Toyota Highlander Safety Rating
The midsized SUV segment is highly competitive, and the Highlander does its best to stand out. This vehicle segment focuses on combining rugged styling, efficiency, and great power to ensure you have a vehicle that matches your taste for adventure. Luckily, the Highlander does more than that. It is designed to give you ease and peace of mind as you navigate dynamic environments so you stay in control no matter what. Check out this Toyota Highlander safety rating guide to help you determine if this midsized SUV is right for you.
Toyota Highlander Safety & Security
It’s no question: the Highlander is stylish. Aside from its striking exterior and rich array of tech features, the Toyota Highlander SUV also excels in its safety features.
This SUV offers standard safety features, such as the Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking, and the Toyota Care maintenance plan.
In addition, it is equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 System. The TSS 2.5 system equips this vehicle with the following safety technologies:
• Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection
• Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
• Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist
• Lane Tracing Assist
• Road Sign Assist
• Automatic High Beams
In addition to these wonderful safety features, the Highlander impresses in its efficiency. It has a responsive 4-cylinder gas engine and multiple driving modes that increase driving efficiency no matter the road conditions. And speaking of efficiency, the 2.4-liter turbo 4-cylinder engine can deliver up to 265 hp and an estimated 25 combined MPG rating.
Toyota Highlander Safety Rating
What is the Toyota Highlander’s safety rating? Let’s investigate the ratings from the NHTSA and the IIHS to determine how they compare with other SUVs in terms of vehicle safety.
The NHTSA tested two variants of the 2023 Toyota Highlander: the all-wheel and front-wheel drive. It was rated 5 stars by the NHTSA, with a 4-star rating on the frontal crash test, earning the same rating on the front driver and front passenger side.
Meanwhile, it scored 5 stars for the side crash tests, including the side pole and side barrier rating. As for the rollover crash test, it earned 4 stars and a rollover risk rate of 16.40%.
The Toyota Highlander’s safety rating from the IIHS earned it a Top Safety Pick award. This recognition is given not only to the 2024 model but also to a few models from previous years. Thus, the four-door SUV is an excellent choice if you are looking for the safest one.
So, does it mean that the Toyota Highlander is safe? The simple answer is yes. The Toyota Highlander underwent multiple crash tests on crashworthiness and crash prevention. It performed well on these tests, ensuring occupants are protected during collision.
Is the Toyota Highlander Reliable?
The latest JD Power rating on the Toyota Highlander is 80/100 overall and 79/100 for quality and reliability. This 100-point score rating is based on opinions and feedback from Highlander owners, which determines the likelihood of the SUV encountering problems and repairs.
According to JD Power, the owners liked the following best from the Highlander:
• Fuel economy
• Driving range
• Interior and ride comfort
• Navigation
On the other hand, they were not happy about the following:
• Difficulty getting in and out of the third-row seat
• Engine or motor noise
What’s the Most Common Problem with the Toyota Highlander?
When shopping for used models, it’s crucial to know the most common problems with the Highlander and be informed about what you should be wary of. Here are the most common issues affecting the SUV:
• Malfunctioning LATCH system
• Failure in the airbag deployment
• Disabled vehicle stability control
• Failure in the low-pressure pump in the fuel tank
• Illegible load capacity label
• Sudden loss of brake assist
• Spare tire air pressure
• Fuel leakage
• Damaged steering column assembly
This list of Toyota Highlander recall issues will give you a clearer picture of the SUV’s prevailing problems. You can use it to determine if it’s the right SUV to buy, especially if you have safety concerns.
Is the Toyota Highlander High Maintenance?
According to Car Edge, the average maintenance cost for the Toyota Highlander is $5,771 within its first 10 years. The average cost is higher than most SUV models, as the industry average is $3,362.
The major repair probability also increases for the midsized SUV as it ages. For example, the major repair probability within the first year is 1.66%, but it increases to 16% on the 10th year of service.
Following the recommended maintenance schedule for the Toyota Highlander ensures you can avoid any major issues. You must conduct routine maintenance for the SUV at the 5,000-, 10,000-, 15,000-, and 20,000-mile mark.
