Here’s Why Toyota's Highlander Is One of the Safest Vehicles You Can Buy in 2021

The fourth-generation Highlander launched in 2019 as a 2020 model. Compared to the previous generation, it was completely redesigned using Toyota’s GA-K platform, which it shares with the new Camry, RAV4, Sienna, or Lexus ES.

For 2021, it comes with standard LED projection headlamps on all models, a new sporty looking trim called XSE, and additional standard safety features.

It is available with either a 3.5-liter V6 good for 295 hp or a hybrid powertrain that includes a 2.5-liter inline-four and two electric motors that team up for a combined output of 243 hp.

The V6 is paired with an 8-speed UA80F automatic, while the hybrid models feature an eCVT with sequential shift mode. Both powertrain options offer a choice between FWD and AWD.

All six available trims include Toyota’s Safety Sense 2.5+, a suite of advanced driver assistance systems. It comes with all the important features of the 2.0 version like a lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assistance (including both steering assistance and road-edge detection), lane-centering assistance, automatic high-beam headlights, and road sign assistance.

The new version also enhances two existing functionalities. In addition to detecting oncoming vehicles, the pre-collision system is now able to sense bicyclists or pedestrians in both daytime and low-light conditions, providing audio and visual alerts and automatically engaging the braking system if the driver does not react in time.

Furthermore, the adaptive cruise control now includes a feature that allows for a smoother and proactive approach for overtaking maneuvers. Using a radar fitted behind the Toyota badge and a camera on the windshield, it helps maintain a preset distance from the vehicle ahead.

If the driver engages the turn signal when approaching a slower vehicle and starts moving the steering wheel to begin overtaking, the system will scan surrounding traffic and automatically increase speed for a quick maneuver if it decides it’s safe to do so. This eliminates the need for pedal input from the driver.

The 2021 Highlander also packs eight airbags as standard. These include front and knee airbags for the driver, front and cushion airbags for the passenger, and a set of front side and curtain shield airbags.

With its no-compromise approach to safety, the SUV earned a score of ‘Good’ in all IIHS crashworthiness tests while also receiving ‘Superior’ ratings in crash avoidance and mitigation tests. Those included front crash prevention vehicle-to-vehicle tests and front crash prevention vehicle-to-pedestrian tests. All these added up to an overall Top Safety Pick+ rating.

According to the NHTSA, the Highlander is good enough to receive four stars in the organization’s front driver side and front passenger side crashworthiness tests, while side barrier and pole tests earned it a five-star score. Overall, the NHTSA also gave the SUV its highest rating, which is even more impressive when coupled with the IIHS’s Top Safety Pick+.

Considering these ratings, the 2021 Toyota Highlander is one of the safest vehicles you can buy this year, offering a comprehensive suite of standard safety features and advanced driver assists.

It’s also a much-improved vehicle compared to the previous generation, both aesthetically and in terms of capabilities. It is currently available with a starting MSRP of $34,810 for the entry-level L trim, while the top Platinum model has a starting MSRP of $46,965.