Why the Toyota Highlander Is One of the Safest SUVs on the Road

When you’re shopping for a family SUV, factors such as safety, performance, and style are all important considerations. We have the Toyota Highlander for sale and know how this sizable SUV revolutionizes the daily grind. The one thing that we constantly find ourselves highlighting to customers is the Highlander’s strong safety ratings and slew of safety-oriented features.

Toyota’s approach to vehicle design includes a focus on driver and passenger protection, which is reflected in the Highlander’s consistent safety ratings from industry agencies. Standard features include a range of advanced driver-assistance technologies. These factors all contribute to the Highlander being chosen by a variety of drivers seeking the same thing—safety. Let’s take a look at how the Highlander offers the protection and confidence you’re looking for in an SUV.

Toyota Safety Sense: Technology That Looks Out for You

One of the most highlighted aspects of the Highlander’s safety profile is Toyota’s comprehensive Safety Sense package, which, on newer model years, is standard across the lineup. This suite of advanced driver-assistance features means that every Highlander model benefits from the latest safety technologies. By providing these critical safety systems across its lineup, Toyota shows its commitment to accessibility, setting the Highlander apart from the competition.

The Pre-Collision System With Pedestrian Detection

Central to the Toyota Safety Sense package is the Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection. Using integrated cameras and radar, this system continuously monitors the vehicle’s surroundings, alerting the driver and automatically applying brakes when a potential collision or pedestrian is detected. This feature proves particularly beneficial in urban settings with significant pedestrian and cyclist activity, as well as in suburban areas where unexpected obstacles may pop up.

Lane Departure Alert With Steering Assist and Road Sign Assist

Safety Sense also features Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, which helps drivers maintain lane discipline by issuing warnings and subtly corrective steering if unintentional drifting is detected without signaling. This feature contributes to a safer and more comfortable experience, especially on extended highway journeys. Additionally, Road Sign Assist enhances situational awareness by identifying and displaying key road signs, including speed limits and stop signs, directly on the dashboard.

Cruise Control and Automatic High Beams

Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control further enhances convenience and safety by maintaining a set distance from the vehicle ahead. This system automatically adjusts the Highlander’s speed in response to traffic conditions, thereby lessening driver fatigue during longer trips and increasing confidence in congested environments. Complementing these technologies are Automatic High Beams, which optimize nighttime visibility while reducing pesky glare for other motorists. Together, these features create comprehensive coverage for many different real-world scenarios.

A Five-Star Safety Rating From the NHTSA

Advanced technology is reassuring, but many drivers also want to know how a vehicle performs in real-world crash tests. The Highlander has consistently earned high marks from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), one of the most trusted organizations in the automotive world. This agency puts vehicles through rigorous hazard situations, and the Highlander consistently demonstrates its ability to protect occupants at all times.

The NHTSA has awarded the Highlander with a five-star safety rating, reflecting its ability to protect passengers in front, side, and rollover crash scenarios. These results provide security that the SUV can withstand the unexpected while lessening risk to the driver and passengers. Families, in particular, appreciate knowing their vehicle has been thoroughly tested in demanding conditions that simulate real-world scenarios.

When you’re carrying your most precious cargo (think: children, friends, loved ones, beloved pets), you want the reassurance of knowing that the vehicle has been tested and proven in controlled crash environments. The Highlander gives you that confidence, making it a dependable automobile built for everything from carpools to cross-country adventures.

Smart Features That Simplify Everyday Safety

While Toyota Safety Sense covers the core driver aids, the Highlander goes well beyond with additional smart features. These aren’t just high-tech gimmicks, though—they’re practical tools that help drivers feel more in control and more aware of their surroundings.

Blind Spot Monitor With Cross-Traffic Alert

The Blind Spot Monitor is one of these valuable features. It alerts you when another vehicle is in your blind spot, reducing the stress of lane changes on busy highways. Pair this with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, which warns you when cars are approaching from the side while backing out of a parking spot, and you have an SUV that’s clearly thinking ahead about daily driving scenarios drivers encounter.

Advance Camera Systems

The Bird’s Eye View Camera with Perimeter Scan is another highlight. This system gives you a 360-degree view around the vehicle, making parking and maneuvering in cramped spaces significantly easier. For parents with kids running around in the driveway, or for drivers winding through crowded city lots, this feature is a game-changer that goes beyond convenience and into safety.

Simplify Parking

Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking takes it one step further by helping prevent low-speed fender-benders. If the system detects an obstacle, it can automatically apply the brakes to avoid contact. Even veteran drivers can appreciate this kind of protection in tricky parking situations, as it takes away the worry of unexpected bumps and scrapes.

Safety Is Built Into the Design

It’s easy to focus on the technology, but the Highlander also benefits from strong safety fundamentals built into its design. Toyota engineers understand that true safety begins with the vehicle’s structure, and that’s where the Highlander excels. This foundation provides a solid platform for every feature, resulting in maximum protection.

Toyota’s Unique Design Platform

The Highlander is built using Toyota’s advanced TNGA-K (Toyota New Global Architecture) platform. It improves rigidity and strength, which translates into better crash performance. A strong body structure absorbs and redistributes impact energy, helping protect passengers inside the cabin. It also boosts overall ride quality, making the Highlander safer and more comfortable.

A Comprehensive Airbag System

The Highlander is equipped with a comprehensive airbag system inside it, including driver and passenger airbags, seat-mounted side airbags, and side curtain airbags that cover all three rows. This guarantees every seat is protected in the event of a collision, not just the driver and front passenger. For folks transporting multiple passengers, this sense of safety is paramount.

A LATCH System for Your Smaller Passengers

Toyota certainly prioritizes child passenger safety. The Highlander offers multiple LATCH anchors for child seats and is meant to make installation straightforward and secure. For parents, this attention to detail provides extra reassurance that even the youngest passengers are protected, and it eliminates the stress of struggling with complicated car seat setups.

Other Features

Additionally, features like Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control, and an anti-lock braking system work together to improve driver control in adverse conditions. These built-in safety measures make sure that the Highlander is prepared for the unexpected, whether it’s slippery roads, sudden stops, or sharp turns.

Find Your Toyota Highlander With Us Today

Ready to experience the safety and security of the Toyota Highlander for yourself? Haley Toyota of Richmond is here to help. We are home to a large selection of Highlander models, so you can find the trim and features that best meet your needs.

There’s nothing we love more than matching Richmond-area drivers with the right Toyota, and we’ll walk you through every step of the process. From exploring trims to learning more about available safety features, we’re here to make your car-buying journey straightforward and stress-free. We are also happy to explain every safety feature and rating for the Highlander that piques your interest, so don’t hesitate to ask questions!

So, why wait? Visit us today, explore our inventory, and take a test drive in the Toyota Highlander. Discover for yourself why so many families and adventurers turn to this SUV for safety, security, and sensibility during each drive. When it comes to finding the right vehicle for your family, there’s nothing quite like the Highlander, and there’s no better place to find it than here at Haley Toyota of Richmond.