How Safe Is the Toyota RAV4?
The Toyota RAV4 ranks highly in safety ratings among compact SUVs. The vehicle has a long list of innovative safety features that have earned it some of the highest safety awards in the vehicle’s class.
Standard Safety Features Of the Toyota RAV4
Toyota has a reputation for manufacturing some of the safest vehicles on the road. Toyota has continued that tradition by including Toyota Safety Sense as a standard feature on the Toyota RAV4. Toyota Safety Sense is a group of innovative safety features and driver-assist technologies designed to keep you and your passengers safe.
Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection
The RAV4’s Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection is an integrated camera and radar system designed to diminish the chances of rear-ending a car or having a collision with a pedestrian or bicyclist.
The system uses low light capabilities along with radar technology and a camera capable of recognizing shapes and provides an audio and visual alert if an impending collision is detected. If the driver does not respond quickly enough to avoid an accident, the Pre-Collision System will activate automatic braking support to help lessen the potential for a collision.
Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
Designed for highway and constant speed driving, Toyota’s Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control uses radar and camera technology to help you drive at a preset speed while helping you maintain a preset distance from the preceding vehicle.
If the Dynamic Radar Cruise Control detects a slower vehicle in front of you, it will decrease the RAV4’s speed to maintain a safe distance without shutting off the cruise control. If the system determines that you need to slow down more, an audio and visual alert will notify you, and support braking may be initiated. When the traffic has cleared, the vehicle will accelerate and return to the preset speed.
Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist
Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist identifies the edge of the road or visible lane markings. It alerts the driver if a lane departure is detected at speeds of over 32 MPH. If the system discovers that the driver is not responding to the alert, the steering assist feature gently guides the RAV4 into the proper lane position.
Automatic High Beams
The automatic high beams feature designed to help the driver see clearly at night. The system detects available light and automatically turns the high beams on in dim light at speeds of over 25MPH. When headlights of oncoming vehicles or taillights of a preceding vehicle are detected, the system dims the lights. As the light diminishes, the high beams will activate again and toggle accordingly.
Road Sign Assist
Road Sign Assist utilizes intelligent camera technology to detect standard road signs such as speed limit, stop signs, and yield signs, and displays this information for the driver.
Toyota RAV4 Safety Ratings
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests vehicles for safety in frontal crashes, side crashes, rollovers, and overall safety. Using a five-star rating system with five being the highest safety rating, the NHTSA then rates vehicles in these four categories. The Toyota RAV4 has received the highest five-star safety rating available from the NHTSA in both overall safety and side crashes and received a four-star rating for a frontal collision and rollover.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is a nonprofit, independent scientific and educational organization funded by the insurance industry with the mission of helping to reduce traffic fatalities. They test vehicles for safety in a variety of categories and rate them as superior, good, marginal, or poor. The IIHS rated the Toyota RAV4 as good in crashworthiness and superior in crash avoidance & mitigation as well as front crash prevention.
Overall the RAV4 continues to live up to Toyota’s reputation for manufacturing safe vehicles. Toyota’s dedication to utilizing the latest technology and safety features available and making them standard equipment on their vehicles is a testament to their commitment to safety.