The 2023 Toyota Highlander is a popular SUV known for its reliability and family-friendly features. But when it comes to safety, how does the latest Highlander model perform? As a leading resource for car diagnostics and automotive repair information, we at cardiagnosticnearme.com delve into the safety ratings of the 2023 Toyota Highlander, providing you with an expert analysis based on rigorous testing standards.
This comprehensive guide is based on the safety evaluations conducted on the 2020-2025 Toyota Highlander models, as the design remained largely consistent during these years. Understanding these ratings is crucial for making informed decisions when choosing a vehicle that prioritizes your safety and the safety of your loved ones.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Driver-Side
The small overlap front crash test assesses how well a vehicle protects the driver in a collision where only a small portion of the vehicle’s front end impacts an object. The 2023 Toyota Highlander received a “Good” rating in this challenging test, indicating a high level of driver protection.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | 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 |
The technical measurements from two tests conducted by Toyota reveal valuable insights into the Highlander’s performance:
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement (Test ID: VTN2003) | Measurement (Test ID: 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 |
Driver injury measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement (Test ID: VTN2003) | Measurement (Test ID: 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 |
The “Good” rating and detailed measurements demonstrate that the 2023 Toyota Highlander is engineered with a robust safety cage and effective restraint systems to minimize driver injury in a small overlap frontal crash scenario.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Passenger-Side
Similar to the driver-side test, the passenger-side small overlap front crash test evaluates occupant protection on the passenger side. Again, the 2023 Toyota Highlander earned a “Good” rating, assuring excellent safety performance for front-seat passengers.
| 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 |
The technical data from the passenger-side test further supports the “Good” rating:
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side
| 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 |
Passenger injury measures
| 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 |
Driver injury measures
| 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 |
These results confirm that the 2023 Toyota Highlander provides comparable safety performance for both the driver and front passenger in small overlap frontal crashes.
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test: Original and Updated
The moderate overlap front crash test simulates a more typical frontal collision, impacting a larger portion of the vehicle’s front. The 2023 Toyota Highlander was subjected to both the original and updated versions of this test.
In the original moderate overlap front test, the 2023 Toyota Highlander achieved 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 |
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| 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 |
Driver injury measures
| 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 |
However, in the updated moderate overlap front test, which now includes a rear passenger dummy to assess back seat safety, the 2023 Toyota Highlander received a “Marginal” overall rating. While the structure and driver injury measures remained “Good,” rear passenger safety lowered 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 |
Image: Post-crash view of the 2023 Toyota Highlander showcasing airbag deployment and occupant compartment integrity following an updated moderate overlap front test.
Image: Rear passenger dummy positioning in the 2023 Toyota Highlander after the updated moderate overlap front crash test, showing head distance from the front seatback.
Image: Close-up of the rear passenger dummy in the 2023 Toyota Highlander, highlighting potential head/neck injury risk and proper shoulder belt positioning during the updated moderate overlap front test.
Image: Rear passenger dummy lap belt displacement in the 2023 Toyota Highlander, indicating increased risk of abdominal injuries due to belt movement during the updated moderate overlap front test.
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| 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 |
Driver injury measures
| 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 |
Rear passenger injury measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement (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 |
The updated test indicates a need for improvement in rear passenger protection in moderate overlap frontal crashes for the 2023 Toyota Highlander.
Side Crash Test: Original and Updated
Side-impact collisions are another critical area of safety assessment. The 2023 Toyota Highlander has undergone both original and updated side crash tests.
In the original side crash test, the 2023 Toyota Highlander achieved a “Good” rating, demonstrating strong side-impact protection.
| 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 |
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement (Test ID: VTS1927) |
|---|---|
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat (cm) | -23.0 |
| Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline. |
Driver injury measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement (Test ID: 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 (Test ID: 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 |
In the more rigorous updated side crash test, the 2023 Toyota Highlander maintained an overall “Good” rating. However, the driver pelvis protection was downgraded to “Marginal,” indicating a potential area for improvement.
| 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 |
Image: Immediate aftermath of the updated side crash test on the 2023 Toyota Highlander.
Image: Post-updated side crash test view of the 2023 Toyota Highlander with doors removed, revealing side airbag deployment and occupant compartment damage.
Image: Greasepaint on the driver dummy in the 2023 Toyota Highlander, indicating head protection by side airbags in the updated side crash test.
Image: Greasepaint on the rear passenger dummy of the 2023 Toyota Highlander, showing head protection from side airbags during the updated side crash test.
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| 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. |
Driver injury measures
| 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 |
Passenger injury measures
| 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 |
Despite the “Marginal” rating for driver pelvis protection in the updated test, the 2023 Toyota Highlander generally offers robust side-impact safety.
Roof Strength Test
Roof strength is vital for rollover protection. The 2023 Toyota Highlander earned a “Good” rating in this test, indicating a strong roof structure capable of withstanding significant force in a rollover accident.
| Overall evaluation | G |
|---|---|
| Curb weight | 4,340 lbs |
| Peak force | 20,077 lbs |
| Strength-to-weight ratio | 4.63 |
With a strength-to-weight ratio of 4.63, the roof of the 2023 Toyota Highlander is more than capable of supporting occupants in a rollover scenario.
Head Restraints & Seats
Whiplash protection in rear-end collisions is assessed through head restraint and seat evaluations. The 2023 Toyota Highlander received a “Good” overall rating for its head restraints and seats, indicating effective protection against whiplash injuries.
| Overall evaluation | G |
|---|---|
| Dynamic rating | G |
| Seat/head restraint geometry | G |
Technical measurements for this test
| 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 |
The “Good” rating signifies that the 2023 Toyota Highlander‘s seat and head restraint design effectively minimizes the risk of neck injuries in rear-impact collisions.
Headlights
Visibility at night is crucial for accident prevention. The 2023 Toyota Highlander offers two different headlight variations, with ratings ranging from “Good” to “Acceptable.”
The Platinum and Hybrid Platinum trims feature LED projector headlights with curve-adaptive technology and high-beam assist, earning a “Good” overall rating.
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 | G |
Low beams: Provide good visibility on the right side of the road on straightaways and good visibility on right curves.
High beams: Offer good visibility on both sides of the road on straightaways and on all curves.
The L, LE, Hybrid LE, XLE, Hybrid XLE, XSE, Limited, and Hybrid Limited trims come with LED projector headlights without curve-adaptive technology, resulting in an “Acceptable” overall rating.
Trim level(s) – L, LE, Hybrid LE, XLE, Hybrid XLE, XSE, Limited, & Hybrid Limited trims
| 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 |
Low beams: Provide good visibility on both sides of the road on straightaways and good visibility on gradual right curves.
High beams: Offer good visibility on both sides of the road on straightaways and fair visibility on gradual right curves.
While both headlight systems offer adequate illumination, the curve-adaptive headlights on the Platinum trims provide superior performance, earning the “Good” rating for the 2023 Toyota Highlander.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle & Pedestrian
Advanced safety features play a significant role in preventing accidents. The 2023 Toyota Highlander comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, including a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection.
In vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention tests, the 2023 Toyota Highlander achieved a “Superior” rating.
System details
- Standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+: Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection
Overall evaluation
Superior
- The system meets forward collision warning requirements.
- Collision avoidance in both 12 mph and 25 mph tests.
For pedestrian front crash prevention (day and night), the 2023 Toyota Highlander also earned “Superior” ratings.
Pedestrian (Day) – Overall evaluation: Superior
- Avoided collision in 12 mph crossing child and crossing adult tests.
- Speed reduction in 25 mph crossing child and parallel adult tests.
- Avoided collision in 25 mph crossing adult and parallel adult tests.
Pedestrian (Night) – Overall evaluation: Superior
- Avoided collision in 12 mph and 25 mph crossing adult tests (both low and high beams).
- Speed reduction in 37 mph parallel adult test (both low and high beams).
These “Superior” ratings highlight the effectiveness of the 2023 Toyota Highlander‘s front crash prevention systems in mitigating or avoiding collisions with both vehicles and pedestrians.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
For families, child seat safety is paramount. The 2023 Toyota Highlander has been evaluated for its LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system and received a “Good” rating for ease of use.
| Overall evaluation | G |
|---|---|
| Vehicle trim | XLE |
| Seat type | leatherette |
The 2023 Toyota Highlander offers two rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware and additional positions with tether anchors, providing flexibility for installing child seats.
Details by seating position
| Position | Rating |
|---|---|
| 1 | Tether & Lower Anchors – Good |
| 2 | Tether Anchor & Borrowed Lower Anchors – Not Rated |
| 3 | Tether & Lower Anchors – Good |
| 5 | Tether Anchor Only – Not Rated |
The “Good” rating indicates that the LATCH system in the 2023 Toyota Highlander is user-friendly, making child seat installation easier and more secure.
Conclusion: 2023 Toyota Highlander Safety Performance
Overall, the 2023 Toyota Highlander demonstrates strong safety performance across various crash tests and evaluations. It achieves “Good” ratings in most categories, including small overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraints. While the updated moderate overlap front test resulted in a “Marginal” rating due to rear passenger safety concerns and the updated side test showed “Marginal” driver pelvis protection, the Highlander still provides a high level of safety for occupants.
Furthermore, the “Superior” ratings for front crash prevention systems and the “Good” rating for child seat anchors underscore Toyota’s commitment to safety in the 2023 Toyota Highlander. For families seeking a safe and reliable SUV, the 2023 Toyota Highlander remains a strong contender, offering peace of mind on the road.
About the small overlap front test
About the small overlap front test
About the original moderate overlap front test
About the moderate overlap front test
February 2024 adjustment to rating criteria
About the original side crash test
About the side crash test
About the roof strength test
About the head restraint & seat test
About the headlight evaluation
About the original front crash prevention test
About the pedestrian front crash prevention test
About pedestrian front crash prevention test
About the child seat anchor evaluation
