The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has named a variety of cars and SUVs that are safe enough for teenagers. It’s important that teens drive the safest vehicles possible, since their inexperience and boldness lead to a higher number of serious accidents than older drivers. One of the best SUVs for teenagers is the 2022 Toyota Highlander. Not only is it a Best New Vehicle for Teens, it’s also an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and it has a good rating in its updated side test. Let’s take a look at what makes this Toyota SUV a great choice for the teen driver in your life.

The IIHS says the 2022 Toyota Highlander is one of the best new SUVs for teens

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tests vehicles and conducts research on driving and safety. It releases a list of the safest vehicles for teenagers every year and the 2022 Toyota Highlander is on that list.

The IIHS Best New Vehicles must have good Consumer Reports predicted reliability ratings, average or better emergency handling test scores, and take fewer than 140 feet to stop from 60 mph on dry pavement. In addition, they must have a good or better for their controls from Consumer Reports. Finally, they couldn’t have high average insurance claim rates under medical payment or personal injury protection in models from the last few years.

The Toyota Highlander is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+

The 2022 Toyota Highlander is a Top Safety Pick+. That’s the highest safety award that the IIHS gives out, and it only goes to vehicle with good crash test results in the driver-side small overlap front test, passenger-side small overlap front test, and moderate overlap front test. It also must have good original side test results, roof strength, and head restraint tests. In addition, it has to have an advanced or superior rating for its available front crash prevention system for both the vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian evaluations and an acceptable or good headlight rating standard on all trim levels.

In addition, the 2022 Toyota Highlander has two headlights available. One has acceptable ratings, but the other has good ratings.

The Highlander has a good updated side crash test

The IIHS recently updated its side crash test to try to strengthen the safety of vehicles. Many SUVs with previously good original side crash test results ended up with only acceptable or marginal ratings in the new updated side test. The Highlander isn’t one of these; it scored well in the updated side test as well. Within that category, only one subcategory has a less-than-good rating: the pelvis in the driver injury measures.

If you’re looking for one of the best SUVs for your teenager, the 2022 Toyota Highlander is a fantastic choice. It has everything you could need in an SUV, and most importantly, it’s super safe. Being one of the safest new SUVs for teenagers, an IIHS Top Safety Pick+, and having a good updated side crash test makes the new Highlander a great choice for your kid.