The 2021 Toyota Highlander boasts impressive safety features and consistently earns high marks in crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Let’s delve into the specific ratings and test results to understand why the Highlander is a top safety pick in its class.
IIHS Crashworthiness Ratings for the 2021 Toyota Highlander
The IIHS rigorously tests vehicles in various crash scenarios, evaluating their structural integrity and potential for occupant injury. The 2021 Highlander achieved the highest possible rating of “Good” in all six crashworthiness tests:
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Small Overlap Front (Driver-side and Passenger-side): This test simulates a frontal collision with a narrow object, like a tree or utility pole. The Highlander’s strong structure and advanced restraint systems effectively protected occupants in both driver and passenger-side tests.
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Moderate Overlap Front: This test evaluates performance in a more common type of frontal crash. The Highlander again excelled, earning a “Good” rating.
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Side: Simulating a T-bone collision, the side impact test assesses the vehicle’s ability to protect occupants from intrusion and injury. The Highlander’s robust side structure and airbags provided excellent protection, resulting in a “Good” rating.
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Roof Strength: This test measures the roof’s ability to withstand force in a rollover crash. The Highlander’s strong roof earned a “Good” rating, exceeding federal requirements.
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Head Restraints & Seats: These components play a crucial role in preventing neck injuries in rear-end collisions. The Highlander’s head restraints and seats effectively minimized head and neck movement, resulting in a “Good” rating.
2022 Toyota Highlander XSE undergoing the IIHS side crash test.
IIHS Crash Avoidance & Mitigation Ratings
Beyond crashworthiness, the IIHS evaluates a vehicle’s ability to prevent or mitigate crashes altogether. The 2021 Highlander earned top marks in these areas as well:
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Front Crash Prevention (Vehicle-to-Vehicle): The Highlander’s standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ suite includes a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection. This system earned a “Superior” rating, successfully avoiding collisions in both 12 mph and 25 mph tests.
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Front Crash Prevention (Pedestrian – Daytime): The Highlander’s pedestrian detection system performed exceptionally well, achieving a “Superior” rating. The system avoided collisions with child and adult dummies in various crossing and parallel scenarios.
Post-crash view of the 2022 Highlander showcasing the side airbag deployment and structural integrity.
Other Safety Features and Ratings
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Child Seat Anchors (LATCH): The 2021 Highlander received a “Good” rating for its LATCH system, making it easy to install child safety seats securely.
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Headlights: The Highlander offers two different headlight variations. The LED projector headlights with curve-adaptive technology on the Platinum trim earned a “Good” rating. Other trims received an “Acceptable” rating for their LED projector headlights.
Conclusion
The 2021 Toyota Highlander’s exceptional performance in IIHS crash tests and its advanced safety features make it a compelling choice for safety-conscious buyers. Its top ratings across various categories demonstrate Toyota’s commitment to passenger protection. If you’re prioritizing safety in your next SUV, the 2021 Highlander should be at the top of your list.
