The 2017 Toyota Highlander has been given the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) top award.
The IIHS said the vehicle earned the award thanks to good crash protection across the board, a superior-rated front crash prevention system and acceptable-rated headlights.
Unlike most Top Safety Pick+ winners, which only meet the front crash prevention and headlight criteria when they are equipped with optional features, the Highlander qualified for the award with standard equipment.
The midsize SUV’s new standard front crash prevention system is an improvement over the optional system on the 2016 model, which earned an advanced rating. In IIHS track tests of the 2017 system, the vehicle avoided a collision in the 12 mph test. In the 25 mph test, it avoided a collision in 4 out of 5 runs and slowed 21 mph the fifth time. The system also includes a forward collision warning component that meets National Highway Traffic Safety Administration criteria.
