
Lower latch is shared for this seat position
Lower anchor B
Lower latch is shared for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	0-2
Force (lbs)	11
Clearance angle (degrees)	82
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	0-2
Force (lbs)	10
Clearance angle (degrees)	83
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

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

About the child seat anchor evaluation