The Toyota Highlander, a popular midsize SUV, has long been a trusted choice for families prioritizing safety and reliability. The 2022 model year marks no exception, carrying forward Toyota’s commitment to passenger protection. To provide you with a detailed understanding of the 2022 Toyota Highlander’s safety performance, we delve into the rigorous crash testing and safety evaluations conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This comprehensive breakdown ensures you have all the necessary information when considering the safety of this vehicle for you and your loved ones.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Driver-Side
The small overlap front crash test simulates a collision where only a small portion of the vehicle’s front end (driver-side in this case) impacts an object, such as a tree or pole. This is a particularly challenging test as it bypasses the main energy-absorbing structures of the vehicle.
The 2022 Toyota Highlander underwent driver-side small overlap frontal testing based on two tests conducted by Toyota. The IIHS rating for this test is Good, the highest possible rating.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | G |
| Structure and Safety Cage | G |
| Driver Injury Measures | |
| Head/Neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Hip/Thigh | G |
| Lower Leg/Foot | G |
| Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics | G |
This “Good” rating across all subcategories indicates robust protection for the driver in this type of severe frontal crash. The structure of the Highlander held up well, maintaining the integrity of the safety cage and minimizing intrusion into the driver’s space. Crucially, the injury measures recorded on the crash test dummy were all at a “Good” level, signifying a low risk of significant injuries to the head, neck, chest, hip, thigh, and lower leg/foot in a real-world crash of similar severity. The restraint system also performed optimally, controlling the dummy’s movement effectively.
Technical measurements from these tests provide a deeper dive into the Highlander’s performance:
Measures of Occupant Compartment Intrusion on Driver Side (cm)
| Evaluation Criteria | Measurement (VTN2003) | Measurement (VTN1915) |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Occupant Compartment | ||
| Lower Hinge Pillar Max | 2 | 6 |
| Footrest | 4 | 4 |
| Left Toepan | 4 | 4 |
| Brake Pedal | 7 | 3 |
| Rocker Panel Lateral Average | 1 | 0 |
| Upper Occupant Compartment | ||
| Steering Column | 3 | 2 |
| Upper Hinge Pillar Max | 2 | 5 |
| Upper Dash | 5 | 7 |
| Lower Instrument Panel | 4 | 6 |
These intrusion measurements are critical for understanding how much the vehicle structure deformed during the crash. Lower intrusion numbers are better, indicating less compromise of the occupant space. While there are variations between the two tests (VTN2003 and VTN1915), the overall intrusion levels are relatively low, contributing to the “Good” rating.
Driver Injury Measures
| Evaluation Criteria | Measurement (VTN2003) | Measurement (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 |
These injury measurements provide quantifiable data on the forces and accelerations experienced by the driver dummy in the crash tests. Lower values generally indicate lower injury risk. All measurements are within acceptable limits, reinforcing the “Good” rating and demonstrating the Highlander’s ability to protect the driver in a small overlap frontal crash.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Passenger-Side
Similar to the driver-side test, the passenger-side small overlap front test assesses occupant protection when the passenger side of the vehicle’s front end takes the brunt of the impact.
The 2022 Toyota Highlander also earned a Good rating for passenger-side small overlap protection, based on a test conducted by Toyota and evaluated by IIHS.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | G |
| Structure and Safety Cage | G |
| Passenger Injury Measures | |
| Head/Neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Hip/Thigh | G |
| Lower Leg/Foot | G |
| Passenger Restraints and Dummy Kinematics | G |
| Driver Injury Measures | |
| Head/Neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Hip/Thigh | G |
| Lower Leg/Foot | G |
| Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics | G |
This consistent “Good” performance on both sides of the vehicle in the small overlap test is a strong indicator of the 2022 Toyota Highlander’s commitment to overall frontal crash safety for all occupants. The tables below detail the technical measurements for the passenger-side test.
Measures of Occupant Compartment Intrusion on Passenger Side (cm)
| Evaluation Criteria | Measurement (VTP1933) |
|---|---|
| Lower Occupant Compartment | |
| Lower Hinge Pillar Max | 11 |
| Footrest | 9 |
| Right Toepan | 6 |
| Center Toepan | 5 |
| Rocker Panel Lateral Average | 3 |
| Upper Occupant Compartment | |
| Center Dash | 6 |
| Upper Hinge Pillar Max | 7 |
| Upper Dash | 9 |
| Right Lower Dash | 7 |
Intrusion measurements are slightly higher on the passenger side compared to the driver side in the small overlap test. This is not uncommon and still within an acceptable range for a “Good” rating.
Passenger Injury Measures
| Evaluation Criteria | Measurement (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 |
Driver Injury Measures (Passenger-Side Test)
| Evaluation Criteria | Measurement (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 |
The injury measurements for both passenger and driver dummies in the passenger-side test are again low and within the “Good” range, affirming the Highlander’s ability to protect occupants on both sides in a small overlap frontal crash.
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test: Original Test
The moderate overlap front test is a more traditional frontal crash test where a larger portion of the vehicle’s front end impacts a deformable barrier. This test is designed to assess how well the vehicle’s structure and restraint systems protect the driver in a significant frontal impact.
For the original moderate overlap front test, the 2022 Toyota Highlander earned a Good rating.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | G |
| Structure and Safety Cage | G |
| Driver Injury Measures | |
| Head/Neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Leg/Foot, Left | G |
| Leg/Foot, Right | G |
| Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics | G |
The “Good” rating across all metrics in the original moderate overlap test further solidifies the 2022 Toyota Highlander’s strong frontal crash protection.
Measures of Occupant Compartment Intrusion on Driver Side (cm)
| Evaluation Criteria | Measurement (VTF1925) |
|---|---|
| Footwell Intrusion | |
| Footrest | 4 |
| Left | 5 |
| Center | 5 |
| Right | 6 |
| Brake Pedal | 3 |
| Instrument Panel Rearward Movement | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 1 |
| Steering Column Movement | |
| Upward | 3 |
| Rearward | 1 |
| A-pillar Rearward Movement | 0 |
Intrusion measurements in the moderate overlap test are minimal, demonstrating excellent structural integrity and occupant space preservation.
Driver Injury Measures
| Evaluation Criteria | Measurement (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 |
Again, the driver injury measurements are very low, indicating a minimal risk of significant injuries in a moderate overlap frontal crash scenario.
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test: Updated Test
The IIHS updated its moderate overlap front crash test to include a rear passenger dummy to assess rear seat occupant protection, a crucial factor for families. This updated test is more demanding and provides a more comprehensive evaluation.
For the updated moderate overlap front test, the 2022 Toyota Highlander received a Marginal overall rating. While the structure and safety cage still earned a “Good” rating and driver injury measures remained “Good”, the rear passenger protection resulted in lower ratings, pulling down the overall score.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | M |
| Structure and Safety Cage | G |
| Driver Injury Measures | |
| Head/Neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Thigh/Hip | G |
| Leg/Foot | G |
| Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics | G |
| Rear Passenger Injury Measures | |
| Head/Neck | A |
| Chest | G |
| Thigh | G |
| Rear Passenger Restraints and Dummy Kinematics | M |
View of the 2022 Toyota Highlander after the updated moderate overlap front crash test, showing airbag deployment and occupant compartment damage. This test evaluates both front and rear occupant safety.
Image showing the rear passenger dummy in the 2022 Toyota Highlander after the updated moderate overlap front crash test, indicating adequate headroom and safe distance from the front seatback.
Close-up of the rear passenger dummy in the 2022 Toyota Highlander after the updated moderate overlap front crash test, showing shoulder belt position and indicating potential head/neck injury risk.
Image highlighting the lap belt displacement on the rear passenger dummy in the 2022 Toyota Highlander during the updated moderate overlap front crash test, indicating increased risk of abdominal injuries.
The rear passenger head/neck injury measures were rated as “Acceptable,” and the rear passenger restraints and kinematics were rated as “Marginal.” The primary issue was the rear passenger dummy’s lap belt moving out of position, increasing the risk of abdominal injuries. This is a crucial point for families to consider, especially those frequently carrying rear-seat passengers, particularly children.
Measures of Occupant Compartment Intrusion on Driver Side (cm)
| Evaluation Criteria | Measurement (CEF2203) |
|---|---|
| Footwell Intrusion | |
| Footrest | 6 |
| Left | 8 |
| Center | 10 |
| Right | 7 |
| Brake Pedal | 3 |
| Instrument Panel Rearward Movement | |
| Left | 2 |
| Right | 3 |
| Steering Column Movement | |
| Upward | 4 |
| Rearward | 1 |
| A-pillar Rearward Movement | 0 |
Intrusion measurements in the updated test are slightly higher than the original moderate overlap test, but still within acceptable parameters for a “Good” structural rating.
Driver Injury Measures
| Evaluation Criteria | Measurement (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 |
Driver injury measures remain excellent in the updated test, indicating continued strong protection for the driver.
Rear Passenger Injury Measures
| Evaluation Criteria | Measurement (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 |
These rear passenger injury measures, particularly related to the lap belt issue, are the primary drivers of the “Marginal” overall rating in the updated moderate overlap test.
Side Crash Test: Original Test
The side crash test assesses how well a vehicle protects occupants in a side impact collision. The original side crash test evaluates driver and rear passenger protection.
The 2022 Toyota Highlander achieved a Good rating in the original side crash test.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | G |
| Structure and Safety Cage | G |
| Driver Injury Measures | |
| Head/Neck | G |
| Torso | G |
| Pelvis/Leg | G |
| Driver Head Protection | G |
| Rear Passenger Injury Measures | |
| Head/Neck | G |
| Torso | G |
| Pelvis/Leg | G |
| Rear Passenger Head Protection | G |
The “Good” rating across all categories in the original side crash test demonstrates excellent side impact protection for both front and rear occupants.
Measures of Occupant Compartment Intrusion on Driver Side (cm)
| Evaluation Criteria | Measurement (VTS1927) |
|---|---|
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat | -23.0 |
| Negative numbers indicate crush stopped short of the seat centerline |
The negative intrusion measurement indicates that the structural deformation in the side impact test was minimal and did not compromise the driver’s seating space.
Driver Injury Measures
| Evaluation Criteria | Measurement (VTS1927) |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 156 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.8 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.2 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral Deflection (mm) | 22 |
| Lateral Force (kN) | 1.0 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum Deflection (mm) | 20 |
| Average Deflection (mm) | 17 |
| Maximum Deflection Rate (m/s) | 1.80 |
| Maximum Viscous Criterion (m/s) | 0.12 |
| Pelvis | |
| Iliac Force (kN) | 1.4 |
| Acetabulum Force (kN) | 1.3 |
| Combined Force (kN) | 2.6 |
| Left Femur | |
| L-M Force (kN) | 0.9 |
| L-M Moment (Nm) | 87 |
| A-P Moment (Nm) | -20 |
Passenger Injury Measures
| Evaluation Criteria | Measurement (VTS1927) |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 146 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.1 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.3 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral Deflection (mm) | 28 |
| Lateral Force (kN) | 1.4 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum Deflection (mm) | 20 |
| Average Deflection (mm) | 14 |
| Maximum Deflection Rate (m/s) | 2.50 |
| Maximum Viscous Criterion (m/s) | 0.14 |
| Pelvis | |
| Iliac Force (kN) | 0.0 |
| Acetabulum Force (kN) | 0.7 |
| Combined Force (kN) | 0.7 |
| Left Femur | |
| L-M Force (kN) | 0.2 |
| L-M Moment (Nm) | 60 |
| A-P Moment (Nm) | -34 |
Injury measurements for both driver and rear passenger dummies are low, reinforcing the “Good” rating and demonstrating robust occupant protection in a side impact.
Side Crash Test: Updated Test
The IIHS also updated its side crash test to be more demanding, using a heavier barrier and higher impact speed. This updated test provides a more stringent evaluation of side impact protection.
In the updated side crash test, the 2022 Toyota Highlander maintained a Good overall rating. However, the pelvis protection for the driver was downgraded to “Marginal.”
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | G |
| Structure and Safety Cage | G |
| Driver Injury Measures | |
| Head/Neck | G |
| Torso | G |
| Pelvis | M |
| Driver Head Protection | G |
| Rear Passenger Injury Measures | |
| Head/Neck | G |
| Torso | G |
| Pelvis | G |
| Rear Passenger Head Protection | G |
Post-crash view of the 2022 Toyota Highlander after the updated side crash test. This updated test is more rigorous than the original side impact test.
Image of the 2022 Toyota Highlander after the updated side crash test with doors removed, revealing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment. Side airbags are crucial for occupant protection in side impacts.
Greasepaint on the driver dummy’s head in the 2022 Toyota Highlander after the updated side crash test, indicating head protection by the side airbags. Side airbags are designed to prevent head injuries in side impacts.
Greasepaint on the rear passenger dummy’s head in the 2022 Toyota Highlander after the updated side crash test, demonstrating head protection by the rear side airbag. Rear side airbags extend protection to rear occupants in side collisions.
While most aspects remained “Good,” the “Marginal” pelvis rating for the driver in the updated, more challenging test is a point to note. Rear passenger protection remained “Good” across the board, indicating strong side impact safety for back-seat occupants.
Measures of Occupant Compartment Intrusion on Driver Side (cm)
| Evaluation Criteria | Measurement (CES2206) |
|---|---|
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat | -20.5 |
| Negative numbers indicate crush stopped short of the seat centerline |
Intrusion measurements remain minimal even in the more demanding updated side crash test, indicating robust structural performance.
Driver Injury Measures
| Evaluation Criteria | Measurement (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 |
Passenger Injury Measures
| Evaluation Criteria | Measurement (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 |
The driver’s pelvis injury measures are elevated compared to other body regions, leading to the “Marginal” rating for pelvis protection in the updated side crash test. However, other injury measures remain low, and rear passenger protection is still excellent.
Roof Strength
The roof strength test evaluates the structural integrity of the vehicle’s roof in a rollover scenario. A strong roof is crucial for protecting occupants in such accidents.
The 2022 Toyota Highlander earned a Good rating for roof strength.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | G |
| Curb Weight | 4,340 lbs |
| Peak Force | 20,077 lbs |
| Strength-to-Weight Ratio | 4.63 |
A strength-to-weight ratio of 4.63 indicates that the Highlander’s roof can withstand over 4.6 times the vehicle’s weight before significant crush, demonstrating robust roof strength and rollover protection.
Head Restraints & Seats
Head restraints and seats play a critical role in preventing whiplash and other neck injuries in rear-end collisions.
The 2022 Toyota Highlander received a Good overall rating for head restraints & seats.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | G |
| Dynamic Rating | G |
| Seat/Head Restraint Geometry | G |
Both dynamic performance and geometric design of the head restraints and seats are rated “Good,” indicating effective whiplash protection in rear impacts.
Technical Measurements
| Seat Type | Power leatherette seat |
|---|---|
| Geometry | |
| Backset (mm) | 14 |
| Distance below top of head (mm) | 3 |
| Seat design parameters | |
| Pass/fail | Pass |
| Max T1 acceleration (g) | 12.0 |
| Head contact time (ms) | 55 |
| Force rating | 1 |
| Neck forces | |
| Max neck shear force (N) | 0 |
| Max neck tension (N) | 156 |
These measurements further validate the “Good” rating, showing favorable geometry and low neck forces during simulated rear-end collisions.
Headlights
Headlight performance is a significant safety factor, particularly for nighttime driving. IIHS evaluates headlight performance based on visibility and glare.
The 2022 Toyota Highlander has two different headlight variations, resulting in different ratings.
Platinum and Hybrid Platinum Trim Headlights:
These trims are equipped with LED projector headlights that are curve-adaptive and include high-beam assist. These headlights received a Good overall rating.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | Yes |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
| Overall Rating | G |
These premium headlights provide excellent visibility in various driving conditions, contributing to safer nighttime driving.
L, LE, Hybrid LE, XLE, Hybrid XLE, XSE, Limited, and Hybrid Limited Trim Headlights:
These trims feature LED projector headlights without curve-adaptive functionality but still include high-beam assist. These headlights received an Acceptable overall rating.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
| Overall Rating | A |
While still rated “Acceptable,” these standard headlights are not as effective as the premium headlights on Platinum trims, particularly in curves.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle
Front crash prevention systems are designed to automatically brake the vehicle to mitigate or avoid frontal collisions with other vehicles.
The 2022 Toyota Highlander’s standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ system earned a Superior rating for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention.
| Overall Evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | Superior |
The system successfully avoided collisions in both 12 mph and 25 mph tests, demonstrating excellent vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention capabilities.
Front Crash Prevention: Pedestrian (Day)
Pedestrian front crash prevention systems are designed to detect pedestrians and automatically brake to avoid or reduce the severity of pedestrian collisions.
The 2022 Toyota Highlander’s standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0/2.5+ system received a Superior rating for pedestrian front crash prevention (daytime).
| Overall Evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | Superior |
The system performed exceptionally well in various daytime pedestrian scenarios, including crossing child, crossing adult, and parallel adult scenarios, avoiding collisions or significantly reducing impact speed.
Front Crash Prevention: Pedestrian (Night)
Pedestrian crash prevention at night is particularly crucial due to reduced visibility.
The 2022 Toyota Highlander’s Toyota Safety Sense 2.0/2.5+ system also earned a Superior rating for pedestrian front crash prevention (nighttime), including high-beam assist credit.
| Overall Evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | Superior |
The system effectively avoided collisions or significantly reduced impact speed in nighttime pedestrian scenarios, both with low and high beams activated, highlighting its robust night pedestrian detection and prevention capabilities.
Seat Belt Reminders
Seat belt reminders are essential safety features that encourage seat belt use, a primary factor in occupant protection during crashes.
For the 2022 model year, the Toyota Highlander received a Marginal rating for seat belt reminders.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | M |
| Front Row | |
| Unbelted occupant alert (audible & visual) | |
| Initiation time | |
| Duration | Long enough (90+ seconds) |
| Volume | |
| Audio frequency | |
| Second Row | |
| Startup status alert (visual) | |
| Initiation time | |
| Duration at least 60 seconds | |
| Belt disengaged alert (audible & visual) | |
| Initiation time | |
| Duration at least 30 seconds | |
| Volume | |
| Audio frequency |
While the front row reminder duration is adequate, the overall “Marginal” rating indicates areas for improvement, particularly in second-row reminders.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
Child seat anchors, also known as LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children), are crucial for safe and secure child seat installation.
The 2022 Toyota Highlander received a Good+ rating for child seat anchors, signifying ease of use.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | G+ |
| Vehicle Trim | XLE |
| Seat Type | leatherette |
The Highlander has two rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware and additional positions with tether anchors, offering flexibility for child seat installation. The “Good+” rating reflects the system’s ease of use and effectiveness.
Details by Seating Position
| Position | Rating | Details
