2010 Yenko Camaro Announced with Details and...
Green
Trucks
Luxury
Family
Brand
Muscle
See more sites from  HighGear  M E D I A  >>
Compare this car to others like it Try our car compare tool now

2009 Toyota Highlander Safety Review

December 14, 2008

SAFETY | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Five stars, front driver impact; four stars, front passenger impact; five stars, side impacts
NHTSA

Good," frontal offset impact; "good," side impact; Top Safety Pick
IIHS

All major safety equipment is standard
Edmunds

long list of advanced occupant protection features
MyRide.com

It's hard to perform much better in crash tests than the 2009 Toyota Highlander. The Highlander's safety credentials don't end there, however, since it also comes equipped with a wide range of standard safety equipment.

In both NHTSA and IIHS tests, the 2009 Toyota Highlander emerges as one of the safest vehicles on the road today. The Toyota Highlander 2009 earns perfect five-star ratings from NHTSA in three of four impact tests. The only test in which it doesn't earn five stars, for front passenger impact, results in a still-impressive four-star rating. In IIHS tests, the Toyota Highlander garners the highest possible rating, "good," in every test conducted, and it meets all the criteria required of a Top Safety Pick.

Regarding safety features, Cars.com reports that the 2009 Toyota Highlander comes "standard with four-wheel-disc antilock brakes, traction control and an electronic stability system." Edmunds adds that "all major safety equipment is standard," and ConsumerGuide says the equipment includes "curtain side airbags that cover all seating rows, front side airbags, and a driver knee airbag." Anyone who plans on taking their Toyota Highlander off-road will also be glad to hear that the 2009 Toyota Highlander AWD comes standard with "hill descent control," according to ConsumerGuide.

The 2009 Toyota Highlander is, in most regards, a safety standout. However, the one area where reviews read by TheCarConnection.com find fault with the Toyota Highlander is in terms of driver visibility. While ConsumerGuide says "forward visibility is good thanks to an elevated seating position," they add that "rear visibility is impeded by 2nd-row headrests and thick rear roof pillars."

Conclusion

Top-notch safety complements the 2009 Toyota Highlander’s family practicality.

SAFETY | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:Five stars, front driver impact; four stars, front passenger impact; five stars, side impactsNHTSAGood," frontal offset impact; "good," side impact; Top Safety PickIIHSAll major safety equipment is standardEdmundslong list of advanced occupant protection featuresMyRide.com It's hard to perform much better in crash tests than the 2009 Toyota Highlander. The Highlander's safety credentials don't end there, however, since it also comes equipped with a wide range of standard safety equipment. In both NHTSA and IIHS tests, the 2009 Toyota Highlander emerges as one of the safest vehicles on the road today. The Toyota Highlander 2009 earns perfect five-star ratings from NHTSA in three of four impact tests. The only test in which it doesn't earn five stars, for front passenger impact, results in a still-impressive four-star rating. In IIHS tests, the Toyota Highlander garners the highest possible rating, "good," in every test conducted, and it meets all the criteria required of a Top Safety Pick. Regarding safety features, Cars.com reports that the 2009 Toyota Highlander comes "standard with four-wheel-disc antilock brakes, traction control and an electronic stability system." Edmunds adds that "all major safety equipment is standard," and ConsumerGuide says the equipment includes "curtain side airbags that cover all seating rows, front side airbags, and a driver knee airbag." Anyone who plans on taking their Toyota Highlander off-road will also be glad to hear that the 2009 Toyota Highlander AWD comes standard with "hill descent control," according to ConsumerGuide. The 2009 Toyota Highlander is, in most regards, a safety standout. However, the one area where reviews read by TheCarConnection.com find fault with the Toyota Highlander is in terms of driver visibility. While ConsumerGuide says "forward visibility is good thanks to an elevated seating position," they add that "rear visibility is impeded by 2nd-row headrests and thick rear roof pillars." ConclusionTop-notch safety complements the 2009 Toyota Highlander’s family practicality.  2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER STYLING | [7 out of 10] ConsumerGuide: "Large, easy-to-read gauges and high-mounted audio and climate controls" MyRide.com: "The Highlander Limited is the headturner of the bunch" Kelley Blue Book: "Substantially larger, roomier and more powerful than its ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The 2009 Toyota Highlander competes in the heart of the SUV market, against mid-size offerings that range from more traditional off-road-ready ones to those that are essentially just tall-roofed wagons. If passenger space is a priority, you might want to consider the Chevrolet Traverse or Taurus X. The new-for-2009 Honda Pilot is dynamically refreshing, and it offers seating for eight. If you don't need room for seven, consider the Ford Edge or even Toyota's own RAV4. Lastly, if you're unlikely to ever venture off-road, consider the Mazda CX-9, one of TheCarConnection.com's favorite crossovers.

Next Steps:

Get a free price quote

for the 2009 Toyota Highlander from a dealer near you

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2009 Toyota Highlander

Check Financing Rates

for the 2009 Toyota Highlander

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2009 Toyota Highlander near you

See the Toyota Highlander in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001

Comments (1 total)

  1. By stuart lanson #1, Posted: 6/13/2009

    I just took a 1000 mile drive in my new 2009 Highlander 4 cyliner from Arizona to Kansas and cannot believe how happy I am with this car. I was skeptical at first that there would be enough power to climb mountain roads, run my AC and allow me to pass cars. Well, it does all that and without much problem. I am passing cars at 80-90 mph without difficulty. The six speed transmission is meshed with this 4 cylinder engine perfectly as I am not aware of the changing gears as we climb mountain roads. Gas mileage is better than the advertised 27 on the highway. I checked it three times at 30, 28, and 28.2 mpg driving average speed of 70mph. Never used cruise as it is in the breakin period. I have a Tahoe I am selling which always shimmed at high speed and waved a bit as we passed semis. This car is like an arrow on the highway, smooth, quiet, and effortless. Really a dream to drive even passing semis.The negatives are no compass or thermometer in the mirror with the base model. No bells and whistles which are not really needed, and usually break with time requiring expensive maintenance. Will upgrade the mirror. Got the satellite radio installed and love listening to music anywhere. Over all grade A. Great choice compared to the hybrid or the standard V6 since it will never go off road and front wheel drive is just fine. Besides it has a snow selector for preventing wheel spin on slippery pavement and traction control as well. Tahoe had leather seats, this has cloth. Less hot in the Arizona sun but you cannot slide in the seat. Seats are comfortable but use manual adjustments which work fine.

Post a comment

Post anonymously, or
(Required)
(Required - will not be published, sold or shared)
(Optional - your 'posted by' name will link to the URL)

Remember Me?

I have read TheCarConnection.com's privacy policy