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2014 Toyota Highlander Gets IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Award

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) just rolled another round of its already-famous small overlapping front crash test, this time aimed at midsize SUVs. And as expected, most of them pretty much failed and only three out of the nine tested so far managed to get good grades.
2014 Toyota Highlander small overlap 1 photo
Photo: IIHS
Among them is the all-new Toyota Highlander, which received Acceptable ratings in the small overlapping crash test for Restrains & kinematics, Structure and Overall passenger safety in this sort of impact. The Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain managed to score Good on all fields and complete the top three.

The Highlander managed to get the Top Safety Pick+ also because it’s fitted with both forward collision warning and automatic braking function that reduced speeds by more than 5 mph (8 km/h) in IIHS tests at 12 and 25 mph (19 and 40 km/h).

On the other hand, the Toyota 4Runner obtained only a Marginal overall rating, with its structure deforming too much. The worst midsize SUV that went through this test was the Honda Pilot, with the driver’s space being seriously compromised by intruding structure.

For the first time in 2014, a good or acceptable rating for small overlap protection, along with good ratings in the moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests, is a requirement for TOP SAFETY PICK. The Equinox, Terrain and Highlander earn the higher accolade of TOP SAFETY PICK+ because each is available with an optional front crash prevention system.
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