We wonder exactly how safe the Toyota Highlander is after seeing one model take a roll around a steep curve. The driver of the Toyota Highlander is pretty lucky to walk away without any injuries because his SUV didn’t fare so well. 

Is the Toyota Highlander easy to flip? 

No, the Toyota Highlander isn’t very easy to flip, it’s very safe. But first, we will provide a little context. According to Daily Voice, a Toyota 4Runner flipped around a curve on Route 4 in Englewood, New Jersey. The SUV toppled a street sign before coming to a stop on its side. However, it’s actually a Toyota Highlander instead.

The Bergen County Sheriff’s Office quickly responded to investigate the scene and handle traffic after the Highlander took a roll. The driver was able to climb out of his SUV afterward. While he looks shaken up, no serious injuries have been reported. 

However, the Highlander appears to be crushed. It looks like the roof may have caved in a little. Also, debris can be seen on the side of the road. But even if the roof did cave, it protected the driver from being crushed. 

But according to the NHTSA, the Highlander is very safe. It scored a five-star safety rating and scored four out of five stars in its rollover test. It only has a 16.40% rollover risk. So, let’s discuss the more dangerous 4Runner instead.

How safe is the 4Runner? 

The current safety ratings apply to the 2014 – 2021 Toyota 4Runner models. The current 4Runner is part of the 5th generation that was redesigned in 2010. However, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the 4Runer gained significant safety upgrades in 2014. 

The 2014 Toyota 4Runner got longer side curtain airbags. They were extended and reprogrammed to deploy during frontal, side, and rollover crashes to improve occupant safety. It looks like the airbags did their job by protecting the New Jersy man when he rolled. 

Overall, the 4Runner is pretty safe. You can score a rating of Good, Acceptable, Marginal, or Poor for each crash area. The 4Runner earned a Good rating for its ability to protect occupants during frontal and side crashes. However, even though the roof is considered to be strong, the structure and safety cage only scored a Poor rating. 

Also, the 4Runner got a Poor rating for its headlights. The low beams fail to provide adequate visibility around curves and cause glare. The high beams also only inadequate visibility around curves. 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 4Runner has a safety rating of four out of five stars. However, it only scored three out of five stars during its rollover resistance test. It’s actually the large SUV that is the most likely to flip. 

What safety features does the 4Runner have? 

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner comes with the Toyota Safety Sense P system, which includes forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and dynamic radar cruise control. 

It also comes with the Star Safety System that includes vehicle stability control, traction control, an anti-lock brake system, smart stop technology, and more. But we didn’t see rear-cross traffic alert or lane-keeping assistance on the list. 

Overall the 4Runner seems to be average in terms of safety. The poor headlights and high rollover risk bring its rating down. It has a heavy, tall, and narrow design, making it easier to roll if you aren’t paying attention to the road or drive too fast around curves.