2017 Toyota Highlander Safety Analysis: Maintaining Its Top Safety Pick+ Excellence

The 2017 Toyota Highlander continues its legacy as one of the safest three-row SUVs on the market, reaffirming its position with another prestigious Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This recognition places the Highlander among an elite group of family vehicles that meet the most stringent safety criteria in the automotive industry.

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What Makes the Highlander a Top Safety Pick+ Winner?

To understand the significance of this achievement, it's important to recognize the rigorous testing standards vehicles must overcome to earn IIHS's highest honor:

• Crash Test Performance: Good ratings in all five evaluations (small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side impact, roof strength, and head restraints)
• Front Crash Prevention: Advanced or superior rating for automatic emergency braking systems
• Headlight Effectiveness: Acceptable or good rating for visibility and glare control
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What sets the 2017 Highlander apart is that it achieves this top safety designation with standard equipment, unlike many competitors that require expensive optional packages to qualify. Every Highlander comes equipped with Toyota's Safety Sense™ P (TSS-P) suite, including:

Year-over-Year Safety Improvements

While the 2016 Highlander also earned Top Safety Pick+ status, the 2017 model demonstrates meaningful enhancements:

The upgraded safety package reflects Toyota's commitment to making advanced protection accessible without requiring buyers to navigate complex option packages.

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How the Highlander Compares to Rival SUVs

In the competitive midsize SUV segment, the Highlander holds its own against other safety leaders while outperforming some popular alternatives:

Class Leaders Matching Top Safety Pick+ Status:

• Hyundai Santa Fe: Edges out the Highlander with Good headlight ratings
• Honda Pilot: Matches the Highlander's test scores point-for-point

SUVs Falling Short of the Highlander's Standards:

• Ford Explorer: Received Marginal in small overlap front testing
• Nissan Pathfinder: Lacks standard front crash prevention
• Chevrolet Traverse: Previous generation scored lower in side impact tests
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Why the Highlander Remains a Smart Safety Choice

For families prioritizing protection, the 2017 Highlander offers several compelling advantages:

Structural Safety Engineering

Toyota's GOA (Global Outstanding Assessment) body structure combines high-strength steel with energy-absorbing design elements to create a protective safety cage around occupants. This engineering proved particularly effective in the challenging small overlap test, where many competitors struggle.

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Comprehensive Airbag System

The Highlander's eight airbag system includes:

• Driver and front passenger advanced airbags
• Seat-mounted side airbags for front occupants
• Side curtain airbags covering all three rows
• Driver's knee airbag

Child Safety Considerations

With LATCH anchors for all second-row seats and one third-row position, the Highlander makes proper child seat installation easier than many three-row alternatives. The wide rear door openings and flat seat contours further simplify securing young passengers.

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Real-World Safety Performance

Beyond laboratory tests, the Highlander demonstrates strong performance in actual crash data:

• NHTSA 5-Star Overall Safety Rating
• Lowest possible driver death rate among midsize SUVs according to IIHS data
• Top 10% ranking for avoiding insurance injury claims

These real-world results validate the Highlander's comprehensive approach to safety that considers both crash protection and accident avoidance.

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Making the Most of the Highlander's Safety Features

To fully benefit from the Highlander's advanced systems, owners should:

1. Familiarize themselves with TSS-P: Take time to understand how the pre-collision system and lane keeping aids work
2. Maintain proper lighting: Keep headlight lenses clean for optimal visibility
3. Use all seating positions safely: Follow proper child seat installation guidelines for each row
4. Stay current with recalls: Register with Toyota to receive important safety updates

The Evolution of SUV Safety Standards

The Highlander's consistent performance reflects broader trends in automotive safety:

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Changing Consumer Expectations

Modern buyers increasingly demand advanced safety technologies as standard equipment rather than luxury options. Toyota's decision to make TSS-P standard across the Highlander lineup anticipated this shift.

Regulatory Influences

Upcoming NHTSA and Euro NCAP requirements have pushed automakers to improve small overlap protection and pedestrian detection systems - areas where the Highlander excels.

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Technology Trickle-Down

Features once reserved for luxury vehicles, like automatic emergency braking, now appear in mainstream models like the Highlander, raising the safety floor for all consumers.

Looking Beyond the 2017 Model Year

While this analysis focuses on the 2017 Highlander, its safety legacy continues in newer models:

• 2018-2022 models maintained Top Safety Pick+ status with incremental improvements
• Current-generation Highlanders feature even more advanced Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+
• Future models may incorporate emerging technologies like intersection collision avoidance

This consistent commitment to safety makes the Highlander one of the most reliable long-term choices for protection-conscious families.

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