2019 Toyota Avalon Safety Deep Dive: Why It Earned IIHS Top Safety Pick+

Unpacking the Avalon's Safety Achievement

The automotive safety landscape received a standout performer when the 2019 Toyota Avalon secured the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) prestigious Top Safety Pick+ award. This recognition places the Avalon in elite company, particularly impressive for a large sedan in a market increasingly dominated by SUVs.

--FIRST CAR LIST HERE--

What Makes the Top Safety Pick+ So Significant?

IIHS awards represent the gold standard in vehicle safety evaluation, with Top Safety Pick+ being their highest honor. To qualify, vehicles must:

• Ace five rigorous crash tests with "good" ratings
• Demonstrate effective front crash prevention systems
• Provide superior headlight illumination
• Show acceptable performance in the challenging passenger-side small overlap test
• --TOP ADVERTISEMENT HERE--
  

Crash Test Performance Breakdown

The Avalon's safety story begins with its crashworthiness. In IIHS evaluations, it achieved top marks in:

1. Driver-Side Small Overlap Front Test

This simulates striking a pole or tree at 40 mph with just 25% of the front bumper. The Avalon's reinforced structure maintained excellent occupant compartment integrity.

2. Moderate Overlap Front Test

Representing a 40 mph frontal impact, the Avalon's advanced airbag system and crumple zones performed flawlessly.

3. Side Impact Test

The Avalon's side curtain airbags and reinforced doors provided exceptional protection in this 3,300-pound barrier impact simulation.

--SECOND CAR LIST HERE--

The Passenger-Side Consideration

While the Avalon received an "acceptable" (second-highest) rating in the passenger-side small overlap test, this still met the Top Safety Pick+ threshold. This challenging test has become a differentiator among safety leaders.

Lighting the Way: Headlight Performance Variations

One fascinating aspect of the Avalon's safety story involves its trim-dependent headlight performance:

This distinction highlights how optional equipment can significantly impact a vehicle's safety rating. Only Avalons equipped with LED projector headlights qualify for the Top Safety Pick+ award.

--FIRST CONTENT ADVERTISEMENT HERE--

Standard Safety Tech That Sets the Avalon Apart

Unlike many competitors that reserve advanced safety features for premium trims, Toyota includes its comprehensive Safety Sense suite across all Avalon models:

• Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection
• Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist
• Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
• Automatic High Beams
• --THIRD CAR LIST HERE--
  

This inclusive approach contributed to the Avalon's "superior" rating in front crash prevention - the highest possible score from IIHS.

Class-Leading Safety in a Shrinking Segment

The large sedan market has contracted significantly, making the Avalon's safety achievement even more notable. Its closest competitor, the Kia Cadenza, only managed a Top Safety Pick (without the "+") due to its headlight performance.

Why the Avalon Stands Alone

Several factors distinguish the Avalon in its class:

• Only large car with Top Safety Pick+ status
• Standard advanced safety features across all trims
• Superior headlight performance in premium trims
• Proven crashworthiness across multiple test scenarios
• --SECOND CONTENT ADVERTISEMENT HERE--
  

What This Means for Car Buyers

For safety-conscious consumers, the Avalon presents a compelling case:

For New Car Shoppers

Prioritize Limited or Touring trims to benefit from the superior headlights that contribute to the Top Safety Pick+ rating.

For Used Car Buyers

All 2019 Avalons offer exceptional crash protection and standard advanced safety features, making even base models excellent choices.

--FOURTH CAR LIST HERE--

The Bigger Safety Picture

Beyond crash tests, the Avalon incorporates numerous passive and active safety elements:

• 10 standard airbags including knee airbags for both front occupants
• Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (available)
• Intuitive parking assist systems
• Rearview camera with dynamic guidelines

Safety Shouldn't Be Optional

The Avalon's achievement underscores an important industry trend - safety technology is becoming less of a luxury and more of an expectation. Toyota's decision to make advanced safety features standard across all trims sets a benchmark other manufacturers should follow.

As you consider your next vehicle purchase, remember that safety ratings like the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ represent more than just badges - they're tangible indicators of a vehicle's ability to protect you and your loved ones in real-world driving conditions.

--THIRD CONTENT ADVERTISEMENT HERE--