The Toyota Highlander, a popular SUV known for its reliability and family-friendly features, has consistently achieved high safety ratings. This article delves into the safety performance of the 2020-2025 Toyota Highlander models, with a specific focus on how these ratings apply to the 2023 Highlander. We’ll explore the results of various crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), providing a comprehensive overview for potential buyers and safety-conscious drivers.
Driver-Side Small Overlap Frontal Crash Test: 2020-2025 Highlander
The small overlap frontal crash test simulates a collision where only a small portion of the vehicle’s front end, on the driver’s side, impacts a barrier. For the Toyota Highlander models from 2020 to 2025, the IIHS driver-side small overlap frontal rating is based on two tests conducted by Toyota.
Rating: Good
| 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 signifies robust protection for the driver in this challenging crash scenario. The Highlander’s structure held up well, and injury measures for the driver were minimal across all body regions.
Technical Measurements:
The following measurements provide a deeper look into the structural performance and driver injury metrics from the two tests (VTN2003 and VTN1915).
Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side):
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement (VTN2003) | Measurement (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 |
| 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 |
These measurements indicate the extent of intrusion into the occupant compartment during the crash. Lower numbers are better, suggesting less deformation of the vehicle structure.
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 measures reflect the forces and accelerations experienced by the crash test dummy, providing insights into potential real-world injury risks. Lower values generally indicate better protection.
About the small overlap front test
Passenger-Side Small Overlap Frontal Crash Test: 2020-2025 Highlander
Similar to the driver-side test, the passenger-side small overlap frontal crash test assesses safety performance when the passenger side of the vehicle’s front end impacts a barrier. This evaluation is also applicable to the 2023 Highlander.
Rating: Good
| 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 “Good” rating for the passenger side indicates that occupants in the front passenger seat of a 2023 Highlander can expect excellent protection in a small overlap frontal crash.
Technical Measurements:
The technical data from test VTP1933 provides detailed measurements for passenger-side crash performance.
Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Passenger Side):
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement (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 |
These measurements illustrate the intrusion into the passenger compartment, with lower numbers indicating better structural integrity.
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):
Interestingly, the passenger-side test also includes driver injury measures, providing a more comprehensive safety assessment.
| 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 |
These measurements for both passenger and driver dummies in the passenger-side small overlap test further solidify the 2023 Highlander’s strong safety performance.
About the small overlap front test
Moderate Overlap Frontal Crash Test: Original and Updated (2020-2025 Highlander)
The moderate overlap frontal test represents a more common type of frontal collision, where a significant portion of the vehicle’s front end impacts a barrier. The IIHS conducts both an original and an updated version of this test. Both are relevant to understanding the safety of the 2023 Highlander.
Original Moderate Overlap Frontal Test
Rating (2020-2025 Models): Good
| 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 2023 Highlander earns a “Good” rating in the original moderate overlap test, indicating excellent occupant protection.
Technical Measurements:
Test VTF1925 provides the technical details for this assessment.
Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side):
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement (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 |
These measurements show minimal intrusion into the footwell and occupant space, contributing to the “Good” structural rating.
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 |
Driver injury measures are low, reinforcing the “Good” rating for driver safety in a moderate overlap frontal crash for the 2023 Toyota Highlander.
About the original moderate overlap front test
Updated Moderate Overlap Frontal Test
Rating (2022-2025 Models): Marginal
The updated moderate overlap test includes a rear passenger dummy to assess back seat safety, reflecting advancements in crash testing. While the structure remains “Good”, the overall rating for the 2023 Highlander in this updated test is “Marginal” due to rear passenger safety concerns.
| 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 |
While driver safety remains “Good”, the “Marginal” overall rating indicates areas for improvement in rear passenger protection in the 2023 Highlander and similar models.
View of the 2023 Toyota Highlander after the updated moderate overlap front crash test, showing airbag deployment and occupant compartment integrity.
The rear passenger dummy in the 2023 Toyota Highlander maintained a safe distance from the front seatback during the updated moderate overlap front crash test.
Injury values for the rear passenger dummy in the 2023 Toyota Highlander indicate a moderate risk of head or neck injury in the updated moderate overlap front crash test.
Lap belt movement on the rear passenger dummy during the updated moderate overlap front crash test of the 2023 Toyota Highlander, increasing abdominal injury risk.
Technical Measurements:
Test CEF2203 provides the data for the updated test.
Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side):
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement (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 (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 metrics remain favorable in the updated test, consistent with the “Good” rating for driver safety in the 2023 Highlander.
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 measurements highlight areas contributing to the “Marginal” rating, specifically related to neck injury risk and restraint performance in the updated moderate overlap test for the 2023 Highlander.
About the moderate overlap front test
February 2024 adjustment to rating criteria
Side Crash Test: Original and Updated (2020-2025 Highlander)
Side impact crashes are a significant concern, and the IIHS evaluates side crash protection through both original and updated tests, both relevant to the 2023 Highlander.
Original Side Crash Test
Rating (2020-2023 Models): Good
| 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 2023 Highlander achieved a “Good” rating in the original side crash test, indicating strong protection for both driver and rear passengers.
Technical Measurements:
Test VTS1927 provides the detailed measurements.
Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side):
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement (VTS1927) |
|---|---|
| B-Pillar to Longitudinal Centerline of Driver’s Seat (cm) | -23.0 |
Negative numbers indicate crush stopped short of the seat centerline, showing good structural performance.
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 |
These driver injury measures are low, supporting the “Good” rating for driver protection in the original side crash test for the 2023 Highlander.
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 |
Rear passenger injury measures are also low, contributing to the “Good” rating for rear passenger safety in the original side crash test of the 2023 Toyota Highlander.
About the original side crash test
Updated Side Crash Test
Rating (2020-2025 Models): Good
The updated side crash test is more rigorous, using a heavier barrier and higher impact speed. Despite the increased challenge, the 2023 Highlander maintains a “Good” overall rating.
| 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 |
While driver pelvis protection is rated “Marginal,” the overall “Good” rating in the updated side crash test demonstrates robust side impact safety for the 2023 Highlander.
Post-crash view of the 2023 Toyota Highlander in the updated side crash test, showing structural integrity.
Side airbags and occupant compartment damage in the 2023 Toyota Highlander after the updated side crash test, doors removed for clarity.
Grease paint on the driver dummy’s head indicates airbag protection in the updated side crash test of the 2023 Toyota Highlander.
Rear passenger dummy head protection by the side airbag in the 2023 Toyota Highlander, as shown by grease paint in the updated side crash test.
Technical Measurements:
Test CES2206 provides the technical data for the updated side crash test.
Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side):
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement (CES2206) |
|---|---|
| B-Pillar to Longitudinal Centerline of Driver’s Seat (cm) | -20.5 |
Again, the negative value indicates crush stopping short of the seat centerline, demonstrating strong structural performance in the updated side impact.
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 |
While driver pelvis force is higher than in other tests, the overall driver injury measures remain within acceptable limits, contributing to the “Good” driver safety rating for the 2023 Highlander.
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 |
Rear passenger injury measures remain low in the updated side crash test, confirming good rear passenger side impact protection in the 2023 Toyota Highlander.
Roof Strength Test: 2020-2023 Highlander
The roof strength test evaluates the roof’s ability to withstand forces in a rollover crash. This rating is applicable to the 2023 Highlander.
Rating: Good
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | G |
| Curb Weight | 4,340 lbs |
| Peak Force | 20,077 lbs |
| Strength-to-Weight Ratio | 4.63 |
A “Good” rating in roof strength indicates that the 2023 Toyota Highlander provides strong protection in rollover scenarios. The strength-to-weight ratio is a key metric, showing the roof can withstand over 4.6 times the vehicle’s weight.
Head Restraints & Seats: 2020-2025 Highlander
Head restraints and seats play a crucial role in preventing whiplash and other injuries in rear-end collisions. The 2023 Highlander equipped with power leatherette seats receives a “Good” rating in this evaluation.
Rating: Good (Power Leatherette Seats)
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | G |
| Dynamic Rating | G |
| Seat/Head Restraint Geometry | G |
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 confirm the effective design of the head restraints and seats in the 2023 Highlander for minimizing whiplash risk.
About the head restraint & seat test
Headlights: 2020-2025 Highlander
Headlight performance is critical for nighttime driving safety. The IIHS rates headlight systems as part of its safety evaluations. The 2023 Highlander has two different headlight variations with different ratings.
Platinum and Hybrid Platinum Trim Headlights
Rating: Good
| 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 |
The Platinum and Hybrid Platinum trims of the 2023 Highlander come with curve-adaptive LED projector headlights that earn a “Good” rating, providing excellent visibility.
Low Beam Performance: Straightaway visibility was good on the right and fair on the left. Curve visibility was good on right curves and fair on left curves. Some glare was noted.
High Beam Performance: Straightaway and curve visibility was good in all tests. High-beam assist compensates for low beam limitations.
Technical Measurements:
| 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 (2020-2025 Models) | G |
Low Beam Measurements:
| 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 Beam Measurements:
| 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 |
Other Trim Headlights (L, LE, Hybrid LE, XLE, Hybrid XLE, XSE, Limited, Hybrid Limited)
Rating: Acceptable
| 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 |
Other trims of the 2023 Highlander come with LED projector headlights that are not curve-adaptive and receive an “Acceptable” rating.
Low Beam Performance: Straightaway visibility was good on both sides. Curve visibility was good on gradual right curve and fair on sharp right and both left curves. Some glare was noted.
High Beam Performance: Straightaway visibility was good on both sides. Curve visibility was fair on gradual right curve and inadequate on sharp right and both left curves. High-beam assist provides compensation.
Technical Measurements:
| 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 (2020-2025 Models) | A |
Low Beam Measurements:
| 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 Beam Measurements:
| 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: Vehicle-to-Vehicle (2021-2023 Highlander)
Forward collision prevention systems are increasingly important for avoiding accidents. The Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ system, standard on the 2023 Highlander, earns a “Superior” rating for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention.
Rating: Superior
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | Superior |
| Forward Collision Warning | Meets Requirements |
| 12 mph Test | Collision Avoided |
| 25 mph Test | Collision Avoided |
The 2023 Toyota Highlander’s standard front crash prevention system effectively avoided collisions in both 12 mph and 25 mph vehicle-to-vehicle tests.
About the original front crash prevention test
Front Crash Prevention: Pedestrian (Day) (2020-2025 Highlander)
Pedestrian detection systems are vital for urban safety. The Toyota Safety Sense 2.0/2.5+ system on the 2023 Highlander achieves a “Superior” rating for daytime pedestrian front crash prevention.
Rating: Superior
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | Superior |
| Crossing Child (12 mph) | Collision Avoided |
| Crossing Child (25 mph) | Impact Speed Reduced by 22 mph |
| Crossing Adult (12 mph) | Collision Avoided |
| Crossing Adult (25 mph) | Collision Avoided |
| Parallel Adult (25 mph) | Collision Avoided |
| Parallel Adult (37 mph) | Impact Speed Reduced by 24 mph, Warning Issued |
The 2023 Highlander’s pedestrian detection system demonstrated superior performance in various daytime scenarios, including crossing and parallel adult and child pedestrian simulations.
About the pedestrian front crash prevention test
Front Crash Prevention: Pedestrian (Night) (2022-2025 Highlander)
Nighttime pedestrian detection is even more challenging. The Toyota Safety Sense 2.0/2.5+ system in the 2023 Highlander still earns a “Superior” rating for nighttime pedestrian front crash prevention, especially when using high beams.
Rating: Superior (with High Beam Assist Credit)
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | Superior |
| Crossing Adult (12 mph, High Beams) | Collision Avoided |
| Crossing Adult (12 mph, Low Beams) | Collision Avoided |
| Crossing Adult (25 mph, High Beams) | Collision Avoided |
| Crossing Adult (25 mph, Low Beams) | Collision Avoided |
| Parallel Adult (25 mph, High Beams) | Collision Avoided |
| Parallel Adult (25 mph, Low Beams) | Collision Avoided |
| Parallel Adult (37 mph, High Beams) | Impact Speed Reduced by 25 mph, Warning Issued |
| Parallel Adult (37 mph, Low Beams) | Impact Speed Reduced by 25 mph, Warning Issued |
The 2023 Toyota Highlander’s pedestrian detection system performs exceptionally well at night, even in challenging scenarios, further enhancing its safety credentials.
About pedestrian front crash prevention test
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH): 2020-2025 Highlander
Child seat anchors (LATCH) make it easier to securely install child safety seats. The 2023 Highlander receives a “Good” rating for its LATCH system.
Rating: Good
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | G |
| Vehicle Trim | XLE |
| Seat Type | Leatherette |
The 2023 Toyota Highlander has two rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware and additional positions with tether anchors, providing versatility for child seat installation.
Seating Positions with LATCH:
- Two positions with full lower anchors and tether anchors.
- One additional position with only a tether anchor.
- One additional position with a tether anchor and borrowable lower anchors.
Details by Seating Position:
| Position | Rating | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Good | Tether & Lower Anchors (Easy to Use) |
| 2 | – | Tether Anchor, Lower Anchors Borrowable |
| 3 | Good | Tether & Lower Anchors (Easy to Use) |
| 5 | – | Tether Anchor Only |
Technical Measurements (Seat Position 21 & 23): Detailed measurements for lower anchor depth, force, and clearance angles are provided in the original article for positions 21 and 23, indicating ease of use.
About the child seat anchor evaluation
Conclusion: 2023 Toyota Highlander – A Safe Choice for Families
The 2023 Toyota Highlander stands out as a safe SUV, earning top marks in numerous IIHS crash tests and safety evaluations. While the updated moderate overlap front test resulted in a “Marginal” overall rating due to rear passenger concerns, the Highlander excels in driver and passenger protection in most crash scenarios, including small overlap, original moderate overlap, and side impacts. Furthermore, its “Superior” ratings for front crash prevention, both vehicle-to-vehicle and pedestrian (day and night), along with “Good” ratings for roof strength, head restraints, and LATCH system, reinforce its commitment to safety.
For families prioritizing safety, the 2023 Toyota Highlander remains a compelling option, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features and strong crash test performance. However, it’s important for consumers to be aware of the “Marginal” rating in the updated moderate overlap test and consider the implications for rear passenger safety. Overall, the 2023 Highlander demonstrates a strong commitment to safety, making it a reliable and secure choice in the SUV market.
