The Toyota Highlander has solidified its position as a top contender in the midsize SUV class. It not only has an impressive safety record from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) but it’s also able to adapt and thrive in an ever-changing automotive landscape. It’s been more than a decade since the Highlander didn’t receive a perfect overall NHTSA score and that’s no small accomplishment.

How many years has the Highlander consistently received that perfect rating? What does that mean for shoppers who value safety in a vehicle?

The Toyota Highlander consistently earns a perfect overall score from NHTSA 

It’s no small thing that the Toyota Highlander has earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA consistently from 2014 thru 2023. Such an achievement speaks volumes about the Highlander’s safety and ability to provide a secure driving experience for all occupants.

The NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings program is a trusted resource for consumers, helping them to make informed decisions when buying a new vehicle. Over the past decade, the Highlander has consistently excelled in the NHTSA’s rigorous tests, including frontal crash, side crash, and rollover tests. The tests gauge a vehicle’s ability to protect passengers in several collision scenarios.

This achievement also underscores the Highlander’s position as a leading choice in the midsize SUV segment.  Owners who value safety on the road will have real peace of mind knowing that they have one of the safest vehicles on the road today.

High safety standards in a changing landscape

The Toyota Highlander’s ability to maintain its high safety standard over the years, even with evolving regulations and advancements in automotive technology, is truly impressive. As the auto industry continuously adapts to new safety standards and cutting-edge technologies, the Highlander has not only kept up, it has excelled in its overall safety.

Each year, safety regulations become more stringent, and automakers must meet those increasingly demanding standards. The fact that this SUV has consistently achieved a perfect five-star overall rating from the NHTSA from 2014 to 2023 is a real testament to its ability to evolve and meet these rigorous safety requirements.

You also have to factor in the rapid advancements in automotive technology because they’ve introduced a myriad of new safety features and driver assistance systems.  The Highlander has maintained its high safety standards and integrated these technologies and innovations too. 

How did the 2023 Toyota Highlander do?

The 2023 Toyota Highlander received a five-star overall rating in NHTSA testing for both the FWD and AWD models and the hybrid variants. The scores illustrate a high level of safety performance in several crash tests conducted by the NHTSA.

For the specific crash categories, the 2023 Highlander received a four-star rating for frontal crash and rollover tests and a five-star rating for side crash tests. The ratings show the Highlander’s strong crashworthiness and protection for all occupants in different types of collisions.

The 2023 version is equipped with a comprehensive range of safety features designed to maximize driver and passenger protection. Standard features include Automated Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Blind-Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, and Lane Departure Warning with Lane-Keeping Assist. These systems help prevent collisions, provide warnings for potential hazards, and assist in maintaining proper lane position.

The Highlander also offers Adaptive Cruise Control and Automatic High-Beam Headlamps as standard features. Optional safety upgrades include a 360-degree camera system, front and rear parking sensors, and a head-up display. These features provide enhanced visibility, assistance in parking maneuvers, and the projection of crucial information within the driver’s line of sight.