Top Safety Pick + Top Safety Pick criteria

2019 Toyota Avalon

large car / 4-door sedan

Award applies only to vehicles with specific headlights built after September 2018

2019 Toyota Avalon 4-door sedan

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Small overlap front: driver-side
Small overlap front: passenger-side
Moderate overlap front: original test
Side: original test
Roof strength
Head restraints & seats

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Headlights (varies by trim/option)
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Standard system
Superior

Seat belts & child restraints

LATCH ease of use
+

Other available safety features

  • Standard daytime running lights
  • Standard blind spot detection
  • Standard lane departure warning
  • Standard lane departure prevention

Key

  • G
    Good
  • A
    Acceptable
  • M
    Marginal
  • P
    Poor
  • Superior
  • Advanced
  • Basic

Some ratings use a scale of Poor to Good. Others range from Basic to Superior.

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2019-22 models

Tested vehicle: 2019 Toyota Avalon Limited 4-door

The Toyota Avalon was redesigned for the 2019 model year. Driver-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Toyota as part of frontal crash test verification.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTN1805
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 2
Footrest (cm) 3
Left toepan (cm) 5
Brake pedal (cm) 2
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 0
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column 1
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 1
Upper dash (cm) 2
Lower instrument panel (cm) 3

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTN1805
Head
HIC-15 153
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.3
Extension bending moment (Nm) 7
Maximum Nij 0.21
Chest maximum compression (mm) 26
Femur (kN)
Left 0.7
Right 0.5
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 1
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.32
Right 0.59
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 2.1
Right 1.8
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 72
Right 57

How the driver-side small overlap front test is conducted

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2019-22 models built after September 2018

Tested vehicle: 2019 Toyota Avalon Touring 4-door

The Toyota Avalon was redesigned for the 2019 model year. Beginning with 2019 models built after September 2018, the shape and vent hole size of the passenger frontal airbag were modified to improve occupant protection in passenger-side small overlap frontal crashes. (Information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on the driver door or adjacent B-pillar.)

Two tests of the Avalon were conducted by Toyota, one built before the passenger airbag was modified and one built afterward, as part of frontal crash test verification. These cars are rated separately, except that the structure, driver injury, and driver restraints and dummy kinematics ratings for the second car are based on both tests. Vehicle specifications shown below are from the second test.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side

Test ID VTP1825 VTP1818
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 3 3
Footrest (cm) 3 5
Right toepan (cm) 5 7
Center toepan (cm) 4 5
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 0 0
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm) 1 1
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 3 3
Upper dash (cm) 3 2
Right lower dash (cm) 2 2

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTP1825
Head
HIC-15 184
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.2
Extension bending moment (Nm) 14
Maximum Nij 0.23
Chest maximum compression (mm) 21
Femur (kN)
Left 1.2
Right 0.9
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 4
Right 3
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.42
Right 0.35
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 2.6
Right 2.0
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 61
Right 67

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTP1825 VTP1818
Head
HIC-15 202 104
Peak gs at hard contact no contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.4 0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm) 24 7
Maximum Nij 0.22 0.20
Chest maximum compression (mm) 28 29
Femur (kN)
Left 0.3 0.3
Right 0.4 0.4
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 1 0
Right 0 1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0 0
Right 0 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.58 0.39
Right 0.29 0.21
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 0.2 0.4
Right 1.3 1.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 50 39
Right 48 44

Rating applies to 2019 models built before October 2018

Tested vehicle: 2019 Toyota Avalon XLE 4-door

The Toyota Avalon was redesigned for the 2019 model year. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Toyota as part of frontal crash test verification.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
The dummy’s head barely contacted the frontal airbag before sliding off the right side, allowing the head to move far enough forward to hit the dashboard. The side curtain airbag deployed and has sufficient forward coverage to protect the head from contact with side structure and outside objects.
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side

Test ID VTP1818
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 3
Footrest (cm) 5
Right toepan (cm) 7
Center toepan (cm) 5
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 0
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm) 1
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 3
Upper dash (cm) 2
Right lower dash (cm) 2

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTP1818
Head
HIC-15 266
Peak gs at hard contact 55
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.5
Extension bending moment (Nm) 9
Maximum Nij 0.25
Chest maximum compression (mm) 20
Femur (kN)
Left 1.6
Right 0.9
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 2
Right 2
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.49
Right 0.43
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 3.6
Right 2.1
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 81
Right 76

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTP1818
Head
HIC-15 104
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm) 7
Maximum Nij 0.20
Chest maximum compression (mm) 29
Femur (kN)
Left 0.3
Right 0.4
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.39
Right 0.21
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 0.4
Right 1.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 39
Right 44

How the passenger-side small overlap front test is conducted

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2019-22 models

Tested vehicle: 2019 Toyota Avalon XLE 4-door

The Toyota Avalon was redesigned for the 2019 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Toyota as part of frontal crash test verification.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTF1807
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 6
Left (cm) 9
Center (cm) 8
Right (cm) 4
Brake pedal (cm) 1
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 2
Right (cm) 2
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) 3
Rearward (cm) -1
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 0

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTF1807
Head
HIC-15 249
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.2
Extension bending moment (Nm) 25
Maximum Nij 0.31
Chest maximum compression (mm) 27
Legs
Femur force - left (kN) 0.6
Femur force - right (kN) 1.5
Knee displacement - left (mm) 1
Knee displacement - right (mm) 1
Maximum tibia index - left 0.26
Maximum tibia index - right 0.59
Tibia axial force - left (kN) 1.7
Tibia axial force - right (kN) 2.9
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 109
Right 67

How the moderate overlap front test is conducted

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2019-22 models

Tested vehicle: 2019 Toyota Avalon Limited 4-door

The Toyota Avalon was redesigned for the 2019 model year. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Toyota as part of side crash test verification.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Rear passenger head protection
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTS1804
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -22.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTS1804
Head HIC-15 323
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.7
Compression (kN) 0.0
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 23
Lateral force (kN) 1.1
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 25
Average deflection (mm) 23
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 2.90
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.30
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 1.4
Acetabulum force (kN) 1.2
Combined force (kN) 2.5
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.8
L-M moment (Nm) 82
A-P moment (Nm) 39

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTS1804
Head HIC-15 105
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.3
Compression (kN) 0.4
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 18
Lateral force (kN) 0.1
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 19
Average deflection (mm) 17
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 1.03
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.10
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 0.7
Acetabulum force (kN) 0.8
Combined force (kN) 1.4
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.4
L-M moment (Nm) 53
A-P moment (Nm) 34

How the side crash test is conducted

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2019-22 models

Tested vehicle: 2019 Toyota Avalon XLE 4-door

Overall evaluation
Curb weight 3,590 lbs
Peak force 18,627 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio 5.19

How the roof strength test is conducted

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Power leatherette seat

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry
Technical measurements for this test
Seat type Power leatherette seat
Geometry
Backset (mm) 6
Distance below top of head (mm) -9
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g) 11.5
Head contact time (ms) 52
Force rating 1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N) 0
Max neck tension (N) 123

How the head restraint & seat test is conducted
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Headlights

Ratings are given for 2 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

  • Limited trim
  • Touring trim
  • Hybrid Limited trim
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED projector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit Some glare

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the sharp left and both right curves and fair on the gradual left curve.

The low beams created some glare.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual right and gradual left curves and fair on the sharp right and sharp left curves.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and all 4 curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • Limited trim
  • Touring trim
  • Hybrid Limited trim
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED projector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2019-22 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 98.7 m None
Straightaway left edge 58.5 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 66.5 m 3.4%
250m radius left curve, right edge 57.4 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 56.5 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 56.9 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 167.8 m
Straightaway left edge 166.8 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 82.6 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 79.9 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 64.0 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 63.8 m

Trim level(s)

  • XLE trim
  • Hybrid XLE trim
  • XSE trim
  • Hybrid XSE trim
Low-beam headlight type LED reflector
High-beam headlight type LED reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was inadequate on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was fair on both right curves and inadequate on both left curves.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was fair on the gradual right curve and inadequate on the sharp right and both left curves.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and all 4 curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • XLE trim
  • Hybrid XLE trim
  • XSE trim
  • Hybrid XSE trim
Low-beam headlight type LED reflector
High-beam headlight type LED reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2019-22 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 71.7 m None
Straightaway left edge 41.8 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 59.6 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 41.5 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 49.4 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 35.1 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 150.6 m
Straightaway left edge 79.4 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 74.1 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 49.5 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 54.8 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 40.1 m

How headlights are evaluated

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

System details

  • Standard Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection

Package name

  • Standard Toyta Safety Sense P (TSS-P)

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2019-21 models

Superior
Superior
  • This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

How front crash prevention is evaluated

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2019-22 models

Overall evaluation
+
extra LATCH positions
Vehicle trim XLE
Seat type leatherette

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor and the ability to borrow lower anchors from the other seating positions.

Note: When anchors are borrowed, they aren't available to use in their designated positions.

Overall evaluation
+
extra LATCH positions
Vehicle trim XLE
Seat type leatherette
1 2 3
G Good
A Acceptable
M Marginal
P Poor
Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol
Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol
Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol
Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
No hardware available

Details by seating position

1
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
not too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
2
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
Can be borrowed from 1 and 3
3
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
not too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
Technical measurements for this test

Seat position 21

3

Lower anchor A
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 0
Clearance angle (degrees) 78
Lower anchor B
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 0
Clearance angle (degrees) 81
Tether anchor
Location Rear deck
Confusing hardware present No
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor
Yes

Seat position 22

2

Lower anchor A
Lower latch is shared for this seat position
Lower anchor B
Lower latch is shared for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location Rear deck
Confusing hardware present No
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor
Yes

Seat position 23

1

Lower anchor A
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 0
Clearance angle (degrees) 77
Lower anchor B
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 0
Clearance angle (degrees) 78
Tether anchor
Location Rear deck
Confusing hardware present No
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor
Yes

How child seat anchors are evaluated